Scarfes Bar Launches the Caricature Menu: A Cocktail List Inspired by the Artwork of Gerald Scarfe

Gerald Scarfe, renowned British artist and caricaturist lent his name and artistic vision to Rosewood London’s Scarfes Bar and a profound collection of his completed artwork adorns the marble walls. Gerald’s collection of amusing and conversation-provoking paintings have transformed Scarfes Bar into a living canvas, described by Gerald as “my personal art gallery, where you can see my life on these walls”.

Taking inspiration from their surrounding artworks, the Scarfes team set out on an extensive eight month research and development process to create drinks fit for the historical subjects they are based on and bring some of Gerald’s most recognisable sketches to life in liquid format. Each serve on the menu incorporates an element inspired by a characteristic quirk or familiar association with its subject.

The new serves include the light-hearted and refreshing Parrot’s Cure, a Collins-style drink in representation of Monty Python, and the well-travelled Flying Boot, an aperitivo for David Beckham. They are joined by a smooth and assured Martini serve named the Orbis non Sufficit embodying James Bond and a A Bird in the Hand, teeming with savoury flavours in personification of Alfred Hitchcock. The Harry Potter cocktail, served in a potion bottle, encourages fans to relive the magic with a Polyjuice Potion, and literary lovers can enjoy the smooth, oaty notes of a Just One More, depicting Dicken’s protagonist Oliver Twist. Rock and Roll enthusiasts can relish in a Start Me Up or You Say You Want A Revolution, conveying The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, while those with a nostalgic streak can savour the ice-cold nuttiness of the Waltz of the Snowflake, characterising The Nutcracker.

SIGNATURE SERVES FROM THE MENU INCLUDE:

The Walking with a Waddle, inspired by Hollywood’s original movie star, Charlie Chaplin, is a mix of vanilla pods, liquorice sticks and cinnamon sticks infused in Tanqueray. No. TEN gin, as a nod to Chaplin’s walking stick, shaken with Pedro Ximinez and apple, rhubarb and cherry cordial. The crisp mixture is poured into a bespoke Japanese charcoal cup and topped with a white meringue finished with Chaplin’s silhouette once again immortalised in black & white.

Scarfes Bar’s very own whisky takes centre stage in The Thane’s Tipple – a liquid representation of the Scottish Villain, Macbeth. The smooth 15 Year Old Speyside whisky, bottled exclusively for the bar, is infused with burnt parsnips for a vegetal undertone, offset by honey and mace syrup. The ingredients are sourced from the Thane’s Highland home country, with reference to his bloody endeavours in the form of a Rioja float, counterbalanced by an aroma of grated nutmeg. This drink is not for the faint-hearted - the final product is a delectably heady concoction fit for a king.

A tribute to Baroness Margaret Thatcher comes in the form of the aptly named Iron Lady, which uses an intense infusion of Porcini mushroom with Talisker 10 Year Old Whisky as its base. As a flavoursome personification of Thatcher’s tenacity, the infusion is joined by a punchy Malbec reduction and fiery galangal, which results in a bright red liquid. The cocktail is poured directly from a bottle decorated with Maggie’s image into a Scarfes Quaich, exclusively made for the bar from oak, resembling the Talisker barrel and ice-cold iron. The smoky peat flavours of the whisky are complimented by the umami essences of the mushrooms, providing guests with a powerful drinking experience indicative of its charismatic namesake.

Musical legend Mary Poppins features in a straight up serve entitled Make the Medicine Go Down. Mary’s temperament influences the profile of this drink resulting in a strong but

sweet tipple, made with Johnnie Walker Gold Label and a tangy roasted pineapple shrub. The

famous flowers adorning Mary’s hat are also referenced with home-infused chrysanthemum Cocchi Americano rosa and a touch of lavender bitters. The finished drink is multi-faceted and charming, with added sparkle - practically perfect in everyway.

The Highgrove uses the classic French 75 cocktail for inspiration and is named after the much-loved private gardens of its subject, HRH Prince Charles. This serve heroes a delicately infused Bombay Sapphire gin, using a rotovap to permeate ingredients including marjoram, mint, tarragon and lily buds. Served in a glass coated with the aforementioned herbal fragrances combined with the citrus and chamomile essences of Boston Bittahs, the Highgrove is topped up with R de Ruinart Brut Champage to symbolise his Royal lineage. The finished drink recreates the delicate scents of the famous gardens and is sharp and light with tantalising flowery elements, served in a flute – perfectly fitting for a royal toast.

The menu demonstrates the Scarfes Bar team’s passion, skill and attention to detail to creating complex and satisfying serves, all with an intelligent link back to their subjects. In a merging of creative talents, the bar team and Gerald Scarfe have constructed a palatable menu of amusement and satire. The resulting drinks list is entertaining, enchanting and boundary-pushing, just like the artworks they represent.