Unassuming, yet undeniably a gem within The Biltmore Mayfair, The Pine Bar has unveiled Synthèse – a cocktail menu shaped not by seasons or spirits, but by the four classical elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Air. It’s a clever concept – one that delivers, rather than toying with gimmickry, through drinks with real structure and nuance. And if you’re expecting Fire to mean whisky and Water to mean gin, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Each elemental influence offered up drinks that sparked curiosity, good conversation, and genuinely suited my tastes.
FIRE
Fireborn arrived glowing with intent – tequila and mezcal give it backbone, while green chartreuse and Sichuan pepper offer flickers of heat and herbal edge. But then the unexpected pineapple soda softens the flame with a tropical finish. A carefully calibrated combustion to start the evening.
EARTH
Artisan was unapologetically grounded. Mezcal again, but here mellowed by a beetroot and turmeric cordial, sharpened with raspberry, and finished with a whisper of walnut and white chocolate. It opens earthy and vegetal, then shifts into something smooth, almost creamy.
WATER
With Moonwake, you get a cocktail that moves like its namesake – bright at first, then deeper, quieter. Rum and Pisang Ambon bring fruit and fragrance; pandan and kaffir lime keep things green and fresh; toasted coconut water adds depth. The whole drink has an elegant, tidal pull.
AIR
Then there’s Skyborne: gin lifted with jasmine, lychee and citrus, finished with a hint of vanilla and sparkling white wine. It’s the lightest of the quartet – not in flavour, but in feel – floral and high-toned, with a finish that clears the head rather than clouding it.
Each element offers a shift in tempo and temperament. There’s nothing tacky here – it feels considered, even thoughtful. Synthèse doesn’t read as another themed gimmick, but as a menu built with care, curiosity and a touch of myth.
