Our thoughts might be moving towards damp, grey autumn, but Ondina gin and Harry’s Dolce Vita are keen for us to embrace the remaining days of warmth and sunshine in the capital. They’ve launched a stunning partnership which runs until the 1st October where the restaurant is offering a limited-edition, bespoke O’ndina Gin cocktail menu along with an external floral display that transports you to the heart of the Italian Riviera complete with a retro-looking Vespa that adds a touch of class to the proceedings. The glorious floral display certainly adds a touch of colour to the sometimes austere surroundings of Knightsbridge. The restaurant has a charming outdoor terrace space which is ideal for people watching and social distancing.
O’ndina is a super premium Italian gin brand that embraces the La Dolce Vita spirit. It is inspired by the effortless glamour of coastal Italy in the 1960s. It is a herbaceously refreshing spirit that contains 19 botanicals including fresh basil from Liguria and citrus from southern Italy. It works perfectly as a Mediterranean gin and tonic or making a tantalising negroni.
The highlights of their menu at Harry’s Dolce Vita I can recommend include Lavender Sunset, which contained O’ndina gin with Lavanda syrup, Bottega Rose Gold, and lemon. It’s light, it’s refreshingly harmonious and dangerously sippable. It paired particularly well with the seafood dishes at Harry’s such as the lemon sole with vongole, with the citrus notes from the gin amplifying the freshness of the produce.
The second cocktail I can recommend is the Basilica Sour, which contained O’ndina gin with Grand Marnier, lime, egg white, and basil. I was initially hesitant about trying cocktails with basil. Shouldn’t that be on my main course plate rather than in my cocktail glass? But no, it wells superbly well. It is a great palate cleanser, so if you are ordering any rich-tasting dishes, it helps to prepare your palate for other courses. The presentation is classy rather than ostentatious and in all the cocktails on the menu, they find the right pairings without over-complicating the concoctions.
Make sure you check out this temporary collaboration before the end of the month.
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