Discover how to recreate our opulent cocktails from our mixologists at The Rivoli Bar. From classic aperitifs to unique concoctions, explore our cocktails here.
The Taste Of Elegance: How To Make The Ritz London Cocktails
Authentic Lalique glass panels, touches of shimmering gold at every turn, elegant chandeliers and Art Deco charm, The Rivoli Bar is a luxurious hidden jewel in the heart of The Ritz. The perfect escape for a cocktail or two.
Take a seat at the bar for a show from our bartenders or in a cosy corner for an intimate catch up with friends. First to peruse on the menu are The Rivoli Showpieces: classic Ritz cocktails which are available all year round and are well-loved by our regular guests. The Showpieces proudly toast to the rich history of the hotel and its legacy, from a respectful nod to our founder, César Ritz, to a celebration of the hotel’s 110-year anniversary in liquid form. Additionally, the great city of London and our noble patrons from times gone by are honoured through the Showpiece cocktails, including the iconic Churchill’s Courage and Iron Lady.
Meanwhile, if you prefer to try something new, the unique cocktails of The Rivoli Creations are a chance to expand your cocktail horizons. Evolving with the seasons to incorporate light, fresh and fruity cocktails in spring and summer and rich, warm and smoky flavours come autumn and winter, there are always new cocktails to experience in The Rivoli Bar. Our Head Mixologist takes inspiration from beloved combinations such as the Paloma, the Margherita or the Negroni and gives them an avant garde twist for a refreshing take on the classics.
If you simply cannot make your mind up, it’s impossible to go wrong with a chilled glass of Champagne. The Rivoli Bar boasts an extensive selection, including the hand-selected Champagne of the Month, recommended by our Head of Wine and Beverage. Best served with a platter of fresh Rossmore oysters.
The friendly and knowledgeable Rivoli Bar team are always on hand and at your service to recommend the ideal cocktail for you based on your preferences. Should you prefer a classic Champagne cocktail, perhaps give the Ritz 110 or Rivoli 75 a try. Something whisky based? It has to be the Rue de Rivoli. Looking for a touch of theatre? Look no further than a Star is Born.
While we’re able to guide you to your new favourite cocktail during your time in The Rivoli Bar, our Bartending team have also offered some insider tips on how to make your cocktail recipes at home Ritz standard.
How To Make The Perfect Cocktail
For the evenings when you can’t make it out to The Rivoli Bar but still have a hankering for a perfect dry martini or well-made Old Fashioned, The Rivoli Bar team have a few essential tips to improve your cocktail making at home.
Firstly, it’s vital to have the right set-up. We recommend having a shaker, a mixing glass and mixing spoon, a precise set of measures and of course, quality glassware to start. The measures are key as just a dash too much acidity or a drop too much Champagne can throw the balance of your whole cocktail off course – mixology is a delicate art.
A top tip is to always chill your glassware and the mixing glass with plenty of ice before preparing the cocktail, as this will ensure it remains the ideal ice-cold serving temperature for longer. No one enjoys a lukewarm cocktail! For this purpose, try to source good quality ice, both to use during the preparation of the drink in the mixing glass and to enjoy in the drink itself.
Naturally, when thinking about how to make cocktails at home, a well-stocked bar is next on the list. Our bartenders recommend the highest quality spirits within your budget, along with a good vermouth and bitters as the best place to start. After all, just like in the kitchen, the best cocktails are created from the best ingredients.
Mastering the Classic Cocktail
There’s no cocktail more classic than a martini. However, as The Rivoli Bar likes to pay tribute to the classics, while giving them a breath of new life with a touch of Ritz magic, our Rivoli Showpiece martini is the Rivoli Vesper. (Naturally, we’ll be delighted to serve a classic martini – dirty or with a twist – should that be your desire).
The Rivoli Vesper
While classic martinis are stirred in a mixing glass, the Vesper, invented by author Ian Fleming for his iconic British secret agent, James Bond, is famously ‘shaken, not stirred’.
- Add 2 parts Bombay Sapphire Gin, 1 part Grey Goose Vodka, ½ part Lillet Blanc and The Rivoli Bar’s addition of a touch of China Elixir Liqueur into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously to quickly and significantly reduce the temperature of the drink.
- Strain the liquid first through the shaker’s strainer, then a second time through a sieve to ensure the smoothest possible serve.
- Pour into a chilled martini glass.
- Cut a garnish of lemon peel, spritz the oils from the rind over the glass, then add to the drink.
- Serve and enjoy.
If a martini isn’t your cocktail of choice, take a look at our masterclass in The Rivoli Bar on how to make a negroni, The Ritz way.
Unique Cocktails at The Rivoli Bar
If you are searching for drink ideas for your next visit to The Rivoli Bar we certainly have a few suggestions to share. The Rivoli Bar is famously a hotspot for celebrations, and celebrations call for Champagne in all its forms. The Ritz 110 was created to celebrate the hotel’s milestone anniversary and so it is the perfect way to celebrate an anniversary of your own. With real gold leaf glittering through the golden elixir and finished theatrically with Champagne and a sugar cube, there’s no more fitting way to get the party started.
If theatre isn’t your style, a more paired back yet equally delicious option is the Daisy Mayhap. A sophisticated adaptation of the Margherita, made with Don Julio Añejo Tequila, Del Duque Amontillado Sherry and served with a garnish of a Japanese peach, the Daisy Mayhap is simplicity at its finest.
Finally, be it an after-work aperitif or a pre-theatre tipple, often the occasion for cocktails calls for an accompaniment from our Bar and Caviar menu. Choose from the finest Royal Belgian Caviar, either the intense Platinum Sturgeon Caviar, the nutty, mellow Oscietra or the King of Caviar, Beluga, for an indulgent start to the evening. Alternatively, the elegant Smoked Salmon Moscovite or the Rivoli Lobster Rolls are an exquisite way to complete the Rivoli Bar experience.
After this closer look into the unique cocktails of The Rivoli Bar menu and some invaluable tips from The Rivoli Bar team, we hope you soon find your new favourite cocktail both at The Ritz and at home. Cheers!