Cocktail of the Week: Milestone Carousel

By Olivia Cuccaro

Milestone Carousel

1 oz barrel-rested Patrón tequila
2/3 oz Admiral Vernon’s Old J Tiki Fire Rum
1/2 oz Tia Maria
.17 oz orgeat syrup
1/3 oz lime juice

To create this cocktail of the week, pour all ingredients including Patrón, Admiral Vernon’s Old J Tiki Fire Rum and Tia Maria into a shaker and shake well. Using sugar syrup and multi-colored vermicelli (rainbow sprinkles), garnish a rocks glass around the rim, then pour cocktail over freshly-crushed ice into the glass. Garnish with a flame-burnt half lime and sprig of mint. Then, soak a brown sugar cube in absinthe and light on fire. Once the flame extinguishes, sip slowly.

This week’s cocktail is for those of us who embrace the start of summer for the childhood memories it recalls. Those warm, lazy days that seemed endless as kids have found a sentimental place at the London flagship of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, The Milestone. In Kensington, The Milestone has dreamed up a cocktail with a backstory that’s as whimsical as its appearance.

“The idea behind this cocktail came about from having a chat at the end of a shift after a busy night over Christmas with the team in our Stables Bar, talking about memories we had forgotten, like the first time we had a drink in the fear of being discovered and all the trouble we used to get into as youngsters, and all those scattered memories of a long time ago,” said Fabrizio Russo, F&B manager at The Milestone, in speaking to Elite Traveler. “Funnily enough we all talked about summer and fun fairs, and local festivals coming to the villages. Most of us come from small towns. Growing up in a small village, when a big carousel/fun fair came to town, it was the highlight of the summer – to go and see the horses go round and round, playing silly games and of course meeting girls and having your first summer love. So we all whispered and sighed as we looked back at these fun times. And then someone had the brilliant idea of making a cocktail served on a rotating carousel to bring that nostalgic feeling to life. Creating something strong, fun and mischievous. And the cocktail was born!”

To extend your nostalgic evening, we recommend reserving the Prince Albert Suite. Look out over Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace from floor-to-ceiling windows and a private balcony before retiring to the sumptuous four-poster wooden bed draped in fabric. Named after Queen Victoria’s husband, the high-ceilinged corner suite also features a fireplace, marble bathroom with tub and walk-in shower, stately decor including dark furniture with neutral accents as well as 24-hour butler service.