Upscale cocktail and tapas bar in the jungle opens in Kelowna

The Ricco Room's Taylorr Gramlich warns me.

"This is going to be the best cocktail you've ever had," he said enthusiastically.

Gramlich is speaking of Tom Ford, the mezcal-Galliano-activated-charcoal-bitters-and-smoke cocktail named after the fashion designer Tom Ford.

"I wear Tom Ford cologne and asked the bartender to create a cocktail that looks and smells like the cologne," explained Gramlich.

The result pulls it off with aplomb.

The Tom Ford concoction is dark, smokey and citrusy, like the cologne, and is served in a short, stout glass with a giant ice cube featuring a carved-in The Ricco Room 'R' monogram with gold flakes.

Yes, real shards of the precious metal.

The smoke for the cocktail is created by torching oak wood chips in a Tundenglass bong.

Yes, the same contraption you'd use to smoke cannabis.

You'd expect nothing less from The Ricco Room, the cocktail and tapas bar that's just opened downtown at 1630 Pandosy St.

The cocktail-forward palace is in the space previously occupied by Ricco Bambino urban winery.

The new cocktail-and-tapas concept pays tribute to the former business by keeping Ricco in its name.

The Ricco Room also has some wines from the now defunct Ricco Bambino on its drinks list.

Gramlich was also the former general manager of Ricco Bambino and wanted to buy the space and reinvent it with a silent partner.

He's done so in spectacular fashion, creating an interior and patio with a Tulum-jungle theme.

Tulum, of course, being the resort town on the Mexican Caribbean that's become upscale, trendy, funky and spiritual.

Thus, all the tropical foliage, rattan light fixtures, swing chairs at the bar and looking out the patio and affluent vibe.

"Those swing chairs are fun and secure," said Gramlich with a laugh.

"They're anchored into the ceiling and the ropes are the same ones that Cirque du Soleil uses."

Also on the list of 26 cocktails is Seventeen%, a gin-and-cilantro drink that makes reference to 17% of people being allergic to cilantro; Good F*#king G&T, Holy Water (rum, cognac and citrus), Coconut Espresso and Corpse Reviver No. 2 (gin, Cointreau and lemon).

The tapas menu of shared plates ranges from tuna tataki, wild-prawn ceviche and king crab tostada to wagyu carpaccio, Berkshire bacon grilled cheese and truffle prime rib burger.