Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London is proud to announce the launch of its new cocktail menu at GŌNG Bar. Fittingly named the ‘Director’s Cut’, the menu is inspired by the greatest film directors of all time and their passion for storytelling. With a concoction for every taste, guests are invited to embark on a sensory journey and use imagination to create their own story while at the highest hotel bar in Western Europe.
A total of 16 cocktails and four mocktails span five themed categories – Adventure/Fantasy; Romantic/Sci-Fi; Thriller/Drama; Crime/Action and Animation/Superhero. The Adventure/Fantasy category features light and refreshing cocktails, whereas Romantic/Sci-Fi explores drinks with fruity notes, flora and spices. Opposites attract in the Thriller/Drama section where sweet meets sour, while the creations are punchy and full of character in the Crime/Action category. The list closes with the Animation/Superhero section, which features herbal and earthy non-alcoholic flavours.
Mirroring the creativity and craft required to produce a film, each cocktail has its own unique method of invention; from the brewing of pineapple and coriander with cold coffee, to infusing a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with pine needles and honey.
Distinct flavours that excite the palate have been created by combining house-made infusions with rare ingredients and the finest spirits. Manzanilla sherry, tamarind tea, black sesame bitters weave in unexpectedly with unique liquors such as Gagliardo, Glacial Pastis and Root Herb Spirit. Meanwhile such ingredients as red rice wine, carbonated olives and chai tea foam create sensational touches and textures.
GONG’s Head Bartender Christian Maspes said: “We are thrilled to be sharing these adventurous, unique drinks with our guests. The cocktails have been inspired by different film directors who are globally recognised masters of their craft. Just as a great film is a harmony of cinematography, sound and great acting, the same can be said for a truly fantastic cocktail through its blend of ingredients, technical skill and the atmosphere it creates.”
The signature cocktails are as daring as they are surprising. ‘Fear The Jungle’, inspired by the great Steven Spielberg, combines BarSol Quebranta Pisco, banana, pineapple skin sherbet, lime and chocolate in an ivy-covered highball. The cocktail is not for the faint-hearted as it comes complete with a real scorpion.
Guests are invited to ‘Feel The Force’ when light and dark combinations of Grey Goose vodka, manzanilla sherry, clarified lime, Campari, chilli and pomegranate, are pitted against aromatic coconut. Inspired by the legendary George Lucas, the cocktails are served in a levitating glass.
‘Dirty Business’ is inspired by the cunning Martin Scorsese. It combines Woodford Reserve bourbon, Mr Black cold-pressed coffee liqueur, Fernet Amaro and a douse of stout to create smooth flavours of coffee and liquorice and satisfy late night cravings.
The new cocktail menu is available at GŎNG bar from 26 April 2017. Located at the pinnacle of Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard, London, GŎNG Bar is a sky lounge destination crafted by renowned architect Andre Fu of AFSO. The elevated bar provides a vast array of fine wines, spirits, cocktails, champagnes as well as sweeping views of London’s iconic skyline. It comprises two bars – a cocktail bar and a champagne bar, as well as an infinity Sky Pool Bar which opens daily from 9p.m. GONG Bar is open to residents and non-residents Monday to Saturday from noon – until 1a.m. and on Sunday from noon to midnight.