World’s first perfume-inspired cocktail bar

The Ritz-Carlton in Berlin has opened the world’s first perfume-inspired cocktail bar that encourages guests to match their drink to their scent.

 Fragrances at The Ritz-Carlton in Berlin has concocted a list of 15 cocktails inspired by famous perfumes from the likes of Armani, Jo Malone and Guerlain.

The brainchild of bar manager Arnd Heissen, on entry to the bar, guests are invited to have a whiff of 15 scents and chose the corresponding cocktail that pairs with their favourite fragrance.

The spirits used to recreate the scents, such as Tanqueray No. Ten and Zacapa 23, reside beside the perfumes in bell jars alongside the other ingredients used to make the cocktails, all of which cost €14.

The Earl Grey and Cucumber, inspired by the Jo Malone fragrance, is made with Earl Grey infused Don Julio Reposado, pink lady apple juice, jasmine tea and vanilla, honey and cucumber syrup.

Vaara meanwhile, based on the Penhaligon’s scent, blends saffron infused Zacapa 23, Bulleit Bourbon, pear purée, rose water and magnolia and tonca bean syrup.

“At Fragrances, we want our guests not only to enjoy their drinks, but to experience them,” Heissen said.

“When choosing a cocktail, they have to depend entirely on their senses, which demands courage and curiosity,” he added.

In addition to aroma, Heissen also pays close attention to presentation, housing his creations in everything from milk bottles and bird houses to wicker baskets.

“The bar doesn’t only appeal to the nose and palate but also the eye and the ear,” Heissen said.

Snacks created specifically to pair with the cocktails are also on offer at the bar, including vanilla and raspberry macaroons as a pairing for the Signorina cocktail inspired by the Salvatore Ferragamo fragrance, which features jasmine and rose infused Tanqueray No. Ten and vanilla and patchouli syrup.

Click through for a gallery of Fragrance’s top 10 perfume-inspired cocktails.

10: Honour by Amouage

Tanqueray No. Ten, rose infused Ketel One vodka, Wandering Poet saké, fresh lemon, coriander eau de vie, rhubarb nectar, jasmine syrup

9: Angelique Noir by Guerlain

Zacapa XO, Champagne, jasmine, angelica root, vanilla, bergamot

8: Nilang by Lalique

Mandarin vodka, lotus infused cardhu, saké, white chocolate, jasmine, vanilla and patchouli syrup

7: Amour Nocturne by L’Artisan Parfumeur

Singleton Sunray, yuzu saké, milk, honey, almond, fig and vanilla syrup

6: Nuit Etoilée by Annick Goutal

Grand Marnier, Tanqueray No. Ten, angelica syup, fresh lemon, fir tree and spearmint syrup

5: Earl Grey and Cucumber by Jo Malone

Earl Grey infused Don Julio Reposado, pink lady apple, jasmine tea, vanilla, honey and cucumber syrup

4:  Deliria by L’Artisan Parfumeur

Zacapa 23, pink lady apple, fresh lemon, whisky bitters, raspberry, vanilla and palm sugar syrup

3: Signorina by Salvatore Ferragamo

Jasmine and rose infused Tanqueray No. Ten, red currant nectar, fresh lemon, pink pepper, vanilla and patchouli syrup

2: Gourman Coquin by Guerlain

Zacapa 23, Talisker Storm, Lapsang Suchong tea, white chocolate, rose water, fresh lemon

1: Vaara by Penhaligon’s

Saffron infused Zacapa 23, Bulleit Bourbon, pear purée, rose water, magnolia, vanilla, honey and tonca bean syrup, sandalwood