London attracts the crème de la crème of talent, world leaders, rogues and starlets, many of whom have walked through the doors of London’s first hotel, Brown’s. Legends such as Oscar Wilde, Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles have visited the hotel, and it has played host to prominent occasions; the first BAFTAs and the first phone call ever made in the capital by Alexander Graham Bell, to name just two. Their legacies live on in the Donovan Bar’s new Once Upon a Time cocktail menu.
Newly launched, Once Upon a Time evokes the Brown‘s past, present and future. This year marks 185 years since the hotel first opened its doors in 1837: In celebration of this special anniversary, the 'Maestro', Salvatore Calabrese, has distilled personalities and memorable moments into a special menu that conjures up the magnetic aura of Brown’s, celebrating the revolving door of iconic figures, moments and happenings of the hotel.
Salvatore Calabrese comments on the new cocktail menu: After the success of the ‘Our Generation’ menu, I could not wait to begin the journey once again and create another unique menu that is loved by our guests - the timing couldn’t be more fitting as we celebrate 185 years of such an establishment and I am so excited to bring this to life through ‘Once Upon a Time’.
In honour of the iconic figures and events that have been connected to the hotel, Once Upon a Time encompasses drinks from the worlds of stage, screen, music, art and literature. Each different theme includes five outstanding cocktail creations designed by world-famous Calabrese, each evoking personalities and memorable moments at Brown’s. These stylish, quaffable tipples consist of 20 new cocktails, such as:
Author’s, The Honey Bear, £20
In the wise words of Eeyore ‘It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine’. This sunshine-filled bear hug of a cocktail with sweet honey notes is an homage to Winnie-the-Pooh and his creator, AA Milne, a regular visitor at Brown's.
Campari, rhubarb cordial, Sassy Cidre Brut, and honey.
Actors & Musicians, Death By Tequila, £21
Screen icon Peter Cushing adored Brown’s as much as his Marguerites. This lusty twist on the classic cocktail zings with Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila, fresh lime juice infused with spice and adorned in a Himalayan salt rim.
Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila, green pepper and coriander shrubs, lime juice, Italicus liqueur, Green tangerine.
Iconic People, The Winston, £25
Named in honour of our greatest leader, Winston Churchill, who also loved the bar at Brown's. Theatrically served in a bubble-shaped glass, this ‘British bulldog’ whisky cocktail has complex undertones of mandarin and eucalyptus with a swirl of cigar in his honour.
Dalmore Whisky, mandarin liqueur, orange bitter, eucalyptus and a smoke aroma.
Iconic Moments, The First Call, £23
A playful nod to Alexander Graham Bell who famously invented the ‘blower’ and made the first call from it at Brown’s. Punchy Elephant gin spiced with pistachio pesto is at the heart of this Instagram ready cocktail.
Elephant Gin re-distilled with pistachio pesto, verjus, pandan and coconut syrup, egg white, white port.
These cocktails will sit alongside Salvatore’s Signature Cocktails with two new additions taking their spot on the menu due to their popularity:
Sparkling Side Of The Moon - A clarified punch made with Bulleit 10 Bourbon, Cognac, Grand Marnier, Fernet Branca, passion berries, juniper, coriander, mint, chamomile top up with Champagne. Not shaken, Not Stirred - Ciroc vodka or Tanqueray Ten gin redistilled with Fair Coffee liqueur and ginseng, dandelion bitters, coffee caviar.
With next year’s anniversary, guests at the Donovan Bar will also have the opportunity to sample a new vintage cocktail, namely The 1837, which has been added to the extensive list of vintage cocktails.
The 1837 – Rouyer Guillet & Co Cognac (1865), Bowmore single malt whisky (aged 30 years) & Peychaud Bitters.
The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel
Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London W1
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