Celebrating the short list of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012, each of the five designers have created their own limited edition cocktail.
The designers collaborated with the bar directors and managers to create a cocktail that reflects the spirit and style of their brand. I was invited to 45 Park Lane for a cocktail tasting evening with delicious canapes from Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, served in the cosy, relaxing guest lounge.
My favourite cocktail was Black Southside, created by flamboyant fur designer Quentin Veron and the bar team at Le Richemond in Geneva. It’s a dark and mysterious blend of Plymouth gin, fresh lime, freshly-made blackberry juice, cherry syrup, mint and Agnostura Bitters, served in a large martini glass with a sugar and cracked black pepper rim. The elegant, intoxicating cocktail is designed to take you back to the prohibition era speakeasy clubs in America – the inspiration behind Veron’s collection.
Another deliciously dark cocktail is Nuit Noire by Les Garcons, a collaboration with William Oliveri at Le Meurice, Paris. The cocktail includes Eristoff Black vodka, blackberry liqueur blackberry coulis and lime juice, served in a long glass with a sprig of mint and a frozen sugar-coated blackberry. It’s so thick, rich and fruity that it tastes like a decadent alcoholic smoothie.
A lighter, refreshing cocktail is design duo Augustin Teboul’s Black Velvet, concocted by Stefano Cossio at 45 Park Lane. This tequila-based cocktail includes blackberries, thyme honey, crème de cassis and lime juice, served in a glass tumbler with an oversized block of ice.
The cocktail to get the party started is Calla’s wonderfully-named Milanese Calla-pirinha, created by Daniele Confalonieri of Hotel Principe di Savoia. The zesty, uplifting cocktail is a potent blend of Cachaça Velha, lime juice, orange, sugar cane and saffron, served with a cinnamon stick in a short glass.
The IRM Cocktail is IRM Design’s molecular trio of tastes, created by Thierry Hernandez at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris. The glasses include three shots of rum, sake and vodka and are presented on a clinical silver tray with three pipettes containing iris (I), rose (R) and mint (M) essences. During my visit, the hand-made essences were en route from Paris, so we didn’t have the chance to try the IRM Cocktail, however, it appears to be a real treat for the senses.
The limited editition cocktails are available throughout the fashion season in Europe, until 3 October. The winner of the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize 2012 will be announced at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, on 16 October.
For more information, visit: www.dorchestercollection.com
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