An unexpected union that has led to the umpteenth evolution of Morgana, a place where change is the watchword and the muffled atmosphere of the mirage that changes its appearance with each new season to amaze even more.

Its protagonists

A collaboration born by chance, Christian Sciglio organizes a Masterclass at the Morgana Lounge Bar where he invites Paolo Viola to participate in the event as a leading figure in the mixology sector. From there the partnership that unites them today was born, an unexpected chemistry that binds the two bartenders from a professional point of view and that has completely overturned the choices made by Paolo who decided to return to his Itaca, after the years in Milan, to collaborate with Christian in the splendid city of Taormina.

Christian Sciglio is the owner and bartender of Morgana Lounge Bar, an expert in the mixology sector, who in recent years has started a reality in the gastronomic sector, the Medousa Bistrot & Suites, which takes its name from another emblematic woman of mythology. Important recognition in this year full of challenges and difficulties goes to his brand new creation Grand Tour Gin, an indigenous Sicilian distillate that speaks of its beloved Sicily in a completely new light.

Paolo Viola is the bar manager of the Morgana Lounge Bar and for three years now brand Ambassador for vodka and other spirits of the Moet Hennessy portfolio. Sicilian by birth, he completed his training abroad, but finally returned to his beloved Sicily in the last two years thanks to the collaboration with Christian Sciglio in the splendid location of the Morgana Lounge Bar in Taormina.

How would you describe Morgana Lounge Bar? Where does the name of the place come from?

The Morgana Lounge Bar is an atypical concept of its kind, it cannot be compared to any other existing reality. The Morgana must be experienced, it is a combination of the experience at the mixing level and its own dreamlike atmosphere, between music and hospitality. The Morgana is a unique world made of cocktails and super premium products that frame an experience that can only be understood if experienced: it leaves a memory that encourages the customer to return.

We have always worked on customer loyalty, our customers are always at the center of attention, active protagonists of every change and evolution of Morgana. It is a magical place, which recalls the typical phenomenon of the Strait of Messina, where the sky and the sea meet and give life to a sort of mirage handed down over the centuries. Even the name has undergone an evolution over time, at the beginning it was given for the name of the street Morgana Descending, but later the concept married perfectly with the Morgana philosophy. A fortuitous name that then fit perfectly in the making. Every year we change the layout and introduce something new, the customer finds himself in a different place with each change of season.

What is your blending proposal based on?

Ours is an essential mix made from a careful research of the ingredients, the inspiration always comes from the classics that then evolve into our signature proposals. We are very attached to the raw materials of the territory and to their promotion, we never use out of season products. Furthermore, we have embraced the cause of eco-sustainability, we only work with products from the short supply chain, with suppliers and companies indexed on the same line of thought. Plastic has been completely eliminated, even the water bottles for the staff have been replaced, the water we use comes fresh directly from the source. This whole world linked to the essential is linked to the love for the planet, and this is the novelty that we propose in this year's new drink list.

What will the new drink list consist of? Will there be any contamination with the cuisine?

The new drink list The story of Morgana presents the cocktails that have earned the loyalty and won over many customers, the same ones that today return precisely to drink those cocktails that distinguish us, it would have been a bit crazy to eliminate them from the list. Together, in these two years we have included a series of signature cocktails that take inspiration from the Sicilian territory, we wanted to reproduce a journey to discover the Sicilian beauties proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For example, Chorigori It is a drink inspired by the Mediterranean diet and local products, it is a twist on the Bloody Mary based on the Gran Tour gin created by Christian, whose botanicals blend perfectly with our concept of Sicilianness and with the spicy mix of herbs created specifically for its creation. To finish, as a garnish, a dehydrated cherry tomato and a parmesan wafer.

The contaminations with the kitchen derive mostly from the ingredients used in our cocktails, we could connect to the concept of "liquid cuisine" as regards not only the use of the ingredients but also some of the preparation techniques. Speaking of contaminations another connection is with pastry making, we propose a drink called Sharab, inspired by the Arabs who brought it to Sicily, which is served with a teaspoon of berry sorbet.

What is the common thread that links Morgana Lounge Bar and Vineria Modì?

The common thread that connects the Morgana Lounge Bar to Vineria Modì is linked to a tasting menu created specifically by the chef of Vineria Modì in combination with our selection of cocktails designed and created specifically for their tasting proposal. This is not a banal pairing which are paired with cocktails, but with real dishes combined in ingredients and flavours with our drinks through the use of our premium products in terms of raw materials and spirits.

Are there any expectations for the new summer season that is starting? Something in particular about the events?

The best news we will have for our customers is the introduction of an “ice cream cart” where we will mix the typical Sicilian granita with champagne. Another significant event, which we have been celebrating for more than 10 years, is that of T-shirt launch. Every year, a stylist or a personality from the fashion world designs a t-shirt dedicated to Morgana, for the occasion the place is completely transformed and for one night, the whole street is involved in the party full of colors and events. It is our way to inaugurate the summer season, a big party that involves everyone and after this year we do not see them celebrating it.

What's your favorite cocktail?

It depends on the occasion, if I consider myself in Italy I usually take a Gin and tonic, now I would say a Gran Tour tonic. Instead, if I were to be abroad, like New York or London, I definitely prefer an Old Fashioned (Christian).

I, instead, would suggest a Moscow Mule with Belvedere vodka, nice and fresh and super suitable for the summer season (Paolo).

Clelia Mumolo