The choice for this tale in Cologne was easy since my best friend told me that this is his favourite spot in town. From Little Link you can easily walk to Ona Mor. On the way there are possibilities to check out Seiberts and Spirits or to continue later on to Shepheards. A lot of different choices and all a pretty short walk apart. As mentioned in my other tale from Cologne, continuation to other bars might become difficult since you enjoy yourself too much at one spot. Well Ona Mor is also a big risk when it comes to that. Even the gods would have a hard time to continue to the next bar since Ona means “favourite of the gods” and Mor stands for excellent and eccentric. If it’s a coincidence that Ona Mor backwards says Romano, which is the last name of Alessandro the owner, I do not know but it is a catchy little anecdote.
Frau A Horn-Bourbon
Ring the bell if you would like to get access to this small cocktail temple. The place roughly fits 35 people, 6 tables just when you come in and a few more after the bar. The light is very pleasing and warm and you feel immediately welcomed. The walls are covered with an interesting wooden pattern conveying a modern and elegant touch. Light shines through the construction which underlines the warm tone in Ona Mor. Furthermore, the scene is intensified with candle lights at the tables and a few small spots that illuminate the seating area. A host welcomes you after opening the door and directs you to your table or the bar if you are lucky to get in. The place gets busy on the weekend. Not sure how busy it is during the week but you should definitely try your luck. The first time we came, we were seated right at the bar to observe the skills of Alessandro and the team and the second time we got a small table in the front part of the bar. Water service arrived without asking and a small bowl with homemade truffle popcorn. A real delight but once you start to enjoy them it’s hard to stop. So delicious! Friendliness is key in this place and you can feel it from A to Z. Not only from Alessandro himself but his whole team make you feel extremely comfortable. Since the hosts are also mixing, depending on the evening, knowledge also arrives at your table and either seated at the bar or at the tables you get perfect advice or recommendations. This is something that you don’t find in every bar. You can literally feel the expertise. I have the feeling that this is something Alessandro puts a lot of passion in. Spreading knowledge, make people aware, teach them, offering a platform etc. Ona Mor offers cocktail courses for different levels. Learn how to produce and carve clear ice cubes as Ona Mor puts a lot of emphasis on the ice. Alessandro just opened a small cocktail boutique across the street called “Belle Booze”. The focus of this new boutique lies on selected spirits and tools. In the back part of the establishment the team has built a training room for cocktail classes and a huge refurbished cellar waits to be used for events or special tastings.
Warm Interior
Speaking of tasting, after a sneak peak of “Belle Booze” it was time to taste some of the cocktails. Ona Mor presents a very diverse and creative cocktail menu with a mix of old classics the bar serves for years and new creations that are changed frequently. The menu was nominated for the best bar menu in 2012 and 2013 by Mixology. The first drink that arrived on the table was an Opulent fashion. A composition created in 2010. Made with Zacapa, Solera and Bulleit Bourbon, homemade old fashioned syrup with barrel aged bitter, orange bitter and Aphrodite aromas. A very powerful, full bodied twist of an Old Fashioned with a lot of wood, orange and cinnamon flavours that create a balanced sweetness on the palate which are underlined with subtle bitter notes. A perfect autumn/winter cocktail to sit back and relax and frown over the meanings of life! Drinks are served on a felt coaster which is perfect as they delicately soak up the water and keep the table clean. Why some bars still use paper napkins that create a mess and create waste is a myth to me. My second order was “Frau Ahorn”, which consisted of Islay whisky and Bourbon, maple syrup and Mozart bitter, a cocktail created in 2011. I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised since working with Mozart bitter is difficult in my opinion. It overpowers the chocolate flavour very easily in a cocktail. To finish off an enjoyable evening I ordered a smoky legacy, a drink from last year. A refreshing cocktail composed with mezcal, kiwi, lime, sage and sweetened with agave syrup. This drink sends you on journey to a Yucatecan hacienda; pleasant smokiness from the mezcal, sourness from the lime, delicate sweetness from the agave syrup, refreshing kiwi flavours and some mild sage scents add some complexity and round this drink off. Gods would approve of this place and I will certainly be back.
© Images: Ona Mor
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