Stripped Down Spirits at Magic Mike Live

By Stacey Gualandi

Photography courtesy of Magic Mike Live

Every time my BFF JJ Snyder and I take in Magic Mike Live, it doesn’t take long to get in the spirit of the long-running male revue based on the hit movies. The experience at Sahara on the Las Vegas Strip is so visceral it always appeals to the senses: sight, smell, sound, and, if you’re lucky, touch. ;)

But thanks to Magic Mike Live’s creative director Ricky Lyn’s newly revamped and stripped-down cocktail program, we can now taste it as well.

“When I started developing the cocktail program, I needed something to evoke the essence of ‘magic’ and ‘Mike,’” said Lyn. “I wanted a through line to help support everything that I was creating.”

Lyn found his secret sauce in Singani 63, a spirit brand from an unlikely source: Hollywood writer-director Steven Soderbergh.

“It’s that moment when a spirit evokes an emotion,” said Lyn. “I tasted the spirit and was like, ‘Man, this is like a blank canvas.’ I feel like I can do pretty much anything with it.”

Lyn’s career began by developing culinary experiences with the chef at the luxury 5-star Amangiri Resort in Utah and then mastering his skills working with global visionary and humanitarian Chef José Andrés in Las Vegas.

Experimenting with Singani 63, this master mixologist could put his own spin on six signature and two non-alcoholic cocktails, each named after and inspired by moments in the Magic Mike Live show.

“You should always start with the empowering Unicorn,” said Lyn of the tingling blue-dusted drink. (If you haven’t seen the show, Unicorn is the recurring ‘safe word’ and the essence of magic at the start.)

“That dust has a buzz flower that numbs your palette and opens up your defenses. As soon as I found this, I was like, yes, that’s it!” added Lyn. “Unicorn has these floral notes of orange blossom, pineapple, and peach, then you hit that tingling sensation, and you’re like, ‘What the hell is going on?’ I say this is essentially the way to unlock the show.”

Then Lyn suggests you ask for Permission or embrace Serenade. “If you have a friend with you, I would order both at the same time,” said Lyn.

Done! But my personal favorite was Anywhere, the Singani 63 and cognac-infused espresso martini that celebrates “Mike’s” transformation in the show from shy guy to THAT guy! It certainly transformed me!

“The concept is like a mixtape you would make for your lover,” admitted Lyn. “I instigated the mixtape because I wanted guys to feel comfortable to come to the show and be like, ‘Wow! I want to try this interesting cocktail menu.’”

This Bruno Mars lookalike comes by his equal opportunity talent naturally. He is a mix of Jamaican, Chinese, and Brazilian, a blend of cultures that helped him curate a versatile palate.

“I’ve grown up with so many different flavors in my life, so I always had this core foundation of create, cultivate, and develop, and as long as I was doing that, I was inspired,” said Lyn.

Lyn has created cocktail programs throughout the country, many still operating today.

“Now, I’m working with molecular gastronomy…and these legendary chefs and mixologists,” said Lyn. “I’m learning; it’s inspiring, captivating, and continues to evoke my passion.”

But what’s a cocktail connoisseur like Ricky Lyn doing joining forces with an Oscar-winning filmmaker like Soderbergh? Lyn says they are both kindred spirits.

As the story goes, Soderbergh was filming the movie “Che” in Bolivia when his casting director brought him a bottle of Singani Casa Real as a gift. Singani is the national spirit of Bolivia and comes from the Muscat of Alexandria grape, a mile high in the Bolivian Andes. After one sip, Soderbergh was blown away.

“He was so blown away that he brought it for the six-month duration of shooting to the cast and crew,” said Lyn. “And then they created what we now know as Singani 63, and [Soderbergh] decided to distribute it here in the United States.”

Lyn says Singani 63 (the 63 is Soderbergh’s lucky number) bridges the gap between all the flavor profiles and helps those flavors come together exclusively for the show—what he calls his “Concept to Creation.”

Ultimately, Lyn’s concept has created many memorable moments that he hopes will last long after the show is over.

“That’s the goal,” said Lyn. “We always say, let your spirit free.” And that goes for the spirits, too.

Take a look and pick your favorite!!!!

UNICORN – Singani 63, Tito’s Vodka, Pineapple Orange Blossom Syrup, Lemon, Prosecco, Blue Electric Dust. Photo by Gaby Duong

PERMISSION – Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Singani 63, St Germain Elderflower, Lychee Syrup, Lime, Cucumber Ribbon. Photo by Gaby Duong

SERENADE – Dos Hombres Mezcal, Bacardi Dragonberry, Singani 63, Passion Fruit Basil Syrup, Lemon, Red Wine Float, Blend of Dehydrated Tropical fruit & Mint (Tropical Sangria). Photo by Gaby Duong

CANDY SHOP – Old Forester Whiskey, Singani 63, Grapefruit Liqueur, Strawberry Syrup, Lemon, Moscato Sparkling Wine, Rock Candy Straw

SPECIAL DELIVERY – Singani 63, Ketel One Grapefruit Rose Vodka, Lillet Rosa, Aperol, Lemon, Rosé Wine Liqueur, Rosé Prosecco, Rose Petals (Rose Spritz) Photo by Gaby Duong

ANYWHERE – St. Remy Cognac, Singani 63, Owens Espresso Martini Mix, Vanilla Bean Syrup, Espresso Beans. Photo by Gaby Duong

SUAVEMENTE – Lyre’s White Cane Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Strawberry Rose, Cranberry Juice, Strawberry, Sparkling Water, Dehydrated Rose Petals. Photo by Gaby Duong

NICE & SLOW – Lyre’s White Cane Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Ripe Mojito Juices, Muddled Lime & Mint, Elderflower Tonic. (Also available in Mango, Passionfruit, and Pineapple flavors). Photo by Gaby Duong