The Guinness Book of World Records recently crowned a cognac-based cocktail The Winston as the most expensive cocktail in the world. Coming with a heft price tag of $12,500, this creation by acclaimed mixologist Joel Heffernan at former cricketer Shane Warne’s Club 23 includes two nips of Cognac Croizet 1858 Cuvee Leonie cognac. Interestingly, the cocktail is named “Winston” as in tribute to Britain’s former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who on the eve of D-Day back in 1944 is said to have shared a rare bottle of 1858 Croizet with Allies commander General Dwight Eisenhower. Each cocktail requires 16 hours of labour, due to a specially prepared garnish of chocolate and nutmeg soil, and must be ordered two days in advance. Also included in the drink are Grand Marnier “Quintessence,” Chartreuse “Vieillissement Exceptionnel-lement Prolongé,” and a dash of Angostura bitters. Once complete the “Winston” is served on a bed of “chocolate and nutmeg soufflé soil” adorned with hand-made spun sugar and Chartreuse grapevines. The entire creation was presented under a cloche. And no, after all that, you do not get to take the glass back home.
