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Hanky Panky

Recipe courtesy of Ada Coleman/American Bar at The Savoy

Ada Coleman, The Savoy’s first female bartender, invented this twist on a sweet martini in 1903. The traditional dry vermouth is replaced by sweet, and just a few drops of the herby, bitter, not-so-secret ingredient, Fernet-Branca, transforms it into a new drink.

INGREDIENTS

• 45ml (1 ½ oz) Bombay Sapphire gin

• 45ml (1 ½ oz) Punt e Mes vermouth

• 7.5ml (¼ oz) Fernet-Branca herbal liqueur

• Orange peel

METHOD

Stir all the liquid ingredients and strain into a signature martiniglass. Garnish with orange peel.

This recipe presents measurements for both UK and US readers. Units are given first for UK readers in the original measurement units, then for US readers in converted units in parentheses. Do not mix the units.

AMERICAN BAR

The Stafford

The legendary American Bar at The Stafford has a faithful clientele who love its blend of English tradition and contemporary sophistication. This is a place where you can meet a friend, have a discreet meeting or lively conversation, relax after work, or stop for a drink before dinner. The atmosphere is clubby, cosy, and comfortable, with intimate corners. There is memorabilia everywhere, with photographs of the galaxy of British and American celebrities who have frequented this stylish bar adorning the mahogany wood-panelled walls.

The bar, which serves signature and classic drinks, is supervised by Benoit Provost, whose skill at creating new as well as updated vintage cocktails has earned him an enviable reputation. His ‘Journey Through St James’s’ cocktail list does just what it says in the name, following a winding path around the hidden passageways and corners of the area and revealing a wealth of local tales. The Godolphin is a perfect example, for it is named after the aristocratic philanthropist Francis Godolphin, whose house once stood where the hotel’s coach house is now. It’s an intriguing mix of Woodford Reserve, red wine infused with berries and cinnamon, lemon juice, and egg white. Meanwhile, The QM combines Tanqueray No. Ten, Brillet pear liqueur, Bénédictine, and Dubonnet, and was, apparently, much favoured by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who visited from time to time.

There is a terrific, very comprehensive food menu, full of exciting Mediterranean inspired dishes, from snacks to sandwiches to small plates to large plates and charcuterie, so there is something for everyone. This American bar is a hidden treasure and, besides oozing atmosphere, has terrific drinks, all of which are served with panache.

ADDRESS: The Stafford, 16–18 St James’s Place, St James’s, London SW1A 1NJ

TEL: +44 (0)20 7518 1234

EMAIL: reservations@thegamebird.com

WEB: www.thestaffordlondon.com/the-american-bar

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday 8.00am–midnight (1.00am for hotel guests), Sunday 8.00am–midnight

BOOKINGS: Tables can be booked inside from 8.00am to 3.00pm. Outside tables are first come, first served.

DRESS CODE: Smart casual

AGE RESTRICTION: 18+

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS: Green Park

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace, Royal Academy of Arts, Bond Street, Piccadilly

AQUAVIT LONDON

Grab a seat at the gorgeous marble-topped bar at this Michelin-starred restaurant in St James’s and you can enjoy a unique Aquavit house cocktail created by the talented bar team. The bar has one of the largest selections of the famed Scandi spirit in the UK; in case you are not familiar with it, aquavit is a little bit like gin without the juniper berries and is quite delicious served neat. You’ll find Nordic-inspired cocktails created using O.P. Anderson, the original Swedish aquavit that has been around for over 125 years, a clean-tasting spirit seasoned with caraway, anise, and fennel. Other cocktails feature the newer and milder, slightly sweet and fruity 1986 Hallands Fläder.

The Aquavit cocktail menu has a number of core cocktails that will always be on the menu, but there are also seasonal changes. You might get to try the highball Fika It Out, a play on the Swedish tradition of coffee and cake, which combines cinnamon bun, milk-washed O.P. Anderson, and soda. Or, for a clean, invigorating, light drink, and a variation on a classic, look no further than the Apple Gimlet. No lime here, but instead you have apple cordial combined with O.P. Anderson Klar aquavit and 30/40 eau de vie. If you are there for breakfast, then don’t miss the morning cocktails, including Viking Breakfast, a Nordic version of a Bloody Mary, which is made of aquavit, tomato juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, dill, horseradish, and a spicy mix. And what better accompaniment to your Aquavit cocktail than a not-to-be-missed smorgasbord? For a real treat, try the Vendace roe ‘Kalix Löjrom’, a delicacy of Swedish caviar topped with diced red onion, sour cream—you may have had it before with crème fraîche—and snipped chives. The Scandis have got it just right.

ADDRESS: St James’s Market, 1Carlton Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4QQ

TEL: +44 (0)20 7024 9848

EMAIL: info@aquavitrestaurants.com

WEB: www.aquavitrestaurants.com/london

OPENING HOURS: The bar is licensed until 1.00am. The restaurant serves Monday to Friday 7.30am–11.00pm, Saturday 11.00am–11.30pm, Sunday 11.00am–10.30pm

BOOKINGS: Not taken for the bar, but available for the restaurant

DRESS CODE: Smart casual, cool and chic

AGE RESTRICTION: 18+ in the bar area

MASTERCLASSES: Selected Mondays from 6.30pm–7.30pm

NEAREST UNDERGROUND STATIONS: Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross

PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: St James’s Park, Downing Street, Royal Academy, Institute of Contemporary Arts, National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery