D1 INTERNATIONAL COCKTAIL EXCHANGE LAUNCHES FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Hyperlocal flavour trends have gone global again this year as 21 of the world’s top bars and restaurants from the UK, Hong Kong, China, Canada, Australia and America prepare to pair up and swap signature cocktails.
The D1 International Cocktail Exchange was devised by luxury British spirits company, D1 London Spirits, three years ago.
It offers discerning UK cocktail lovers the chance to experience an authentic taste of global culture, with a range of bespoke and luxurious cocktails from the other side of the planet, which contain either award-winning D1 London Gin or luxury D1 Potato Vodka.
The 2018 D1 International Cocktail Exchange launched this December with some outstanding international cocktails and flavours. In addition there are bespoke offerings from seven of UK’s finest cocktail bars, such as Mayfair’s Lanes of London.
The UK bars are paired with some of the crème de la crème cocktail bars in Hong Kong, China, Canada, America and Australia, such as Hope & Sesame (Guangzhou), to offer cocktail lovers tastes and flavours from around the world.
Each bar and restaurant in the elite exchange has collaborated with a like-minded international venue to share techniques, knowledge and passion to produce a truly authentic array of cocktails.
UK bars are serving a signature cocktail created by their ‘twinned’ venue that features D1 Potato Vodka or D1 London Gin as a base spirit, plus the highest quality ingredients. The resulting drink offers the taste, ambience and drinking experience of its associated bar, giving guests a truly immersive experience.
Each venue in the exchange is considered to be a pioneer in its own field, whether because of its high-end reputation, or award winning craft cocktails made from locally foraged ingredients. All of the cocktails are lovingly created by some of the best mixologists in the world.
For Hope and Sesame’s Oolong Tea, for example, the oleo saccharum citrus oils are collected by preparing all the husks with a coating of sugar and left to sit in a jar for about two weeks, while another ingredient uses loose Oolong tea leaves and then carbonate in soda with CO2 capsules.
D1 London Spirits has also created keepsake cocktail cards featuring the signature cocktail from their partner bar, detailing the character of that venue and the cocktail recipe, meaning bar goers can know that someone on the other side of the world is drinking that very same cocktail and build a collection of all 21 cards.
D1 London Spirits founder, Dominic Limbrey, comments: “At D1 London Spirits we have a passion for design, arts and culture. We’ve introduced the D1 International Cocktail Exchange to help bring a new way for cocktail connoisseurs across the globe to enjoy international craft cocktails. It’s about exploring and understanding the nuances and character of different places and very local flavours, which can be found in the carefully curated cocktails served with an element of theatre in these hand-picked world-class bars.
“We are facilitating a project where we partner up different venues with huge character and personalities, allowing guests the opportunity to experience something international in a local context. The project will also give mixologists from across the world the chance to take inspiration from each other, using luxury spirits like D1 London Gin & Vodka as the base – ultimately helping pioneer and push the boundaries of craft cocktail-making”.
Participating bars and restaurants in the 2018 D1 International Cocktail Exchange
Twenty Two of the world’s top bars and restaurants from the UK, Hong Kong, China, Canada and Australia have paired up and swapped signature cocktails as the D1 International Cocktail Exchange returns for a third year.
Discerning cocktail lovers across the globe will be able to experience an authentic taste of global lifestyle, with a range of bespoke and luxurious cocktails, made with either award-winning D1 London Gin or D1 Potato Vodka.
See the bars and there cocktails below.
Lanes of London – London, UKSituated on Park Lane in Mayfair, Lanes of London is housed in a late Edwardian mansion block that overlooks Hyde Park and Marble Arch. A relaxed bar area provides the perfect spot for after-work drinks, pre-dinner cocktails and late evening night caps. When it comes to cocktails, the bar at Lanes offers an expertly crafted list of unique creations as well as the classics. London’s finest drink producers are also well represented. Noble Blitz Cocktail
Dry shake & shake, garnish with dry orange & flame thyme |
Kouzu – London, UKBeing shoehorned into a corner of one of Victoria’s elegant old buildings seems slightly incongruous for a smart, modern Japanese restaurant, but Kouzu’s sympathetic, elegant design transforms the space entirely. There’s a “gentle romantic buzz” about the place that makes it perfect for date nights – although the business crowd also take full advantage of its “special energy”. Friendly staff “take time to listen”, and the drinks list will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go – and that includes some sexy cocktails like Skinny Love. Skinny Love Cocktail
Garnish with a tonic foam top & shiso leaves |
Door 4 – Cheltenham UKOur ethos is ‘Creativity Is Contagious’. Making something that is beautiful in its presentation, challenging in its consumption and integral in its foundation. Our drinks and food are served in ways that stand us apart from anyone else, the flavour will delight and it may challenge taste buds and the ingredients we make it from have their place. Whether it be from a local source or from a corner of the world that correlates to the idea behind what you’re tasting, please ask us and we would love to tell you. Bodega Secreto Cocktail
Throw, serve in a rocks glass with cubed ice and garnish with edible flowers. |
Croft and Jones – Cheltenham UKThe Croft & Jones bar is a secret drinking den under The Clarence Social in the heart of Cheltenham, offering creative cocktails and table service until late. Recent winner of best bar in Cheltenham in this year’s industry awards, you’ll find warm service and a carefully selected bespoke menu. Apples and Pears Cocktail
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Clarendon Cocktail Cellar – London, UKPimlico’s hidden boozer. In 1852 this very building was bustling with countless ladies and gentlemen on a quest for top notch drinks in a splendid atmosphere. Tucked away in the dark recesses of an old Victorian pub with a sordid past, Bar Manager Warren Deroche and his CCC team have transformed the cellar into a diamond in the rough, a hidden cocktail bar beneath Artist Residence and the streets of the ever-changing Pimlico neighbourhood. Cellar My Dear Number 1 Cocktail
Serve in a Nick & Nora glass, garnish with 4 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1 rose bud. |
Merchant House, London, UKMerchant House is home to one of the largest collections of gin and rum in the world. With an array of fine and rare examples available, offered in comfortable and relaxed surroundings, our basement cocktail bar is the City’s worst-kept secret. Our concept focuses on the history of the Empire, and our drinks list reflects the belligerent and tumultuous history in which gin and rum overlap. Hodgson Old Fashioned Cocktail
*IPA cordial 2x serving spoons gooseberry jam, 250g white sugar |
The Fire Station, London, UKThe Fire Station is a re purposed fi re station built in 1906. We serve a range of classic cocktails, homemade gems and some twists on the favourites. It’s a relaxed atmosphere taking inspiration from some bars in Brooklyn c1950. The Violet Underground Cocktail
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Black Sheep – Halifax, CanadaBlack Sheep Restaurant is owned and operated by two chefs. Our mission is to make awesome food and drinks from scratch using quality ingredients, and serve it at an affordable price in a non-pretentious environment. Field Trip Cocktail
Combine all ingredients in shaker, wet shake! Double strain into a 6 oz coupe glass – ½ rim on glass (for rim: 1 lemon (zest only); 2 tbsp dried lavender, ¼ cup coarse sugar) * Blueberry lavender purée 1kg frozen blueberries; 2 lemons: juice and zest; 100g sugar; 2 tbsp dried lavender (to taste) – combine in a pot, simmer for 10-15 minutes, puree then fine strain, adjust with water as needed ** Shrub 2 cups balsamic vinegar; 1 ¼ cups sugar; 8-10 star anise pods – bring to boil in pot, remove from heat, let sit overnight, then fine strain |
The Bird Bar – Quebec, CanadaThe Bird Bar is elegant and welcoming. From the moment you enter by the antique entry door, you will find wooden floors, a magnificent marble bar, black velvet stools and arched lights. The space is absolutely beautiful! Peaches and Cream
Pour all ingredients into shaker, reverse dry shake, and Garnish with dehydrated lemon. |
Campagnolo – Vancouver, CanadaUpstairs at Campagnolo is a no fuss, full service cocktail bar with a focus on classic drinks. Located in East Vancouver, hidden behind a green door, we offer a selection of the world’s top spirits, interesting wines and local craft beer alongside an outstanding bar snack menu. Established in 2014 by Robert Belcham and winner of silver in Vancouver Magazine’s 2018 Best Bar. Peter Van de Reep is the beverage director for Upstairs @ Campagnolo. He opened Upstairs in 2014 for Robert Belcham and is a certified sommelier working towards advanced certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Secret Intelligence Cocktail
Stir all ingredients together, strain into a chilled coupe Express the oils of a lemon swath over the drink and garnish |
Rosewood Hotel Georgia – Vancouver, CanadaRosewood Hotel Georgia combines the grandeur of the Roaring 20s with contemporary elegance in the heart of Vancouver. An unprecedented restoration, completed in 2011, returned Vancouver’s most legendary hotel to its place as one of the most prominent hotels worldwide. Rosewood Hotel Georgia offers an unmatched combination of heritage, sophistication and splendour – a return to the golden age of hotel travel. Manderin Mist Cocktail
Shake hard and fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Float the coconut foam. Spray with bergamot aroma (* 450ml coconut water, 2mg Versawhip, 1mg Xantham Gum). |
Vij’s – Vancouver, CanadaVij’s has been serving award-winning, inspired Indian cuisine and warm hospitality in Vancouver since 1994. Chefs & Co-Owners Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala are know for unique and innovative contemporary dishes, founded on hand-roasted Indian spices. Cocktail by Vij’s Group beverage program leader Jay Jones, a 22 year veteran of the Canadian bar community. Jay is the only Bartender ever inducted to the British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame. Pankot Punch Cocktail
Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Fine strain into a shapely, footed cocktail or beer glass (16oz). Heap with crushed ice, garnish with fresh flower and serve with a glass straw. |
Lizzie’s Lane – Melbourne, AustraliaAmid Albert Park’s eclectic architecture, an all-new Pop-Up Melbourne Laneway Bar awaits in the back ally of a five-star hotel. This grungy, urban hideout has been set-off with pop-art murals inspired by a blend of Melbourne and East London street art. Appropriately named Lizzie’s Lane, it offers London inspired bites, refreshing summer cocktails, and laidback tunes. With wooden crate-made chairs on Astroturf, festoon lights and lawn games, Lizzie’s Lane is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the sunshine this summer. The Eurostar Cocktail The quickest way to get to London is to build over ice:
Add 1 large (skull ice cube) topped with Prosecco. |
Maybe Frank – NSW, AustraliaWelcome to Maybe Frank, a traditional Italian pizzeria with a little secret inside - our small cocktail bar “the maybe”. We are focused on aperitivo and digestive cocktails. Maybe Frank is a place for daily-dining, Sunday drinking, and for a little day-dreaming of your next adventure to our beautiful mother land... Eh la Madonna!!! Maybe Gimlet Cocktail
*Apple Lime Cordial (Shelf Life 1 Month) Muddle all the peels with the sugar, add juice and heat with coffee |
Fools & Magicians, Hong KongThe soon to be unveiled underground music room #AfterDarkAndBeyond is a stark contrast to the upper floor, with its dark and edgy decors. Expect some booze-heavy cocktails and vibrant events that cover a wide variety of music genres. This is the place to be for weekday shenanigans as well as special occasions. While the upstairs restaurant and bar is the space for you to relax and unwind, the music room prepares you for memorable nights that you won’t remember. After Bitterness, Comes Sweetness
Garnish with mint and flowers, served in an urchin glass. *Bitter gourd infused D1 London Gin 350 gm sliced bitter gourd scraped clean of seeds and flesh 700ml D1 London Gin. **Chamomile honey water 30gm chamomile brewed in 1 ltr of hot water. Allow to cool and add 500ml honey, mixing well. ***Cold brew green tea Add 1 green sencha tea bag to 1000ml of cold filtered water. Cold brew in a fridge for 16-20hrs then remove the tea bag. |
Bar Buonasera – Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong KongManaged by Nick Tse and Ayako Miyake team, Bar Buonasera is a handcrafted cocktails and whisky bar located in Tsim Sha Tsui. Bar Buonasera is an authentic bar with a reputation for excellent service, in a chic and romantic setting, heavy on old-school cocktails, where the customer comes first and service that never surrenders substance to spectacle. Before Sunset Cocktail
Garnish:lemon peel twistGlass: cocktail glass Method: Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, then strain and serve into a chilled cocktail glass, garnishing with a lemon peel twist. |
GEM, Hong KongThere is an evolving trend of coworking spaces popping up in bars around the world; seeing companies partner with on-premise venues to turn idle front-of-house spaces into communal offices for the remote working sector. At night G.E.M. is a bar, whilst it works as an office during the day. Gin and wine are G.E.M.’s primary drink serves and the bar offers a wide selection of spirits and a wine list that includes a wide variety and range of styles. G.E.M. is a place for groups of friends to have fun and relax after work. Cannon Cocktail
Shake all the ingredients and strain into a tulip wine glass before topping up with champagne. Garnish with a grapefruit peel twist & sage leaf. |
RAE Charlie’s – Guangzhou, ChinaCharlie’s is our take on a traditional Italian caffè. ‘Artisanal’ is our key element, from house-roasted Espresso beans to handmade fresh pasta & perfectly balanced negronis, it is everything we love about Italian caffè culture. We aim to create an experience for any guests who visit us, providing an exceptional service experience to exceed expectations. Charlie's Lemonade Cocktail
Build in the glass. A fresh take on an evening lemonade, simple and delicious. High quality ingredients matter the most in the success of this long drink. |
Hope and Sesame – Guangzhou, Chinaope & Sesame opened in March 2016 and was the first “speakeasy” cocktail bar in Guangzhou. Tucked away behind a traditional Cantonese cafe in the quaint neighbourhood of DongShanKou, the bar is a joint venture between seasoned hoteliers - Bastien Ciocca & Andrew Ho. The bar has been awarded Best Bar in China 2018. Oolong Tea
From the spent husks of used citrus fruits, extract the essential oils and shake with D1 Gin Serve with a sparkling tea in reused tonic bottles and a starch straw. *Oleo saccharum Collect the citrus oils by preparing all the husks with a coating of sugar and leave to sit in a jar for about 2 weeks. ** Sparkling Oolong tea Cold brew loose Oolong tea leaves and then carbonate in soda with CO2 capsules. |
MiaoQian BingShi – Guangzhou, ChinaMiaoQian BingShi is located in the neighbourhood of DongShanKou. It is inspired from the olden days style of Cantonese cafes and it hides the cocktail bar Hope & Sesame behind a secret door. Coffee 50/50 Cocktail
A 50 / 50 vodka martini with freshness and a great length thanks to a touch of coffee. Stir and serve in a coupe or martini glass previously lightly sprayed with the oil of grapefruit peel and garnish with one coffee bean. |
Society on High – Boston, USAOur marble bar, rich colors and vintage accents offer a unique decor that exudes both comfort and class. Outdoors, the sleek and sophisticated patio offers a secluded setting for seasonal dining tucked away in the heart of Boston’s Financial District. With its floor to ceiling windows, rich colors and cozy banquets, Society on High sets the mood for any occasion from girls nights out, to corporate meetings, to dinner and drinks with friends, and more. The warm and inviting outdoor patio is the perfect place for seasonal dining secluded from the bustle of Boston streets. Society on High strives to deliver excellence in ambiance, cuisine, drinks, and service. Blood Orange Whisper
Shake, strain, up. Garnish with a sugar rim and blood orange wheel. |