Love them, loathe them, or simply ambivilent, there will be no escaping the Olympics/Games/Whatever you’re supposed to call them, over the next few weeks at the very least. I can’t say I’m overcome with Olympian sprit just yet, but there’s plenty of time for even me to get sucked in. And, well I guess if you can’t beat them, join them, and if that involes cocktails then I’m definitely in! So against my better judgement, I found myself at The Malmaisson’s Veuve Clicquot Bar last Tuesday for a preview of their Olympic offering, though I’m fairly sure they’re not actually calling it that due to the word ban….In any case, on the menu are three Olympic themed cocktails, five Olympic themed shots, and three Olympic medals martini’s.
We all steer clear of the potent and slightly toxic looking shots (it is only Tuesday night after all) and get stuck into the medal martini’s. Set out so nicely in gold, silver and bronze variants, it seems rude not to have (at least) one of each…. Winner for me is the Silver, so I’ll place that rather confusingly in Gold position, it’s refreshingly citrussy and suitably glitzy; edible silver dust is sprayed into a martini glass, with Bloom Gin, Cointreau and lemon juice.
I’d place the Gold Martini in Silver position, some lovely flavours, well combined, but just not punchy enough as a martini for me; gold edible dust sprayed into a glass again with Chase Vodka, Chase Elderflower and topped up with Balfour sparkling wine.
The Bronze Martini I believe stands in it’s rightful position, none of the sparkle of the previous two, the Manhatten style ingredients are crying out to be served over ice, and my friend and I add a couple of cubes of ice to our ‘martini’s'; Famous Grouse, Martini Rosso and Angostura Bitters. 
Located in a charming courtyard in Clerkenwell, the hotel is the perfect spot to raise a toast to the Olympic celebrations, and have a bit of fun in the spirit that’s currently sweeping the nation; the special menu is available at both upstairs and downstairs bars until the end of the Paralympics. I can attest to the fact that should you wish just regular ol’ drinks, they’re pretty damn good here too; I’ve had fine examples of both Negroni’s and martini’s!
