All posts tagged: alcohol

The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar Launches New Cocktail Menu

Published by Kate Lam

Discover the hotel’s illustrious history through 20 cocktails The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy has delved into its star-studded (but also lesser known yet equally compelling) history as a source of inspiration for its new 20-cocktail drinks menu. Combining well-loved ingredients with more unusual essences like paper and leather, the drinks aim to transport you right into the stories that inspired them. Try Incognito (Patron Anejo, popcorn, Averna, Martini Rubino, walnut – £30) which celebrates the Savoy as Katherine Hepburn’s hotel of choice, whose staff exercised the discretion she needed, and following a stay at Claridge’s where due to the formal dress code, she was unable to pass through the lobby so had to use the staff entrance, or The Savoy Delivers (Bacardi Carta Ocho, Martini Bianco, lime, honey, Indian Spices – £16) which recounts the tale of when a page boy travelled all the way to India to hand deliver a package that a maharajah had left behind. The menu itself takes the form of a beautifully illustrated pop-up book, with one story for …

Raise your glass to the best Christmas tipples

Published by Kate Lam

Christmas drinks. One for every day of the week. And then some. Moët & Chandon So Bubbly Jeroboam What a way to make champagne even more special. We envy the lucky so-and-so who has the pleasure of receiving this limited edition bottle which features a solid 18-carat gold seal, a gold-plated, engraved bubble label and an equally golden tie to match. £1,000, Selfridges Disaronno wears Roberto Cavalli The flamboyant animal print that adorns this bottle marks the third design collaboration between the brand and a famed Italian fashion house. Roberto Cavalli has this year’s honour and in turn has created a pretty stylish collectable for those able to get their well-manicured hands onto it. £22, harveynichols.com Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge Le Café Parisien Resplendent in vibrant red and gold, this gorgeous bottle brings a touch of French class whilst the goods housed within ensures a good time all-round. An ideal gift for those nifty in the kitchen as well as the bar – just add a splash to a gooey chocolate pudding or use it …

Gin up at The Ginstitute

Published by Kate Lam

Learn all you ever need to know about gin, from its medicinal origins to the modern day distillation methods and infusions that make it one of the most popular spirits in the world, during a three-hour lesson at the Ginstitute. Don’t worry, you certainly won’t be going thirsty – there are four drinks to get through, culminating in a creation of your very own blend which will be bottled up for you to take home along with a bottle of Portobello Road Gin. Your blend will also be filed away so you can drink safely in the knowledge that you can always reorder more when the stocks are running low. The experience costs £110 per person. The Portobello Star, 171 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2DY. theginstitute.com

Bottomless Brunch at Asia de Cuba

Published by Kate Lam

All hail the bottomless brunch, for there isn’t much we’d rather do than indulge in a two-hour feast with a plentiful supply of cocktails or champagne. And there aren’t many places where you can gorge out and still feel completely civilised. It certainly has more style than your average and loaded with feel-good flavours of the Orient via Cuba to match. When your cigar box of treats arrive, nab the slow-roasted pork and cheese roll, a sandwich to rule all sandwiches, then continue the pulled pork pleasure with Cuban eggs Benedict. Finally, load up with unlimited Mexican doughnuts before concluding that no sugar-free resolutions will be made come New Year. From £48 per person. Asia de Cuba, 45 St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HX. asiadecuba.com

Don Julio unveils drinkable art

Published by Kate Lam

For those who like to interact with their art, here’s a multi-sensory experience you really should raise your glass to. Sitting pretty at M Restaurants, The Don is an art installation created by tequila house Don Julio and design studio Accept & Proceed, that houses some rather tasty goods behind its façade – the clue is in the trio of nozzles attached to the piece. At first glimpse, the artwork features an image of a Mexican sugar skull but as guests fill up their glasses, the piece slowly transforms into a portrait of Don Julio González, the man behind the tequila brand that bears his name. There are approximately 100 serves within the three chambers, each housing a different cocktail serve: The Don is the first in a series of limited edition serves that will be available this year. More artwork that dispense cocktails? We’ll drink to that. Find The Don at M Restaurants, 2-3 Threadneedle Walk, 60 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8HP

The best Christmas gifts for…err, myself

Published by Kate Lam

Because you must take care of yourself because you can take care of others   50 People of East London by Adam Dant £12.95, hoxtonminipress.com Not only is this book beautifully illustrated, it is uncannily accurate in its profiling of all the diverse personalities that make East London brilliant, from the Creative ‘digital thought leader’ typically found on Great Eastern Street, to the ‘massive bush’-carrying Sunday Flower Market Shopper along Columbia Road. – – – – – The Bluebeards Revenge Perfect Man Kit £49.99, bluebeards-revenge.co.uk How about a gentle nudge for your partner in the grooming department, because if it helps him, it helps you? This set has all the essentials to keep him fresh and fragrant – a ‘does what it says on the box’ type of gift. – – – – – Bomb Cosmetics Berry Christmas Gift Set £7.99, bombcosmetics.co.uk Good enough to make your mouth water, this cracker of a gift contains three fantastically fragrant, fruity bath bombs made with essential oils including neroli, sweet orange and chamomile. – – – – …

The best Christmas gifts for those who like a tipple

Published by Kate Lam

Who doesn’t at this time of year?   Absolut Andy Warhol Edition £21.99, Harvey Nichols What a collectable for Andy Warhol fans – and one which will be proudly displayed we’re sure. The latest in Absolut’s art collaborations sees the artist’s original painting of the vodka bottle transferred onto the actual bottle itself. Certainly the exception to your otherwise impeccable recycling habits. – – – – – Belsazar White Vermouth £24.99, Selfridges Newly launched in the UK, this German vermouth will make you see this traditional drink in a new light. Sweet, with full-bodied notes of peach and orange, and delicate herb and spice tones, you can’t help but have this served neat. Plus, it makes for a wonderful alternative to a dessert wine. – – – – – Bowmore Black Rock Gift Pack £44.99, bowmore.com A rich and smoky single malt whisky with notes of burnt orange, cocoa beans and treacle toffee – ideal for rounding off with at the end of a long night. And park your glass on one of the slate …

The Gentleman’s Wager: a short film with Jude Law

Published by Kate Lam

Jude Law shows off his smooth dancing skills in a new short film for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.   Jude Law and Giancarlo Giannini are just two friends sitting on a boat. But it’s no ordinary boat, it’s an Italian Baglietto boat, built in 1928, “rarer than rare” Giannini declares. And Law wants it and he wants to win it…with a dance. But does he succeed…? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ7kWpTrtJw The six-minute film, The Gentleman’s Wager, was directed by Jake Scott and was filmed in the British Virgin Islands and in London.

M: Oozing style and substance

Published by Kate Lam

This is as fine as it gets for whiskey connoisseurs. The result of a collaboration between single malt whisky maker, The Macallan, crystal specialists Lalique and creative director Fabien Baron, M is the epitome of the most exquisite craftsmanship brought together by all three masters. There is much to appreciate here – from the intensity of the whiskey, with its sophisticated fruity and woody notes, to the clarity and striking, angular proportions of the hand-crafted crystal decanter, which only enhances the rich, natural colouring of the spirit housed within. There are 1,750 crystal decanters, each engraved with its own limited edition number. M is available worldwide and costs $4,500.

Must drink – Baileys Chocolat Luxe

Published by Kate Lam

Dreamy, indulgent and devilishly tasty, add the new Baileys Chocolat Luxe to your list of ‘but I just can’t resist it’ treats. A blend of Irish whiskey, cream and over 30g of Belgian chocolate per bottle, this latest incarnation gives you a wonderfully rich, creamy caramel, chocolately kick with every sip. £16.99, available exclusively at Harvey Nichols Wine Shops nationwide. www.harveynichols.com