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NOSE-ABLES Royal Salute's A COCKTAIL FIT FOR A QUEEN story and photo by Richard Carleton Hacker ndreas Cortes, Senior Bartender at London's luxury hotel, Claridge's, has created the only officially endorsed Diamond Jubilee Cocktail honoring the 60-year reign of Queen Balmoral A Elizabeth II. Historically, Claridge's has hosted royalty from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Just as fittingly, the cocktail's base whisky is San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold medal winner Royal Salute 21 Year Old, the ultra-premium scotch originally blended to celebrate the June 2, 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Cortes named his cocktail The Balmoral, after the royal residence in Scotland. It was unveiled with the blessings of Royal Salute—the only whisky to be granted a palace sponsor- ship—during Britain's Diamond Jubilee weekend on June 2, 2012. "I wanted this cocktail to celebrate the royal family, Claridge's, Royal Salute and their respective heritages," says Cortes, who selected historically correct ingredients. "Dubonnet came immediately to mind because of its link to the Queen Mother and the Queen, both of whom have made this one of their favorite drinks. Pineapple represented health, wealth and hospitality during the Victorian era, and tied in with Claridge's as the symbol of London hospitality. Vanilla liqueur brings out some of the characteristics of the whisky, as do the chocolate bitters, with their strong cacao aromas." "We launched The Balmoral on June 4th and will be running it for at least a month or two," he said. "It's Claridge's salute to the Queen, and what better way to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee? The drink is elegant, poised and vibrant, much like Queen Elizabeth herself." Andreas Cortes, Senior Bartender at Claridge's in London mixes his creation, The Balmoral, the only officially endorsed Diamond Jubilee cocktail, using Royal Salute 21 Year Old Scotch whisky. "It's Claridge's salute to the Queen, and all the ingredi- ents link back to the monarchy and the hotel." The Balmoral is priced at £40 ($62.40), higher than other Claridge's cocktails due to the ingredients. By comparison, a standard 50 ml. (approximately 1.7 oz.) pour of Royal Salute is £38 ($59.28), usually served straight with a touch of mineral water on the side. Here is the official recipe, for bartenders on this side of the pond who wish to make it for custom- ers who didn't get to the Jubilee. 42 / the tasting panel / august 2012 The Balmoral Cocktail ◗ 2 chunks fresh pineapple, muddled ◗ 50 ml. Royal Salute 21 ◗ 25 ml. Dubonnet ◗ 10 ml. Xanath Vanilla Liqueur ◗ 25 ml. fresh pineapple juice ◗ 5 drops Bob's Chocolate Bitters ◗ Shake short and sharp into a tulip glass. Garnish with a long orange twist, trimmed and coiled.