THE BEAUFORT BAR

Douglas Blyde slips inside The Savoy’s newly reopened drinking den

The Nocturne menu at The Savoy’s Beaufort Bar opens with a promising line: ‘Celebrations, flirtations, indulgences, seductions; the most thrilling things happen after dark…’ Best appreciated at the stage-like counter, the new range of drinks, including spritzes, sours, champagne cocktails and Martinis, is spearheaded by the bar’s inventive former manager Anna Sebastian and realised by bartenders Dimitrios Ferfelis and Mia Kumari. Taking its name from the curved crash-protection bar found in open racing cars, the thirst-quenching Halo Highball is a real stand-out, starring Jenson Button’s Coachbuilt Scotch, blended with pink peppercorn-tinged strawberry juice and finished with a fragrant, condensed Sauvignon Blanc syrup. Meanwhile, the Smoke & Mirrors refers to the mezcal that seasons the drink and the room’s sizable mirrors. It packs a bite thanks to accompanying rosemary-infused tequila, home-made celery bitters, tomato liqueur and a juicy cherry tomato garnish. Elsewhere, there is robust focus on champagne, and for a mere £10 you can add a 10g ‘caviar bump’ alongside a flute of Laurent-Perrier. Chin, chin! (thesavoylondon.com)