This Sunday, July 27, Summer Cocktail Camp attendees will be whisked away to the Italian coast at Élephante, the latest addition to Scottsdale Fashion Square’s expanding elevated bar and restaurant scene. Conceived by California-based hospitality collective Wish You Were Here Group, the moody, cavernous space draws design inspiration from trips to Pantelleria and the Aeolian Islands near Sicily. According to Julien Calella, VP of Beverage at Wish You Were Here Group, Élephante is “a place where you can enjoy good quality food and drinks in a lively, fun and transportive environment.” We caught up with him to raise a glass to the Hugo Spritz, talk culinary techniques in cocktail-making and get a taste of what Élephante is stirring up this Sunday. Learn more about Summer Cocktail Camp here.
Tell us about you! How did you get your start in the F&B industry and what’s your favorite part about it?
I worked in bars in the SF Bay Area, Amsterdam and L.A. all the way through college, cutting my teeth at various high-volume and craft cocktail bars along the way [and] building a strong foundation for quality at high speed. My favorite part is the people – experiencing all different types of people with their guard down, out having a good time, and being able to facilitate that for them and leave a lasting memorable impression.
Tell us about the cocktail program at Élephante. What’s your favorite drink or one with a cool backstory?
The cocktail program at Élephante is inspired by Italian flavors, while still having something for everyone, including cocktails using all different types of spirits and styles. My favorite drink is the Piccante. We use a lot of different culinary techniques to create an Italian-inspired riff on a strawberry margarita – clarifying the strawberry puree mixed with Fresno chile juice to provide the strawberry chile flavor without an overbearing thick texture, and infusing Italian vermouth with basil to add dry, floral and herbaceous flavors.
How does Élephante’s location at Fashion Square in Scottsdale influence its vibe and menu?
Élephante’s Fashion Square location influences the vibe through offering the party atmosphere so common in Scottsdale, but with a level of elevated sophistication that caters to a wider range of clientele. [It] influences the menu through larger format items that are well-liked and offered in the higher-end steakhouses in the area.
In your opinion, what’s the cocktail of the summer?
The cocktail of the summer, from what I’ve been seeing, is the Hugo Spritz – a spritz cocktail with St‑Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Prosecco and sparkling water with a bit of fresh mint and a piece of lemon. We make a twist on this at Élephante called the Elderflower Spritz, using Cocchi Americano, Italian bittersweet vermouth that adds some complexity to the cocktail.
What do you have planned for Cocktail Camp this Sunday?
For Cocktail Camp on Sunday, we’ll be making a couple of Élephante’s true signature cocktails along with our twists on a couple of classics to showcase the different cocktail techniques that we use in our program, along with the versatility of different cocktails we see around.
