Aperitivo bars tend to make cocktails that tend to carry a kind of effortless charm that feels tailor-made for long evenings and easy conversation. They’re bright, bittersweet, and refreshing; these drinks are designed to be savoured slowly as the day transitions into night. More than just a pre-dinner ritual, aperitivo culture celebrates the simple pleasure of gathering over good drinks, good company, and moments that don't need to be rushed.
This kind of approach to making a cocktail is what unsobered is all about. Our newest IP, Bar Talks, a space where bars, bartenders, and signature cocktails take centre stage through stories, recipes, and the personalities behind them. For this edition, Bar Talks heads to Mumbai's Call Me Sofia to explore a cocktail inspired by the romance of the Mediterranean, one that feels equal parts playful, elegant, and effortlessly refreshing.
Created by Sreerag and the team at Call Me Sofia, Sunset In Sicily is designed as a vibrant aperitivo-style cocktail that captures the warmth and ease of an Italian evening. Built around sparkling wine and orange-infused Aperol, the drink combines vodka, sparkling wine syrup, fresh orange juice, and a touch of saline solution to create something bright, citrus-forward, and beautifully balanced. The cocktail reflects the relaxed spirit of Southern Italy, where aperitivo is less about the drink itself and more about the experience that surrounds it.
The overall profile leans fresh, citrusy, bittersweet, and lightly sparkling without becoming overly complex, making it the kind of cocktail that's easy to revisit throughout the evening. Notes of orange, gentle bitterness, subtle sweetness, and crisp effervescence come together to create a serve that feels refreshing from the first sip to the last.
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Combine the orange zest and Aperol in a clean container and refrigerate for 24 hours, allowing the citrus oils to infuse into the spirit. Once infused, strain through filter paper and bottle for service.
Combine the sparkling wine and sugar in a container. Blend using a hand blender until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Combine the Himalayan pink salt and hot water in a container. Stir until the salt is fully dissolved and strain through filter paper before use.
Add sparkling wine, orange-infused Aperol, vodka, sparkling wine syrup, fresh orange juice, and saline solution to a blender. Add six ice cubes and blend until smooth and lightly aerated. Pour into the serving glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
According to Sreerag, the orange-infused Aperol used in Sunset In Sicily works far beyond this cocktail alone. The infusion brings an extra layer of fresh citrus character that pairs beautifully with spritzers, sparkling cocktails, light highballs, and even alcohol-free serves featuring citrus, tonic, or soda.
The saline solution also plays a more important role than many people realise. Just a few drops can help sharpen flavours, soften bitterness, and create better balance across a drink. The recommendation is to use it sparingly, allowing it to enhance the existing flavours rather than become noticeable on its own.
Also Read: Campari Group Unveils Ready-To-Drink Aperol Spritz
Sreerag brings a strong hospitality and bar operations background to Call Me Sofia, with experience spanning acclaimed venues, high-profile events, and internationally inspired beverage programming. Having worked closely on curating innovative bar concepts, bespoke cocktail menus, and exclusive bar takeovers, his journey has included prestigious events and projects across destinations such as Bali, Thailand, Morocco, Italy, and the UK.
With previous stints at names like Perch, SAZ & PCO, and Anamiva Goa, Sreerag brings a thoughtful blend of operational expertise and creative flair to Call Me Sofia. His approach to cocktails remains polished, playful, and deeply rooted in hospitality, making drinks like Sunset In Sicily feel as approachable as they are refined.
Call Me Sofia positions itself as Mumbai's first Italian-style aperitivo bar, offering an intimate, golden-lit escape inspired by the leisurely drinking culture of Europe. Conceived by AD Singh and the Olive Group, the venue blends European glamour with a distinctly modern energy, creating a space where cocktails, conversation, and atmosphere come together effortlessly.
The space feels warm, inviting, and intentionally relaxed, making it a natural setting for cocktails like Sunset In Sicily that focus on freshness, balance, and easy enjoyment. Rather than functioning as just another cocktail bar, Call Me Sofia leans into the rituals of aperitivo culture, encouraging guests to slow down, settle in, and savour the evening.
Sunset In Sicily feels less like a cocktail and more like a snapshot of a Mediterranean evening; now imagine drinking this by a beach overlooking the Mediterranean, because between the sparkling wine, citrus brightness, gentle bitterness, and refreshing texture, the drink captures the kind of easy elegance that aperitivo culture has long celebrated, and honestly, that's exactly what makes Bar Talks interesting: not just the cocktail itself, but the story, atmosphere, and personality surrounding it.
