MANILA, PHILIPPINES – MAKATI CBD
The glass doors of Dark Room slid open with a soft hiss, and this time the space had settled into something sleek and modern – floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the Makati skyline, concrete accents paired with warm wood, and ambient LED lighting that shifted between cool blues and soft whites. Electronic music played at a low volume, and the air carried the scent of roasted coffee and citrus.
A young man in his early twenties pushed his way in, dressed in a faded band t-shirt, ripped jeans, and worn sneakers. He carried a weathered laptop bag slung over one shoulder and kept his eyes fixed on the floor as he made his way to the bar.
"Welcome to Dark Room," Chinggu said, his voice warm against the cool, minimalist space. "Take a seat – the place will adjust if you need it to."
The man slid onto a bar stool, still not making eye contact. "No, this is fine… it feels like… like the offices I've been applying to. All clean lines and no soul." He finally looked up, revealing tired brown eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. "I'm Gio. Gio Santos."
"Good to meet you, Gio," Chinggu said, wiping down the stainless steel bar top. "What brings you here tonight?"
Gio let out a long sigh, pulling his laptop bag onto his lap. "I just graduated from college – computer science. Everyone said if I studied tech, I'd have my pick of jobs. But I've been applying for months, and all I get are rejections… or offers for jobs that feel like they'll suck the life out of me. I know I should be grateful for any opportunity, but I wanted to build something meaningful – not just fix bugs in code for some company that doesn't care about anything but profits."
He opened his laptop, pulling up a folder filled with colorful wireframes and design sketches. "I've been working on this app – it connects small local farmers with urban communities, helps them sell directly without middlemen. I think it could make a real difference, especially here in the Philippines where so many farmers struggle. But every investor I pitch to says it's 'too niche' or 'not scalable enough.'"
Chinggu leaned forward, looking at the sketches – bright, intuitive, and clearly built with care. "This looks incredible, Gio. You put a lot of heart into this, didn't you?"
"Everything I have," Gio said quietly. "My lola was a farmer in Batangas – she used to tell me stories about how middlemen would take most of their earnings, leaving them with barely enough to get by. I wanted to build something that would help families like hers."
Chinggu nodded thoughtfully, then reached for a set of bottles he'd placed on the back shelf. "I think I have just the drink for you – it's called the 2013. Ever heard of it?"
Gio shook his head, perking up slightly. "2013? Like the year? Is it a new drink?"
TRIVIA: THE 2013 COCKTAIL – REAL HISTORY
ORIGINS
The 2013 cocktail was created in 2013 by bartender Joaquín Simó at his New York bar, Pouring Ribbons. It was designed to mark a turning point in modern mixology – a shift away from overly complex, "molecular" drinks toward simpler, more intentional recipes that highlight quality ingredients and cultural stories.
Source: "The 2013 Cocktail: A Modern Classic Born from a Desire for Balance." PUNCH,
CORE INGREDIENTS
The classic recipe calls for:
• 2 oz Blanco tequila (chosen for its clean, bright profile)
• ¾ oz Fresh lime juice
• ½ oz Agave nectar
• ½ oz Yellow Chartreuse (adds herbal depth and complexity)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Garnish: Lime wheel or dehydrated citrus twist
PHILIPPINE CONNECTION
While originally created in New York, the 2013 has been adapted widely across Southeast Asia. In Manila, craft bartenders have modified it using local ingredients:
• Lambanog (Filipino coconut vodka) as a substitute for tequila
• Calamansi juice instead of lime (a staple local citrus)
• Pandan-infused agave nectar for a subtle, earthy sweetness
Source: "Local Twist: How Manila Bartenders Are Reimagining Classic Cocktails." Spot.ph,
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
2013 was a pivotal year for global tech and social enterprise – the rise of mobile-first design, the launch of platforms that empowered small businesses, and a growing focus on using technology for social good. The cocktail reflects this shift: balanced, accessible, and built to highlight the best of its components – much like the apps and platforms that emerged during this time.
MODERN LEGACY
Today, the 2013 is considered a modern classic, taught in bartending schools worldwide as an example of how simplicity and intention can create something timeless. It's often served at events focused on innovation and social impact, symbolizing the idea that meaningful change can come from thoughtful, well-executed ideas.
Source: "10 Modern Classic Cocktails That Define the Last Decade." Imbibe Magazine,
As Chinggu explained the trivia, Gio leaned forward, his eyes lighting up with interest. "So it was created the same year I started thinking about building things that matter? That's… that's kind of cool."
"Exactly," Chinggu said, reaching for a bottle of local lambanog. "Joaquín Simó created it because he felt mixology was getting too complicated – he wanted to get back to basics, to make drinks that were both delicious and had a purpose. Sound familiar?"
Gio laughed – a real, genuine sound that cut through the cool atmosphere. "Yeah, actually. I've been trying to make my app as simple and intuitive as possible, but investors keep telling me to add more features, more 'bells and whistles.' Maybe I've been listening to the wrong people."
Chinggu began measuring the ingredients – lambanog first, then fresh calamansi juice he'd squeezed himself, followed by pandan-infused agave nectar and a splash of Yellow Chartreuse. He added two dashes of Angostura bitters, then filled the shaker with ice and shook it hard.
"Simó always said that the best drinks – and the best ideas – are about balance," Chinggu said, straining the liquid into a sleek coupe glass. He garnished it with a dehydrated calamansi wheel that looked like a tiny sun. "You need structure, but you also need heart. You need to be practical, but you also need to dream."
Gio picked up the glass and took a sip. The flavors hit him all at once – the clean, slightly sweet kick of the lambanog, the bright tang of calamansi, the earthy warmth of pandan, and the complex herbal notes of the Chartreuse. When he swallowed, he felt a surge of energy he hadn't felt in months.
"Wow," he said, taking another sip. "It's simple, but there's so much going on. It tastes like… like home, but also like the future."
"Isn't that what you're trying to build?" Chinggu asked, refilling Gio's glass. "Something that honors where we come from while helping us move forward?"
Gio nodded, pulling out his laptop again. He scrolled through his app designs, his fingers moving more confidently across the touchpad. "You know what? I've been so focused on what investors want that I forgot why I started this in the first place. My lola didn't care about 'scalability' – she cared about feeding her family and supporting her community. That's what matters."
He looked up at Chinggu, a new determination in his eyes. "I'm not going to change my app to fit what investors think is 'profitable.' I'll find people who believe in what I'm doing – maybe start small, test it with farmers in Batangas first. If it works there, it'll work anywhere."
Chinggu smiled, polishing another glass. "That's the spirit. Good ideas don't need to be huge to make a difference – sometimes the best things start small, with just one person who cares enough to see them through."
They sat in silence for a while, Gio typing away on his laptop as the city lights twinkled outside. Every so often he'd stop to take a sip of his drink, then keep working – his posture straighter, his movements more purposeful.
"I'm going to go visit my lola this weekend," Gio said finally, closing his laptop. "Show her the app, get her feedback. She always knows what's important."
"Bring her here next time," Chinggu said. "I'll make her a 2013 too – with extra pandan, just how she'd like it."
Gio stood up, slinging his laptop bag over his shoulder with a lighter step than when he'd arrived. "I will. And when the app launches – when farmers start using it and making more money – I'll come back and buy you a whole round."
As he walked to the door, the bar's lighting shifted to warm golds and oranges, feeling more like home than an office. Gio paused at the entrance and looked back. "Hey Chinggu – why is it called the 2013?"
"Because that was the year we remembered that good things don't have to be complicated," Chinggu replied. "Sometimes all you need is the right ingredients and the courage to mix them together."
The glass doors slid shut behind Gio, and Dark Room settled into a quiet glow – ready for the next person who needed to remember why they started in the first place.
NOTE: This chapter was written with assistance from artificial intelligence, which helped research the 2013 cocktail's history and cultural context, while the core narrative and character development remain original to the author.