At the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, Cocktail Rituals Connect Local Flavors to Time-Honored Tradition

Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

“Signature Rituals are an integral part of the St. Regis brand, embodying the essence of an exquisite stay,” says Sunny Chuang, director of food and beverage at the St. Regis Maldives. Chuang explains that these rituals date back to the Astor family, who founded the first St. Regis property in 1904.

He adds that each ritual offers a modern interpretation of timeless elegance, and is a hospitable way to invite guests to experience the heritage and history of the brand.

Today, there are few cocktails as well known as the bloody mary, and its popularity all started at the St. Regis. In 1934, revered bartender Fernand Petiot mastered the recipe at King Cole Bar, located in the St. Regis New York. Originally called the Red Snapper, the drink was first made with vodka, tomato juice, and a handful of spices. Today, each St. Regis location has its own interpretation of the original libation, and the Maldives resort is no exception.

“Celebrating the distinctive flavors and pristine landscape of the Maldives, [our iteration] elevates the classic bloody mary with kala namak salt, a prevalent seasoning in South Asian cuisine,” Chuang says.

Chuang describes the flavor of kala namak as kiln-fired pink Himalayan salt blended with regional herbs and spices. “This unique seasoning imparts a bold, tangy flavor that enhances the cocktail, evoking the exotic essence of the Maldives,” he says. The drink is served in a seashell-shaped glass to “capture the essence of sunsets over the Indian Ocean, as seen from the white-sand beaches of Vommuli Island.”

The Whale Bar. Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Every evening at 6:45, guests at the St. Regis Maldives are invited to the resort’s Whale Bar to partake in the property’s Champagne Sabering Ceremony, a custom that dates back to the late-19th century. “The tradition of Champagne Sabering dates back to the 1700s when Napoléon Bonaparte and his cavalry would celebrate victories by elegantly sabering bottles of champagne,” Chuang explains, stating that the Astor family subsequently adopted this tradition as a means to welcome the evening and bid farewell to the working day.

While the Champagne sabering ritual isn’t unique to the St. Regis Maldives location, the celebration is taken to the next level. “Our celebration is marked by a vibrant flag procession, with each flag marking a meaningful tribute to the natural beauty surrounding us,” says Chuang. Flags of four different colors are ushered down the bar’s jetty, each representing a different element of the islands: blue for water and calmness, green for nature (which also depicts an image of the majestic Banyan tree found on site), orange for creativity and celebration, and white for peace. Post-saber, complimentary pours of Champagne are distributed to each guest to raise a glass and kick off the evening.

In addition to the signature Champagne Sabering Ritual, the St. Regis Maldives’ bar program introduced a second evening tradition, the Violet Hour Ritual, in September 2022. “Inspired by the golden twilight hour, when the sky transforms into a mesmerizing shade of violet, this ritual celebrates the transition from day to night with a signature cocktail experience,” Chuang says. Similar to the Champagne sabering, the Violet Hour Ritual takes place at The Whale Bar, and guests can enjoy a small pour of the bar’s signature violet hour cocktail, which is made from a blend of botanical-infused spirits, floral liqueurs, and a hint of citrus.

“While maintaining the elegance of this celebrated ritual, the cocktail also reflects local flavors, offering guests a distinct taste of the Maldives,” says Chuang, citing the drink as visually striking and flavorful. “This tradition pays homage to the brand’s storied heritage of refined indulgence, inviting guests at The Whale Bar to immerse themselves in a moment of luxury as the sun dips below the horizon,” he explains. Floral and savory, the drink promises to appeal to fans of gin-based cocktails, particularly those with an affinity for wet martinis.

Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Beyond the signature Champagne and cocktail rituals, local nods and flavors can be found throughout the bar program at St. Regis Maldives, much of which is centered around zero waste. “The Maldivian philosophy of sustainability is central to our approach, and one key ingredient we highlight is the coconut,” says Chuang, stating that every part of the coconut is used behind the bar, from the water and meat to the shell and leaves.

A prime example of coconut’s many uses can be found in the lost in paradise cocktail, which is inspired by the Ruku Raa, a traditional Maldivian drink made from the sap of coconut palm flowers. “Instead of using the sap, we ferment coconut water and blend it with homemade carbonated wine made from leftover berries sourced from our dining outlets,” says Chuang, which brings a distinct infusion of flavor — as well as Maldivian heritage — to the drink, while also highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

View from inside the The Whale Bar. Photo: St. Regis Maldives Vommuli

Additionally, the property offers a Maldivian Sundown Ritual, inspired by the traditional island way of life. “As the sun begins to set, we invite guests to partake in a coconut-smoked cocktail ceremony, a nod to the Maldivian tradition of using coconut shells for smoking and infusing flavors,” Chuang says. Guests are invited to join the staff at the Beach Bar, where a number of cocktails infused with locally sourced spices, tropical fruits, and smoked coconut essence are served. “This sensory experience not only highlights traditional Maldivian ingredients but also captures the beauty of a Maldivian sunset in every sip,” he says.

Nods to local flavors and traditions are equally found in the hotel’s hand-harvested herbal infusions, which incorporate indigenous Maldivian herbs and botanicals (such as pandan leaves, screw pine, and dried hibiscus) in bespoke tea-inspired cocktail recipes. “These ingredients have been used for centuries in local remedies, and incorporating them into our drinks allows guests to experience a true taste of the Maldives in a refined and memorable way,” says Chuang.

Above all, what sets the St. Regis Maldives’ beverage program apart from other luxury properties based on the islands is its celebration of heritage through drinks and cocktails, which offer a literal and figurative taste of the true essence of the Maldives. “Through these carefully curated experiences,” Chuang says, “we ensure that every guest at St. Regis Maldives doesn’t just enjoy a drink but embarks on a journey through the culture and traditions of this breathtaking destination.”