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Donovan Bar showcases Vintage Cocktail menu

Famed bartender Salvatore Calabrese joined the team at Donovan Bar earlier this year. Since then he has been serving up his “liquid history” at the bar in London’s Brown’s Hotel.

Vintage cocktails on the menu at Donovan Bar are made with spirits up to 230-years-old

The Vintage Cocktail selection on the menu at Donovan Bar has been created by Calabrese using his own personal collection of rare and historic spirits, which includes Bacardi rum from 1905 and McBrayer Kentucky Bourbon from 1913.

The menu features drinks such as a White Lady, made with Gordon’s gin and Cointreau from the 1930s and a Honey Bee made from Richmond Rhum de la Martinique from the 1950s, honey and lemon juice.

Donovan Bar’s vintage cocktails start at £55 for the Vintage Negroni and reach £5,500 for the “crowning glory of the Vintage Cocktails menu” – Salvatore’s Legacy.

Salvatore’s Legacy, which is recognised as the world’s oldest cocktail, is made using 1788 Clos de Griffier Vieux Cognac, 1770 Kummel liqueur, 1860 Dubb Orange liqueur from the 1860s and Angostura bitters from the 1930s.

Calabrese joined the Donovan Bar earlier this year after the historic London venue underwent an extensive refurbishment.

Click through our gallery to see a selection of the Vintage Cocktails available at Donovan Bar. 

Aviation

Ingredients: 1930s Gordon’s gin, 1930s crème de violette and 1930s Zara maraschino.

Negroni

Ingredients: 1970s Beefeater gin, 1970s Campari and 1970s Martini Rosso

Vesper Martini

Ingredients: 1950s Gordon’s gin, 1950s Smirnoff vodka and 1949 Kina Lillet

Brandy Alexander

Ingredients: Lheraud Grandee Champagne Cognac 1956, 1960s Bols Crème de Caçao and fresh cream

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