In celebration of World Cocktail Day on May 13, Bar 228 at Le Meurice, part of the prestigious Dorchester Collection is paying homage to two timeless classics: the Bloody Mary and the Espresso Martini. From May 10 to 18, guests are invited to discover inventive interpretations of these iconic drinks in one of Paris’s most elegant settings.
Bar 228’s version of the Bloody Mary is a study in refinement. Swapping out the traditional tomato juice for crystal-clear tomato water infused with bird’s eye chili, celery, and lemon zest, the cocktail captures the essence of the original in a lighter, brighter form. Served dry and garnished simply with a fresh basil leaf, it’s a clean, vibrant aperitif—perfect for Parisian spring evenings.
Bloody Mary
Ingredients:
· 60ml of vodka
· 60ml of tomato water infused with basil, bird’s eye chilli and lemon zest
· 1 shot of dry sherry
· Pepper to garnish
· Celery powder to garnish
· Basilica leaf to garnish
Method:
· Freeze the glass
· Combine the pepper and celery powder
· Use this mixture to rim the frozen glass
· Combine the vodka and infused tomato water and mix
· Add this mixture to the glass
· Garnish with a basilica leaf
For those seeking something richer, the reimagined Espresso Martini leans into warm, nutty indulgence. Flavoured with hazelnut coffee, the drink layers aromatic depth onto the classic blend of vodka and espresso. To elevate the experience further, chef pâtissier Cédric Grolet has created a delicate hazelnut truffle to accompany the cocktail an elegant nod to his signature style of refined decadence.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
· 50ml of vodka infused with hazelnut chocolate
· 1 shot of espresso
· 1 shot of hazelnut liqueur
· Toasted hazelnuts to garnish
Method:
· Combine the infused vodka with the espresso shot and mix
· Add the shot of hazelnut liqueur to reinforce the hazelnut taste
· Garnish with shavings of toasted hazelnuts
Complementing these limited-edition drinks is a seasonal menu of small plates curated by chef Clémentine Bouchon. Designed for sharing, the dishes include prawn beignets with lemon and seaweed, Bellota ham, and raw red tuna with spices and crispy rice. For dessert, Grolet’s much-loved sculpted fruits return—artful, hyper-real creations that taste as exquisite as they look.
Set within an English-style bar where soft jazz and candlelit charm define the mood, Bar 228 offers a rarefied escape in the heart of the city. This spring, its creative tribute to cocktail culture is an invitation to sip, savour, and stay a little longer.
dorchestercollection.com/paris/le-meurice
228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
