We have launched a new cocktail menu, telling the story of our illustrious past. Join us in the bar and celebrate Quaglinos historic heritage whilst enjoying one of our iconic cocktails from the menu. Capturing Quaglino’s 80 plus years serving London’s elite, the new cocktail menu is a uniquely innovative representation of the historic bar and restaurant. Available in the bar from September it can also be enjoyed alongside a tasting menu of bar snacks and grazing plates.
Starting with its foundation by Giovanni Quaglino in 1929, the menu guides guests on a journey of the glamorous happenings of the bar and its Mayfair neighbourhood.
Bar Manager Marco Sangion and Head Bartender Davide Arcucci spent months researching documents within Quaglino’s archives. Using these as inspiration, they then set about creating 20 unique recipes that brought the bar’s heritage to life, highlighting its famous personalities, some secrets and even salacious scandals.
The menu’s story is told in five chapters travelling through notable periods of time:
Chapter One: The Grand Opening, celebrates the bar’s first years with cocktails including The Cheating Wife, a rich blend of berries, strawberry and marshmallow infused with London no.1 gin and beetroot cooked in Tio Pepe. Inspired by the rumours that Giovanni Quaglino’s wife, had an affair with one of his colleagues, this playful cocktail is served with a sheer veil made of rice paper over the glass.
Chapter Two: The Crown, references the frequent royal visits to the bar, namely by HRM Queen Elizabeth throughout the 50s. Highlights include Her Majesty, a refreshing serve of Don Julio tequila infused with herbs, yuzu and bergamot juice, Italicus, and homemade yellow grapefruit soda. The perfect aperitif this cocktail refers back to 19th July 1956 when Queen Elizabeth visited Quaglino’s, the first time in living memory that a reigning monarch dined in a public restaurant
Chapter Three: The Tailor marks the swinging 60s and Quaglino’s proximity to the tailors of St James and luxury boutiques of Bond Street. The Fifth Marriage is a bright fruity cocktail based on Judy Garland’s wedding celebrations to her fifth husband, which was notably held at Quaglinos.
Chapter Four: Belle Epoque references Quaglino’s more contemporary history throughout the 90s, in particular the take over by Sir Terrance Conran and its reopening in 1993. The Absolutely Fabulous, blends Tanqueray No TEN gin with rose vermouth, baby basil, lemon and chamomile as a nod to the bar’s frequent references as a favourite haunt of Edwina and Patsy in the hit TV show.
Chapter Five: The Time Machine looks forward, celebrating the present day and beyond. The Time Machine cocktail concludes the menu as its signature serve. Presented in a smoking bell jar, the dainty drink features mandarin infused Stolichnaya Elit, Manzanilla, Peach Liqueur and grapefruit bitters resulting in a delicate twist on a traditional martini.
The Q Clock: Experience The Q Clock, a martini style cocktail using Tanqueray NO. TENgin. It is the hero serve designed to represent Quaglino’s passage of time. The Q Clock is presented in a bespoke piece of glassware that has been created especially for the serve. Inspired by a sundial, the cocktail is placed into the glass spiral, the liquid travels through and decants into a glass of ice.
