Cocktails

Tiki Cocktails are in cookery masterclass Reading on Wed 12th of June 2019. Origins of Tiki Bars: 1930s The history of Tiki drinks can be traced back to the 1930s, when a man named Don Beach opened the first Tiki bar in Hollywood, California. Don was inspired by the Polynesian culture that he had experienced while travelling in the South Pacific. To recreate the flavors that he exp...

We were thrilled when we heard that our barman Manos and head sommelier Konrad had achieved 5th place in the UK finals at the Skinos Mediterranean Cocktails Challenge recently. It was a global cocktail competition with a Mediterranean theme. Rules were, 2 bartenders 1 cocktail and Mastiha liqueur as the base of the cocktail. Nine countries took part (Greece, USA, Cyprus, Lebanon, Holland, Fra...

Negroni was first mixed in Florence, Italy, in 1919. Count Camillo Negroni concocted it by asking the bartender to strengthen his favourite cocktail, the Americano by adding gin rather than the normal soda water. The bartender also added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano to signify that it was a completely different drink. Negroni cocktail  ...

To keep things spiced up, we try to incorporate a little difference where we can, and we have certainly done that with our twist on the classic Southside cocktail. We took the Southside cocktail and shook things up a bit by using our Manuka infused Gin, hence re-naming it as 'Herbal Southside'. We are the only Restaurant around to home brew Gin with Manuka, and these are the details that will g...

Chocolate and mint is a match made in heaven, there's no disputing that.  This classic cocktail is perfect for after dinner, with its sweet, minty and refreshing taste, you can't really go wrong! The name derives from its green colour which is from the inclusion of creme de menthe. In New York in 1928 it came in second place in a cocktail contest, but this is definitely a winner for u...

El Diablo - a ginger spiced spring delight The El Diablo (translated to English 'The Devil') was created in the early 1940's, but the original recipe featured brandy. There have been many recipes since then with different combinations of alcohol.  Restaurant Reading El DiabloThe recipe that follows is from 2008. The iconic yet under-the-radar drink is named after a comic ...

This famous cocktail dates back to World War I, and an early form was created in an American Bar named 'Harry's New York Bar' by barman Harry MacElhone. In 1926, Harry was supposedly inspired by a gun, 75mm in length that was used by the French and the Americans in WW1. The gun was known for its accuracy and speed, and the French 75 is said to have such a kick that it felt like being hit by ...

Scarlett O'Hara The Scarlett O'Hara cocktail is a sweet and tart cocktail, perfect romantic cocktail for after dinner. Created in 1936 when the film 'Gone with the Wind' was released - full of passion and with a vibrant pink colour, this is a classic valentine's day cocktail.   The recipe is simple:         60ml Southern Comfort   15ml Lemon...

If you're partaking in 'Dry January,' you're more than half way through. So first things first, congratulations on staying off the alcohol! Now, it must start to get tiresome when you are out with friends who aren't joining in the challenge, enjoying their mojitos, champagne or a cheeky G & T and you aren't even aloud close enough for a sniff. So we come baring wonderful news for you l...

A bit of the Festive Cocktail History at L'Ortolan During the run up to Christmas in 2005, the then L'Ortolan Head Chef Will Holland received a huge order of figs in order to prepare them for the December menu. The figs were to be poached and served with luxury vanilla panacotta, so during November they were lightly cooked and placed in large preserving jars filled to the brim with a poac...

When it comes to the wonderful world of cocktails, there are few concoctions as iconic as the Cosmopolitan.  Our cocktail of the week 'Marmalade & Thyme Cosmopolitan' has been one of our guest favourites. Bring out your creative edge and sip a touch of L'Ortolan by mixing your own Cosmopolitan, perfect for when you're entertaining friends and family at home. Our 'Marmalade & Thyme Cos...

Create a delicious New Year's Champagne cocktail for your guests - the perfect tipple for your midnight toast! Champagne 6ml of Cognac 5ml Cointreau 5ml Grand Marnier Angostura bitters 1 sugar cube   Soak the sugar cube with Angostura bitters. Add Cognac, Cointreau and Grand Marnier and mix gently. Top up with Champagne, garnish with fresh orange peel..and enjoy! Happy New Year...

Last week L'Ortolan treated over 150 guests to an afternoon of food and wine tastings and stunning displays with the help of some of our most respected suppliers. Guests were welcomed with a refreshing non-alcoholic Mojito before being whisked off on a tour around the restaurant to sample the many delights on offer. Our guests were intrigued to know what made our Virgin Mojito so delicio...

Just a stroll away from Mayfair, Buckingham Palace and St. James's Palace, St James's Hotel and Club is one of London's most desirable addresses. With its perfect location, long history, stylish and elegant interiors and a Michelin starred restaurant, St James's Hotel has built its well deserved reputation with a formidable clientele of film stars, celebrities, authors and diplomats.   Ly...

A couple of years ago we blogged about the history of the L'Ortolan festive cocktail; a sparkling favourite during the festive season. We thought we would share this great blog with you all again and give you an update on all the flavours that have gone into making the 2012 festive cocktail so scrumptious. To sample the 2012 festive cocktail book a place on the L'Ortolan Festive Lunch. The...

As the Three Course Summer Lunch Menu continues next week we welcome July's 'Cocktail of the Month', The Ginger Rumster. This is a revitalising blend of Pampero white rum, bitters, lime wedges and a slice of fresh ginger, homemade ginger syrup and orange juice. L'Ortolan's Sommelier, Jess, chose The Ginger Rumster for it's refreshing, spiced and complex flavours. The marketing team photographed...

At the end of next week we will reinvigorating our lunch menu ready for the festive season. In this blog, Sommelier Stephen Nisbet explains how one of the key elements of the Festive Lunch was born: The L'Ortolan Festive Cocktail. During the run up to Christmas in 2005, the then L'Ortolan Head Chef Will Holland received a huge order of figs in order to prepare them for the December menu. The figs...