A Room With A View: Galvin at Windows Bar
There’s some very exciting news for cocktail-loving ladies out there. After a £500,000 refurbishment, Galvin at Windows – the sky bar at the London Hilton Hotel – has launched a new cocktail menu. And they’re so good, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop
Belle joined Marco Ercolano, the head bartender at Galvin at the launch of their new menu. Marco’s a highly trained mixologist who knows his Chambord from his Champagne. And with head chef Andre Garrett on hand to create the bar snacks, we knew we were in good hands.
Here’s what we had:
Red Passion
Suggested as an aperitif, this is a sparking blend of Pommery Champagne, Campari, Passoa, Guava Juice and a dash of Strawberry Puree. It was pretty, light and fruity – as we admired the views over Hyde Park from the 28th floor it was the perfect start to the evening.
Galvin’s Garden
Simple and refreshing, Bloom Gin based with cucumber and Apple juice. St.Germain liqueur brings in a floral note with the Peach Bitter remaining as an after taste. The favourite bit for us and the fellow ladies in the bar was the edible bright blue flower on top – devine!
White Pearl
Who’d have thought you could make a cocktail from tea? But the Earl Grey Tea and Havana Especial rum based cocktail delivered an unusual contrast of sweet and sour. The base is a mellow blend of Butterscotch, Chestnut Liqueur and Maple Syrup, while the top is made of a sour egg emulsion making it lovely and frothy on top.
Apple at Oval
This is another of Marco’s creations which uses the flavours of good old tea. The special notes of Beefeater 24 match astonishingly well with English Breakfast Tea. Fruitiness comes from a good splash of apple juice and the spiciness of cinnamon Syrup. To finish, a dash of lime is added to balance the sweetness.
Moulin Rouge
This was by far our favourite. It’s fruity and refreshing thanks to pineapple juice and fresh raspberries, with Pommery Champagne blended with Chambord and Havana Especial rum.
It’s not every day you get to admire 360 degree views over London while enjoying exquisite cocktails in plush surroundings. But if you fancy a treat, Galvin is where it’s at.
Galvin at Windows, 22 Park Lane, London, W1K 1BE, 0207 208 4021
