Bite Autumn 2012

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bite drinks

you through the aromas of XO Imperial. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn the art of the cellar master as they nurture their rich and aromatic cognac in the Renard cellar, enjoy a food-pairing brunch in the Château complemented with VSOP Exclusif and XO Imperial, visit their Paradis cellar for a tasting of their Initiale Extra marque and follow the progress of Château Courvoisier’s grapes from vine to

glass via the vineyards, distillery, cooperage, ageing and blending throughout the course of the day. This summer, the Courvoisier Institute of Grand Cocktails invited guests to explore the surreal world of cocktails past and present held over two nights at The Heritage Rooms in Bloomsbury Square, London.

LABELLEDTHE NUMBER ONE COGNAC INTHE UK,THERE IS MORE TO COURVOISIER THANTHE SMOOTH, DARK ANDAROMATIC BEVERAGE. JADA BROOKES LOOKS BACK AT THE HISTORY AND EXCITINGWORLD OF THE FRENCH COGNAC.

The Institute, which was set up over a hundred years ago for the world’s grandest bartenders to perfect the ultimate cocktail, saw guests waltz in a Rococo ballroom, find their ‘Sazerac Point’ in a New Orleans apothecary and enjoy a variety of classic Courvoisier cocktails. Guests were also treated to a refreshing Courvoisier Punch served in the building’s produce stores inspired by Annabel’s bar manager, Mickael Perron, a Courvoisier Champagne Cocktail created by 5 Hertford Street’s bar manager Amanda Humphrey in a grand ballroom and a classic Courvoisier Sazerac served by Rules’ bar manager, Chris Lacey in a New Orleans apothecary. Past events hosted by the Courvoisier team have included punch- flooded ballrooms with Bompas and Parr, a dinner party in the belly of a dinosaur and exploration of Dickensian history through the streets of London, so keep an eye out for future events. Courvoisier can be enjoyed inmany ways. For a refreshing drink, try the Courvoisier Cooler which consists of Courvoisier VS Cognac, fresh lime, cloudy apple juice and ginger beer. Other exciting mixes include Champagne Cocktail (Courvoisier VSOP Cognac, Demerara sugar cube and Angostura bitters); Brass Monkey ( Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif Cognac, Tawny port, Benedictine, orange juice and orange bitters); Chilli Chocolate Orange ( Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif Cognac, red chilli tab,Crème de Cacao dark,orange juice and orange bitters); Blazer (Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif Cognac, Triple Sec, coffee beans, orange zest and Angostura bitters), and Crusta (Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif Cognac, orange and cherry liqueur, lemon juice, Angostura bitters and sugar syrups) - check Courvoisier’s website for more details of how to put these wonderful concoctions together. www.courvoisier.com

Images courtesy of Focus PR