World’s Most Expensive Cocktail Sold at the Opening of Reka Moscow’s Ice Terrace

Moscow’s first-ever ice terrace with a bar has opened at the Reka Moscow restaurant in the heart of Russia’s capital. Almost twenty tons of pure Siberian ice was used for the creation of the 120 square meter area which can seat up to 80 people. Here, fashionable Muscovites will be able to drink their favorite cocktail surrounded by a unique ice interior and comfortable warmth, thanks to an infrared heating system.

The highlight of the opening was the sale of the world’s most expensive cocktail. The cocktail contained three 1-1.5-carat diamonds from the event’s jewelry sponsor, the Italian company Crivelli, and went for a cool $50,000. Andrey Melnikov, an entrepreneur and regular guest at Reka Moscow, was the proud buyer of the exclusive cocktail. At the close of the evening Crivelli ran a raffle in which more than 100 guests took part and where a pendant could be won.

Restaurants with terraces may not be special. But since summers are short and winters never seem to end in Russia, Michel Lombardi, Reka Moscow’s head chef, envisioned giving Moscow’s high society the chance to eat out for a change:

“I like adventures. My whole career has been an adventure – not least of which was my move to Russia. The harsh winters, adjusting to a new culture and especially to life in the kitchen here – it all was a challenge. But now, just two years later, I feel completely at home. My feeling is that an ice terrace suits the country of Russia, a land of snow and ice. And we have gone out of our way to create something really special, something which will make Muscovites who are used to the best stop and say: Wow, this is amazing!”

Within six months Lombardi’s vision became reality: The ice terrace opened during the run-up towards the upcoming Winter Olympics with the participation of TV presenter Irina Slutskaya, Olympic silver medal winner of 2002 and two-time world champion.

Since Hennessy V.S.O.P. acts as the ice terrace sponsor, guests will be able to order cocktails made with premium alcohol products from the French producer. The ice terrace is a unique environment and the high-quality kitchen suits all kinds of events, from business meetings to romantic dinners.

  Alcohol, Andrey Melnikov, Beverage, Crivelli, Hennessy V.S.O.P., Ice Terrace, Most Expensive Cocktail, Promotion, Record, Reka Moscow, Restaurant, Russia