American Bar Gemini — Restaurant in Cagliari

Sometimes, explaining perfection is quite tricky. I have been to cocktail bars all over the world and have been a bit of a cocktail bar tourist. I even watch the cocktail making show Drink Masters on Netflix. so I have form.

My partner and I had just been out for a meal and a long walk around beautiful Cagliari and were about to head home and turn in for the night. We passed a bar with open doors, playing chilled vibes and with inviting velvet drapes framing the entrance. I was instantly drawn to it and in we went.

Inside it was small but cosy. Opposite us there were 3 people enjoying quite flamboyant looking cocktails, one served in a glass the shape of a puffer fish! We asked for a cocktail list and were told that they don’t have one. Just tell them what you would like or the types of cocktails you like and they will do the rest. Hmmmm……

I said that I like tart cocktails and would normally go with a perfectly made margarita with mezcal or a porn star martini. I was served in a puffer fish glass a passion fruit mezcal margarita with a flaming sugar lump. BEST COCKTAIL EVER. Perfectly balanced flavours. The smoky tartness of the mezcal balanced out with the sweet/sour passion fruit was perfect. And I am fussy.

My partner had pisco sour. It came served in a bird shaped glass. It was perfect. We ended up in a slight argument when I accidentally over-sipped and emptied the glass but that’s another story.

The owner had Gemini twins, hence the name of the bar so I finished the evening with a Gemini cocktail. Spicy and sweet to represent the yin Yang nature of the star sign. Perfect.

I would say as it’s small and intimate don’t rock up with a bunch of lads. Stay in the town centre. If you are after the fine dining equivalent in cocktails you can thank me later. Who would have thought that Cagliari would be home to perhaps the best cocktail experience...

In the weeks leading up to our trip to Cagliari, I researched potential restaurants and cocktail bars. On our final night, we finally had the opportunity to try this charming little bar. We booked in advance. There is outdoor seating, but we chose to sit inside, due to there being a stronger breeze than usual. First things first, there is no official menu. On being seated, you are told that the way it works is that you explain/describe what sort of drink/specific flavours you like and that the talented mixologists conjure their magic. Each drink is charged at a set price of €13 and you could feel the love and respect that went into each one. These people truly are masters of their craft. The owners are so polite. So personable. Initially, there is old-school American jazz music playing in the background, later I detected the soulful beats of Ghanaian blues. This, in combination with the dim lighting, succeeds in creating the perfect atmosphere.

On departing, I left smiling with a smug sense of satisfaction that I had "found" this place, but also rued that I wouldn't get the chance to go there again. Though not before taking in a free shot that was offered to us. Honestly, the whole experience was magnificent. The best cocktail bar in Cagliari and as good as any that I have been to...

When you take a seat at Gemini Becky doesn't give you a menu instead she asks "what are you looking for?" I'm never sure if she wants to know about my life or what I want to drink... so I usually tell her both. She has a clairvoyant power to read your vibe and relay that to the mixologist Federico who happens to be her husband and co-owner. The whole staff is masterful and the results are the memories you'll recall on your flight home while reflecting on your favorite moments from Sardinia. Becky and Federico decided to start this bar after years of working as a power couple in the industry. When they found out they were pregnant - with twins - they decided they wanted to set an example and show their prodigy they could become anything in this world if they took risks and gave it their best. So Becky and Federico took a risk and started this bar. From your seat at the bar it hardly looks like a risk, they are naturals at creating an ambiance to remember. So stop by, take a drink or two, and make sure to introduce yourself to the staff. It might just be the highlight...