To celebrate the film release of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Manetta’s Bar have created a selection of elegant cocktails.
You’ll find the within the boutique hotel Flemings Mayfair (which is also home to Michelin-starred Chef Shaun Rankin’s Ormer restaurant.
So why the collaboration? Well, Agatha Christie based her book “At Bertram’s Hotel”, on Flemings Mayfair, and Manetta’s have returned the favour with the introduction of four new cocktails inspired and named after each of the carriages on the Orient Express.
We took one for the team and worked our way through them all….
L’Oriental
A potent, scarlet-red aperitif, L‘Oriental combines Calvados, Dubonnet and Lillet Blanc for a sweet and spicy journey to the Far East with a side of Turkish Delight.
Cote D’azur
As blue as a smurf thanks to its fragrant combination of Grey Goose L’Orange, fresh lemon juice, blue almond syrup and violet liqueur. The deep colour is inspired by artist René Lalique’s luxurious glass sculptures which adorn the 1st class carriages of the Orient Express. Served in a saffron-rinsed glass, this one was pretty sweet, super easy to drink and thanks to the citrus notes, a good aperitif to begin your night with.
3674
Named after the Orient Express’ original bar carriage, this drink evokes the ambiance of the art deco age. Simple but perfectly formed — with just the right amount of Balvenie 12 year-aged scotch, Averna, orange bitters and Applewood — offering heady overtones of smoke and a bitter orange finish. If you like an Old Fashioned, you’ll love this.
Etoile du Nord
The ultimate winter nightcap – sink back and relax into this eminently sippable digestif named after the Northern Star. It’s a smooth blend of Remy Martin VSOP cognac, white chocolate liqueur, cream sherry, exactly three drops of chocolate bitters and a Himalayan goji berry foam to top it off. It reminded us of black forest gateaux. We challenge you to stop at just one.
If you need some sustenance there’s a substantial bar snack menu – think seabass ceviche, crispy calamari and mushroom arancini with truffle mayonnaise.
The bar itself is really beautiful – we can picture spy’s swapping secrets in its darker corners. Decorated in art-deco style, staff are instantly on hand to look after your every whim. In fact they made it very difficult to leave.
If you’d rather not walk through the hotel (although we do love having a little look-see) there’s a brand new and exclusive entrance from Clarges Street.
