Can you imagine a beverage worth more than a few grams of the most precious metal on earth? Nikhil Merchant unearths cocktails, with a price tag that will send you into a tizzy
A cocktail is the perfect way to add a decadent touch to your evening. In India, we are just about tuning our palates to stronger spirits, robust in taste with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Tim Judge, who was instrumental in changing the way India drank cocktails during his tenure as Diageo's brand ambassador, looks for quality, taste and composition when it comes to rare concoctions. But there are some aficionados, who could swig a drink costing as much as a bar’s monthly rent, and these bars keep churning out more such luxe offerings every year.
Affluent America
Gin Martini at the Blue Bar, Algonquin Hotel
When you think Martini, wouldn’t you imagine James Bond and a classic cocktail? While a typical Martini, in America, costs approximately US $12 to $17, the Blue Bar at the famous Algonquin Hotel near Times Square, New York once served an off-the-menu Gin Martini garnished with a diamond for a whooping US $10,000.
Extravagant England
If those were American favourites, London has always been the epitome of extravaganza. Touted as the most expensive cocktail till date, ‘Gigi’s’ is an exclusive cocktail, first created at the opening of the restaurant Gigi’s, in Mayfair, London. With a price tag of £8,888 it deserves not to be on the menu, as it is made only for special guests who pre-order and don’t usually ask the price. It has no frills, no diamonds and no fancy crystalware. So, what's in it? The traditional champagne drink, using rare spirits in its elixir, contains a pour of Cristal Champagne (1990 vintage) and a good measure of 1888 Samalens Vieille Relique Vintage Bas Armagnac (a very rare cognac), finished with bitters—all of which add up to this extravagance in a flute.
Hedonistic Hong Kong
8½ Caviar Martini
Hong Kong is not shy of exclusive cocktails either. Boomshack, a restaurant known for its brunches, serves up a whacky Bloody Mary called the 'Bloody Masterpiece'. At HKD 1,250, it contains four litres of their special Bloody Mary and is garnished with pretzels, cheese, two cheeseburgers and a whole chicken. If the naysayers would shake their heads in disapproval at this gluttonous offering, a finer experience could be sought at 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana. One of Hong Kong’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants, it serves an exquisite 8½ Caviar Martini. Devender Sehgal, their talented mixologist, describes it as a luxurious martini made with Beluga Gold Line, an ultra-premium Russian vodka. It is served with 10g elite Oscietra Caviar by Calvisius along with ciabatta bread and sour cream, on the side. An order of this sumptuous cocktail will leave you short HKD 650.
Indulgent India
We are not a city of billionaires for nothing and our own bars contain some exclusive offerings. At ₹15,000, 'Timeless' a drink at Arola at the J.W. Marriott, Juhu, is a special-order drink. Timeless is made using Stoli Elit: Himalayan Edition and Iranian saffron, topped with chartreuse yellow and French aromatised wine along with a fragrant barrel-aged Martini Bianco. It is served in a Baccarat glass and garnished with Angostura-sprayed olives on a gold-plated cocktail stick.
Taking it a notch higher is the bar at Maritime by San Lorenzo, Taj Lands End, Bandra. Introduced by Ritesh Kasture, the manager, the Smoked Ladyburn contains Ladyburn Single Malt 40 Years, stirred with Tate & Lyle Sugar, homemade sage bitters and a Pixie orange (Ojai, California) slice frozen in its juice. It is further smoked with a 100-year-old Sherry Wood, making it as exotic as it sounds. Priced at ₹25,000 (+ taxes), it was served at a private event held on the property.
The King Louis
And if you want to take it up still another notch, Vivanta by Taj - President probably has one of the most expensive cocktails in Mumbai. The King Louis is a heady concoction of some of the most sought after spirits in India today. It uses Louis XIII, a much-in-demand cognac amongst the well heeled, mixed with honey, angostura bitters and a sugar cube. This cocktail is then topped up with Dom Perignon Champagne. At a whooping ₹35,000, it is a cocktail connoisseur's delight.
Nikhil Merchant is a restaurateur, food writer and blogger (Nonchalant Gourmand) and strives to wed the flavors of food to the myriad moods of life.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Smoked Ladyburn")
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}