New Nightjar menu shines a light on superfoods

Renowned for its quirky cocktails served in unusual receptacles, the Nightjar has pushed the envelope into uncharted territory with its new summer cocktail list.

This is the first menu devised by the bar’s new manager Martina Breznanova, following the departure of longstanding chief mixologist Marian Beke who left at the end of last year to set up his first solo venture, the Gibson in Shoreditch.

Breznanova takes inspiration from Tiki drinks and superfoods, weaving in tropical flavours and exotic ingredients that capture the essence of summer. The Jaguar (pictured) for example, blends Zacapa 23 rum, tiger nut, PX Sherry, Hennessy Fine Cognac, ginger liqueur, orgeat, fresh orange, lime and palm wine.

Other exotic ingredients featured on the new list include Chinese grain spirit Baiju, Japanese citrus fruit yuzu, coconut blossom nectar, immune boosting acerola berries and mangosteen – a sweet, tangy fibrous fruit from Indonesia.

Split into four sections: Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, Postwar and Signature, the new list includes a selection of updated classic cocktails such as The Mayflower, which swaps Kummel for Mozart Dry chocolate spirit infused with dill pollen.

Click through for images and recipes of some of the highlights on the new menu. If you visit the Nightjar, be sure to ask for a pack of playing cards featuring all of the cocktails interspersed with jazz legends from the early 20^th century.

Ariadne Cup

Sauvelle Vodka, roots herb spirit, marjoram cordial, mirabelle & date purée, apricot beer

Diki Diki

Elephant Gin, Turkish apple infusion, Swedish punch, pink grapefruit, fresh lime, Scandinavian crusta

Toronto

Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Fernet Branca, coffee & pecan maple syrup, orange blossom smoke, candy floss

Don’t Give Up The Ship

Plymouth Gin, rosewood infusion, Branca Mente, Chinotto, Thai basil, chocolate wine, toasted cacao

Hug a Wildcat

Capucana Cachaca, El Jimador Blanco, Pisco Porton, blood orange, kumquat, lime, gooseberry jam, agave, Tokaji

Forager’s Shrub

The Botanist Gin, Sauvignon Blanc, seasonal forager’s cordial, lemon, longan & jujube vinegars, sugar

Horse’s Neck

Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, apple & rhubarb, horseradish, wasabi, hot cream soda, lemon, Becherovka

Forest Floor

Glenfiddich 12 Year Old, Hennesy Fine Congac, holy syrup, birch & mushroom soda, apple ice wine, clementine, mastiha

Charlie Chaplin

Tanqueray, beal fruit infusion, Akashi Tai Umeshu, Madeira, peach bark, aronia berry, lime

Inca 

Cabeza Tequila, tomatillo, hazelnut oil, lime, chili wine, epazote, buffalo worms, fino Sherry, agave

Moulin Rouge

Belvedere Vodka, gin spice infusion, ratafia de Bourgogne, Maraschino, lemon, egg white, ylang ylang

Amsterdam

Ketel One vodka, ale & hemp syrup, Grand Marnier, tulip essence, lemon, gouda foam, poppy & cinnamon

Alchemist’s Brew

 Monkey Shoulder whisky, rum mix, milk oolong chai, pineapple syrup, Ceylon Arrack, citrus, quinoa water

Artillery Punch

Hendrick’s Gin, korekima, grape juice, Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof, Benedictine, apricot brandy, lime, bee pollen

Yorkshire Punch

Gin Mare, apple & rhubarb, absinthe, St Germain elderflower liqueuer, berry liqueurs, lemon, Yorkshire tea, honey, ginger

Green Dragon

Woodford Reserve Bourbon, pastis, buddha’s finger liqueur, dragon fruit, strawberry wine, honeysuckle, berries

Aku Aku

Appleton Reserve Blend, Skipper rum, velvet falernum, lime, papaya purée, umeshu, apricot brandy, pimento

Hong Kong Punch

Appleton Reserve Blend, Hennessy Fine Cognac, tea liqueur, Baiju, cherry molasses, pineapple, lime, yuzu soda.

Soul Kiss

Bulleit Bourbon, Zacapa rum, Bowmore 15, Barolo Chinato Cocchi, PX Sherry, maple syrup

Mayflower

Hennessy Fine Cognac, Mozart Dry, Chambord, Nightjar Amaro, nigella, fresh lemon & tangerine, roses