New Virtual Reality Cocktail at One Aldwych, London

One Aldwych, a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of London’s iconic Covent Garden district, is upping the ante on its food and beverage offerings with the debut of an innovative virtual reality cocktail experience in its bustling Lobby Bar.

Guests who order the new whisky infused cocktail called The Origin ($22) will don a VR headset and begin their multi-sensory journey, featuring spectacular 3D aerial footage that describes the origin of the drink – starting in the Scottish Highlands, sweeping through Covent Garden and ending up at the Lobby Bar. The cocktail is then presented to the guest at the precise moment the two-minute video finishes. “The Origin” combines Dalmore 12 Year Old Whisky, Merlet Cherry Liqueur, Cherry Purée, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Chocolate bitters, and Lallier Champagne.

Part of the new “Showtime Cocktails” menu, The Origin is just one of 17 cocktails in the collection, all of which were inspired by different theater productions, ranging from comedies to dramas to musicals (the exception being The Origin, as it’s a show in itself). Celebrating the bar’s location in London’s theater district, the Showtime Cocktails menu brings a fresh concept to the city’s cocktail scene with bespoke glassware and extraordinary presentation.

Other menu highlights include:

Fairy Garden Infusion – Hendrick’s Gin, Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port, Coriander Bitters and Rose Lemonade. Inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Ce Soir– Babicka Vodka, Homemade Pomegranate Shrub, Homemade Fennel Syrup, Mint Bitters, Lallier Champagne. Inspired by Moulin Rogue

Jasmine Breeze – Patrón Silver Tequila, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Homemade Passion Fruit Syrup, Fresh Pomegranate Juice, Passion Fruit Liqueur, Peach Bitters. Inspired by Aladdin

The Origin

The Origin by Pedro Paulo, Bar Manager, The Lobby Bar at One Aldwych, www.onealdwych.com

50ml Dalmore 12 (12 year old single malt whisky)
15ml Merlet cherry liqueur
15ml sugar syrup
20ml cherry purée
10ml fresh grapefruit juice
3 dashes chocolate bitters
30ml Lallier Champagne

Method:

Using a cocktail shaker, place all the ingredients plus some ice in one half. Gently roll these between the two halves of the cocktail shaker.
Add the Champagne then strain into a small whisky decanter.
Using a smoking gun machine (handheld food smoker) and sherry wood chips, add smoke to the decanter and seal with the stopper so that the cocktail is smoked.
Serve in a whisky tumbler with ice and garnish with an orange twist and cherry.