If the first bite is with the eye, the second is with the nose - a sensory phenomenon put to good use this spring by Gymkhana, the Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair, central London.
The result is the Attar of India cocktail lists, a diverse quartet of drinks, each served with a sample of the scent that led to its creation.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The journey begins with a stroll through a maharaja’s garden, evoked by an inhalation of Penhaligon’s floral perfume Vaara, rich with the scent of honey and magnolia. Its accompanying cocktail, Champagne Blossom, starts with Tanqueray No Ten gin and layers on flavours of lychee, verjus and raspberry, which pairs nicely with the hibiscus raspberry gel accompanying the introductory poppadoms.
With the formalities done and dusted, two serious drinks vie for the main course pairing - the Rum and Raison and the whisky-based Passage to India. The latter evokes the long voyage from England with the salty tang of Johnnie Walker Gold, and Penhaligon’s Lothair scent, with its musky blend of wenge wood and ambergris. It’s perfect for slaking the heat of Gymkhana’s exquisitely fiery chicken tikka thighs, marinated in Kashmiri chilli.
There’s even a match for dessert, made with Amrut single malt from India, along with masala chai and clarified milk. Silky and soothing, the mulled spice aroma is the perfect accompaniment to a peanut butter brownie in Keralan sauce - and the nutmeg-and-cedar notes of Penhaligon’s Paithani eau de parfum.
Gymkhana, 42 Albemarle Street, London W1
-
The 5 best singers turned actors of all timethe week recommends It's not often that someone is born with both of these rare skill sets
-
'This is exactly what technology should be doing'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Black women are being pushed out of the workforce en masseIN THE SPOTLIGHT Employment data shows hundreds of thousands of Black women have left the labor market over the past few months. What's behind this mass exodus?
-
Friendship: 'bromance' comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim RobinsonThe Week Recommends 'Lampooning and embracing' middle-aged male loneliness, this film is 'enjoyable and funny'
-
Cocktail of the summer: the Hugo spritzThe Week Recommends The refreshing elderflower-based tipple is giving Aperol a run for its money
-
7 places across the country to experience the best of summer drinkingThe Week Recommends Stops include a Basque-inspired spot and a bar where the menu overhauls twice a year
-
Best Caribbean restaurants in LondonThe Week Recommends From bold flavours to twists on tradition, these restaurants serve up a rich tapestry of food culture from across the West Indies
-
These 8 superb cocktails welcome summer with open armsThe Week Recommends Everything required to get you through warm — or sweltering — weather
-
Soju: where to start with South Korea's national spiritThe Week Recommends The rice-based drink can replace gin or vodka in traditional cocktails for a refreshing twist on the classics
-
'Cordial Conversation' cocktail recipeThe Week Recommends This multi-layered cocktail features an appealing combination of flavours including jasmine tea and watermelon syrup
-
The rise of tiny cocktailsThe Week Recommends From mini martinis to 'snaquiris', Gen Z are driving the trend for downsized drinks
