Renowned mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana’s first American bar, Silver Lyan (silverlyan.com), has impressed since it opened shortly before the pandemic at the Riggs hotel (riggsdc.com) in Penn Quarter. Chetiyawardana is a master of incorporating a region’s cultural and lesser-known history into his menu. We caught up with the sip master and asked about his secret for creating the perfect summer cocktails.
What are the elements that make the perfect summer drink? Light flavors, effervescence, aromatic garnishes and, most importantly, good acidity.
Any tips for keeping drinks light and refreshing? Use ingredients that pack flavor and aren’t super sugary; this allows you to have a drink that’s complex but still light and refreshing. Fortified wines and aperitivo-style liqueurs work well.
Daytime versus nighttime drinks for summer? I’d strongly recommend sticking to lower-proof cocktails with plenty of ice. Using fortified wines such as dry sherry, vermouth or dry Madeira work well. Additionally, splitting your base spirit with nonalcoholic spirits like Seedlip will keep the flavor full and the proof low.
Do you have a favorite summer drink that incorporates wine? A Negroni Sbagliato or a blanc vermouth and soda with lemon are our favorites!
Ryan Chetiyawardana
Photography by: Caitlin Isola; Courtesy of Silver Lyan
