Dining

Is Scarfe’s Bar London’s greatest cocktail draw? We taste test its latest cocktail menu

A Golden Touch cocktail at Scarfe's Bar

Can there really be a better place to savour a cocktail than Scarfe’s Bar, in the Rosewood Hotel, Holborn? Lavishly appointed, and decorated with iconic art from legendary cartoonist Gerald Scarfe (known to many for his animations on Pink Floyd’s The Wall tour), it’s a sumptuous oasis in the heart of London. But perhaps the best reason to drop in right now is to explore its new cocktail menu, aptly named ‘From Scratch’, which offers some refreshing twists on old favourites.

To launch these new creations, the Rosewood hosted a lively soiree, and naturally The Luxe Review had to drop in and sample. This is what we discovered…

The new creations celebrate the fundamental principles of mixology, infusing each with the signature flair this London bolt hole is known for…

We think cocktail connoisseurs will be delighted. The new creations celebrate the fundamental principles of mixology, infused with the signature flair this London bolt hole is known for.

The mixology team create their own home-made syrups and distillates within their lab, which they use within all their cocktails at the bar.

There are 22 original cocktails to choose from, created by Martin Siska and Yann Bouvignies, who have taken an elevated approach to some timeless classics.

Knock on Wood is a divine twist on a whisky sour, offering a decadent blend of The Macallan 12, cedarwood, acorn, and Martini Ambrato, garnished with eucalyptus, and served over branded ice.

Also highly recommended is the Pear Highball, a longer serve featuring The Glen Grant 12, with clarified pear, a splash of Muscat wine and CO2. It’s a classic, easy drinking highball with a sweet, pear profile.

Then there’s the Tropicaldi, a refreshing dpin on the Garibaldi, featuring Campari, fluffy orange, blended pineapple, and strawberries. 

Alternatively, treat yourself to a Figgy Star, an effervescent blend of Renais gin, banana, fig, Mio Saké, and Co2, with a cardamom leaf garnish.

For those with a penchant for savoury flavours, the Gibson Please offers a delightful mix of Grey Goose, Noilly Prat, Cubeb Pepper, apple, pickles, and a homemade pickled onion garnish, while the Smoky Maria is a delicious fusion of Patron Silver, Tio Pepe, Marmite, smoked clamato, topped with a delicate caper olive leaf.

Scarfe’s Bar has also revisited old favourites like the White Lady and the Ramos Gin Fizz, enlivening them with modern twists and unexpected flavours to create the Spring Lady and Ramos & Eve, respectively.

With live jazz music, the ambiance of a drawing room, and signature art of its titular mentor adorning the walls, Scarfe’s Bar warrants a solid recommendation.