East London master mixologists from Oriole Bar curate exclusive menu for W Brisbane
W Brisbane will amp up the Sunshine State’s cocktail scene for all of the city’s party goers with its latest collab. A trio of expert mixologists from East London’s Oriole Bar have created a coveted cocktail menu for W Brisbane’s Living Room Bar, available from May 19.
The driving force behind Oriole and sister bars Nightjar and Swift – all of which regularly feature on the World’s 50 Best Bar Awards – are famed for adventurous cocktails that evoke a sense of discovery and theatre. An underground cabinet of curiosities that draws on the adventurous spirit of colonial times, Oriole will explore the glorious flavours and hero ingredients of the Old World, New World and The Orient.
Oriole’s location in East London, known for its bold social scene with a culturally diverse community of artists, creatives, fashionistas and independent thinkers, is a perfect fit W Brisbane and the UK institution is ready to leave a lasting stamp on the river city.
Known for their daring and innovative creations, Ali Ali, Mihai Ostafi and Samet Ali will take over the cocktail menu with “Flight of the Senses”, a curated list of 15 drinks exclusive to Living Room Bar.
With live beats from W Brisbane’s Music Curator and new and next talent every Friday and Saturday evening, Living Room Bar will attract everyone from serious cocktail connoisseurs to late-night revellers who want to hit repeat and live it up.
When asked about the inspiration behind the concept, Oriole’s Bar Manager Ali Ali said: “We decided to keep the concept of exploration because we believe that now more than ever people miss the feeling of travelling and discovering new tastes, colours and ingredients discovered in the farthest reaches of the globe.”
A highlight of the exclusive menu is the Toowoomba Cocktail, inspired by the sweet treat that many believe is named after Lord Lamington, former Governor of Queensland. Bitter sweet with refreshing berry notes and a nutty chocolate finish, this Orient category drink includes Belvedere Pure Vodka, Regal Rogue Wild Rose Vermouth, Cocoa Falernum, Campari, berry blend cordial and wattleseed and coconut soda.
While the menu showcases one tipple local to Australia, the other cocktails will invite guests on a journey to 13 other countries around the world.
Aromatic and tangy with a minty aftertaste, the Old World Bo-Kaap Royal celebrates the South African neighbourhood famous for its brilliantly coloured houses and cobblestone streets, with a mix of Whitley Neill gin, Buchu leaf cordial and elderberry wine topped with Veuve Clicquot.
Named after one of the largest coffee production regions in Costa Rica and part of the New World cocktails, the Alajuela features Hennessy VS Cognac, Belvedere Pure Vodka, Rubino Vermouth, single o cold brew coffee, cascara syrup, banana praline foam, topped with grated chocolate and amaretti biscuits. The drink has a smooth and creamy taste of rich coffee and crème brûlée notes.
There is something for everyone, even for those seeking an adventure sans spirits. The Marmara Collins is a fizzy blend of Lyre’s Aperitif Dry, berry blend cordial, and fig leaf soda. This tall glass of honey like sweetness, pays homage to the large fig production region located in the north western part of Turkey.
Oriole’s Head Bartender, Mihai Ostafi, said they were excited to collaborate with the Beverage and Food team at W Brisbane as they share the same love for hospitality.
“We both strive to bring the best quality experience to our guests. We’ve found a fine balance between bringing richness of flavour through simplicity, while also being aware of sustainable practices and minimizing the wastage behind the bar,” he said.
They will create a sense of theatre through beautiful glassware and colourful serves, from sharing pitchers and punch bowls to handcrafted garnishes. The menu will feature local ingredients and spirits as well as introduce some surprising new flavours.
“We took inspiration from classic cocktails and their structure to which we’ve applied different flavours and techniques in order to create a feeling of escapism, allowing the guest to explore different parts of the world without travelling abroad,” Bartender Samet Ali added.
Be the first to sip on Living Room Bar’s exclusive creations from May at the place to see and be seen.
For more information reach out to w.brisbane@whotels.com or call +61 7 3556 8888.
SOURCE: W Brisbane
