Portraits of Britannia is a cocktail menu that takes its inspiration from pivotal figures in the Britannia Hotel’s two-century lifetime.

Those figures range from Karl Norum, the architect of the hotel, to Ingeborg B Thue, who owned and operated the hotel for three decades in the mid-20th century, and Håkon Bleken, a giant of Norwegian contemporary art who called the hotel his second home and hand-painted a brushstroke on each of his serve’s glassware shortly before he passed away.

The menu itself has the rare distinction of being crowned the Best Cocktail Menu in Norway at the Bartenders’ Choice Awards for two consecutive years in 2025 and 2026.

Designed by executive bar manager Øyvind Lindgjerdet and his team, Portraits of Britannia leans on regional ingredients with a particular emphasis on aquavit.

Wedel

Inspired by Frederik ‘Fritz’ Wedel Jarlsberg, one of Norway’s most influential diplomats, Wedel is a tribute to diplomacy and the relationships that helped shape modern Norway,” explains Lindgjerdet.

“Born into nobility and raised at the Royal Court, Wedel devoted his life to foreign affairs and played a pivotal role in Norway’s path to independence in 1905. His work took him across Europe before he eventually settled in Paris, where he built strong ties between Norway and France, which was among the first countries to recognise Norway as a free country.

“Combining Rémy Martin 1738 Cognac, Dolin Rouge vermouth and French blue tea with clarified Norwegian milk and berries, it brings together influences from both nations in a drink that is elegant, fruity and aromatic. It also honours Wedel’s connection to Britannia Hotel, where he hosted French diplomats shortly after Norway gained independence, a moment later commemorated by naming one of the hotel’s historic rooms in his honour.”

Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal cognac, Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Rouge, clarified røros milk, raspberry and lemon, French blue tea

Norum

Lysholm Linie aquavit, ØX barley vodka, Levanger apple, pine needles, spruce tips

Stensrud

Beefeater Crown Jewel gin, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit and orange oil, pineapple mayweed, cedarwood

Cecilie

Fru Lysholm aquavit, Inderøy angelica distillate, white rowanberry, aromatic grass, rhubarb