Liquid canvas: Whisky Library’s ‘masterpieces’ in a glass
If a cocktail were a diva, then Whisky Library’s Naked Journey would be it.
There’s so much drama involved before one gets to enjoy the mix of Paul John Indian Single Malt, orange, honey, lemon, Benedictine, aromatic bitters, and egg white. It is served in a glass candle holder within a box filled with smoke. When the box is opened, the smoke escapes and the glass is taken out to reveal an ice cube stamped with “Whisky Library” on it.
The presentation takes inspiration from John Collier’s painting, “Lady Godiva,” which shows the scene of a noblewoman riding into town naked to stage a protest.
Naked Journey is one of the 25 new signature cocktails of Whisky Library, all inspired by famous works of art.
Chloe Herman, director for food and beverage of Newport World Resorts, said that the new menu was created to celebrate Whisky Library’s first anniversary. The menu is beautifully presented in a bound book, the pages of which are linen paper. Each spread features an artwork on the left and the cocktail on the right. The cocktails are grouped together in seven chapters. These chapters represent the theme and flavor of the drinks.
Most dramatic drinks
As the name suggests, “Decadent and Indulgent” is about giving into temptations. Whisky Romance is inspired by Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” and is like an affogato. It’s a mix of whisky (choice of Japanese, Indian or Welsh), salted caramel, toffee nut, espresso, vanilla gelato and topped with shavings of Davao dark chocolate.
“Try it first with just the drink and then try it with the gelato. They taste really different,” Herman urged.
She said that “Bold and Adventure” features cocktails that are higher in alcohol content and stronger in flavors. The adventurous ones are rewarded with some of the most dramatic drinks. Naked Journey is under this chapter, as well as La Doble (inspired by Frida Kahlo’s “The Two Fridas”) which Herman best describes as a drink where rose petals are dancing because of the food-grade dry ice.
“It has a very strong, bold but rosy flavor and you can choose your tequila,” Herman said.
Mocktails, too
“Shared and Experience Together” is all about getting the same drinks with companions. They are served in a holder that looks like a large book. Salud! is a tequila-based cocktail mixed in with green mango and lime and served in a calavera glass. Dry ice is placed inside for a dramatic book-opening, and it is matched with the luscious smell of smoked green mango.
The final chapter of the menu is “Flavorful and Non-alcoholic.” There are four mocktails in the chapter and they are inspired by famous landmarks around the world like the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House.
Herman suggests ordering a drink from each chapter to get a feel of the menu. She suggests starting from the first and working your way to the last. She also shares her personal preferences.
“If I like something gin, I will order Shy Girl. This is made with South African Botanical Cruxland gin. If I’m going for vodka, I will go for Goddess on a Mountaintop,” she said.
This is what makes the menu come alive. There’s a story behind each drink, and trying to figure out how the artwork inspired it is entertaining. It can be the way it was served, the glass it comes in, or the taste and the alcohol used for it. These cocktails are the drama that you will welcome with open arms.
Whisky Library is located at 2/F Link Bridge 1m Newport World Resorts.
