parrot and, as birds of a feather flock
together, Beke has created a series of
six cocktails with names such as The
Bird and the Bumblebee, Falcon’s Kiss
and The Tern of the Seven Seas.
Each of the cocktails on Beke’s
special menu features an intriguing
list of ingredients combined with a
different whisky by The Macallan and
topped with a quirky garnish. Beke has
admitted to stocking and collecting
enough ingredients to fill up a shed in
his own backyard—a treasure trove of
infusions and potions that he delved
into to add a touch of whimsy to The
Macallan’s whiskies. The Tale of the
Sea Eagle, served in a glass resembling
a bird, is Beke’s take on the classic
pickleback, a combination of pickle
juice and whisky served as a shot.
Beke’s version includes The Macallan
Rare Cask and his own brine, made
from gherkins, sherry, seaweed, honey,
fresh shiso leaves and more, and is
decorated with ostrich feathers, a
piece of white meringue as the bird’s
crown and a pink bow in lieu of wings.
The White Hawk Sling, an
intriguing tipple that combines
savoury, smoky, sour and sweet
flavours in one sip, is inspired by the
dish Peking duck. Here, The Macallan
Triple Cask Matured 15 Years Old goes
into the cocktail shaker with a duck
fat wash, Chinese five spice, sage,
cardamom, fresh mandarin orange,
roasted chestnuts and dry peanut
butter. The presentation is equally
dramatic, with the concoction served
in a metal vessel that resembles a
turned-out umbrella.
Other unusual elements used
in the cocktails include an edible
beeswax candle, which is lit and sits
in the middle of The Bird and the
Bumblebee, while The Tern of the
Seven Seas features a dolphin-shaped
squirt gun filled with The Macallan
Sherry Oak Cask 12 Years Old infused
with candied angelica. n
ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Left: The Bird and the
Bumblebee, featuring
an edible beeswax candle.
Below: The White Hawk Sling,
made with The Macallan Triple
Cask Matured 15 Years Old