Bristol’s favourite cocktail bar and punch house, Her Majesty’s Secret Service (HMSS), has launched the first in a brand new series of British-inspired cocktail menus on 1st November 2017. The first menu will come in the form of Winston the bulldog’s Guide To The British Isles – a light hearted illustrated drinking journey through the UK’s favourite attractions. Taking drinkers from the White Cliffs of Dover to Loch Ness and every great landmark in between, the new menu will feature intriguing ingredients such as acorn vermouth, laughing gas and even a chip of prehistoric stone to celebrate Britain’s most iconic sights.
Founder of the Clifton-based bar, Ben Alcock, and his talented team have designed the new HMSS menu to guide the customer’s journey. Striking in its design, the menu has been created to start conversations, a visual aid, icebreaker and souvenir that embodies the bar and the inspirations of HMSS. Whether for tourists to discover the wonders of the country or as a reminder to Brits of the delights we hold, the new series of menus will embody the best of Britain, asking guests ‘to think of this as the first in a series, like Fawlty Towers or the Crusades’.
The cocktail menu at HMSS will be presented in the style of a vintage pocket edition travel guide, offering an assortment of highly interactive, humorous, playful and impeccably presented cocktails that are a far cry from the ordinary standard cocktail concoction. An array of unusual ingredients are infused with uniquely flavoured spirits to create a selection of innovative cocktails, each of which represents the wonders of Great Britain. Examples from the menu include:
- Green Manalishi
Barcardi Carta Blanca, Hemp Orgeat, Lime, Aloe Vera Oil, 1 Chip of Prehistoric Stone - Loch Ness Mobster
Patron Silver Tequila, Peach Wine, Lemon Juice, Absinthe, Laughing Gas - Twister
Grey Goose LaPoire, Mozart Strawberry, Kiwi Sherbet, Milk, Whole Egg White - Greenhouse Project
Sugar Snap Hendricks, Dry White Wine, Spear Asparagus, Celery Bitters
Situated on the doorstep of Clifton Down station, the 80-capacity bar’s interiors are classy but quirky. Expect vintage upholstered chesterfields, polished oak and gun cabinets. No doubt, the interior will match that of HMSS: inventive, drink-obsessed and eclectic. This friendly neighbourhood bar offers top notch service, games of jenga and a great selection of music; from old school hip hop, through 70’s & 80’s funk, to the occasional piece of cheese – it’s all about those feel-good kind of tunes at HMSS.
After over two years of success, HMSS and its established and talented team of barmen are excited to unveil and showcase this new series of menus celebrating the best of Britain. With lots of fun little touches, guests can expect a line-up of quirky, unconventional and unabashed hilarity.