London is a city of many historic hotels, but perhaps one of the most iconic is The Connaught—and it has an iconic bar to match. The Connaught Bar, though it only opened in 2008, exudes a classic tony air that gives the impression it’s been there since the hotel was first built in 1815. But make no mistake: As classic as this place is, it’s a thoroughly modern affair for the new millennium, sporting a hyper-posh design—overstuffed leather chaises, romantic soft lighting, intricate ceiling details, plenty of Deco-esque lines; think Gatsby glamour but if he grew up in Mayfair—and a cutting-edge cocktail list to go with it. Now, 100 of those luxurious libations have been collected into a beautiful new book, The Connaught Bar: Recipes and Iconic Creations, out April 10.
The brains behind the book is the one behind the beverages too: The Connaught’s director of mixology, Agostino Perrone. Alongside his Connaught colleagues, the assistant director of mixology Giorgio Bargiani and bar manager Maura Milia, Perrone shows readers how to whip up some of the British bar’s most popular drinks—among them twists on classics (the coffee-kicked Ristretto Manhattan), out-of-this-world innovations (the Under A Stone, featuring truffle butter-washed vodka), and their signature Connaught Martini (on-site, served from a martini trolley, naturally). There are recipes in this tome that beginner connoisseurs can handle with ease; we’d recommend the Betty Is Back for a quick uncomplicated tipple. But many more require unique ingredients (anyone know where to can find edible gold paint?) and mixers prepared separately and ahead of time (see page 244 for the hoja santa and saffron syrup recipe). Aspirants can hone their craft by mastering one potion at a time, but if you’re more of a drinker than a maker, the book is also a gorgeous art object in and of itself, with stunning photography by Lateef Okunnu and a lovely foreword by Massimo Bottura.
Still, Perrone himself keeps it simple. “Of course, the first drink will be The Connaught Martini,” he answers when asked which cocktail he’ll toast with when he celebrates the book’s publication this week. “This drink represents The Connaught Bar’s ethos, tradition, and innovation, and offers every guest a powerful, personalized experience. I will raise a glass with the team in The Connaught Bar and celebrate a momentous occasion that will stay with us forever.”
To learn more about The Connaught Bar, we asked Perrone to share with me what he loves most about three of his favorite cocktails from the book. He did exactly that, and did me one better by sharing with Traveler the recipes for each. Again, a heads-up: These drinks are relatively involved endeavors, which only underscores the beauty of top-notch cocktail making as a ritualistic art. Kudos if you create a Connaught concoction yourself. Have a sip, close your eyes, and be whisked away to The Connaught Bar. You deserve it.
