They say that everything in this world has a rhythm. And while that might be a familiar notion for a performing arts figure like leading ballet dancer-turned-choreographer Lauren Lovette, it’s a concept that rings true for mixologist Begüm Ural as well. As the award-winning tastemaker behind the cocktails of The Ritz Carlton, IstanbulUral shakes and stirs gracefully – sometimes unconsciously keeping in tempo with live entertainment from the Bleu Lounge – until the series of steps and a set of spirits synchronize to create a consummate cocktail.
Even the city that the Urals call home – Istanbul – moves at a unique cadence. Turkey’s buzzing cultural hub spans two continents, meaning Eastern and Western traditions share a daily dance card. The spiritual and the profane constantly swirl around each other, and the past swings cheek to cheek with the present and the future. It’s a place where calls to prayer erupt from ancient mosques as loudly as the pulsating electronic beats that blare from the city‘s world-famous nightclubs. Cobbled streets lead either to contemporary art galleries or grand Ottoman palaces and Romanesque watchtowers from the 1300s. You can feast on Anatolian lamb with chickpeas and eggplant or grab a burger from a familiar restaurant chain – either way, the famous cloud of street cats would be happy to share.
Istanbul’s distinct energy is something dancer Lovette had the chance to experience first hand. “Having the old so close to the new made me feel the depth of the city. I was immediately drawn to the colors and smells, the different landscapes and eras, all coming together to choreograph Istanbul’s unique history and energy,” says Lovette of her recent but all-too-brief experience in the center. cultural. “Dance is the universal language, but Istanbul is the most diverse place I know. I would have needed to stay weeks longer to really understand its creative and engaging spirit and pace.
Few people have a more inspiring view of Istanbul in motion than the Urals, which regularly finds itself sitting atop the city at the Ritz-Carlton. “From here, you can feel the whole city,” exclaims Ural, originally from Istanbul, who began his career at the age of sixteen in the establishment’s kitchen. “The Bosphorus is right under your feet and the cooling breeze dances across your skin at the rooftop bar.” Harnessing the momentum of the city to transform a routine visit into a spectacular stay is an art mastered at The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul. So if you’re looking to better acquaint yourself with the fast-paced language that runs through the destination, the property is happy to help with translation.
Fresh from a thoughtful redesign that marries modern comfort with the rich textures of Turkish style – think Iznik tiles, layers of gold and copper, etched artistry, sumptuous fabric headboards, to cobalt blue wall panels inspired by Anatolian ceramics, crystal chandeliers inspired by native flowers, and enamelled replicas of coins from a time when sultans ruled –The Ritz Carlton, Istanbul offers a fresh look at destination dichotomies. After all, it is a place where one is welcomed with a touch of sahlep under an ancient doorway dating back to the Seljuk Empire, then further afield with suites that offer technological butlers and personal saunas.
“It’s a place where you can learn and experience new things while feeling at home where you’re safe and welcome,” says Ural. Much of this warm environment is due to a dedicated staff always ready to send you off with a steaming cup of Turkish coffee and a must-do list.
Even the spa borrows from multiple eras, cultures, schools of self-care, and design. Its centerpiece is a hammam inspired by the traditional 16th century baths in Roxelana. But the glass-enclosed outdoor infinity pool, which simultaneously lets you soak up the sun, swim laps, and watch the ships float by, gets its money’s worth. “The spa was the perfect way to unwind after a long flight. Hammam body treatments are a necessary complement to a weary traveler’s first-night experience,” says Lovette, adding that many of the amenities offered at The Ritz-Carlton are well-equipped to ease time zone transitions. “We live in such a fast-paced and challenging world,” says Lovette. “Every moment of happiness amidst the hurricane of life should be cherished and held with gratitude.”
Ural, a proud Istanbulite, can’t think of a better or more enjoyable way to get in tune with the city of seven hills than to experience it through the senses. She encourages travelers to hit up the bar for a chance to drink in the destination.
“My mixology style is about adding local spices and natural ingredients to make a cocktail that tells a story about Istanbul. I want you to feel the same authenticity and energy as when walking the narrow cobbled streets, smelling the air of the Grand Bazaar, sitting in a cafe in the old town or sharing raki with friends after dark,” she says. For Ural’s Butterfly Effect cocktail, which fades from blue to purple, she is inspired by the dramatic hues surrounding Dolmabahçe Palace at dusk. In another creation, she uses bay leaves, a signature ingredient in Turkish cuisine, to instill a sense of local authenticity. “Every color or ingredient I use is inspired by things I love here,” says Ural.
Leaving the hotel, it is easy to see the chromatic links with the inventions of the Urals. The matcha refreshment might recall a stroll through Gülhane, the verdant park that was once the manicured gardens of Topkapi Palace and forbidden hoi polloi. The concoction of chamomile and whiskey could evoke the golden ceiling of Hagia Sophia. And take your pick of connections for the red Bi Negroni: the colorful facades of the old Jewish quarter of Balat, the powdered spice pyramids at a street market, the vintage trams of Beyoglu or the night-lit Bosphorus Bridge (which, coincidentally, can be seen from the Urals Alcohol Lab which also happens to be shrouded in blue hues).
It makes Ural happy when guests draw their own associations with her cocktails and when she sees the smile spread behind the glass as they begin to imbibe. But for this creative, the desire to push the limits is also a question of personal accomplishment. Since Ural embarked on a career in mixology, she has become one of the leading female voices in Turkish cocktail culture and a true driving force in the field. “I like when the guests appreciate my work, but the creation is never for someone else. You do it for yourself,” she says. “Magic takes you to another world and you let everyone join you there.”
From the moment Lovette picked up her pointe shoes, the world of professional dance has taken the California native to countless far-flung destinations around the world. Today, as the dancer embarks on choreography, the journey is as much a part of the creative process as it is a benefit. “I constantly live in a world of inspiration,” says Lovette. “I think it’s the gift of being a creator; the reality that ideas can come from anywhere creates a world of possibilities no matter where you set foot.
The spark of curiosity that Lovette feels each time she arrives in a new city inevitably triggers a journey of inspiration. Upon arriving in Istanbul, a destination that has long been at the top of her travel list, the choreographer seized the opportunity to immerse herself in the spirit of the city. “One of my favorite ways to experience a new place is to get lost in it — to walk around and see where your eyes take you,” she says. “Istanbul was a creatively attractive place. I loved strolling the cobbled streets and winding paths, enjoying the bright colors of the fashions and soaking up the aromas of the markets.
The sources of inspiration, the dogged pursuit of perfection and the final choreography are where the two worlds of Lovette and Ural meet. “The use of visually stimulating ingredients – color, texture, smell, variety of sensations and an element of surprise – connects these two forms,” says Lovette. “I respect the creativity, the storytelling and the pride that the Urals brings to its field. We talked about what it’s like to pursue a craft for a decade and perfect it daily. It’s something I brings me back.
Ultimately, so do travelers, and these two innovators agree that exploring somewhere new is one of the most inspiring things you can do. “It’s stimulating for all the senses [to] get out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself,” says Lovette.
Video direction by Josh Brede; Styling by Lilli Millhiser; Styling assistance by Tess Parker; Hair and makeup by Uğur Özgümüş; Produced by Anne Ritz and Mandi Hayes; Production assistance by Brian Byrd and Duran Cribbs.
