Last month, Emma Watson and her brother, Alex, unveiled their own gin, Renais. However, the spirit isn’t supposed to be available till later this month and even then, only 4,000 bottles will be released, leaving most of us sh*t out of luck. But there remains a bit of hope, at least for those living in or around London. That’s because Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London has paired up with Alex and Emma Watson to create an exclusive Renais gin cocktail menu available solely during the month of June.
Scarfes Bar is the first bar to list Renais since its launch, and will showcase two exclusive cocktails, Madeleine and Chouchou, inspired by the gin’s roots in Chablis, France. Both of the limited cocktails will be available throughout the month for £22 each, alongside Scarfes Bar’s new menu ‘10’, which pays homage to its milestone ten-year anniversary.
The Madeleine cocktail is served in a Pony glass and is a blend of Renais Gin, Muscat, Fig Leaf & Verbena and Clarified Madeleine. The cocktail was created by Head of Mixology Yann Bouvignies from childhood memories of his favourite afternoon snacks enjoyed surrounded by fig trees after spending time at the river in the South of France. The Chouchou, meanwhile, is long and refreshing and made with Renais Gin, Noilly Prat, Linden & Hay, Lychee Lemonade, and garnished with a Comté Tuile. It is named after the classic French Comté cheese puff “choux”, also called “Gougère”, which is coincidentally also the perfect pairing with the Watson family’s wine Domaine Watson which will be available exclusively at Scarfes Bar by glass for £22.
Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London is an award-winning bar inspired by the atmosphere of a drawing room, with live jazz music playing each day that evokes a convivial and sophisticated yet intimate atmosphere and located a short distance from London’s Covent Garden. The bar is named after the renowned British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe, whose artwork adorns the walls of the bar and is encompassed within the cocktail menus.
Renais is the product of two generations of the Watson family and their passion for winemaking in Chablis. Founders Alex Watson and his sister Emma Watson were inspired by childhood trips to their family’s vineyard, Domaine Watson, in Chablis, which their father has operated for more than 30 years; while Alex’s expertise, formed over a decade working in the drinks industry, has informed the production process. Renais repurposes the used grape skins from Domaine Watson’s wine making process, with the result being a bold and vibrant spirit. Made to be sipped over ice as well as mixed in cocktails, the spirit suits stirred-down classics such as the martini, as well as long and refreshing spritzes and, of course, a G&T.
To make a reservation at Scarfes Bar, head over to the official website.