PRESS RELEASES
April 08, 2019
This spring, Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London will launch a highly anticipated new cocktail menu inspired by celebrated musical genres spanning the past 100 years. Demonstrating the Scarfes Bar team’s passion, proficiency and devotion to detail in creating a stimulating drinking experience, the menu will allow guests to select their cocktails from a limited edition, living artwork, taking the shape of an interactive stage menu. As an evolution of previous years, the menu will feature a never seen before collection of artwork by the bar’s namesake, Gerald Scarfe, with eighteen distinguished drinks inspired by nine distinct musical styles.
This menu is the first under the creative vision of new Head Bartender Yann Bouvignies and leadership of Bars Director Martin Siska (Bar Manager of the Year, CLASS Bar Awards 2018). For the first time, the entire bar team have been involved in the menu creation, from bartender, to waiter, barback and host, resulting in a collection of pleasing drinks for all palates. Under Martin and Yann’s guidance, the team has taken a sophisticated steer to produce a menu of innovative cocktails using key characteristics of the individuals on which they have been based on. Delving into the work of Scarfe, who has depicted a multitude of artists during his celebrated tenure, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the late, great David Bowie, the team has focussed on exemplary musicians to match harmoniously with the live music at Scarfes Bar, which has been enjoyed daily since the bar opened its doors.
For each musical genre, Pop, Classic, Soul, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Electro, Jazz, World and Hip Hop, a legendary musician has been selected and a duet of contrasting drinks have been created to resemble two key moments in their individual careers. Finally, each drink has been allocated a melodious flavour profile, ranging from the light and refreshing Piano, to the medium and characterful Mezzo Forte to the full bodied Fortissimo, combining in a full orchestra of high, soft, deep and low flavour notes across the menu.
The new menu is the ultimate symphony of superstars, as the best in the business rub shoulders with each other for an eclectic combination of cocktails from across the musical world. The smooth and sultry sounds of soul, personified by the Queen herself Aretha Franklin are poured into the Diamond Bouquet – crisp and clear with floral notes, and the Memphis Punch – packed full of the silky, sensual flavours of the Deep South. The Petit DJ Né features the traditional tastes of a French breakfast, created for iconic Electro duo Daft Punk whilst pocket rocket funk sensation Prince comes to life with the glittering and proud Purple Tears and the fruity, luminous Scandal Symbol. Classical music, is represented with the herbaceous High C Spritz for the Tenor from Vienna, Pavarotti, whilst the Spice Girls are epitomising the pop genre with the changeable Tell Me What You Want. Rockstars, The Red Hot Chili Peppers are depicted with the vegetal and bright Scarfes Issue, whilst Hip-Hop legend Tupac is personified with the hard-hitting and heady Tradin’ Old Stories. Father of Jazz, Louis Armstrong gets a twist on a NOLA classic with the punchy Crescent City Crusta whilst the non-alcoholic No Booze No Cry, pays homage to world music hero Bob Marley’s Rastafarian roots.
Notable British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe lent his name and artistic talent to Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London when it opened in 2014. Some of his most recognised work, including satirical representations of politicians, musicians and the notorious depictions from Disney’s Hercules and Pink Floyd’s “The Wall”, have been allocated their own spaces. The cartoons are amusing and challenging with a section of the room dedicated to the news agenda, entitled ‘Current Affairs Corner’ where a changing collection of artwork of political and cultural figures rotate. Scarfes Bar is a living canvas of works, described by Gerald as “my personal art gallery, where you can see my life on the walls”.
With these remarkable and characteristic cocktails, the new menu at Scarfes Bar encourages guests to raise a glass to the edifying musical icons of our time, who have helped shaped the sounds of today. Combined with bespoke cartoons from Gerald Scarfe, the menu creates a piece of history, breathing liquid life into the world’s favourite music makers.
Signature Drinks Include:
SOUL
Aretha Franklin - Memphis Punch
Named after the city on which the Queen of Soul was born, the Memphis Punch brings together the traditional tastes of the Deep South. Like the music of her later years, this cocktail is an orchestra of high-energy flavours, made with a bespoke iteration of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, unique to Scarfes Bar. Silky and sensual, with a wealth of stimulating flavours, such as BBQ, Grilled Corn and Kola and Marshmallow, this clarified milk punch has a touch of welcome sourness, in reference to Aretha’s famous acid tongue.
ROCK
The Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scarfes Issue
A savoury and vegetal cobbler has been created for rock royalty, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. In a nod to the second, less reckless wave of their long career, the Scarfes Issue is fruity and bright, with salubrious notes of watermelon and carrot. This paired with the softly buttery elements of Glenfiddich 15yo makes for a refreshingly punchy drink that is as complex as the band it was made for.
WORLD
Bob Marley - No Booze No Cry
Reggae legend, Bob Marley comes to life with the mellow and amiable No Booze No Cry, a non-alcoholic cocktail made with a hoppy, 0% beer. A hint of spice comes from notes of sandalwood, combined with raspberry and barley, resulting in an uplifting, easy going cocktail that rolls around the mouth, much like the lilting sounds of traditional reggae.
FUNK
Prince - Purple Tears
The beginning of Funk icon Prince’s career is captured with the straight up and sexy Purple Tears. Like the singer’s recognisable voice, this Aviation style serve is proud and concise, with a contrasting range of deep and high notes. Crystal clear and garnished with two drops of glittering purple, this Tanqueray No. TEN based cocktail is gently caressing and light, to depict the old school sounds of funk and R&B.
Prince - Scandal Symbol
Known for the overtly passionate songs during the later stages of his career, Prince is once again brought to liquid life with the aptly named Scandal Symbol. Served clarified and straight up, this Avion Tequila based drink is luminous pink and fruity, with delicate flavours of rhubarb, passion fruit and curry leaf, livened up with a sparkling top of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne – the ultimate in hedonistic luxury.
ELECTRO
Daft Punk - Petit De Je Né
A twist on a Piña Colada, the Petit DJ Né features the welcome and familiar flavours of a traditional French breakfast. Created for helmeted electro duo, Daft Punk, this drink references a lounge style of electro to be enjoyed at any time of day. Tastes of Corn Flakes, brioche and Bon Maman jam come through, offset with the crisp dryness of Grey Goose Vodka.
