Antonio De Luca, Head Bartender of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, Launches Night of Marco Polo Cocktails at Tian Bar

Antonio De Luca, the new Head Bartender of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, is overseeing all bar operations and the cocktail program at the Hotel. Recently, he launched Night of Marco Polo at Tian Bar on the 99th floor, every Friday night, to demonstrate specially crafted cocktails to the city tastemakers.

Born in Amantea in southern Italy, Antonio learned mixology in the United Kingdom and has travelled around the world as a bartender, gaining a wealth of international experience while working in many different locations. Antonio started his career in Italy at the Mediterraneo Palace Hotel, a luxury hotel located on the Tyrrhenian coast. After working as a consultant at the renowned Italian restaurant Opera Bombana in Beijing, he moved to the Middle East and became the bar manager of Il Ristorante at highly renowned Bvlgari Resort in Dubai, where he developed the bar’s strategies and concepts. After moving to China, Antonio served as the opening head bartender of Rosewood Hotel Guangzhou in 2019. 

Inspired by the renowned The Adventures of Marco Polo, Antonio created three featured cocktails from the tales of the young Marco Polo, who was influenced during his growth by his father Niccolo and his Uncle Maffeo. Marco Polo’s stories stemmed from his travels in the Middle East, which made his young mind dream. For example, the cocktail Maffeo is mixed with Chivas Regal 12 Years, Campari, Mancino Vermouth Rosso and tonic water, which is designed based on the story of Uncle Maffeo toasting with a “Corroboante Spirit Drink" called "Dulcia" with a Crusader after his escape. Another cocktail, La Serenissima, is designed according to a drink composed of a spirit in a rudimentary way that has the taste of chamomile, which is famous in Venice, Marco Polo’s hometown.

Back to making a cocktail itself, there are multiple ways to develop a recipe, from the most classic to most technical, for Antonio. With his profound knowledge, he is able to innovatively mix various types of ingredients together into a perfect drink. Incorporating local ingredients is a little trick he uses. He has experimented with making cocktails using Chinese liquor baijiu, or Chinese tea, which has gained positive feedback from guests.

In addition to his extensive background knowledge, getting to know the guests always helps to make a satisfying cocktail. Taking his signature Negroni as an example, it is not only his own personal favourite but also establishes a connection between him and his guests. The cocktail’s secret lies in communication itself, without any secret recipe or ingredients. He says, “After a few chats, I can mix a Negroni with my impression of the guest in my heart, so it is unique and personalised and very much surprises or satisfies them every time.”

During his free time, Antonio likes to stay active by playing sports such as football and watching Formula One, as well as travelling and learning about different cultures and customs around the world. He particularly appreciates Chinese culture and feels honoured to live in this country.