Well, we might not be getting a day off work to celebrate the wedding of the year (boo!), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to have a Right Royal Knees Up by toasting the union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with some thoroughly creative cocktails.
Expect gold-topped tipples, seasonal ingredients, a wedding-cake inspired libation, and even a couple of auburn cocktails inspired by Prince Harry himself… Read on to discover seven places to raise a glass to the couple of the moment!
The Royal Welcome at The Savoy
As part of this long standing connection, The Savoy’s American Bar has a tradition of creating a new cocktail to mark each milestone in the family’s rich history. To celebrate the upcoming they’ve created The Royal Welcome, a light and aromatic blend of Italicus Rosalio di Bergamotto, Bombay Sapphire gin, Champagne syrup, yuzu, Peychauds bitters and English sparkling wine.
The Royal Welcome is available to order individually (£24.00), or as part of The Royal Flight, a collection of historical cocktails all created at The Savoy that span decades and recall some of the world’s most famous weddings.
savoy-london/dining/americanbar/
Off the Market at Scarfes Bar
Sad times indeed, ladies (and gents), Prince Harry’s days of dating are done, and the (arguably) most fun member of the current Royal Family is settling down for good. As a nod to this momentous occasion, Scarfes Bar have concocted Off the Market, a liquid representation of Harry himself.
Raising a respectful hand, Royal Salute 21yo is offset with a selection of vibrant orange ingredients, including sumptuous saffron and ginger bitters, for a stirred-down and serious take on an Old Fashioned with a playful auburn twist – just like our favourite Ginger Price.
The finish of this concoction is enhanced and elongated with the intense flavours of Figaro fig liqueur and Carrot Eau de Vie, served in a custom-made hip flask craftily hidden inside a book – because we all know it’s so Harry to smuggle booze into an occasion. Here’s one last drink to you as a single gent, Hazza!
Royal Garden at Bluebird
What could be more regal than a summer courtyard brunch party in Chelsea?! Precisely! On Saturday 19th May head to Bluebird, where their al fresco area will be decked out in bunting and balloons galore while the wedding plays out on the big screen in the courtyard. Party goers will be welcomed with a celebratory glass of Champagne to toast the happy couple, before enjoying a BBQ brunch.
The Botanist Gin have collaborated with Bluebird to create a Royal Wedding cocktail that can be enjoyed by guests throughout the brunch. Based on the couple’s favourite flavours and seasonal produce, the Royal Garden contains The Botanist Gin infused with rose petals, Maraschino and rhubarb liqueur, lemongrass cordial, fresh thyme, raspberries and rose, topped with rosé sparkling wine and is served in a coupe glass and decorated with a dragon fruit love heart and a basket of flowers.
Royal Wedding brunch party | 19th May | £25 | bluebird-restaurant.co.uk
Windsor Fizz at Manetta’s
Fancy sipping on a glamorous and thoroughly regal tipple just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace? Head to Manetta’s, the decadent and sophisticated 1930s style bar within the luxury boutique hotel Flemings Mayfair and order the limited-edition Windsor Fizz. Based on the classic American cocktail the Ramos Gin Fizz, it combines bourbon, hibiscus, lime, lemon, egg white and whipping cream; infused with a quintessentially British English Breakfast shrub and garnished with 24k gold leaves for the ultimate in royal indulgence.
Manetta’s | Available from 12th – 26th May.
Meghan’s Sparkle at Bokan
Why not enjoy the entire wedding day unfold in real-time, whilst also gazing at gorgeous 360° show-stopping views of the iconic London skyline? You can do just that if you head to Bokan in Canary Wharf, where they’ll be hosting the ultimate Royal soirée on Saturday 19th May.
Tuck into limited-edition transatlantic lunch picnic baskets while toasting to the newlyweds as you watch them say “I do” with Meghan’s Sparkle. Created by Bokan’s creative bar team, the cocktail is inspired by the flavours of Meghan and Harry’s wedding cake, made with Nettle Hendrick’s, cucumber tonic, cordial, prosecco and elderflower. A cocktail based on a royal wedding cake? Yes please!
The Ginger Prince and the Suits You Markle Sparkle at 146 Paddington
Coming into London on the weekend of the Royal Wedding via Paddington station? Make sure to stop at 146 Paddington and order one (or maybe both) of their specially created cocktails in honour of the happy couple.
The future (probable) Duchess has been captured in all her glory in the Suits You Markle Sparkle – a fruity, flirty, zesty and exotic mix of rum, mint, lime, and of course Champagne, while The Ginger Prince plays homage to Prince Harry. A mix of Hoxton gin, coconut, vanilla, caramel, milk and cream – as rich and smooth as the Ginger Prince himself!
They’ll also be serving a delightful Royal Wedding inspired afternoon tea, and will be showing the event live – so you can tuck into cocktails and cakes while singing a resounding ‘cheers’ when the ring’s on that finger!
Drink Like a Royal at P.F. Chang’s Asian Table
P.F. Chang’s Asian Table in Covent Garden has become known for creating eclectic cocktails in its Bar Lab,and true to form they’ve created a limited-edition list inspired by the Royals’ favourite tipples, available throughout May.
Sip on the Sparkle Like Markle, a cask-aged Negroni, to channel your inner American princess; or enjoy a spot of whisky as Kate Middleton often does, in the form of The Duchess – Japanese whisky, Pineau de Charentes and Pedro Ximinez.
Former party boy Harry’s drink of choice is naturally vodka, which the bar team have shaken with honey, lemon, soda and a drop of soy sauce to create the Marry Harry, or you can try a twist on Charles’ favourite cocktail the Martini in the form of A Truly British Affair – cask-aged Sauternes with gin and dry vermouth. Then finally there’s the God Save The Queen which includes the Queen’s favourite spirit, gin, along with Thai basil, mandarin liqueur, kumquat jam and lemon.
So there we have it – a limited edition cocktail menu based around the Royals! In possibly the most fun (and boozy) twist on the game of Happy Families we’ve come across, we’re going to try and collect them all…
