Cocktail lovers can get a taste of some of the world’s most-loved jazz cities without leaving Belfast this autumn, thanks to the launch of a new cocktail menu by Berts Jazz Bar.
Berts’ new Mixed Drinks list transports guests to the bright lights of Tokyo, Paris, Havana, New Orleans and New York with five thoughtfully curated sections inspired by the destinations.
The team behind the new menu at The Merchant Hotel’s popular jazz bar, have created a stunning collection of twists on iconic classic cocktails, and innovative new drinks, including a range of new non-alcoholic creations.
Transporting guests to Tokyo, the first section features three tall, effervescent and floral drinks: the Japanese Highball (Suntory Toki Japanese Whisky, mandarin tincture, ice-cold soda); Matcha-Melon (Citrus-infused Ukiyo Rice Vodka, Midori Melon Liqueur, matcha lime cordial, fresh citrus, ice-cold soda) and Umi (Pisco Chilean brandy, umeshu, salted plum, London Essence White Peach & Jasmine Soda).
Moving on to Paris, guests can choose from an elegant selection of Berts twists on the classic Sidecar (Martell VS Cognac, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, kumquat, fresh lemon); Bee’s Knees (Beefeater 24 Gin, Lillet Blanc, Giffard Apricot Liqueur, honey water, lemon curd, chamomile, clarified milk); and the iconic French 75 (Beefeater 24 Gin, Luxardo Maraschino, Brut Champagne, cane sugar, fresh lemon).
Evoking balmy nights in Havana, guests can enjoy Berts’ take on a Daiquiri – Daiquiri No. 1 (Berts Spanish island rum blend, fresh lime, caster sugar), The Hemingway (Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum, Luxardo Maraschino, fresh lime, white grapefruit sherbet) and the Mary Pickford (Berts Spanish island rum blend, fresh lime and pineapple, Luxardo Maraschino, pomegranate), or turn up the heat with the spicy, smoky and herbaceous Picante De La Casa (Mezcal, cachaça, Berts amari blend, fresh lime, habanero shrub, orgeat, coriander).
In the New Orleans section, highlights include an indulgent Frozen Irish Coffee (Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Whiskey, Giffard Coffee Liqueur, cold brew coffee, vanilla, chocolate bitters, cream, nutmeg), a Peach Blow Fizz (Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, fresh lime and lemon, cream, egg whites, strawberry, orange blossom water) or Le Vieux Carré (Sazerac Rye Whiskey, Martell VSOP Cognac, Dubonnet, Bénédictine, Angostura bitters, Peychau).
Finishing in New York, there’s a choice of three Old Fashioneds: Classic (Berts bourbon and rye blend, sugar, bitters, orange oils); Irish (Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, sugar, lemon tincture, lemon oils) and Caribbean (Plantation 5 Year Barbados Rum, velvet falernum, allspice tincture, lime oils), or a tasting flight, with a sample of all three for £24. The more adventurous can spice things up with the crisp, fiery, smoky flavours of Doctor’s Orders (Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila, mezcal, fresh lemon, cold-pressed ginger extract, honey water) or round off with a sophisticated Enzoni Spritz (Beefeater 24 Gin, Berts amari blend, orange and lemon sherbet. red grapes, fresh lemon, prosecco spumante).
With the ‘sober-curious’ movement on the rise, and ‘low and no’ alcohol drinks enjoying a moment, Berts has put a notable focus on its non-alcoholic offering. Each section of the new menu features a bespoke booze-free creation, offering an elevated experience for non-drinkers, far removed from the typical ‘mocktail’.
Using a range of distilled non-alcoholic spirits by Seedlip, the options include:
- Tsuru, a citrussy, aromatic and refreshing long drink with punchy ruby grapefruit, kumquat sherbet and fresh citrus, inspired by the zesty flavours you might find in a Tokyo jazz bar.
- Pommes et Poires, a delicate, bright, herbaceous drink made with Seedlip Grove 42, Berts dry aperitif 0.0, Granny Smith cordial, pear, green cardamom, soda.
- The House Hurricane, a zero alcohol take on the iconic New Orleans Hurricane cocktail, packs all the punch of the tall tropical drink, replacing the customary rum for an aromatic spiced Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit.
- Cuba Libre, a tall refreshing and zesty take on the classic Cuban rum-based drink popular in Havana, made with Seedlip Spice 94, Berts cola cordial, soda water
- Cosmo Not – a zero alcohol take on the classic Cosmopolitan, made famous in New York, using Seedlip Grove 42, grapefruit shrub, raspberry preserve and cranberry-juniper cordial
Commenting on the launch of the new cocktail list, general manager Pedro Silva said, “Building on the success of volume one of our Mixed Drinks list, we are excited to unveil our next edition, packed with international flavours to complement the array of world jazz customers enjoy here at Berts.
With a range of classic drinks and new creations, our team have created a collection of drinks that will take guests on a journey from the banks of the Seine to heady heights of Havana and New Orleans and on to the bright lights of Tokyo and New York, with something to suit every taste.
We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and responding to their needs, and the decision to incorporate a non-alcoholic drink in each section has been driven by an increasing demand for high quality non-alcoholic alternatives. We’ve invested equal effort in developing these drinks, so customers can enjoy beautifully balanced flavours, with, or without alcohol.”
The new cocktail menu is now available in Berts Jazz Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast. To find out more, visit themerchanthotel.com/berts-jazz-bar or connect with Berts Jazz Bar on Instagram, @bertsjazzbar
