LPM Restaurant & Bar to Launch Global Cocktail Menu
Twelve new libations and six new mocktails inspired by the life of eccentric French artist Jean Cocteau
The iconic LPM Restaurant & Bar will launch its first ever experiential global cocktail menu to celebrate the life of influential French artist, writer and bon-vivant, Jean Cocteau. Officially launching on 11th October 2021 commemorating Jean Cocteau’s passing some 58 years earlier, the evocative menu named ‘Recipes for our Friends’ presents an end-to-end thematic experience set to deliver a multi-sensorial and imaginative journey for guests. Known for its relaxed South of France vibes with a hint of glamour, the iconic LPM Restaurant & Bar offers an eclectic atmosphere, with award-winning bartenders serving world class cocktails.
Designed by award-winning LPM Global Bar Manager Tibor Krascsenics, the menu – which has been in development for 18 months – presents an homage to one of the most brilliant creatives in history. ‘Recipes for our Friends’ infuses cocktails with history and the fantastical yet childlike artwork of Cocteau. Guests are taken on an immersive trip to a bygone era, whilst rediscovering one of the most multi-talented artists of the 20th century.
Just like a vivid novel written during La Belle Époque – the glamorous European pre-World War 1 era – the menu consists of four chapters, each highlighting a place that Jean once called home. In each chapter, three cocktails are presented – each one tells a story relating to a person or event that marked Cocteau’s colourful life.
The first chapter, named Maisons-Laffitte (referencing the years 1889–1905), nods to the town of Cocteau’s birth and where he first began exploring poetry. The chapter features a series of lighter, more refreshing and easy-to-drink cocktails including 1889 Americano (HK$120) – a delightfully delicate aperitif that is named after the year Jean Cocteau was born. A twist on the classic Americano cocktail, LPM integrates verdant French Suze liqueur which was also familiarised in 1889, as well as vermouth infused with light toasted pineapple (Cocteau’s favourite fruit). Finally, the drink is garnished with a single lemon balm leaf.
Hotel Welcome (referencing the years 1924–1935), follows as the next chapter and features the bewitching cocktail Room 22 (HK$220). This drink is based on the room in which Cocteau regularly stayed while visiting the legendary Hotel Welcome in the Southeast of France. It was here that Cocteau would become acquainted with the creative-set of the 1920’s including Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Kiki de Montparnasse and Louis-François Cartier. Together they threw raucous parties in Room 22 consuming copious amount of absinthe to conjure up creative powers. The cocktail uses an absinthe fountain that is designed to be shared with friends, which is how Cocteau became inspired to write one of his masterpiece novels, Les Enfants Terribles in 1929.
The elegant Lettre à Coco (HK$150), represents the special friendship between Jean and his most trusted confidante, style icon and celebrated designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. As a tribute to her significance in his life, this vodka-based cocktail is made with Ketel One, Champagne cordial and adds hints of jasmine, bergamot and rose. The aromatics mirror notes of Coco’s signature perfume, which would go on to be one of the most famous fragrances in the world. The drink is served alongside an envelope with a secret message enclosed misted with fragrance, representing the friendship and correspondence between Cocteau and Coco Chanel.
The eye-catching and very Instagrammable Trinity (HK$180) cocktail was inspired by jeweller Louis Cartier’s iconic namesake ring. Influenced by a dream about Saturn’s rings, Jean expressed his fascination with the stars to Cartier who then designed the intertwined ring. Harmoniously constructing its simple yet meaningful design using three types of gold, it embodies the enduring symbols of relationships – love, fidelity and friendship. The cocktail features Bacardi Ocho Rum, cacao, strawberry, Islay honey water and bitters, the Trinity is served in a levitating rotating glass to represent Jean’s extraordinary cosmological dreams.
The last chapter, Milly-la-Forêt (referencing the years 1950–1963) takes a look at the final years of Cocteau’s life in a village just outside Paris. We are introduced to a cocktail named Hommage (HK$140). Cocteau liked to dabble in mixology and experimented with his own creations at the iconic Parisian restaurant Le Grand Véfour, helmed by his friend chef Raymond Oliver. Here Cocteau successfully blended Blood & Sand, a cocktail using Cognac, orange and cherry brandy. LPM’s Hommage pays tribute to that long gone cocktail of Cocteau’s. The LPM rendition uses Hennessy VSOP, Mancino rosso, cherry heering liqueur, coffee and cacao nibs to elegantly blend a dark velvety richness, intensifying the oak and vanilla notes of VSOP.
To complement the new LPM cocktail menu, six new alcohol-free drinks are also introduced in ‘Recipes for our Friends’ under Petit Jean Mocktails. Each beverage is a slight twist on the alcoholic versions in the main menu, resembling Linden Alley (HK$120) is Le Tilleul (HK$70), made with sour Linden Tea, elderflower and gentian.
LPM Global Bar Manager Tibor Krascsenics, commented: “Our new menu expresses love, art, celebration and taste – all attributes linked not only to Cocteau, but to LPM too. LPM is known worldwide as a restaurant with a strong link to the art world. From the mastery showcased on the walls to the imaginative sculptures placed throughout the restaurant, LPM champions the creative arts. The menu is for cocktail aficionados, lovers of the arts or guests who are simply looking to escape from the 21st Century world for an hour or two.”