My Fair Lady cocktail recipe by The Delaunay
Bring London's West End into the comfort of your own home thanks to the My Fair Lady cocktail recipe courtesy of The Delaunay
Taking its cues from the historic cafes of Europe, step inside The Delaunay and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in Vienna. The wood-panelled, white-tablecloth dining room and low-lit bar pay homage to the classic 1920s, Art Deco-style interiors popular in Austria, Italy and France, but turn to The Delaunay’s menus and you’ll see the restaurant is also heavily influenced by a London location: Theatreland.
Situated within the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden, The Delaunay is a regular spot for stage spectators looking to fill their time before heading to the West End thanks to its renowned dinner-and-show packages, which have seen partnerships with Cabaret, Back to the Future and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. It’s unsurprising, therefore, that the bar menu also leans on the surrounding cultural district for inspiration, with a cocktail list that pays homage to the golden age of the stage, taking cues from the theatre, music and artistry of the West End in the 1920s and ’30s.
Flick through the menu, which is named Theatreland, to discover Hay Fever – a citrus-based serve that takes its name from Noël Coward’s comedy of manners, first staged at the Ambassadors Theatre in 1925 – and the tequila-based Rio Rita, after the play produced by Broadway impresario Florenz Edward, which was the first production staged by the new Prince Edward Theatre in 1930.
My Fair Lady, left, and Hay Fever
So, when it came time for some new releases, The Delaunay’s bar manager Christopher Bevitt naturally looked to one of the most famous West End productions for inspiration. He says: “A curation that transforms familiar ingredients into timeless classics – akin to the premise behind this West End musical, which originally starred Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison at Theatre Royal Drury Lane – My Fair Lady is floral and fruity, in homage to the plot’s evocative Covent Garden Flower Market. Delicate violet notes echo Audrey Hepburn’s charming interpretation of the lead role in the later film version of this stage favourite.” Read on to discover how you can recreate this at home.
Recipe
My Fair Lady
Ingredients
- No.3 London Dry Gin 50ml
- Violette liqueur 10ml
- Sugar syrup 10ml
- Lemon juice 20ml
- Strawberry 1, whole
- Egg white 1, whole
Method
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail mixer and double shake.
- Strain and pour into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with two hand-picked flowers.
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