COCKTAILS WITH COCO: SOFITEL - ST JAMES BAR
Post by Judith Schrut Email Judith
Union Jack meets the Tricolore in the luxurious surroundings of Hotel Sofitel-St James and its highly regarded St James Bar. With its pedigree address close to Buckingham Palace, walking distance from St. James Park and Pall Mall’s renowned gentlemen’s clubs, and a quiet refuge between the bustle of Trafalgar Square and bright lights of the West End, every inch of this destination oozes Franco-Britannique charm and splendour.
The St James Bar’s cosy and seductive elegance takes inspiration from parfumier- designer Coco Chanel's 1920's Paris apartment. This apartment above the Chanel shop in Rue Cambon has been preserved exactly as Coco left it on her death in 1971, overflowing with gold trim, crystal chandeliers, oriental antiques, art deco furnishings and a uniquely mirrored staircase where Coco would apparently sit and watch her fashion shows happening downstairs in reflection, whilst completely hidden from view.
The bar is festooned with Coco’s favoured birds, camellias, and bronze statues. Sit at the long bar or curl up on comfy brocaded sofas beneath the towering ceiling painting of the ‘rooster-headed gentleman’ and enjoy un grand choix of original, vintage and signature cocktails mixed by keen and knowledgeable staff. Alternatively, ask the Bar’s Champagne Angel to help you navigate the extensive champagne and sparkling wine list. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s an all day menu of bites, main dishes and sharing plates with a distinct Franglais twist.
St James Bar’s most popular drink is its signature 1921, dedicated to the birth year of Coco’s most famous perfume, Chanel No 5. A sweet and respectful combination of jasmine, rose water, lime and cranberry juices, finished with a spritz of Bergamot mist from a classic perfume bottle, it can only be described as magnifique. By contrast, the Barbaresque is most definitely a man’s drink, a stylish blend of rum, Curacao liqueur, lemon and a touch of nutmeg.
Other stand out cocktails include the Vieux Carre, combining rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine and Peychaud bitters and created in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1938; Paris 75, made with gin, Cointreau, lemon and sage sorbet topped with champagne and Jacques Rose, a delectable version of the classic Jack Rose, made famous by author and drinks aficionado, Ernest Hemingway. This one’s made with Calvados, a traditional liqueur of fresh Normandy apples and pears, fine Moet & Chandon champagne and a scoop of handmade grenadine and lime sorbet. This highly enjoyable 2-in-1 cocktail journey begins with slow, sumptuous sips of Calvados-enriched champagne; when you can’t bear waiting any longer, stir in the rich, dark, sorbet mound and sip again!
Le Balcon-Sofitel St James Bar, Waterloo Place Cocktails from £9, Mocktails £8.50 www.thebalconlondon.com/stjamesbar
