Pierre Hotel - Fall 2012 Cocktail Launch

September 25, 2012 was the official launch of the Pierre Hotel Fall 2012 Cocktail Launch, where E Lounge--the hotel bar--debuted it's new line of cocktails for autumn.

I was the lucky recipient of a call from my new friend Christine, asking me to be her plus one to this exclusive PR event. 

When I arrived, fashionably late by 15 minutes, Christine was already there, making the acquaintance of the two other PR girls at our table. They had ordered their drinks but were waiting for me to get mine before trying them and comparing. 

The cocktail menu was crafted to reflect the Taj Hotel's transition from the 19th to the 21st century, with remixes of classics like the Whiskey Sour, the Gimlet, and the Sazerac, as well as original concoctions, such as the My Fair Lady of Cafe Pierre and the Star of Taj (a real showstopper, as you'll later see). 

Star of Taj

The Pierre Sparkle

Rotunda's Whiskey Sour

Cheers! Me and my Whiskey Sour

My Fair Lady

Christine with the Pierre Sparkle

 

With a jazz trip playing in the background and subtle lighting the mood was intimate and friendly as we chatted over our drinks and took notes. 

The entire evening was comped by the hotel as a promotional event, and so the drinks and food were plentiful, in an effort to sweeten our experience and elicit sincere positive reviews. 

They then invited us to view the making of two of the cocktails, the Gimlet and the Star of Taj--a spectacular drink that involved setting fresh Indian herbs on fire and pouring the flaming mixture into a fruity cocktail.

Indian Spices

Making the Gimlet

JP Getty's Gimlet

This was accompanied by a delicious tasting menu spread of tiny versions of their new fall menu.

Infusing the Indian Spices

Mixing the Star of Taj

 

Lighting the herbs on fire

When we'd tried everything on new menu, they brought out their regular bar menu and encouraged us to try some of their regular cocktails and restaurant menu appetizers, in case we were still hungry.

Beef Carpaccio

The Antique Fashioned

 

 

Charles' Sazerac

Christine and I were impressed by the skill and speed with which the bartenders were mixing gorgeous and elaborate cocktails, so we went up to the bar to watch, as they explained what they were making and how. 

Vintage Stolichnaya Lemon Vodka--one of a limited number of bottles

A glass of Balvenie, neat, to finish off the night. Courtesy of a Nigerian business man who insisted on buying.

I have to say, this may have been a night where my eyes were bigger than my stomach, and on the cab ride home we were quite a bit tipsy. But it was more than worth it--the staff were delightful, the cocktails divine, and the food delicious. 

I highly recommend both the E Lounge at the Pierre Hotel for a vintage evening where no detail has been forgotten.

DIY: Whiskey Ginger with Homemade Ginger Syrup

From A Beautiful Mess

 

Ginger Syrup, makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Needed: 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar, 2 cups grated and thinly sliced ginger root.
Grate and slice up your ginger, set aside. In a pot combine the water and sugar. Over medium heat stir until the sugar is dissolved. Now add in the ginger and simmer on low/medium heat for 30 minutes. Allow this to cool slightly and strain the syrup, reserving the ginger slices. Store this in a seal container in your refrigerator for up to a month.

 

Easy Candied Ginger, makes about 1 cup

Needed: the reserved ginger slices from making ginger syrup and 1/3 cup sugar.
Rinse off the ginger slices and pat dry. Dip each in the sugar and place on a paper towel. Allow these to dry out for a couple of hours. Use to garnish drinks or other foods. You can just eat these too, but they are quite strong. You have been warned.

 

To make your whiskey gingers combine 3-4 tablespoons ginger syrup, 2 cups club soda, and a shot of whiskey. Add ice and garnish with a candied ginger slice. You can adjust these to be as strong as you like. Or you can leave the whiskey out and still have a lovely ginger drink.