Storytelling cocktail trend gathers pace

The trend for launching cocktail lists that tell a story is showing no sign of slowing as The Blind Big in London’s Soho releases sips inspired by Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear.

Launched yesterday to coincide with World Book Day, the new menu is the third installment in The Blind Pig’s ‘Great British Tails’ series and includes 12 cocktails.

Designed by The Social Company’s group bar manager, Jay Doy, the menu takes inspiration from cherished British children’s novels like Roald Dahl’s The BFG, Harry Potter and The Very Hungry Catterpillar.

The cocktails feature ingredients savoury ingredients that are high in natural sugars like carrot, beetroot and fennel.

Each of the sips is accompanied by a drawing by illustrator Masha Karpushina, which captures the essence of the story that inspired each creation.

Read on for a round-up of some of the storybook sips on the new menu.

5-a-day

Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this colourful cocktail blends Patrón Silver Tequila, lime cordial and cubes of apple, pear, plum, strawberry and orange. It comes garnished with a jelly caterpillar wiggling on the side of the glass.

ABC Fizz

Taking inspiration from Beatrix Potter’s best known and best loved character, Peter Rabbit, the orange-hued ABC Fizz marries Remy Martin 1738 Cognac, fennel seed vermouth, apple soda, beetroot, carrot, citrus, egg white and celery sugar.

Dream Jar

Playing on the dream jars kept by The BFG, this bright lime cocktail with a Mr Whippy-like ‘snozzcumber meringue’ foam top features Hendrick’s Orbium gin, Midori, vanilla, citrus and cucumber and watermelon soda.

Fowl Play

This vivid orange sip riffs on Beatrix Potter’s tale of Jemima Puddleduck with its blend of duck fat washed Aylesbury Duck vodka from Canada, blood orange, Chartreause, honey, herbs and spices.

Lost & Found

Paying homage to Peruvian-born Paddington Bear, the Lost & Found aims to evoke Paddington’s favourite snack – Marmite sarnies, by blending Ketel One Oranje vodka, a ‘toast and marmalade sandwiches’ distillate, Reisling, triple sec and citrus, which reminds us of Rich Woods’ Breakfast with Hemingway cocktail at Duck & Waffle.

Best Bottle Butter Bitter 

If you’re not a Harry Potter fan you may not have heard of Butter Beer, but this sip, which blends Monkey Shoulder whisky, beer, Kamm & Sons, thyme, butterscotch, citrus and bitters should help you get well acquainted.

Poached Peach Pudding 

Inspired by children’s book character Mr Benn, the creation of author David McKee, this fruit salad of a cocktail marries Champagne-poached peaches, Amaretto ice cream, gin granita and Chambord sauce.

Tumnus Tipple Delight 

And finally… an icy land called for an ice-blue drink and this ethereal sip. Inspired by Mr Tumnus from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, may not be the best thing to enjoy during the current Arctic blast, but those of a hardy nature can enjoy its mix of Star of Bombay gin, Lanique rose, white chocolate, citrus, vanilla and egg white, served with an ice shard.