Destinations: Europe
Explore Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts destinations in Europe.
13 of the Best Rooftop Bars in the World
When the weather is warm, rooftop bars and restaurants become playgrounds for city dwellers. Nights are hot, sunsets are radiant and drinks always taste better when sipped in the sky. But to make our list of the best rooftop bars in the world, these 13 hot spots had to offer more than dreamy views.
Paris: Les Ombres
Recommended by the Concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, this rooftop restaurant occupies the top floor of the Jean Nouvel–designed Musée du quai Branly in the 7th district, and is an easy jaunt from the Hotel. Take a tour of the museum’s exhibitions, or skip the culture and proceed directly to the celebrated menu of French classics. A restaurant for travellers and locals alike, Les Ombres boasts unmatched views of the Eiffel Tower from the terrace. Plan your experience around sunset to watch the Tower’s lights begin to glitter as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Singapore: 1-Altitude Gallery and Bar
1-Altitude Gallery and Bar is the grande dame of rooftop bars – the world’s highest al fresco bar sits atop the triangular One Raffles Place building almost 1,000 feet (304 metres) above Singapore’s business district. The 360-degree views look out onto the Singapore River, Marina Bay and twinkling cityscape, but with a sunken dance floor, small-plates bar menu and creative cocktail list, 1-Altitude is far more than just a viewing platform. DJs The Funkman and Leonard T man the decks most nights, so plan for drinks plus dancing.
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Dubai: Mercury Lounge
On the rooftop of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Mercury Lounge offers more than its head-turning views of the Arabian Gulf, city skyline and Burj Khalifa. In-house attractions include a Champagne bar, shisha lounge, resident DJ and traditional majlis seating areas for the city’s glitterati. Happy hour kicks things off early, and the small-plates menu – with caviar, oysters and truffle duck parfait, naturally – sustains the crowds until the wee hours. The dress code is smart casual, but in Dubai that means your highest heels or sharpest button-downs.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
New York City: The Skylark
Concierge David Harney at Four Seasons Hotel New York says The Skylark is an after-work favourite for a ritzy Midtown crew. Views are of movie-set New York, from the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building and out to the Hudson River. Lauded New York mixologist Johnny Swet is behind signature cocktails like the spicy Jalapeto and the Skylark, an other-era concoction with gin, Saint- Germain and brandied cherry. This sky-high spot is only open to the public only during the week, so don’t wait until the weekend to visit.
Four Seasons Hotel New York
Hong Kong: SEVVA
In a city with a thriving rooftop bar scene, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong recommends SEVVA, a crowd-pleaser with 360-degree city views atop the Prince’s Building in Central. Pronounced “savour,” the bar caters to imbibers both at night and during the day. Daytime patrons can enjoy afternoon tea and sweets, while night owls can expect a lively DJ and the occasional saxophonist.
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Miami: Juvia
Hanging out on top of a parking garage might not sound like the most glamorous of nights, but this Miami rooftop hot spot does things differently. Recommended by the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Juvia is the creation of acclaimed architects Herzog & de Meuron. In the kitchen, alums of Nobu, Boulud and Ducasse dish up Peruvian, French and Japanese favourites with a 305 twist. The Miami Beach views make the perfect backdrop to an evening of libations.
Four Seasons Hotel Miami
Mumbai: AER
The jewel in the sparkling crown of Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, AER towers 34 storeys above the bustling Worli district and is one of few rooftop bars to be open year round. The sleek, modern décor takes its cues from the city’s superfuture skyline, on full display thanks to the knockout 360-degree views. Visit at sunset for one of the best views in Mumbai – and to secure your seat – or come during the late-night hours to gaze at the stars.
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
Istanbul: A’YA Rooftop Lounge
At A’YA Rooftop Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the city’s signature sights are on display. Admire the Hagia Sophia’s giant buttress, the Blue Mosque’s distinctive six minarets and the brilliant blue Bosphorus over a bottle of local wine. Ask the staff to treat you to a raki balik experience, a favourite way for locals to imbibe a bottle of their national drink (an aniseed liqueur) paired with seafood. A calm oasis in the middle of a hectic tourist area, this is not the spot to party until dawn. Go for a low-key evening spent appreciating Istanbul’s grandest treasures and the sounds of Old Town below.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Los Angeles: Perch
To be in with LA’s hip and handsome crowd, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Concierge Barbara Reyes recommends Perch. Located in Downtown LA, the 16th-floor rooftop bar has unmatched panoramic views of the buzzing neighbourhood plus classic Parisian cocktails, live jazz nights, ornate fireplaces and an oyster-shucking cart. On a hot day, try the Spicy Concombre, a combination of Greenalls Gin, St-Germain, lime juice, cucumber and jalapeño – refreshing with a touch of heat.
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Beirut: The Roof
A 26th-floor gem atop Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, The Roof is the highest open-air lounge in the city and packs a punch with seasonal outdoor seating for 200, nightly live DJ sets and an Asian-inspired tapas menu. Not to mention that the bar offers pick-a-vista views of Beirut’s downtown, surrounding mountains, a nearby marina and the Mediterranean Sea. Expect to share a banquette with the city’s brightest, who know to book in advance for a seat at the window, dress way up and dance until the lights go on at 2:00 am.
Four Seasons Hotel Beirut
Bangkok: ZENSE
With a heart-of-the-action location atop the CentralWorld shopping mall, ZENSE is a prime perch for admiring the neon lights of downtown Bangkok. The look is artfully futuristic, with high-design canopies over tables, vertical gardens and mood lighting across the mezzanine bar and outdoor dining areas. Better for sundowners than for a late-night party, the cocktail menu serves all the classics, plus fruity seasonal cocktails.
Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof is a seasonal pop-up on the top floor of Selfridge’s, one of London’s best-loved department stores. The rooftop restaurant is transformed each year, and the current urban forest features branches and fairy lights. Décor echoes the forager-focused menu, and there’s a secret garden with two “sheds” for cosy drinks or a group celebration. Book in advance to score a table during the popular afternoon tea service, and order a round of Rhubinis – a quintessentially English concoction with homemade rhubarb and sparkling local wine.
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Doha: Nobu Doha
In a tri-level, 26,000-square-foot (2,415-square-metre) space resembling an oyster shell, Nobu at Four Seasons Hotel Doha is the world’s largest Nobu restaurant. Perched in the middle of the bay, the rooftop terrace has just 38 highly coveted seats. Claim your spot when the bar’s doors open at 6:00 pm, and settle in with an order of the 28 Punch – a decadent mocktail with fresh ginger and acai black. Sip on your drink and admire views of the Arabian Gulf and the yachts docked at the Four Seasons Marina next door. For a sweet treat to round out the night, try the raved-about caramelised vanilla cake.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha
Around the World With Tory Burch
It’s hard not to be bitten by the travel bug when you grow up hearing stories of your parents’ journeys around the world. As a child, Tory Burch was enthralled with the adventures of her parents, Buddy and Reva Robinson, who for six weeks every summer set off by steamer ship for Morocco, Italy, France, Greece and beyond.
They instilled in Burch a desire to travel, explore and learn.
My parents raised me with the knowledge that the world is a wonderful place. The more you learn, the more you want to know. – Tory Burch
The designer hopes she has passed that same curiosity on to her three boys – twins Henry and Nicholas, and Sawyer.
While the demands of her growing global company have her travelling mostly for work, she carves out time as often as she can to go off the beaten path. This is often where she and her team find inspiration for the collection, known for its bold and modern use of colour and print. Read on to see how Turkish Iznik tilework, Paris café culture and Indian mirrors have influenced Burch.
Made in Marrakech
Burch’s love affair with Morocco stems from her childhood. The designer grew up listening to her parents recount fond memories of exploring Marrakech. The pair honeymooned in the ancient city and then returned year after year, bringing art and antiques found in the souks back to the family’s Pennsylvania farmhouse.
Today when travelling, Burch and her design team fill their phones with images like this one – a splash of Moroccan tile they were drawn to because of its vibrant colours and dancing patterns. Photography courtesy Noa Griffel
Later, as Burch studied art history and started working in fashion, her expectations for the city grew. “It’s said that Alfred Hitchcock [was inspired to create] The Birds after staying at La Mamounia and hearing the crows every morning,” she says. “Matisse was inspired by so many of the country’s vibrant colours, which all filtered into his own work.” And, of course, the country’s mark on fashion is eternal, having been a sanctuary for Yves Saint Laurent.
Happily, Burch was not disappointed. “On my first, and every trip since, the city lived up to my imagination,” she says.
“Everywhere you go, there’s a hotel, store or street with a story about how the city, the people and the culture have inspired someone to create something unforgettable.”
Morocco’s brilliant Majorelle blue, especially when set against crisp white, has influenced colour combinations in the designer’s own collections. “And in one resort collection a few years ago,” notes Burch, “we translated a straw hat I found in a Marrakech souk into a conversation print we used on tunics, dresses and swimsuits.”
Four Seasons Resort Marrakech
En vogue à Paris
It’s fair to say that Burch owes a bit of her success to the City of Lights. After all, it was in a Paris flea market that she discovered the green floral tunic that inspired the Tory Tunic, a staple that’s been in every collection since Burch’s first season. More than a decade later, she continues to visit the iconic city to explore new places, while stopping by her long-time favourites including the Deyrolle, a 185-year-old curiosities shop, and Café Marly, which overlooks the Louvre.
“Paris never ceases to inspire me.”
“Just walking through the streets or sitting at a café, you notice the incredible Parisian sense of style,” says Burch. “It’s in the city’s DNA.” Burch’s Fall/Winter 2016 collection is evidence of her love for the city, having taken a cue from the café scene in Éric Rohmer’s 1972 film L’amour l’après-midi, where stylish women passed by the restaurant, each flaunting a unique look.
The Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2016 collection took inspiration from Éric Rohmer’s 1972 French film L’amour l’après-midi, which translated into a celebration of classic seventies sportswear on a New York runway. Photography courtesy Tory Burch
“On the runway, that meant that every look was different, whether through print, length or silhouette,” she explains. “But they all had the same subtle nod to great, classic ’70s sportswear.”
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
All eyes on Istanbul
“Istanbul is one of those cities where you can stand in one place, whether inside or outside and take in an extraordinary, 360-degree view,” Burch says. The designer opened her first boutique in the Turkish city in 2013, having visited once before.
“It’s magical – from the sultans and pashas to the mix of old and modern architecture, it has such an incredible history and culture,” she says. The self-admitted history and art aficionado appreciates Istanbul’s past, preserved in the city’s streets and buildings, as it blends with the area’s new, vibrant art scene.
“You don’t have to know anything about architecture to appreciate [it],” she says. “If I could go back in time and learn from the Romans, Byzantine and Ottoman artisans . . .”
“My design team and I have spent hours in the Blue Mosque, studying patterns and colour combinations,” says Burch. Photography courtesy Noa Griffel
Through the years, as Burch and her team spent time at the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace, the colours and graphics in Turkish tile work, textiles and architecture found their way into the collections. The designer is especially drawn to the “colourful florals of Iznik tiles, layered textures of Azerbaijani rugs, hammered copper accessories and tassels” found in the historic spaces.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet
Colour collision in India
“When I’m in India, I’m a tourist in the best sense of the word,” Burch says. “I want to soak up every second.” During her time in south Asia, the designer often fills her days exploring area temples, museums and shops, forgoing sleep in favour of immersion in the local culture.
Inspiration abounds in India, where Burch appreciates the melding of culture and history. Throughout the years, her collections have been inspired by classic Indian patterns, embellishments and techniques she finds throughout the country. Photography courtesy Tory Burch
On one such whirlwind vacation to Rajasthan in 2009, Burch took an elephant ride to the grand Amber Fort, where she and her fellow travellers got more than they bargained for. “At the top, there were several young men who we thought were selling beautiful woven baskets,” she says. “Turns out, they were snake charmers.”
“When I’m in India, I’m a tourist in the best sense of the word. I want to soak up every second.”
Burch’s love for the country is clear in her clothing designs, though it’s hard to pinpoint what she finds most inspiring – the pace of life, the landscape of mountains and jungle, or the artisan details tucked into India’s historic architecture. “Every trip to India offers something new,” she says.
Burch snapped the photo at left during a trip to India, capturing an intricately carved sculpture dressed in flowers. The icon inspired the design at right, a red floral appliquéd tulle dress. Photography courtesy Tory Burch
Faithful followers of Burch’s designs will recognise the classic Indian patterns, embellishments and techniques appearing on the company’s tunics and totes throughout the years. For example, she says, “The mirror-work details in one season reflected the ornamented rooms in the Sheesh Mahal.”
Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai
Celebrating the past in Ginza
Though she spent a whirlwind week in Japan when opening the first Tory Burch boutique in Ginza, the designer admits that her stay wasn’t nearly long enough. “We packed a lot into a short amount of time, but we barely scratched the surface,” she says.
During her 2010 excursion, the designer explored Tokyo-area markets and temples, including the Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple where smoke from incense burners is said to bring good luck. “It’s a popular and spiritual place for young couples to get married,” she says. “I remember vividly seeing one young bride in a stunning traditional kimono.”
A few seasons ago, Burch found inspiration in a blue woven samurai suit she saw during this trip to Japan, which made its way into a collection of armour-tinged knits and patterns.
“It reminded me of the suits of armour my father and grandparents collected on their travels,” explains Burch, who captured the intricate detail in this samurai suit during a trip to Tokyo. Photography courtesy Tory Burch
On her next visit, Burch hopes to day-trip around Japan’s countryside, learning more about local culture and enjoying the cuisine.
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo
Created in partnership with Tory Burch
The Best Places for Brunch
Around the Globe
Brunch is an integral aspect of any culinary journey. – Layne Nguyen, General Manager at Nobu Doha
There are few better ways to toast a week’s end than with brunch. The meal that falls somewhere between breakfast and lunch is a time for celebration, community and little agenda beyond filling plate after plate with global delicacies like Peking duck, beef Wellington and eggs Benedict – plus copious tipples of Champagne. Whether you’re travelling to an exotic port city or hunkering down in a cultural capital, book a table at one of the best places for brunch with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Los Angeles: Sunday Brunch at Culina, Modern Italian
Locals consider Culina, Modern Italian’s Sunday dining affair the most extravagant in the City of Angels, thanks to its multiple dining stations (including omelettes and fresh, custom juices) and a fondue fountain that overflows with some 40 pounds of chocolate every single week. The restaurant is also a magnet for celebs, and though we can’t mention the boldfaced names of many regular diners, you’ll surely recognise their faces.
Recently added to the menu: pizza from the restaurant’s new al fresco pizza oven, set on the patio underneath California skies. Don’t miss ordering Chef Luca Moriconi’s favourite: Pizza with Burrata e Speck. “I love the fact that the tomatoes are locally sourced and the burrata is from Puglia,” he says. “The smoky flavour from the Speck completes the flavour profile for an amazing pizza!” To go off-campus for your next bite, head to Bianca Bakery, where Moriconi brings his own family. “It is a new Italian-Argentinian place where you can enjoy great bread, pastries, pasta and mimosas,” he says.
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills >
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
Washington, DC: Sunday Brunch at Seasons
On sunny spring days, political players and denizens desiring a gossip session reserve seats on the outdoor terrace at Seasons for views of Rock Creek Parkway’s joggers and cherry-blossom-seeking travellers. It’s a favourite for special occasions like Mother’s Day, but every weekend is packed – and delicious – thanks to Chef Andrew Court’s expansive menu. Locals stop by regularly to try the international station with rotating themes, which might include anything from sushi to paella. Currently on offer? The charms of a Hawaiian luau, such as pineapple fried rice with spicy shrimp, chef-carved kalua pork with passion fruit sauce, and Hawaiian barbecue chicken.
When he’s grabbing his own brunch, Court often beelines to the cheekily named Dirty Habit in D.C.’s Penn Quarter. “I used to go to the original Dirty Habit in San Francisco when I was living there, so it’s become a tradition,” he says. “I’ll generally order the house-made yogurt and granola, then the BBQ Burrito or the Healthy Bowl – it depends on how much exercise I can get in on Sunday morning!”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC >
Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC
Amaranto Restaurant is inarguably chic: Polished black marble and dark red booths create an intimate environment. The mouthwatering menu is an Anglophile’s delight, featuring Gloucestershire beef, Kent berries and Shetland smoked salmon. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t leave without trying the lemon ricotta pancakes with Yorkshire rhubarb compote – an ideal way to kick-start another day in the city.
For another brunch experience in London, Ivan Arena, Bar Manager at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, recommends Granger & Co: “My go-to order is the Sweet Corn Fritter dish, followed by something sweet from the bakery menu. They also do a very good Bloody Mary, which is always important to me!”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane >
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
The 2,400-square-metre Nobu outpost in Doha is one of Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s largest restaurants, and the menu is worthy of its grand space on the Marina, where nearly every seat overlooks the Arabian Gulf. While a Sunday or Saturday brunch is customary in much of the world, catch it here on Friday, the first day of the Arabic weekend. It’s well worthy of a splurge, thanks to dishes like lobster quinoa risotto and Wagyu rib-eye.
“Not only are guests treated to incredible cuisine with a wonderful tasting-style menu,” says Layne Nguyen, General Manager at Nobu Doha, “but the Friday brunch allows for an ideal ambience to gather with family and friends and reconnect over a magnificent meal, matched by a stylish setting.”
If you’re ready for another local gem, Andrew Bozoki, Head Chef of Nobu, recommends brunching at Baladna Farm Restaurant in northern Qatar. “I love the lamb thareed there, and the fact that I can visit their milk factory with my family,” he says. “It’s the place to savour delicious Arabic-style food alongside the freshest possible dairy products.”
Four Seasons Hotel Doha
Bahrain Bay: Friday Brunch at CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck brings his cutting-edge experience to the meat-centric CUT restaurant in the capital city of Manama – a brunch spot beloved by diplomats and members of the royal family. When it comes to the à la carte menu, start with Puck’s famous pretzel bread, then move on to more filling fare, served family style: creamy burrata bruschetta, steak skewers with a kick of chimichurri sauce, and homemade pasta. Try the filet mignon au poivre – a USDA prime hunk of marbled steak drizzled in black peppercorn and mustard sauce.
Another favourite, suggested by Fabio Marques, Director of CUT by Wolfgang Puck: NOMAD Urban Eatery. “It’s a great spot for brunch, with an elegant and sophisticated Greek design,” he says. “The friendly staff and quality food make for a pleasant and relaxed dining experience.”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay >
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Macau: Wellness Menu at Windows
Healthy living is the order of the day at Windows, an intimate fireside lounge helmed by Executive Sous-Chef Benjamin Lim. Dishes on the all-day menu would delight any wellness enthusiast, including meat-free Impossible burgers served with tahini and grilled eggplant; turmeric bliss kombucha; and a vitamin- and antioxidant-stocked juice blend with guava, orange, blueberry and raspberry – an excellent way to prepare for a day of exploring Macau’s ancient temples.
When Lim himself ventures into Macau for brunch, he often selects Shun Hin, where his go-to dish is braised black mushrooms and assorted vegetables in fish broth. “Macau is a place where I have been immersed in the Chinese culture, especially the food culture,” he says. “Dim sum with tea starts as breakfast and is served until lunchtime, and can be savoury or sweet – a wonderful way to enjoy the moment with your family.”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip®
Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip®
Singapore: Champagne Brunch at One-Ninety: Wood-Fired Steaks and Seafood
Newly reborn as a botanically rich Provençal and Asian brasserie, One-Ninety is practically tailor-made for Instagram, thanks to abundant flowers and lush, tropical plantings that dangle from columns and adorn the bar. Restaurant Chef Kamarl John, who formerly worked with Michelin-garnering chef David Myers, begins each brunch with artisan sourdough bread made from flour milled in Hokkaido, Japan, and served with seaweed butter. His inventive Sunday brunch menu features abundant dishes such as chilli crab omelettes with mantou buns and coriander, and laksa rice noodles with cockles, scallops and quail eggs. Guests love the option of adding free-flowing bubbly – Taittinger Brut champagne or Ruffino Prosecco – and the sustainably sourced seafood tower with Maine lobster, king crab, bluefin tuna, fresh prawns and Hokkaido scallops.
To sit down for brunch, he often heads to Five Oars Coffee Roasters. “The restaurant always reminds me of a trendy, informal brunch spot in London, and they serve really great food,” John says. “My must-orders are the Five Oars Breakfast and their craft beers and ales.”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore >
Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
Technically it isn’t brunch, but since it’s so special for families visiting Four Seasons Resort Orlando Walt Disney World® Resort, we couldn’t resist including it. On Thursday, Saturday and select Tuesday mornings, Goofy and his pals arrive to entertain picky eaters of all ages at the Resort’s Ravello restaurant.
Ask for a table on the patio overlooking the lake and fountains. Though your kids may be too distracted by Minnie Mouse to realise that the jams are homemade and the bread freshly baked, after their professional photos you can all enjoy house-cured meats followed by the Nutella-filled bomboloni on the dessert table.
When he’s seeking out a magical brunch for himself in Orlando, Executive Sous-Chef Ryan Schelling heads to DoveCote downtown. “The brioche French toast is fantastic, and the steak and eggs are a great way to start a Sunday,” he says. “I love the chicken liver pâté, which keeps me going back. After seeing the dishes you didn’t order, you’ll want to return to try it all.”
See what else is on the menu at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort >
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort
Spring Cocktails With a Twist
One of the greatest rewards of travel – or reminiscing about a journey – is the engagement of the senses: New sights, sounds, smells and tastes come together to portray a destination in its fullness.
Wander along the beach in Punta Mita and listen to the waves lapping at the shore as you smell – and taste – the salty breeze blowing through your hair. Take a hike in the crisp mountain air of Jackson Hole and feel delicate snowflakes melt on your face, or the delicious steam of hot cocoa after a day on the slopes.
These are the types of flavours, scents and experiences that inspire Four Seasons mixologists. Add seasonal harvests from local gardens – think flowers, herbs and even mushrooms – and the result is spring cocktails that capture the spirit of global destinations.
Here’s a taste.
Lisbon: LX Purple Bloom
Every spring, Lisbon’s first jacaranda blossom serves as a sign that a new season has arrived; next, the city streets are lined with beautiful purple, violet and lavender. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon celebrates the occasion with a jacaranda-themed cocktail.
In the months where the city flourishes into lavender, it seems only fitting that the cocktails at the Ritz Bar follow suit.
It was the violet view of the city from the terrace at the Ritz Bar that inspired the LX Purple Bloom, a refreshing mix of Portuguese Gin Nao, St-Germain liqueur, Pêra Rocha purée, grapefruit juice and a spritz of rose water.
Scottsdale: Tip of the Cap
April showers bring not only flowers but also mushrooms to the Scottsdale area. In a surprising twist on the change of seasons, chefs at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North delicately infuse this local harvest with citrus and herbs to achieve a fresh, earthy taste.
Fruit and floral notes are predominant in springtime cocktail menus, but the rich umami aspect that mushrooms bring [is often] bypassed.
A variation on the traditional dirty martini, Tip of the Cap replaces olive brine with a porcini “tea” made of local mushrooms, herbs and lemon. That tea is combined with Stoli Elit vodka in a Sercial Madeira–rinsed rocks glass and garnished with a pickled porcini mushroom, a twist of lemon and a sprig of thyme.
Doha: Rose Gold Julab
Vast desert landscapes and a bustling, cosmopolitan city greet visitors to Doha. Tradition is not lost here; a thriving coffee house culture makes for unique opportunities to learn more about Qatar and the Middle East. It’s not uncommon to see locals adding rose water to their caffeinated beverages, lemonade or milk.
Rose water has a very distinctive flavour. It’s aromatic, which makes it refreshing in the hot sun.
At Four Seasons Hotel Doha, rose water is an essential ingredient in the Rose Gold Julab. Mixed with a simple syrup and vodka, served over crushed ice with mint leaves and rose petals, it makes a fine treat.
Seychelles: Hibiscus Shower
Quintessentially tropical hibiscus flowers brighten your stroll around the grounds at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles. They’re a beautiful addition to the scenery – and they’re full of fresh, citrusy flavour.
In our tropical environment, we often have rain showers which make these beautiful flowers bloom.
The Resort’s Kannel Bar makes the most of that citrus flavour – and the abundance of blossoms. The flowers in its Hibiscus Shower cocktails are handpicked from the property grounds. Hibiscus iced tea, Cointreau, local Takamaka coco rum and pineapple juice combine for an unbeatable chilled drink.
Chiang Mai: Siam Honey Breeze
In Northern Thailand, spring comes with plenty of rainfall. It can be seen in the lush green blankets of vegetation on the surrounding mountains, and tasted in the sweetness of Thai honey.
Thai honey is at its most delicate and delicious in April and May.
Thai honey isn’t the only local ingredient at its peak in spring. At Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, mixologists merge camomile-flower tea – brewed using fresh blossoms from the Mon Jam district – with local honey and Thai rum, lemon and ginger ale to create the Siam Honey Breeze, an original cocktail with a fresh perspective.
Editor’s note: While some of these spring cocktails may no longer be listed on the menu, most can be made upon special request.