ISSN 2052 0603
Issue 38 / Summer 2021 Ingredients for more than just great drinks
THE ART ISSUE
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COCKTAILS. SOME PEOPLE JUST SEE A DRINK IN A GLASS, WE SEE COMPLETE WORKS OF ART Like an artist, bartenders use their shaker or mixing glass as a palette to mix their ingredients, and like artists, their canvas is the glass. And let’s not forget the artistry that goes into balancing flavour, colour and aroma, or the inventive ways they bring their creations to life. This issue celebrates all of those things. We start by talking to five bartenders who trained in the arts before answering the call of the bar (p. 20), and head to East London where Remy Savage brings a philosophical perspective to his latest project – a series of carefully conceived venues inspired by entire art movements (p. 28). It’s over to Norway next to find out how Paul Aguilar Voza and Maroš Dzurus from Himkok in Oslo have used art in the ether to create a world’s first with their latest drinks menu (p. 46). But it’s not just about new tech; we doff our caps and highlight some of the most clever and creative menus from the past few years (p. 48). What else? There’s glassware to make your drinks ‘pop’ (p. 38), a look at some of the amazing collaborations with drinks brands and famous artists (p. 52) and bars with art at the forefront of their interiors (p. 60). John Collingwood talks about the art business he started up during lockdown (p. 36) and we showcase a gallery of show-stopping serves (p. 40). Virginie Boulenger, art programme curator at studio be-poles is In The Hotseat sharing details of the outstanding art programme she and the team have brought together at NoMad London and telling us why art and hospitality make the perfect mix (p. 18). We hope you’re as inspired by their work as we are. Happy sipping!
Ms S & Mr G
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5 \ in the know
25 reasons to be a cocktail lover this season
18 \ In the hotseat
Sipping the hits and stirring things up – just a few of the things we’re looking forward to in the next couple of months
With Virginie Boulenger, art curator extraordinaire
20 \ in the spotlight 38 \ indulge 11 \ in the know The drink
Raise your glasses for the perfectly balanced Artist’s Special
13 \ in the know
Art of the matter
Best in glass
Five drinks pros with a background in the arts
Glassware to make your drinks ‘pop’
28 \ in the spotlight Oh, Savage!
Talking Bauhaus, bars and big ideas with the creative force that is Remy Savage
The bottle
40 \ in the mix
One gin brand where artistry is firmly in focus
Creative juices
14 \ in the know
Drinks with ‘ooh’ appeal
46 \ in focus
The people
Find out how Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani are channelling Jackson Pollock in their latest charity initiative
16 \ in the know The place
Why everyone is talking about the recently opened NoMad London
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Getting digi with it
36 \ in the spotlight Hapney ever after
John Collingwood on his new art business focusing on the beauty of cocktail ratios
Cocktails get sent to the ether in a brand-new menu
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Editors/
Sandrae Lawrence Gary Sharpen
Office Manager/ Tereza Singh
Sub editor/ Laura Hill
Art director/
James Cheverton at Burnt Studio burntstudio.com
48 \ in focus
Contributors/
John Collingwood Virginia Miller Millie Milliken Jane Ryan
Liquid muses
How art has shaped some of the most iconic cocktail menus
52 \ in focus
54 \ informed
Clever brands and cool artists make for inspiring and collectible drinks labels
Restaurants where the drinks are as good as the food
The art of drinks
Mains & Martinis
For all editorial and advertising enquiries, please contact: mail@thecocktaillovers.com T: 020 7242 2546 thecocktaillovers.com
56 \ informed Word up
News and views from the cocktail front
60 \ international Drawn to the bar
Printed by Stephens & George Distributed by Gold Key Media Reproduction in whole or part of any contents of The Cocktail Lovers Magazine without prior permission from the editors is strictly prohibited. The Cocktail Lovers Issue No. 38 Summer 2021
Drinks destinations where art is top of mind
64 \ in parting
All details of bars featured in this issue were correct at time of going to press. Please see individual websites for up-to-date information.
All hail the Bartist!
Spotlight on the gorgeous work by Dan Collins
The Cocktail Lovers magazine is published by The Cocktail Lovers Ltd in London, UK PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
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Contributors
Millie Milliken
Jane Ryan
Millie has been writing about the hospitality industry for 10 years. Formerly deputy editor at Imbibe UK, she now writes for both trade and consumer titles including Club Oenologique, Master of Malt, VinePair and Whisky Magazine, and is also a judge for the People’s Choice Drinks Awards. She is the Community Manager for The Drinks Trust charity’s new member platform, the Drinks Community.
Jane cut her drinks journo chops working with the Difford’s Guide UK team in 2012 and has been writing about drinks and the people making them ever since. As well as writing, she’s worked in some of the best bars in London, if not the world, including Satans Whisker’s, Callooh Callay, Milk & Honey and Cub. Now living and working in Australia, Jane contributes to a variety of publications including CLASS, Drinks International and The Cocktail Lovers.
In this issue Millie takes a look at some of the most imaginative menus – past and present, at home and abroad (p. 48).
With her arty hat on, Jane highlights some of the many great artist/drinks brand collaborations (p. 52).
John Collingwood
Virginia Miller
John started his career working for a wide range of bars in the north of England before joining the team at Brown-Forman, where he worked for six years. In 2012 he joined Fling Bar Services as a consultant and is now Operations Manager, conducting over 90 contracts, developing and opening the world’s luxury hotels, resorts and bars in 27 countries.
Virginia regularly covers dining, spirits, cocktails and bars globally for a wide range of publications, including Liquor.com, Where Traveler, Haute Living, Time Out, Distiller Magazine and Gin Magazine. Having visited over 20,000 bars around the world, she’s regularly called on to judge cocktail, spirits and bar competitions.
John’s latest venture sees him embracing his passion for the arts in a brand new business. Find out more on page 36.
For this issue Virginia highlights bars where art is very much on the agenda (p. 60) .
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25\
in the know
Reasons to be a cocktail lover this season...
No one does bonkers quite like Lewis Carroll in his classic children’s book, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Which makes it the ideal reference point for creative minds to run riot. And we’re not just talking children. ‘Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser’ showcases works from some of the biggest names from a variety of mediums, including paintings by Salvador Dalí and Peter Blake, fashion from Vivienne Westwood and costumes from the National Theatre and the Royal Ballet. The team at Paradiso in Barcelona (paradiso.cat) are renowned for creating drinks with equal measures of escapism, wonderment and joy. Put them on your travel wish list, and lose yourself in the theatrics of their serves as you marvel at the inventiveness of the drinks. Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser is at the V&A, London until 31 December. vam.ac.uk
A Mad Tea Party, Salvador Dali, 1969. © Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, DACS 2019
01 \ Taking a trip to wonderland
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02 \
05
Sucking up
Sharpening our pencils
Hey popsicle lovers, keep the heat off this summer with a cocktail, frozen on a stick. Cooloo Cocktail Pops come in five flavours: Piña Colada, Paloma, Mai Tai, G&T and Cosmo, sold in packs of 12. Get yours from cooloo.com
Building up to painting on canvas? Start with Angas & Bremer’s Colour in the Wines labels. Dig out your pens, decide on your colour scheme and get arty filling in the stylish monochromatic lines – there’s a glass of wine in it for you when you’re
three \
FOUR
done. angasandbremer.com.au
06 \
…or make them for yourself. Check
…and the gizmos
out With Alcohol Anything is Popsicle:
to make them in?
60 Frozen Cocktails by Jassy Davis,
Get kitted up with
…and the next step? An online art class.
from amazon.co.uk
these Absolut Icy
With drinks. Book your two-hour slot
Martini Moulds from absolutelyxboutique.
and, as well as the paints, you’ll receive
com
lesson. artsippers.com
your drinks delivered before the virtual
07 \ Drinking apples from cans Eating apples is great but sipping them from the delicious new cans from the team at London’s Coupette is even better. Blending five varieties, all pressed, filtered and carbonated, with extra appley-goodness coming from Calvados, it’s the perfect picnic tipple. coupetteshop.com
EIGHT Lying back with a drink
See those curves? See that special angle of the lip? The Relaxx Mug has been designed with horizontal drinking in mind. Just make sure you don’t fall asleep while your cup is full. relaxxmug.com
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09 \ Calling the shots
Don’t settle for any old coffee in your cocktails. Taste the difference in the Single Estate Espresso Martinis from Harvey Nichols, taking in beans from Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Nicaragua…
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…but if you want the gist of an Espresso Martini without the alcohol, try these. Espresso Martini Suckers, both from harveynichols.com
TWELVE Getting the party started
11 \
Checking into Hampton Manor To check out the Sipple Cocktail Tasting Menu. Comprising six drinks created to highlight the life stages of plants, it takes in everything from seeds and roots to stem and fruit, served with a platter of treats in the stunning walled garden. hamptonmanor.com
Forget faffing around batching cocktails for your summer parties, The Drinks Drop have you covered. Their new three-litre Bag-in-Box sharing cocktails provide 20 serves – and as they’ve been created by six top UK bars, rest assured, your guests are in for a treat. thedrinksdrop.com
13 \
Keeping hydrated With a classy but cheeky water bottle. Seletti Wears Toiletpaper Printed Thermal Bottle, amara.com
fifteen \
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Going designer retro For this brilliant new contraption: part robot vacuum cleaner, part beer cooler, it will certainly be put to good use. molsonbrewmboni.ca
Sipping the hits Never mind the bollocks, we’re talking That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Greatest Hits of Whisky, a finely tuned collection of 10 miniature drams packaged up in one of our fave gift sets. Now that’s what we call a number one choice. amazon.co.uk
16
Putting our names on the waiting list
We’re loving the selection of carefully restored cocktail trollies and cabinets at Conscious Cubby. Choose from what’s on offer online or commission a piece to match your interior; either way, you’re in for something unique. conscious-cubby.com
SEVENTEEN Refreshing our walls
With some cocktail art. Find yours at printedoriginals.co.uk
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19 \
Switching allegiance
Forget the traditional Americano, this year it’s all about The Australiano: two parts Regal Rogue vermouth and one part modifier, topped up with soda water. Find the recipes at regalrogue.com/theaustraliano
eighteen \ The Chocolate Smiths make nextlevel bars. Fact. Our latest obsession is Bahama Bizarre: creamy white chocolate guarding a gooey, rich rum, coconut and caramel centre. Yum! thechocolatesmiths.com
twenty ONE Being cool with hot bevvies
Like, really. Afro Cool Mug and Coaster Set, gardenofdelights.co.uk
22 Stirring things up The key to getting your cocktail mixed justso. Unlock Trouble Bar Set, oka.com
twenty \
Reliving Legacy The catchiest tune of the year? The Dixon Brothers and Dukus track for Bacardí Legacy 2021, no question. Watch the video, hear the song and see if you can stop yourself moving. youtu.be/vUyPcmZFQ1s
23
Enlisting a helping hand Like this. Helio Hand Bottle Holder, audenza.com
24 \ Turning Japanese
25 \
Part memoir, part drinking guide, part recipe book, The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and
Laying it on thick Spreadable Mojito: the taste of summer on toast. firebox.com
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Michael Anstendig is a must-read for anyone interested in the art of Japanese bartending. amazon.co.uk
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in the know
The drink
Artist’s Special \ Taste, colour, texture, the Artist’s Special has it all. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given its name. Created in the equally delightfully sounding Artists’ Club in Paris, circa 1927, it’s a drink with real depth in flavour, hue and history. If you like whisky sours, you’ll love it. 30ml blended scotch 30ml oloroso sherry 15ml fresh lemon juice 15ml redcurrant, grenadine or raspberry syrup Lemon twist, to garnish Method: Shake all ingredients hard over ice. Double strain into a chilled Coupe or wine glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. Recipe and image courtesy of Cara Devine. Find out more at behindthebarwithcaradevine.com, youtube.com/behindthebar and Instagram @withcaradevine
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The people
Ago Perrone & Giorgio Bargiani \ Art has always been a source of inspiration for Ago Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani, not just in their personal lives but in the way they approach the creation of their drinks in London’s Connaught Bar. The Number 11 Martini is a case in point. Taking cues from Jackson Pollock’s numbered action paintings, the drink is presented in bespoke Coupes, each hand-decorated by the team. Enjoy it in the bar and/or buy a limited-edition set for yourself, available from the Saatchi Gallery *. the-connaught.co.uk saatchigallery.com *Proceeds support the arts and cultural sector.
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The place
NoMad London \ As if the exquisite food and drink offering and cool, sexy interior design weren’t reason enough to have NoMad London on your radar, know this: with over 1,600 collected and commissioned works by a cross-section of British and international artists, it’s as much a gallery as it is a sumptuous five-star hotel. Whether you’re mulling over a Martini, chowing down on the tastiest chicken dish or relaxing in one of the opulent rooms, you’re never far away from an original artwork. Discover pieces from Swiss artist Catherine Denervaud, who uses her body to paint, photography from Martin Parr and specially commissioned works from the Royal Opera House across the road. For more on its curation and to find out why art plays such a pivotal role in hospitality, see p. 18.
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in the know
The bottle Purist Gin \
Bruce Walker calls his Purist Gin ‘The Art Gin’. With good reason. Each batch features a label designed by an emerging independent artist. Exciting for fans of the gin but great for the artists – not only do they have a platform for their work (you can also purchase prints from the Purist Gin website), they receive a percentage of the sales. puristgin.co.uk
in the know
In the hotseat
Virginie Boulenenger, art programme curator for studio be-poles on telling stories in hospitality through art
Art has become increasingly important in bars, restaurants and hotels. When do you recall this shift first coming into play and what do you put it down to? The shift was probably initiated with the trend of a new kind of hospitality about 15 years ago: smaller properties, inns and guesthouses that had a greater residential feel to them and forced the larger properties and industry to review their offer and reconsider their approach. They realised that their identity could not only be conveyed through good graphics and marketing but should be felt as a whole 360-degree experience that encompasses a more global and personal visual impact on guests throughout their stay. For be-poles it all started with NoMad New York in 2010.
Apart from visual appeal, what are the benefits of a bespoke art programme in hospitality venues? For the guests, the experience is more intimate, residential – the stay is emphasised via the art journey. It’s more enriching and distinct than being in just another hotel room. For the brand, the opportunity for expressing its identity and storytelling becomes broader. It gives the brand a new medium for expressing its narrative besides the brand identity, the architecture, the interior design. The bespoke art programme becomes an opportunity to invite guests further into the brand storytelling, giving them the opportunity to feel more emotionally invested and connected.
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