With a background in movie and tv, Bernardo Serna, recognized for tasks reminiscent of Gossip Lady: Acapulco and La Academia actuality present, adopted his ardour for mezcal and teamed up with a Mexico Metropolis hospitality veteran and opened Tlecān—a mezcal bar that in it’s first 12 months discovered itself on the distinguished World’s 50 Finest Bars checklist at #20 (and #10 in North America).
Whereas many Mexico Metropolis bars go for a extra cosmopolitan vibe, Tlecān appears to be like to have fun its Mexican roots. Right here you’ll discover the flagship cocktail Paloma Blanca made with carbonated clarified grapefruit juice, mezcal, lime, and grapefruit salt alongside the Tascalate Bitter, impressed by an historic Mexican drink made from cacao, achiote and corn from the state of Chiapas.
Whereas Tlecān made an enormous splash on the worldwide cocktail scene in a matter of months, Serna is seeking to take issues good and simple and relish the second.
Have been you stunned what number of Mexico Metropolis bars made The World’s 50 Finest Bars checklist?
I used to be not that stunned. I feel Mexico is scorching proper now. Persons are involved in our tradition. I feel subsequent 12 months there’s going to be extra Mexican bars on the checklist.
Do you imply Mexico Metropolis is scorching or Mexico typically?
Normally, however the Metropolis is pumping proper now. Throughout Covid, there have been plenty of ex-pats coming from the worldwide north and so they realized what we had right here and it unfold like wildfire. They have been involved in what we now have to supply. All the spirits that we now have in Mexico, some have been thought-about not that luxurious and they’re now. So, we determined to make this idea a tribute to Prehispanic roots and have all of the distillates that we make in Mexico and elevate the expertise. We thought the spirts deserved higher.
Lots of the mezcal you utilize don’t get exported exterior of Mexico.
We don’t use any labels. Labels don’t matter right here. Every part is purchased straight from the producers at honest costs. We embrace the ephemerality of those spirits, which aren’t high quality managed. They don’t seem to be coming from factories. This isn’t a spot to return and ask for ‘the standard’. It’s extra like, what do you will have this time? Shock me.
Your accomplice, Eli Martinez Bello, ran the Pujol bar program for 5 years. Please speak about your relationship.
She’s an icon within the trade. I knew her from Pujol and Pato Negra and a number of other locations. I used to be beginning this challenge and I advised her, what do you say? I already had the buyers so do you need to take this to the subsequent stage? That is my first bar and I needed to study from the best.
What was the inspiration in beginning a mezcal bar?
I like mezcal however I didn’t like mezcalerias. Right here, they know what they’re serving you. They know who makes it and the way it’s made. They know all of the mezcals that we now have. They know the flavour profiles and so they can advocate one thing that you’ll like.
You’re one of many few status bars that play music in Spanish, which helps to supply the Mexican expertise.
Right here we play cumbia; Mexican and slightly little bit of Colombian as a result of they invented it. Toy [Antonio “Toy” Hernandez] of Management Machete made our playlist.
With drinks just like the Pulque Colada, do you discover that Mexicans are conversant in the elements?
A few of them, sure. Lots of people from the north don’t know what occurs within the south. Tascalate might be recognized in Mexico Metropolis however within the north, it’s uncommon for somebody to know. We offer an expertise for Mexicans to know the remainder of their very own nation.
Are vacationers extra keen to attempt one thing new in comparison with the locals?
There was a second in time the place foreigners did extra analysis earlier than coming so that they knew extra. Now, I feel it’s balanced. Everybody is aware of what mezcal is. Now it’s mainstream. After we first opened, I needed to inform individuals to not shoot it. That is for sipping.
When did your love affair with mezcal begin?
It began in Oaxaca within the ‘90s. I went to a mezcaleria there and it was a really unusual expertise. I really feel in love with the drink however it was arduous to seek out. The primary mezcaleria right here opened round 2010. Then the bottles grew to become mainstream and I went again to the artisanal ones and it blew my thoughts. The variety is superb. Folks are inclined to say that mezcal is smoky, and a few of them are, however plenty of them should not. There are natural and fruity mezcals. There are a lot of flavors.
Is there a cocktail in your menu that’s consultant of the bar?
Sure, I feel the flagship is the Paloma.
What do you hope somebody takes away from their expertise at Tlecān?
It’s very clear to me. While you first are available from the road, it appears to be like actually critical. However mezcal goes to make a celebration of every little thing. Simply let your self go. It’s like a avenue occasion. That’s what we would like.
Tlecān is situated at Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Native 2, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Mexico Metropolis.
