Designing the Flavour Story at SO/ Hotel RAK

A Creative Collaboration Across the Hotel’s Signature Outlets

In the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the striking new SO/ Hotel made its debut in November 2025, unveiling a bold collection of dining experiences and entertainment spaces that reflect the brand’s signature style and energy.

For us, this project became an exciting opportunity to contribute to the region’s evolving culinary landscape by shaping a beverage identity that complements the hotel’s vision. We were invited to craft tailored cocktail programs for three of their F&B venues, each one with its own personality, purpose, and creative direction.

What made the collaboration truly inspiring was the diversity of the concepts themselves. Three venues, three distinct stories — and the challenge of designing flavour journeys that honour each space while maintaining a unified SO/ narrative.

Here’s how that vision came to life...

CHIANO RISTORANTE

A CULINARY JOURNEY THROUGH THE AMALFI COAST, FROM THE GOLDEN SUN-KISSED HILLTOPS OF CAPRI TO THE CHARMING FAMILY-RUN TRATTORIAS NESTLED BY THE SPARKLING TYRRHENIAN SEA. 

"CHIANO IS NAPOLITAN DIALECT FOR SOFT AND SLOW - AN IDEAL THAT INFUSES THE RESTAURANT THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WHERE GUESTS CAN SAVOUR THE SLOW-PACED LIFESTYLE.

THE COCKTAIL MENU NARRATIVE

This menu is designed as a journey along the Amalfi Coast and across the waters to Capri — a voyage through myths, landscapes, and flavours that shape this corner of the Mediterranean.

Each cocktail draws from a story, a local fruit, a ritual, or a legend that gives identity to this land. From the serendipitous Torta Caprese that inspired a playful Negroni, to the fleeting sweetness of nespole plucked from Amalfi’s terraces, to the rum-soaked indulgence of the Neapolitan babà, every drink carries a sense of memory and place. We drift through the smoky–bitter rhythm of Atrani, pause at Li Galli where the

Sirens sang to sailors, and finish with Naples’ surprising ritual of espresso brightened with lemon zest. Every sip tells a story; every flavour is a reminder that the coast is not only seen — it is tasted. Let this menu be your glass-bound voyage through Capri and the Costiera, created with care for Chiano Restaurant.

🍫

NEGRONI SBAGLIATO A CAPRI

Inspired by Capri’s iconic Torta Caprese — a cake born by mistake,

where chocolate and lemon met by chance.

This Negroni twist plays with the same serendipity.

Tanqueray Gin, Campari, Cocoa Vermouth, Prosecco & Lemon Foam

🍑

NESPOLINI

Inspired by the fleeting season of the local loquat, the "nespola"

— honeyed and tangy, harvested wild on coastal terraces

and transformed here into a bright and fruity Martini.

Ketel One Vodka, Honey, Nespole al Vino, Citrus

🥮

NAPOLI OLD WORLD SOUR

A nod to old Naples, where whisky, rum, and the city’s beloved babà

meet in a rich, nostalgic sour — balancing warmth, sweetness,

and walnut depth like a café in the shadow of Vesuvius.

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, Ron Santiago de Cuba Añejo 8,

Babà Syrup, Lemon, Walnut-Bitter Tincture

🌊

ONDINA COLLINS

As elusive as Capri’s sea nymphs

— a Collins where Amalfi lemon, thyme gardens,

and a whisper of pear sweetness flow together in refreshing bitter harmony.

Tanqueray Gin, Thyme & Pear, Amaro Cynar,

Lemon, Soda

🍋

AMALFI SPRITZ

Inspired by the Amalfi terraces where lemons and citrus scent the breeze

— a sparkling spritz lifted by bergamot and mandarin,

bright as the coast itself.

Casa Lotos Sotol, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto,

Mandarin & Lemon, Prosecco

☕

LIMONE EXPRESS

A nod to the Neapolitan habit of zesting espresso with lemon

— bitter, bright, and oddly perfect.

Enriched with Passito, nuts, and salt for depth.

Ketel One Vodka, Passito, Salted Hazelnut,

Espresso, Lemon Skins

HADABA LOUNGE

HADABA SHOWCASES THE FLAVOURS OF THE LEVANT, OFFERING SLOW-COOKED DISHES, SMOKED DELICACIES, AND CAREFULLY CURATED DRINKS FOR A TRULY DISTINCTIVE MIDDLE EASTERN DINING EXPERIENCE. A PLACE WHERE OLD AND NEW FRIENDS GATHER TO BREAK BREAD, SHARE A DRINK, AND EXCHANGE STORIES; WHERE THE FAMILIARITY OF CUISINE IS ENHANCED BY THE UNEXPECTED.

THE COCKTAIL MENU NARRATIVE

This menu is a journey through the Levant — from coastal gardens perfumed with orange blossom to spice-laden souks glowing with saffron, from the honeyed warmth of za’atar and chamomile to the jewelled brightness of pomegranate and apricot. Each cocktail is a memory of this land: a sunset steeped in rosé, a market alive with herbs, a night along the coast carried by citrus and smoke. From the effervescent Levantine Spritz to the Ruby Granada Negroni, the golden shimmer of the Tropical Souk to the earthy elegance of the Mediterranean Martini crafted to detail with Tanqueray No.TEN, every glass tells a story of heritage reimagined. Here, cocktails are invitations — to taste the Levant not only in its flavours, but in its spirit of gathering, generosity, and light. Crafted with care, for Habada.

🌞

LEVANTINE SPRITZ

A floral and effervescent coastal aperitif

— sunset in a coupe.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Elderflower, Sparkling Rosè Wine,

Orange Bloom Water.

🫏

HADABA MULE

Cooling and herbaceous

— a refreshing nod to Levantine hospitality.

Ketel One Vodka, Za’atar Honey Syrup,

Lime, Ginger Ale.

🥃

GRANADA NEGRONI

Bitter-sweet and elegant

— the colour and aroma of a Beirut sunset.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth,

Pomegranate Reduction.

🍋‍🟩

TROPICAL SOUK DAIQUIRI

Golden and exotic

— a stroll through a sunlit spice market.

Ron Santiago de Cuba Añejo 8, Saffron Syrup,

Passionfruit, Lime.

🕊️

ASTRAL SOLSTICE

Zesty and aromatic — a modern Paloma reimagined

through a Mediterranean garden.

Astral Tequila Blanco, Basil Cordial, Mandarin & Grapefruit,

Lime, Soda Water.

🍸

MEDITERRANEAN MARTINI - one sip

Elegant and dry

— the essence of the Riviera aperitif culture.

Frozen Tanqueray No. TEN, Dry Vermouth,

Green Olive Brine, Rosemary Mist.

🍑

AMBER SANDS

Smooth and layered

— warm coastal nights in a glass.

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, Apricot Liqueur,

Chamomile Syrup, Lemon, Bitters.

🌵

EL CAMINO DEL SOL

Earthy and luminous

— connecting desert roots to Mediterranean light.

Casa Lotos Sotol, Fig Cordial, Agave,

Lemon, Orange Water Mist.

THE MARKET - ALL DAY DINING

THE MARKET BLENDS THE VIBRANT ENERGY OF A BUSTLING STREET MARKET

WITH THE COMFORT AND ELEGANCE OF A LUXURIOUS RESTAURANT.

IT WILL BE A BUFFET CELEBRATING AN ABUNDANCE OF THE FINEST LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS, CRAFTED FROM FRESH REGIONAL INGREDIENTS AND PREMIUM GLOBAL FAVOURITES. A VIBRANT HUB OF ACTIVITIES, WHERE GUESTS CAN MINGLE. EXPLORE NEW DISHES, AND IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN A MELTING POT OF FLAVOURS.

THE COCKTAIL MENU NARRATIVE

The Art of Effortless Indulgence.
Crafted for the refined yet relaxed atmosphere of SO/ Ras Al Khaimah,

this collection embodies the essence of modern luxury and approachable sophistication.

Designed for poolside and all-day dining, each serve celebrates balance, simplicity, and flavour — all easily replicable, yet distinctly premium. Every cocktail is built on Diageo’s Reserve portfolio with one special inclusion from Casa Lotos Sotol, bridging craftsmanship with the rhythm of resort life.


🌻
SO HUGO

A radiant spritz inspired by the Riviera

— where citrus meets bloom.

Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Elderflower,

Prosecco, Soda.

🌹
DESERT BLOOM

A tribute to desert flowers after the rain

— delicate, fragrant, pure refreshment.

Ketel One Vodka, Hibiscus & Rose Cordial,

Lime, Soda.

🌅
GOLDEN HORIZON

A modern highball glowing with light smoke

and citrus honey warmth.

Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, Honey, Lemon,

Ginger Ale, Angostura.

🥥
TROPICAL SOL

A frozen piña colada reborn

— creamy coconut and ceremonial matcha

in radiant harmony.

Ron Santiago de Cuba Añejo 8, Pineapple,

Coconut Cream, Matcha, Lime.

🌶️
ASTRAL PALOMA

A Riviera-style Paloma kissed by the desert sun

— zesty, lightly spicy, and perfectly balanced.

Astral Tequila Blanco, Chili & Agave Reduction,

Lime, Grapefruit, Soda.

🫐
CASA DEL SOL

A desert breeze with a Japanese soul

— yuzu brightness, lemongrass clarity,

and earthy Sotol lifted by ginger spice and berry depth.

Casa Lotos Sotol, Yuzu & Lemongrass Cordial,

Crème de Mure, Lime, Ginger Ale.

🐝🍃

Visiting SO/ Hotel RAK?

Let the menus guide your experience 

— and tell us which cocktail became your story.