London bar creates ‘celebrity’ cocktail list

St James Bar at the Sofitel London has created a cocktail list inspired by eight “icons” of the 20^th century, including Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe and Sir Winston Churchill.

The autumn/winter cocktail list aims to evoke the character of each “celebrity” via its name, ingredients and presentation, with the Chanel cocktail served in a black Champagne flute and the Hemingway including cigar-infused Havana rum.

Inspired by Frank Sinatra, the Sultan of Swing meanwhile, features Tootsie Roll-infused Jack Daniel’s and is served in a hip flask.

“Each cocktail has been carefully created to celebrate some of the most famous personalities of the 20^th century. Flavour and presentation are just as important as the stories that inspire this collection,” said bar manager Emilio Moscati.

The design of the bar itself is inspired by Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment. Click through for images and recipes for all eight cocktails.

Edith Piaf

French songbird Edith Piaf was known to be a lover of both Cognac and Pernod, which form the base of the La Môme cocktail, that also features Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, pineapple and lemon juice and a homemade blackberry, blueberry and star anise cordial finished with a few dashes of lavender bitters and garnished with a rose petal in a hat tip to the song that made her famous: La Vie en Rose.

Winston Churchill

Aiming to evoke the British Prime Minister’s bullish personality, The British Bulldog blends one of Churchill’s favourite whiskies, Johnny Walker, with Kamm & Sons, English honey, lemon juice and a few drops of Fernet Branca. The punchy cocktail is served on the rocks and garnished with a barley sprig.

Marilyn Monroe

A lifelong fizz fan, The Blonde Bombshell cocktail pays tribute to Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe. Taking Champagne as its base, the drink also features Koko Kanu coconut rum, cucumber, horseradish, lemon juice, egg white and an apple air emulsion, in order “to create the exact green shade of her favourite Emilio Pucci dress.”

The daring concoction is finished with sugar syrup, celery bitters and a trio of rose petals in a nod to the fact that her former husband, baseball player Joe Di Maggio, brought red roses to her grave for 20 years after her death.

Frank Sinatra

American crooner Frank Sinatra is immortalised in liquid in the Sultan of Swing. Playing on his well documented love of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, the cocktail, served in a hip flask, combines sweet and bitter notes by blending Tootsie Roll-infused Jack Daniels with Aperol, Martini Extra Dry and walnut bitters.

Coco Chanel

Served in a black Champagne flute in a hat tip to fashion’s fixation with the “little black dress”, the Madame Bonheur cocktail is inspired by French fashion icon Coco Chanel and blends Champagne, St Germain elderflower liqueur and Kummel along with a cordial created by the bar that mirrors the scent of Chanel No. 5. The elegant ensemble is finished with a dash of lemon juice, a brown sugar cube.

Ernest Hemingway

Known for his love of Mojitos and Daiquiris enjoyed during his time in Cuba, the El Papa cocktail pays homage to American writer Ernest Hemingway. Featuring a Perique Tobacco Liqueur rinse, the powerful cocktail blends cigar-infused Havana rum and Antica Formula finished with chocolate bitters and a grapefruit twist.

Mistinguett

Inspired by French actress and singer Mistinguett (born Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois), who regularly performed at the Moulin Rogue during the 1920s, the Miss Mistinguett features an absinthe wash, Cachaça, St Germain and Triple Sec, finished with sugar syrup, egg white, Angostura Bitters and a lemon verbena foam garnished with sprigs of mint.

Queen Elizabeth II

Paying homage to our very own Queen Elizabeth II and her well-known love of gin and Dubbonet, the Sa Majeste blends No. 3 Dry Gin with jasmine syrup in honour of her daily afternoon tea ritual. Served in a Bernardaud china teacup, the regal cocktail is garnished with an orange twist and a sprig of rosemary.