The Coral Room at London’s Bloomsbury Hotel has launched its new menu – Mr Crosbie’s Great Aeronautic Adventure – themed around the 18th century balloonist Richard Crosbie.
Picking up the story after the Irishman’s many attempts to take flight – one 1785 crossing of the Irish Sea saw him ditch into a fishing village five miles from setting off – the menu charts an imagined worldwide course, fulfilling the adventurer’s unrealised dreams.
The menu journeys through 16 destinations – each represented by a cocktail - from “the wilds of Bohemia to the mysterious lands of Hindustan, the unexplored territories of New Holland, and old Edo in the East”.
Shisoni is a “delicate oriental Negroni”, featuring Ki No Tea Gin, Heavensake Junmai Ginjo, yuzu sherbet, Amaro Santoni and lychee.
Piñata is a “homage to South America”, blending Abasolo Mexican Corn Whisky, Nixta Corn Liqueur, The Lost Explorer Mezcal Salmiana, coconut, lime, and a smoky taco mix.
Koka Koala, is a “whimsical journey to the Australian outback” with Brugal 1888 Rum, Mr Black Coffee Amaro, macadamia, eucalyptus tincture, banana and lime.
Botticelli meanwhile is billed as “a masterpiece of Italian artistry” featuring Altamura Vodka, extra virgin olive oil, Mancino Secco Vermouth and a fennel taralli cordial.
Silver Nymph travels to Greece for inspiration and combines X Muse Vodka, cucumber and dill, Axia Extra Dry Mastiha, mint Greek yoghurt and lemon.
To celebrate the launch, The Coral Room is to take part in a series of international bar takeovers, echoing Crosbie’s vision of connecting the world.