BONSOIR | THE JOURNAL
Master these 3 classic cocktails at home with tips from the world famous bar at Brown's Hotel.
We bring you three cocktails that can be mastered at home, created exclusively by ‘the Maestro’, Salvatore Calabrese, and his team, Maurizio Palermo, and Federico Pavan, from The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel.
From the best Martini in town, to one of Salvatore’s award winning modern classics; to creating the perfect Negroni, we hope you enjoy creating one or more of these evening aperitifs.
THE BREAKFAST MARTINI
'The dream for any bartender is to immortalise themselves with a drink. More than any of my other creations, the Breakfast Martini is the cocktail that has become known throughout the world, making it a modern classic’
Dry with a hint of citrus and a lingering bittersweet flavour from marmalade. This masterpiece uses a method that Salvatore developed in 1996 from being encouraged to eat breakfast one morning by his wife (when, for most Italians, an espresso is all that is required for breakfast). A piece of toast and marmalade was served to Salvatore – for which the inspiration developed.
INGREDIENTS
50 ml London Dry Gin or Vodka (depending on personal preference)
15 ml Cointreau
15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
1 full bar spoon of thin cut Orange Marmalade
METHOD
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice * Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass * Shred some orange peel on the top of the drink as garnish. * Serve
SPICY FIFTY
An intriguing journey of flavours on the palate, sweet and sour with a warm spicy finish that is unforgettable. This special drink is one of The Donovan Bar’s best-sellers, and one of Salvatore’s most famous inventions – a modern classic in its own right.
INGREDIENTS
- 50 ml Stolichnaya Vanilla Vodka 15 ml Elderflower Cordial
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 10 ml Honey Syrup
- 2 thin slices Red Chilli Pepper
METHOD
Place all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice * Shake sharply, double strain into a chilled cocktail glass * Garnish with a red eye chilli sitting on the edge of the glass.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT NEGRONI
In Salvatore’s words, “To an old fashioned glass, add first one shot of sweet vermouth, then one shot of Campari, and finally one shot of gin. The secret to the perfect Negroni is all about the stir, do not simply mix the ingredients together, but using the mixer stir and lift the ingredients at the same time. My personal touch to the Negroni is when I add the curl of orange peel I always give it a little squeeze before adding it to the drink in order to release some of the citrus juice which gives added freshness and lifts the drink.”
Salvatore Calabrese made his first Negroni when he was just 12 years old, so you could say this classic Italian drink and Salvatore go back some time.
The Negroni is now regarded as one of the most popular drinks in the world; its origins lie with Count Camillo Negroni of Florence from the early 1920s.
Salvatore says the perfect Negroni is about creating a fine balance of gin and sweet vermouth. ‘I always use
Martini Rosso – and Campari. Those two ingredients combined are the most wonderful marriage’.
INGREDIENTS
- 30 ml Martini Rosso
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml Beefeater Gin
- 1 Orange Peel
METHOD
Combine the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice and stir * Garnish with a slice of orange placed in the drink * Add a stirrer and serve immediately.
Donovan Bar - Residing in one of London’s most iconic hotels, the Donovan Bar has long been known as one of the most intimate and sophisticated drinking dens in the city playing host to gatherings of the most glamorous faces of Mayfair’s elite fashion and art scene. Taking inspiration from the bar’s namesake and close friend of the Forte family, the iconic 1960’s photographer Terence Donovan.
Salvatore Calabrese – a man who needs little introduction, regarded as one of the world’s leading bartenders and a former President of the United Kingdom Bartender’s Guild. He has been making drinks for more than forty years in top hotels, private members clubs and exclusive cocktail bars. He now oversees the Donovan Bar at Brown’s for which he is the mastermind behind the impeccable cocktail menu.
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