Janice Tober
Executive editor
If there’s a hotel brand that was made to celebrate all things food and drink, it’s Europe’s oldest luxury hotel brand, Kempinski Hotels. The brand’s namesake, Berthold Kempinski, was a visionary wine merchant and restaurateur in his day, creating an enduring reputation as an arbiter of excellent taste.
To celebrate its founder on World Cocktail Day (May 13) and World Whisky Day (May 17), Kempinski Hotels is bringing drinks inspired by history together with regional cultures and flavors from some of its hotels around the world. Here are just a few.
Le Fumoir at Çırağan Palace Kempinski İstanbul
Set amongst palm trees with a stunning view of the Bosphorus, Le Fumoir is a stylish hangout in the lush gardens of Çırağa Palace Kempinski Istanbul, the former home of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. At the outdoor shisha and cigar lounge the specialty cocktail is Rakitini, based upon a traditional Turkish spirit and accompanied by skinos, melon purée and citrus. In celebration of World Cocktail Day, the Blended Barrel is being unveiled—an elegant cocktail that unites two distinct beverages to create a taste sensation: Michter’s Bourbon Whiskey and strawberry-infused Sarafin Doluca Cabernet Sauvignon. For World Whisky Day, a take on the iconic Whisky Sour will be served with a touch of spring flavors such as chamomile.
Bar 1705 at Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden
Housed within Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden, a former 18th-century royal residence, the oak-paneled Bar 1705 can be found. The bar is known for its 12 specialty cocktails curated by its bar staff. For World Cocktail Day, it is serving a small selection of classic cocktails that represent a favorite of each bartender, while a special Whisky Sour menu will be the highlight of World Whisky Day.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Ocean views and starry skies in Nusa Dua soothe the senses while an inventive cocktail menu pleases the palate at The Apurva Kempinski Bali. For World Cocktail Day the hotel is offering an exclusive menu across all its dining venues from May 13 to 18. Each cocktail is a celebration of bold tastes, from the intriguing Tito’s Blood—infused with curry leaf and finished with a spicy kick—to the vibrant Avinya, where beetroot and pomegranate meet elderflower espuma. Whether you’re craving something refreshing like the Coco Loco with strawberry and carbonated coconut or a savory twist like the Pizza Smash, these inventive creations promise to please.
Wherever you end up celebrating this ode to cocktail culture, be sure to raise a glass to the man who started it all.