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What’s the Secret Ingredient in the World’s Most Expensive Cocktail? Here’s the Answer
Imagine sipping a cocktail that costs as much as a used car or a round trip to Europe. What could possibly justify such an extravagant price tag? Is it the glass, the garnish, the shaker, the ice, or the mixer? No, it’s none of those ordinary elements that can be found in any decent bar. It’s the secret ingredient, the one that only a handful of people in the world can afford to taste, let alone reproduce. What is it? Here’s the answer: it’s a rare orchid that grows only in one place, and only a few ounces of it can be harvested per year. This orchid is known as the black diamond, and it’s the key to unlocking the flavor and the mystique of the most expensive cocktail in the world.
Before we reveal more about the black diamond, let’s give some context to this extraordinary drink. Its name is “The Winston,” and it was created in 2013 by Salvatore Calabrese, an Italian mixologist who has been crafting cocktails for over four decades, and who has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of mixology to new heights. Calabrese designed The Winston as a tribute to Sir Winston Churchill, the iconic British statesman and war leader who was known for his fondness of brandy and cigars, as well as his wit and wisdom. Calabrese wanted to capture the essence of Churchill’s persona and legacy in a liquid form, and he chose the rarest and most symbolic ingredients to do so.
The recipe of The Winston is not a secret, as it has been published in various sources, including Calabrese’s book “Classic Cocktails,” but it’s the sourcing and the preparation of the ingredients that make it unattainable for all but the wealthiest and most discerning drinkers. Here is the list of ingredients for a single glass of The Winston, alongside their approximate costs:
– Two measures of Croizet 1858 cognac: $6,000
– One measure of Grand Marnier Quintessence: $1,000
– Two dashes of angostura bitters: $1
– One sugar cube: $.01
– One teaspoon of Maraschino liqueur: $1
– One splash of champagne: $50
– A rare orchid garnish: $1,548
The total cost of The Winston is $8,600, which makes it the most expensive cocktail in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. However, the price can fluctuate depending on the availability and quality of the ingredients, as well as the location and the reputation of the bar that serves it. Only a few bars in the world have The Winston in their menu, and each glass is made to order, with great care and attention to detail. The bartenders who make The Winston are trained by Calabrese himself, and they know how to mix and present the drink in a way that honors its history and its value.
Now, let’s focus on the black diamond orchid, the mysterious and elusive ingredient that makes The Winston unique and unforgettable. The black diamond orchid, or Coelogyne cristata, is a species of epiphytic orchid that grows in the Himalayan region of India, Nepal, and Bhutan, at an altitude of up to 3,000 meters. It’s named after its dark and glossy flowers, which resemble black diamonds, and its delicate fragrance, which evokes vanilla and jasmine. The black diamond orchid is not only rare, but also difficult to cultivate, as it requires a specific set of conditions to thrive: high humidity, filtered sunlight, and cool temperatures. Moreover, the plant takes several years to mature and bloom, and even then it produces only a few flowers per year, which last for a brief period of time.
The black diamond orchid has been prized by botanists, collectors, and enthusiasts for its beauty and rarity for centuries, but it was only recently that its value as a culinary and mixological ingredient was discovered. The first person to use the orchid in a cocktail was Marian Beke, the head bartender of the Nightjar bar in London, who created the “Black Diamond Margarita” in 2014. Beke infused tequila with the petals of the orchid, along with lime juice, agave syrup, and salt. The result was a cocktail that not only looked stunning but also had a subtle floral and citrus flavor that complemented the tequila. The Black Diamond Margarita soon became a sensation among the adventurous and wealthy drinkers who sought new experiences and flavors.
Salvatore Calabrese was one of those drinkers, and he was intrigued by the potential of the black diamond orchid in his own creations. Calabrese had a personal connection to the orchid, as he had seen it in its natural habitat during his travels to the Himalayas. He knew that the orchid was not easy to obtain, but he also knew that money could buy almost anything in the world. So he contacted a Dutch florist, who had a network of orchid growers and collectors, and asked him to find some black diamond orchids that were suitable for his cocktail. After a long and expensive search, the florist managed to procure a few petals of the orchid, which he shipped to Calabrese’s bar in London, the Playboy Club. Calabrese then experimented with the infusion of the petals into the cognac and the other ingredients of The Winston, until he found the right balance of flavors and aromas.
The result was a cocktail that not only lived up to its price tag but also to its name and inspiration. The Winston was not just a drink; it was a work of art, a tribute, and a statement. Each sip of The Winston was like a journey through time and space, a reflection of Churchill’s boldness, elegance, and wisdom. The black diamond orchid added the final touch of exoticism and luxury that completed the experience. The Winston became an instant sensation, not only in London but also in other cities that could afford to have it in their bars. The demand for The Winston grew, but the supply of the black diamond orchid remained scarce, which made the cocktail even more exclusive and coveted.
Today, The Winston is still available in some high-end bars around the world, but it’s not as popular as it used to be. The trend of expensive and rare cocktails has shifted towards other ingredients and concepts, such as gold flakes, diamond-studded shakers, and molecular mixology. The black diamond orchid remains a symbol of luxury and rarity, but it’s not as relevant as it was when Calabrese created The Winston. However, the legacy of The Winston and the black diamond orchid lives on, as a reminder of the power of creativity, imagination, and storytelling in mixology.
In conclusion, the secret ingredient in the world’s most expensive cocktail is a rare orchid called the black diamond, which adds a touch of exoticism, elegance, and exclusivity to the drink. The black diamond orchid is not easy to obtain, but it’s worth the effort and the price for those who seek new experiences and flavors. The Winston, the cocktail that features the black diamond orchid, is more than just a drink; it’s a legacy, a tribute, and a statement. It’s a reminder that mixology can be an art form, a science, and a cultural expression, and that it’s always evolving and innovating. So, next time you sip a cocktail, think of the stories and inspirations behind it, and appreciate the craftsmanship and the passion that went into making it. Who knows, you might discover a new secret ingredient that will inspire you to create your own masterpiece.
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