Kohinoor adds some sparkle to the downtown cocktail scene

Kohinoor // Photo by Sarah Sipple

The Kohinoor Diamond is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world. It was transported across the world to various powerful, wealthy figures, and it currently resides in the Tower of London as part of Great Britain’s Crown Jewels. Replicating that feeling of luxury is a tall order, but it’s one that Jasmine Rios thinks she can nail down once her new cocktail concept, Kohinoor, opens its doors at 9th and McGee.

“I’ve held just about every job in the restaurant industry,” Rios says. “When I started moving forward with the concept of Kohinoor a few years ago, I noticed that Kansas City only had a handful of options in the way of upscale Latin American fare. I wanted to create a place that celebrated the flavors and culture I love with a luxurious vibe.”

To help bring her vision of Kohinoor to life, Rios knew she had to pull out all the stops. That led her to Manny Gomez—a KC bartender, cocktail consultant, and, like Rios, a first-generation American—to help breathe life into the cocktail menu. Gomez has cut his chops at a number of innovative spots in town, including Le Lounge, T’ÄHÄ, and the Jade Jaguar pop-up.

Kohinoor // Photo by Kerinne Murry

The drink options at Kohinoor will have a little something for everyone, including around a dozen signature drinks, classic and shareable cocktails, beer, and wine. There will be an emphasis on traditional Latin American spirits like tequila and mezcal, along with traditional flavor profiles, but Rios and Gomez aren’t letting tradition get in the way of mixing up something good. “We really want to be creative and flexible, while still paying tribute to certain ingredients and flavors,” Rios says. “It’s a tough line to walk, but Manny is putting together some really exciting drinks.”

For the signature cocktails, Rios recommends two on near-opposite sides of the spectrum. One such drink is El Diablo, Kohinoor’s take on a spicy margarita. It’s a classic for a reason, and Rios thinks Kohinoor’s could stand up to any other spicy marg in town. The other drink she thinks will be a go-to is the Cherry Eclipse. It’s a tequila-based cocktail, served in a coupe glass, and it pulls in both egg white and cherry bitters to create a unique flavor profile that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Kohinoor.

Outside of Manny’s cocktails, Kohinoor’s drink menu will include a selection of Mexican beers and wines from women-run wineries. There will also be some low- and no-ABV options, including a big nostalgia-bomb for Rios: Aguas Frescas. These fruity, refreshing drinks are a great option if you’re abstaining from alcohol, or if you’ve had a few drinks already and aren’t ready to call it a night yet.

Kohinoor // Photo by Kerinne Murry

Of course, all these drinks on the menu are practically begging for snacks to go with them.

Although the focus is “upscale cocktail bar,” Kohinoor has a small-but-mighty food menu, with many of the recipes based on the flavors and dishes Rios grew up eating. Several of these food options will be shareable, including dips like hummus and guacamole, along with some lighter fare that can serve as happy hour snacks. An apple and goat cheese arugula salad is one dish that Rios thinks will be ordered often, but the item she’s most excited about comes from a place even closer to her heart.

“When we started developing food options for Kohinoor, I knew I needed to bring a few of my favorites from when I was a kid,” Rios says. “My first thought was that we had to recreate my dad’s aguachile recipe—I think we’ve done it justice.”

Aguachile, in oversimplified terms, is like a spicy ceviche. Like ceviche, it starts with seafood and veggies. Aguachile is also cured in a mix of citrus juices and salt, but the extra ingredient comes from the chili peppers that are blended into the curing liquid. Not only does this lend a good bit of heat to aguachile, but it also adds a huge variety in flavor profiles to every different recipe. The massive variety of chili peppers out there doesn’t just contain varying levels of heat, but unique flavors as well. Simply substituting one type of pepper for another, or altering the ratios used, can radically change an aguachile’s flavor.

To make things even better, Kohinoor’s aguachile is served on a crunchy tostada. Technically, you could share it. But it’s probably a better idea to order one for everybody at the table.

As of this writing, Kohinoor’s doors are yet to open—but Rios was hopeful that opening day was only a few weeks away (meaning it might very well be open by the time this is published). With about 60 total seats, mixed between bar seats, lounge areas, and even a few standing spaces, you might want to make reservations if you plan on checking it out close to opening day. It will be open from 5:00 p.m. to midnight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and 5:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Once the doors are open, Rios plans to host a number of special guests and events at Kohinoor. She’s already planning on live music evenings, tattoo pop-ups, and other events to feature local and traveling talent that fits with her aesthetic. In addition, Rios herself is a visual artist, and is trying to find ways to showcase her art throughout Kohinoor.

Though the word “Kohinoor” typically brings the titular diamond to mind, it’s a word that also means “beautiful” and “precious.” This is the first time Jasmine Rios has opened her own business, and she cannot wait to share flavors, ingredients, and recipes that mean so much to her with Kansas City. “Kohinoor is a way to preserve those memories of what I grew up with,” she says. “I want everyone who visits us to feel like they’re getting a unique and valuable experience.”

Kohinoor is located at 921 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO 64106.