Colonial chic at Powder Keg Diplomacy

Challenging Pollen Street Social for the most bizarrely named restaurant of the year is Powder Keg Diplomacy, which has just opened in London.

Located on St John’s Hill in Clapham, Powder Keg Diplomacy marks the latest venture from the owners of London venues Lost Society, Citizen Smith, The Lost Angel and The Blind Tiger.

Describing itself as “an urban colonial-styled environment,” the restaurant promises seasonal British food and a drinks menu inspired by “Victorian imagination, ingenuity and innovation.”

An à la carte menu is available six days a week, offering dishes including gypsy pheasant, Victorian game terrine and a selection of Edwardian desserts. A lunch and bar menu will offer lighter options such as Scotch eggs and locally-sourced cheeses.

The cocktail menu will feature a number of historical twists, drawing on colonial favourites such as the East India Cocktail, a mix of KWV brandy, orange liqueur, homemade pineapple syrup and bokers bitters.

Other cocktail ingredients include the Shipwreck single cask 10 year old cider brandy, Chase marmalade vodka and Tanqueray Rangpur gin.

The beer list has been compiled to celebrate traditional British beer, with a particular focus on micro-breweries such as Kernel and Camden breweries in London, Kelham Island in Sheffield and Manchester’s Marble Brewery.

Each of the bar’s homemade syrups, vermouths and liqueurs are available to buy in 100ml medicinal vessels for visitors to try making the cocktails for themselves at home.