Riley Huddleston LIDO HOUSE HOTEL
DRINK PHOTOS : OUTSHINE PR
As chef-partner of Lido House hotel , overseeing The Mayor ’ s Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen and Topside rooftop bar , Riley Huddleston already wears many hats . But mixology is something that he turns to when seeking to practice his innovation . “ Cocktails are an ever-evolving art , a balancing act between new ingredients and techniques and tried-and-true recipes ,” he says . “ Crafting a new cocktail is an outlet that fuels my creativity .”
Since he was 23 years old , Huddleston has been helping develop beverage programs to complement his culinary side . In addition to crafting signature cocktails for menus at Timber Cove Resort on the Sonoma coast as well as at I | O Godfrey and The Aviary , both in Chicago , he once tried to create the perfect gin and tonic . “ During our research , we made 32 versions of the classic drink before settling on the one that would make … the menu ,” he notes . “ We tried all different gins , ices , tonics and botanicals . The secret ingredient ended up being fresh kiwi juice .”
Classic drinks , like the gin and tonic , among others , are some of his favorite to craft . “ I love making timeless cocktails ,” he says . “… They ’ re complex yet perfectly balanced and relatively easy to make at home .”
Huddleston says that all of his work is interconnected . Here in Newport , he launched the rotating Kitchen Cocktails at Lido House a few years ago — elevated beverages served in unique vessels that incorporate ingredients to complement the cuisine . “ Our mission at Lido House is to create an experience … like nothing else . That ethos transcends into everything we do here ,” he says . “ Our cocktail program mirrors the ethos of the kitchen and is crafted with the same artistry and attention to detail as the restaurant ’ s most illustrious dishes .”
Riley Huddleston , chef-partner of Lido House hotel , helps to develop beverage programs to complement the culinary side . Some of his drinks include Summer Lovin ’ ( top left ) and these brunch cocktails ( bottom left ).
COURTESY OF LIDO HOUSE
FAVORITE DRINKS TO MAKE :
LAST WORD , OLD-FASHIONED AND BOULEVARDIER
NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE 51