London’s ‘oldest’ hotel unveils globetrotting cocktail menu

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel is readying to launch its new ‘Around the Globe’ cocktail menu, a sensory “exploration” of the seven continents led by scented cards.

Around the Globe invites consumers to explore the continents via bespoke cocktails

Set in London’s “oldest” hotel, The Donovan Bar is preparing to unveil a new sensory cocktail menu which has been two years in the making.

Launching on 10 May, the ‘Around the Globe’ collection by Damian Kwiatkowski and Riccardo Vecchio invites the consumer to explore each continent through seven bespoke cocktails.

The menu will be presented via scented cards upon arrival, all of which emit a different smell according to the continent they represent, from the “cold mint” aroma of the Antarctica-themed creation, to the floral fragrance of the menu’s Asia cocktail.

The creations can be enjoyed individually for £18, or the collection of all seven scented cards can be bought in an engraved silver card holder and given as a gift for £135.

Click through the following pages to see the seven cocktails featured on the Around the Globe cocktail menu at The Donovan Bar. 

Africa

The scent leading the choice for this cocktail is pineapple. Africa is among the world’s biggest pineapple producers and the fruit – which symbolises hospitality – is said to be a “major” source of employment and income for the continent. Guests selecting the pineapple scent will be presented with a Bacardi Gold Rum-based drink, mixed with pineapple syrup, banana liqueur and three drops of chocolate bitters. The cocktail is served on a banana leaf.

Antarctica

Antarctica’s cocktail is based on “the scent of cold mint”. The creation is a combination of Belvedere Vodka, black crème de menthe liqueur, a few drops of lemon bitters and a spoon of absinthe. It arrives in a black glass nestled within an ice block, garnished with dry moss.

Asia

Flowers are recognised as an “expression of communication and emotion” in Asia, so the scented card for this cocktail has a floral aroma. The cocktail is served in three different coloured cups, chosen by the bartender to represent the strongest quality radiating from the drinker – the black cup will be served to those who “exude power”, yellow will be given to “cheerful” guests, and red which will be for those with “energy and passion”. Star of Bombay Gin is shaken with Antolia cherry bitters, violet liqueur and a dash of homemade oolong tea syrup, then stirred with grapefruit zest.

Australia

The scent of the Australia card is lime, in homage to the Australian finger lime which grows in the subtropical rainforest and coastal border region of Queensland and New South Wales. The cocktail is based on Dalmore 15 Year Old, mixed with finger lime bitters, cinnamon syrup and green apple liqueur. Served in a sea-blue jagged glass, the cocktail is topped with a shark decoration.

Europe

Strawberry is the scent associated the Europe cocktail, to acknowledge the garden strawberry first grown in Brittany in 1750. Served in a glass cup and saucer complete with umbrella garnish, Grey Goose VX Vodka is mixed with strawberry liqueur, homemade blackcurrant and hibiscus syrup, and orange bitters.

North America

Guests selecting the scene of burnt wood will be presented with North America. Garnished with oak leaves, and served tall in a totem pole glass, this cocktail is based around Hudson Bourbon Whisky, which is mixed with woodland pine liqueur, a touch of honey and a few drops of Angostura bitters.

South America

Inspired by the smell of coffee and its South American connotations, the final cocktail of this series blends Patron Silver Tequila with Dominican tobacco liqueur, a teaspoon of freshly ground coffee, vanilla syrup and lime zest. The drink is served in a Mexican sugar skull mug with accompanying pampas grass.