First to the bar

l Bespoke infusions and flavours on the side
27 August, 2008
Page 49 
Pernod Ricard is continuing its revamp of vodka brand Stolichnaya with the opening of a themed bar at London department store Harvey Nichols.

Cutting-edge cocktails, bespoke flavoured vodkas and a Russian Constructivist graphic theme are all parts of the mix at the bar .

Leading mixologist and consultant Nick Strangeway helped to create the cocktail menu, featuring aromatised or 3-D martinis inspired by techniques used in modern gastronomy at venues such as Spain's El Bulli.

The cocktails use flavour-infused versions of Stolichnaya made with a high-tech rotary evaporator, as well as more traditionally macerated flavours.

The martinis are served with atomisers of complementary flavours sprayed over the surface of the drink, as well as side servings of flavoured "caviars" - small gel spheres of flavour to match each individual cocktail.

The centrepiece of the bar is a display of Stoli bottles echoing the lines of Russia's Tatlin's Tower, with a traditional Russian toasting room acting as a VIP area.

Visitors will also be offered a bespoke infusions service from early 2008, enabling them to create a personalised flavoured vodka using traditional maceration techniques or the more modern rotary evaporator.

The bar also offers cocktail masterclasses to consumers, as well as bartender masterclasses to learn the latest mixology techniques.

Stolichnaya global brand director Vincent Gillet said the new bar was part of the "relaunch phase" of Stolichnaya, which Pernod Ricard has distributed since its takeover of Allied Domecq in 2005.


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