Aqua Shard adds range of bottled cocktails inspired by Great Gatsby era

Sky-high London bar and restaurant Aqua Shard is serving up drinks inspired by the first bottled cocktails which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century.

The new four-bottle range of cocktails are made, bottled and sealed on-site. Inspired by the original ‘Club Cocktails’ – the first bottled cocktails which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century – the sips are all contain “quintessential British flavours”.

Each cocktail contains both tea and gin and is served over a hand-stamped block of ice from individual, mini Champagne-style bottles with retro labels.

The Apple & Cedro cocktail mixes Tanqueray Ten gin with apple juice, anise tea and cedro lemons, while the Manuka & Sauvignon Blanc serve combines a Cornish Manuka tea syrup, made by brewing the tea for exactly 24 minutes, then adding muscovado sugar and lemon zest, with Tanqueray Ten gin and Sauvignon Blanc.

The bar team recommends starting with these sips before your meal, or when visiting the bar.

The Mint & Chocolate cocktail.

They added: “The team uses Cedro lemons in the Apple & Cedro cocktail which provide a refreshing and zesty flavour, balanced by the sweetness of Limoncello. The fresh apple juice and anise tea also add to the freshness of the cocktail and are a perfect way to warm up your palate. The Manuka & Sauvignon Blanc cocktail is made with the Manuka shrub so it creates a sweet and spicy flavour to the drink, best enjoyed before your meal. The Sauvignon Blanc also adds floral notes and can be enjoyed anytime throughout the day”.

After your meal, the team recommends the Mandarin & Lapsang serve, made Lapsang tea balanced with sweet mandarin juice and finished with Tanqueray Ten gin and sparkling wine. Alternatively, you can opt for the Mint & Chocolate, inspired by after dinner mints After Eights, which is made by mixing Tanqueray Ten gin with cacao nibs, peppermint tea and cacao bitters.

The team told the drinks business that they plan to serve the range indefinitely, but may extend it in the summer months.