A seat at the bar: 5 five-star whisky cocktails and the great hotel bars that make them

Whisky Cocktails – From London’s Mayfair to New York’s Central Park, the world’s best hotels serve up an incredible array of whisky cocktails

It’s one thing to have a favourite hotel, but do you have a favourite hotel bar? And while you’re in it, what’s your cocktail of choice? We’ve researched some of the best hotels in the world to find five delicious whiskey cocktails to whet your appetite for luxury. 

LONDON: CLARIDGE’S
Cocktail: The Royal Stag

While it may have begun its prestigious hotel journey in a small terraced house in the early 1800s, Claridge’s today is one of the leading lights among the British capital’s exclusive five-star hotels.  Having grown and expanded in its Mayfair location over two centuries, its royal connections began with a visit from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in the 1860s. Since then, countless royals, statespeople and celebrities have been welcomed through its doors. 

Claridge’s Bar is an Art Deco masterpiece and remains a haven from the fast-paced city streets outside. Take a seat at its curved counter or a seat in its snug and enjoy one of its signature drinks: the Royal Stag. 

This whisky-led pour employs Dalmore 15-year-old single malt to build a flavour-packed cocktail layered with Campari, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, chocolate bitters, and roast almond. The Dalmore is matured for 12 years in ex-bourbon casks before receiving a three-year finish in three types of sherry casks: Apostoles, Amoroso and Matusalem oloroso. 

PARIS: FOUR SEASONS GEORGE V
Cocktail: The George V Paper Plane

Check into the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and you’ll experience one of the most luxurious hotels in the world – and reportedly pay more for your suite than in any other hotel in France. Opened in 1928, it was named after the then British King, George V (1835-1936), and was popular with British and American visitors from the day it opened. 

Owned today by the Four Seasons group, you can order a cocktail at any of its luxurious bars and restaurants, but the most sought-after location is a seat in Le Bar. This intimate and discrete wood-panelled bar is a wonderful retreat from the world.

The signature whiskey cocktail here is a George V Paper Plane. The original Paper Plane is a relatively young cocktail, having been officially invented around 2008. Generally made with equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro and lime juice, it’s a refreshingly sweet pour. The George V swaps out the bourbon for  WhistlePig 10 in their signature version, allowing this gentle rye whiskey to lead the charge to balance the bitter and citrus flavours of Amaro Montenegro and Aperol. 

DUBLIN: THE SHELBOURNE HOTEL
Cocktail: The Rob Rory

The Shelbourne in Dublin’s city centre is one of the Irish capital’s most historic residences. A landmark building for over 200 years, it is owned today by Marriott and is part of its Autograph Collection.  

For its signature whiskey cocktail, the hospitality team have put a good-natured spin on the internationally-known Rob Roy, which is usually made with Scotch. In Dublin, they’ve changed Roy to Rory and use Bushmills 10 in place of scotch to give this always sweet cocktail an even smoother note.  

The sweetness at the heart of the Rob Rory cocktail comes from the rosso vermouth used, while a dash of Angostura bitters brings a balance of herbal notes that deepens the colour of this popular pour. The Bushmills 10 is an excellent whiskey to place at the cocktail’s heart. 

Matured for 10 years in ex-bourbon and sherry, this triple-distilled single malt is a constant favourite of whisky fans. Bottled at 40%, its palate of vanilla, chocolate and honey blends perfectly with the vermouth. 

NEW YORK: THE PLAZA
Cocktail: the Gold Standard

Waking up in The Plaza with its views of Central Park is an ambition that everyone can aspire to, but a relatively few get to experience. Serving the notorious, the great and the good since 1890, the current architecture and its 20 floors have been in place since 1907.

While Donald Trump no longer owns the prestigious address, he will always be linked to it after his cameo in the Home Alone movie franchise, which was shot in and around the hotel. Today, it’s owned by Katara Hospitality, and the Midtown Manhattan landmark continues to attract the wealthiest people in the world.  

While a seat in the Champagne Bar is a much sought-after reservation, those who want to experience the grandeur of a cocktail at the Plaza will book a table in the Palm Court, the glass-roofed restaurant and cocktail venue at the heart of the hotel. And whiskey fans will be ordering the Gold Standard from its extensive menu. Using Japan’s award-winning Suntory Toki as the whiskey base, it blends citrus, egg white, orange flower water and a tiny piece of real gold leaf to create this signature pour. 

SINGAPORE: SHANGRI-LA
Cocktail: The Carrot Cake

Set within 15 acres of tropical gardens, the five-star Shangri-La hotel is a feat of modern hospitality in the heart of this Asian city state. With close to 800 guest rooms and suites, it opened in 1971. Although well known as the location of choice for high-level international political meetings, it is also a luxury resort destination.

The Origin Bar is a terrific place to unwind, and its modern take on redefining the cocktail menu has brought a fresh take on mixology. Among its host of surprising flavour combinations, you’ll find the Carrot Cake, a cocktail built around a base of Woodford Reserve bourbon expertly blended with ginger, orange, cinnamon and pecan nuts. 

Woodford Reserve is a great companion to this sweet indulgent pour, as this premium small batch Kentucky straight bourbon comes with its own deep flavours of spice, fruits and florals. It creates a rich complexity to this wonderfully nostalgic drink.