Ladino returns to the Tour this year with another front of the house/back of the house collab! Located in the Historic Pearl, Ladino is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey through the Mediterranean.

With a menu that celebrates the diverse cultures and cuisines of the region, Ladino serves up fresh-made pita from a wood-burning oven, an array of dips and small plates, and regional specialties grilled over live fire. Just recently, Ladino earned a Bib Gourmand from the 2024 MICHELIN Guide, a testament to its commitment to quality.

Steven Rickoff’s back at it with another mouthwatering take on the classic dessert cocktail, the Brandy Aleksandra. Born and raised in San Antonio, Steven knows how to shake things up—literally! When he’s not crafting cocktails, you'll find him enjoying a friendly game of Texas Hold 'Em or diving into the pages of The Great Gatsby. He dreams of one day sipping on a nice bottle of wine while soaking up the sun on the Adriatic coast in Croatia.

The Brandy Aleksandra is a luxurious blend of housemade halva syrup, cream, Amaro Montenegro, and a splash of Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer. The halva syrup is a labor of love, crafted with baking spices, tahini, rich Austrian dark chocolate, and a hint of Iraqi date molasses.

But what’s a great cocktail without a stellar dessert to match? Enter Malvika Gaba, the genius pastry chef at Ladino, who has paired the Brandy Aleksandra with a treat that’s as rich in flavor as the drink itself: Turkish Halva. This tahini-based dessert, dipped in dark chocolate and topped with edible flowers and a sprinkle of salt, is a sweet homage to the Mediterranean’s traditional sweets—but with Malvika’s modern twist.

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Ladino and experience the Brandy Aleksandra for yourself now through NYE.