The Savoy’s White Lady
Hotel bars have been among the most trusted players on the international cocktail scene for a long time now. But these days they’re increasingly recognized as innovators too, coming up with outstanding signature drinks that change the way we think about classic cocktails and introduce us to exciting new ingredients. Here are our current favorites from hotels around the world.
Driftwood Sazerac, Hotel deLuxe, Portland, Ore.
This spring and summer Portland’s Recommended Hotel deLuxe is keeping things local with Mixed In PDX, a new range of signature drinks inspired by culinary products from the City of Roses. The Driftwood Sazerac brings the Deep South to the Northwest by combining Smith Teamaker hibiscus tea syrup with Pacifique Absinthe, Bulleit Rye and Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. Another bold new beverage available in the glamorous Driftwood Room is the Local Honey, which combines honey from Portland beekeepers Bee Local with Aria gin, Farigoule wild thyme liqueur and fresh lemon juice. The hotel has even installed Bee Local hives on its roof, so drinkers know exactly where their cocktail ingredients are coming from.
The Dream, Wynn Las Vegas
Wynn Las Vegas’ The Dream
There are few beverages more stylish than a classic champagne cocktail, but Parasol Up at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Wynn Las Vegas has upped the ante with its signature twist on the drink. The Dream combines Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut with St-Germain elderflower liqueur and hibiscus syrup to create a libation that is nearly as easy on the eyes as it is on the taste buds. It’ll make you feel like a million bucks, even if your time in the hotel’s casino doesn’t.
Singapore Sling, Raffles Singapore
If there’s one Singapore bar every traveler has to visit, it’s the Long Bar at Four-Star Raffles Singapore. And if there’s one drink they have to try, it’s the Singapore Sling. Invented some time at the start of the 20th century by head bartender Ngiam Tong Boon, the drink is a careful blend of gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, Bénédictine, Cointreau, Sarawak pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine and a dash of Angostura bitters. Garnished with a slice of pineapple and a cherry, it’s served in a tall glass and is the ultimate refresher on a sultry evening on the island nation.
Negronis, QT Sydney
Australia may still be better known for its beer and wine than for its cocktail scene, but that’s not to say that there aren’t exciting things happening in the drinks world Down Under. Parlour Lane Roasters, a hip streetside bar at QT Sydney that is currently wowing the aperitivo-time crowds with its range of signature Negronis, is a case in point. We can’t get enough of the White Negroni, a blend of Plymouth Gin, the French aperitifs Suze and Lillet Blonde, and a twist of lemon. It’s the perfect beverage to get your evening going.
The White Lady, The Savoy, London
Prohibition couldn’t have been much fun, but there was at least one upside to this tumultuous period in U.S. history: It led to American cocktail barman Harry Craddock coming to the U.K., getting a job at The Savoy and inventing one of the world’s favorite classic cocktails. The White Lady combines Bombay Sapphire gin, dry orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice and a dash of egg white, shaken together and served without ice. Enjoy it in the place it was invented, Five-Star The Savoy’s elegant American Bar.
Photos Courtesy of The Savoy and Alex Karvounis
