La Vida Que Merezco (The Life I Deserve) At CoChinChina

Photo Credit: Martín Piccinati for CoChinChina

Haven’t you always fantasized about having the life you deserve? And if so, why? But that’s a different topic for a different day. In this case, I’m here to tell you that — in liquid form, at least — this is entirely possible.

La Vida Que Merezco, literally translated, means “The life I deserve.” I love the sentiment behind this cocktail, courtesy of the #22 bar on the World’s 50 Best Bar list, CoChinChina, a stunner of a bar/restaurant located in the uber-cool Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Photo Credit: Martín Piccinati for CoChinChina

Cochinchina offers a journey to far away lands, blending Asian identity with the lingering traces of French colonialism. Designed by Eme Carranza, the space completes this trip to that french-influenced Asia, with a striking bar and a variety of settings characterized by luxury and a playful spirit. The bar is comprised of two distinct spaces; it was built using an ancient Vietnamese technique that incorporates more than 1,000 eggshells, while a tower of luminous signs rises at the center of the bar. The two sides of the room showcase different styles — one more French, the other more Asian. A small door and a mirrored staircase conceal a small restaurant within the bar, a dimly lit room with golden highlights, where chef Juan Carlino crafts a tasting menu paired with cocktails and wines. [Try the catch of the day, marinated in coconut milk — it was so beautifully done it brought a tear to my eye.] And now, the featured attraction. 

How to make “La Vida Que Merezco”

Photo Credit: Martín Piccinati for CoChinChina

Ingredients: Tequila, lemon juice, pineapple, and vanilla cordial

To make: In a shaker, combine 45ml tequila, 45ml pineapple and vanilla cordial, and 30ml lemon juice. Shake well and pour into a tall glass filled with ice. Then, enjoy the life you deserve.