LOIC’S COCKTAIL LIST

William Morris is Loic’s inspiration for this list. His cocktails pay tribute to the life of the man who headed up the Arts and Crafts movement. 

Scholarly, green fingered, intrepid and a whiz in the kitchen were not skills we knew we needed in a Bar Manager. But, bundle all of them into one charming French package, and you end up with Loic aka the creator of the William Morris Cocktail List. Now, as he resumes his boozy duties in Inverness with Drambuie, we reveal his motivation for putting wagyu fat whiskey, pistachio ice-cream and crushed buffalo worms into the cocktail mix.

First off a confession; we’ve become a little enamoured with William Morris; designer, author, social reformer. With his prints on the walls, and views around craftsmanship and nature embedded into our ethos, Loic decided it was time to get to the Library and pay his dues.

Icelandic Sagas

The inspiration: Our hero, who’s prints are an emblem of British design, had a love affair with Iceland (a handy distraction as his Wife, Jane, was having an affair with his best friend, Rossetti). He loved the land, the people’s craft and the storytelling culture. Traditional Scandi sagas helped to shape his views on heroism and directly inspired his poems ‘The Lovers of Gudrun’ and Sigurd the Volsung.

The result: Served in a tall crystal glass with white chocolate blue paint on its walls, the best way to describe this drink is as a Nordic milkshake. He mixes an Icelandic vodka (Lapsang Souchong Reyka) with orgeat syrup (almond sugar syrup) and Fernet Branca to create an excitingly sour, minty drink.

Earthly Paradise 

The inspiration: An epic poem written by Morris in the 1860s. The poem is based on classical mythology and medieval legends (including the Icelandic sagas). In Canterbury Tales-esque style there are 12 sections to the poem, told by medieval Norse wanderers.

The result: An epic cocktail created by Loic in the 2010s. This is the cocktail for the foodie. Loic’s infused Glenfiddich IPA with wagyu fat, strained, frozen, then removed the fat. Combined with truffle honey and soy sauce, garnished with beef jerky, this is no mild-mannered cocktail. It packs a punch.

Hide and Seek

The inspiration: William Morris and his crafty friends spend a hearty chunk of time in Morris’ family home, Red House. There they spent their days painting, designing, writing and dining. And when they were done, they loved nothing better than a big game of hide and seek.

The result: Vanilla Monkey Shoulder, espresso and a scoop of pistachio ice cream all served in a wooden cup and a shell. Topped off with an ice cream cone; a playful, post-dinner drink (think espresso martini).

The Roots of the Mountains

The inspiration: A fantasy romance by Morris picturing an imaginary world with an element of the supernatural. A precursor to present day fantasy literature and, rumour has it, the inspiration behind Tolkien’s Dúnedain.

The result: A refreshing pre-dinner drink featuring Hendricks Orbium, Goral vodka and Loic’s homemade nettle and sweet Jurancon cordial. Completed with a drop of eucalyptus.

Strawberry Thief

The inspiration: One of Morris’ most popular repeating designs for textiles. It depicts a thrush stealing fruit, and is based on real life events from Morris’ kitchen garden at Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire.

The result: The perfect accompaniment to the Manor’s afternoon tea. Chamberyzette, strawberry jam and tonka cordial, Hendricks gin all topped off with prosecco.

Check out Loic’s cocktail bar recommendations here, and follow him on social here.

Cocktails £12