Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London has recently launched its innovative cocktail menu titled ‘From Scratch’, debuting on April 8th. This new menu revisits the foundational elements of mixology, enhancing classic cocktails with the unique flair that Scarfes Bar is renowned for. Featuring 22 original creations, the menu draws from the rich history and revered traditions of cocktail-making, focusing on nuanced flavors, cutting-edge techniques, and a consistently playful approach.
Celebrating their tenth anniversary last year and achieving the 41st position on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, Martin Siska, Yann Bouvignies, and their talented team are embracing a ‘back to basics’ philosophy. This approach aims to elevate traditional favorites and reintroduce the dramatic art of cocktail shaking. The menu also features homemade cordials, ferments, and distillates crafted in their in-house laboratory, ensuring a unique touch in every drink.
The new offerings include tropical flavors like the ‘Tropicaldi’, a twist on the Garibaldi, blending Campari with fluffy orange, pineapple, and strawberries to create a delightful pink concoction garnished with homemade strawberry leather. Another highlight is the ‘Figgy Star’, combining Renais gin with banana, fig, Mio Saké, and Co2, topped with a cardamom leaf, delivering a well-balanced and slightly sweet experience.
Savory tastes are also prominently featured. ‘Gibson Please’ mixes Grey Goose, Noilly Prat, and Cubeb Pepper with apple and pickles, garnished with a homemade pickled onion. The ‘Garden Smash’ is a savory blend of Hendrick’s gin, basil, elderflower, and peach wine, offering a herbaceous flavor with sweet undertones. Additionally, the ‘Smoky Maria’ and ‘Gimlet on the Vine’ provide savory alternatives for those who enjoy robust flavors.
Agave enthusiasts will appreciate creations like the ‘Rosa Paloma’, a refreshing mix of Komos Rose tequila, fig leaf, Palo Cortado, and pink grapefruit soda, garnished with lychee. The ‘Lost Marguerite’ offers a spicy take with Lost Explorer Espadin mezcal, Grand Marnier LA, hot mango, and kaffir lime, finished with a slice of pineapple dusted with Espelette Pepper.
The extensive whisky selection at Scarfes Bar is not to be overlooked. The ‘Knock on Wood’ features The Macallan 12, cedarwood, acorn, and Martini Ambrato, adorned with eucalyptus. Other whisky-based cocktails include ‘No.7’, ‘Pear Highball’, and the nutty ‘Call Me Nutty’, each offering a distinct palate experience.
Historic cocktails also receive a modern makeover. The ‘Spring Lady’, a floral variant of the 1919 ‘White Lady’, and ‘Ramos & Eve’, a luxurious take on the Ramos Gin Fizz, showcase the bar’s creative reinterpretation of classic recipes. The ‘Paper Glider’, a nod to the recent classic ‘Paper Plane’, combines Highland Park 12, Aperol, and peach and maple Verjus.
Following a global tour of some of the world’s best bars, the team at Scarfes Bar, now ranked #33 on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars 2024, continues to bring international bar culture to London. Inspired by British artist Gerald Scarfe, whose artwork decorates the venue, Scarfes Bar offers a sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere with live jazz music, just a stone’s throw from Covent Garden.
Scarfes Bar’s ‘From Scratch’ menu not only pays homage to cocktail traditions but also redefines them, making it a must-visit destination for cocktail enthusiasts and those seeking a taste of London’s top-tier mixology scene.
