A drink to feel good about
From a cocktail served in a musical jewellery box, to one with a male and female version and another which must be served on a blue leather coaster with a pure silver stirrer. A collection of brand new, never-before-sampled cocktails has been unveiled, courtesy of some of London’s most historic hotels.
The new cocktail collection has been launched to raise funds for Britain’s injured servicemen and their families: 100% of profits from the sale of the cocktails will go towards The Household Cavalry’s Charitable Fund and Help For Heroes.
At the heart of the collection is The Cavalry Cocktail, from one of London’s most historic and notable five star hotels, The Royal Horseguards in Whitehall, which has dedicated their cocktail to neighbouring regiment The Household Cavalry.
The Cavalry Cocktail - “Shame on him who drinks evil” - has been created in honour of The Household Cavalry, formed of The Life Guards and The Blues & Royals regiments, the eldest and most senior in the British Army.
“Shame on him who drinks evil” references the original motto of the Life Guards, “Shame on him who thinks evil”.
Award-winning mixologist Andy Pearson (BBC Something for the Weekend) created the cocktail collection.
Made with a unique blend of Ruby port, Courvoisier Cognac, Grand Marnier and Red burgundy, the cocktail is stirred with a silver stirrer and served on an Oxford Blue leather coaster – the official colours of the regiment.
Andy said, “I purposefully designed the Cavalry Cocktail to have an incredibly masculine military look and feel, aimed very much at the more discerning drinker. The Oxford Blue coaster and silver stirrer are a nod towards the British establishment and reflect the Royal Horseguards location at the heart of London’s military and political community. Essentially, this is a very British cocktail for one of London’s finest hotels”.
The other cocktails in the collection include:
The Tower: Priced at £11.84. Tower Bridge originally cost £1,184,000 to build (1886-1894) and is served to the guest in a musical jewellery box referencing The Tower hotel’s location next to the Tower of London - home of the Crown Jewels. Like it’s namesake hotel, the cocktail is designed to stimulate all fives senses; sight and sound - the musical jewellery box, taste - the flavour, touch - canapé side serve, smell - nutmeg aroma. Beefeater is the base spirit, synonymous with the Tower of London.
The Punto Central: Priced at £9. This romantic cocktail comes in two varieties: one male, one female… but both drinks share three common tastes - apple, ginger and raspberry. Whilst the male version is mixed with Cutty Sark Blended Scotch and served in a very masculine martini glass, the female version is vodka-based with Chambord raspberry liqueur and served with a floating frozen raspberry. The name reflects the Charing Cross hotel’s position at the most central point of London, whilst the Spanish translation is in honour of The Eleanor Cross outside the hotel.
The Park Lane: Priced at £10. A very feminine cocktail with confidence and elegance. The name references The Cumberland hotel’s location at the top of Park Lane. Like the hotel’s post-modern lobby, the Park Lane is design focussed with strong colours; Bombay Sapphire is a key ingredient, served in a champagne flute.
The cocktails will be available at their individual hotels from 1st November 2009.
Further details and recipes of the four cocktails can be found at guoman.com.
