If there is one place you
need to go in Bordeaux if you really fancy cocktails, it is at the
Grand Hotel bar, the only 5* palace hotel in Bordeaux. On Thursday we
went there to discover more about wine cocktail and who better than
the Bar manager, Sebastien Grosse, to talk to us about it.
Our very
friendly host took us through the extensive cocktail list, the
largest in Bordeaux, and explained us how wine was playing its part
in this list. Like in most cocktail bars, Champagne and brandy were
by far the most represented grape based alcohol. Apart from large
champagne cocktail list there was also a 240€ cocktail with Louis
XIII cognac and a Margarita Sauternes (tequila aged in Sauternes
barrel). As there were no still wine cocktails on the list, Sebastien
invited us to taste 3 cocktails he personally created, 3 cocktails
for white, rosé and red wine. And here they are:
White wine cocktail, dry
Sauternes Martini:
Vodka Pyla, Sauternes,
twist
Not for the faint hearted!
Dry martini are amongst the strongest cocktails, using the
traditional recipe, Sebastien replaced the vermouth by a Sauternes
and served it with a lemon twist.
For those who like
martinis it is an excellent alternative, the Sauternes adds body and
honey aromas while the lemon gives a touch of acidity.
Rosé cocktail:
Rosé cotes de Provence,
pear liqueur, gin, lemon
This is the perfect summer
drink: Fresh, fruity and zesty! Perfect balance with sugar (pear
liqueur), acidity (lemon) and bitterness (gin) complemented by a
fruity rosé. Definitely one of our favourite and could be a big
summer hit.
Red wine cocktail:
Pessac Léognan, cranberry
juice, raspberry pure, amaretto liqueur (almond)
This was the hardest
tasks, the red wine cocktail. And the result is most pleasantly
surprising!
The tannins and austerity
of red wine is cut by the cranberry juice and raspberry purée, the
red fruit character in the wine is enhanced and the almonds notes are
revealed at the end.
This is the first red wine
cocktail we have seen so it rightfully deserves the prize of
innovation and creativity!
The next cocktail hotspot
opens in June on the Grand Hotel terrace !
A new open air bar on top
of the Grand Hotel will open in June, Sebastien took us there. There
is a breathtaking view overlooking all of Bordeaux, there will be
weekly concerts and it's very likely to be the next hotspot for
cocktails and night entertainment. Entirely renovated with comfy
sofas, creative decoration, a music stage and a bar, the atmosphere
will be trendy, young and exciting! so keep in touch with the
facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/ghbordeaux.spa
to receive updates on the upcoming opening.