View all newsletters
Latest in Luxury - Sign up to our weekly newsletter
  1. Food & Drink
  2. Cocktail of the Week
July 15, 2022updated May 05, 2023

The Frenchman’s Constitution by Mr Fogg’s Apothecary

Cocktail of the Week: The Frenchman’s Constitution is this stylish bar’s take on the Manhattan.

By Irenie Forshaw

This summer, London’s leafy Mayfair district welcomed a quirky new cocktail bar: Mr. Fogg’s Apothecary. Taking its name from Jules Verne’s much-loved fictional character Phileas Fogg – an eccentric Englishman who makes a wager he can travel around the world in 80 days – the venue transports guests back in time to his weird and wonderful universe.

Situated on Brook Street, directly opposite Claridge’s, the new watering hole is the latest – and arguably most exclusive – addition to Inception Group’s collection of Mr Fogg’s bars and pubs dotted across London.

More akin to a speakeasy than an ordinary bar, a grand staircase leads down into a series of cozily-lit rooms dotted with glass bottles and measuring scales reminiscent of a Victorian-era chemist. The playful drinks menu is filled with “potions and elixirs” for curing all manner of ailments made from plants, powders, and saps collected during Mr Fogg’s adventures, from prickly pear puree to oak bark tea.

[See also: The Sunset Rose by Belvedere Vodka and Whispering Angel]

Mr Fogg's Apothecary cocktail bar
Mr Fogg’s Apothecary cocktail bar in London’s Mayfair / ©Johnny Stephens

The Frenchman’s Constitution is a smooth, earthy take on the Manhattan. The star ingredient here is the root bitters. While Mr Fogg’s cocktail includes its own homemade Apothecary bitters, you can use Angostura.

Alleged to have medicinal properties, the spirit was originally taken as a stomach tonic for ailing soldiers back in the 19th century, before becoming a staple of any discerning bartender’s drinks cabinet. Angostura’s recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but we do know the heady mix of herbs, spices and bark extracts remains unchanged to this day.

While we can’t guarantee The Frenchman’s Constitution will aid digestion, the boozy tipple is surprisingly simple to make yet elegant enough to impress your guests. The golden-hued cocktail perfectly balances rich chocolatey cognac and whiskey with sweet vermouth and, of course, that all-important hint of bitters.

Mr Fogg's Apothecary cocktail bar interior
A grand staircase leads down into a series of cozily-lit rooms / ©Johnny Stephens

Ingredients:
0.8 oz Hennessy XO Cognac
0.8 oz Woodford Rye
0.8 oz Carpano Antica Formula
0.3 oz Grand Marnier
2 dashes of homemade Apothecary Bitters (you can swap for Angostura)

Method: Stir all ingredients in a glass with ice, strain into a fresh glass with one large ice cube and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Content from our partners
Why Napa Valley’s Lewis Cellars Should be on Oenophiles' Radar
Indulge in the Summit at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
The Ultimate Mountain Retreat in the Heart of Telluride

Mr Fogg’s Apothecary is open now at 34 Brook Street, W1K 5DH, Tuesday -Saturday 3.30pm-1am.  

mr-foggs.com

[See also: Cocktail Recipes for World Whisky Day]

Topics in this article :
Select and enter your email address Be the first to know about the latest in luxury lifestyle. Get the latest news on hotel openings and in-depth travel guides. Get insider access to exclusive promotions and special offers from our luxury partners.
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Websites in our network