For the best cocktails in London, Donovan Bar at Browns in Mayfair has to be one of the coolest spots to enjoy ice cold, beautifully balanced creations, courtesy of mixologist-slash-magician Salvatore Calabrese, who has just curated a new menu.
The bar is a celebration of the life and work of the iconic fashion photographer Sir Terence Donovan and the space recently underwent a complete transformation courtesy of Muze Lab’s Inge Moore and Director of Design for Rocco Forte Hotels’ Olga Polizzi.
Before you’ve even seen the menu, you’ll be mesmerised by the famous images on the walls and the stunning features – the main feature being the beautiful glass bar counter and shimmering bronze base.
This decadent designer room is the perfect place in which to knock back a selection of carefully prepared cocktails from the Donovan Bar menu which are unlike any I’ve seen in London. ‘Our Generation’ – ‘The Maestro’ Calabrese’s latest collection of sips, pays homage to the swinging sixties and super seventies, through those Donovan photographed in film, music, fashion and personalities of the time.
Split into the four categories of Portrait, Fashion, Music and Screen, despite them being from a bygone era, these could be the most on-trend cocktails you’ve ever had. Here’s our favourite three:
‘Our Generation’ Best Cocktails in London – Not Shaken, Not Stirred
A reimagining of the Sean Connery AKA Bond’s fave drink, this Martini is guaranteed to blow you away! Ciroc Vodka is mixed with Tanqueray Ten gin which has been redistilled, along with Fair Coffee liqueur for a potent kick, blended with ginseng, dandelion bitter and impressive mini balls of coffee caviar which rest at the bottom of the glass. This drink is potent while at the same time providing the ultimate pick-me-up. A perfect first drink to really get the night going. This cocktail is top of the ‘Screen’ section, priced at £21.
‘Our Generation’ Best Cocktails in London – The Twiggy
Terence Donovan worked with Twiggy many times – and the iconic photograph with Twiggy against the Union Jack backdrop is probably the most famous image gracing the walls of Donovan Bar. This tall, slim, beautiful cocktail clearly pays tribute to the iconic sixties model – and it’s absolutely sublime to taste. Capturing all the fun and excitement of their fashion shoots, The Twiggy combines Grey Goose vanilla vodka (one of favourite drinks just on its own!), along with passion fruit, coffee aroma, egg white and Champagne. You’ll find this one in the ‘Fashion’ section, priced at £20.
‘Our Generation’ Best Cocktails in London – Sparkling Side of the Moon
You have to order this one just for the gorgeous glass which comes adorned with all the colours of the rainbow just like the album cover for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. From the list of ‘musical’ cocktails, you’ll find this one right at the top (£21) – a beautiful blend made with Bulleit 10 Bourbon, Cognac, Grand Marnier, Fernet Branca (the world’s leading digestif for that bitter kick of herbs), and then passion berries, juniper, coriander, mint and camomile to sweeten it all up again! Topped with Champagne this clarified punch certainly packs some clout! A diamond shaped ice-cube, reminiscent of the prism on the album cover makes this drink extra special.
The ‘Our Generation’ cocktail menu is available at Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel now.
