London’s Sketch unveils new drinks lab and rare champagne by-the-glass offering
The Mayfair venue has launched a new cocktail menu developed in its newly opened drinks laboratory, alongside a wine list offering prestige cuvées by the glass. The post London’s Sketch unveils new drinks lab and rare champagne by-the-glass offering appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Sketch has introduced a new cocktail menu at The Glade Bar, created in a dedicated on-site drinks laboratory. Led by Bar Director Martino Franchi, the menu features 21 cocktails that reinterpret classics through a technical and creative lens.
The list is structured into three categories: Roots (traditional serves), Alchemy (contemporary reworks), and Essence (non-alcoholic alternatives). Each cocktail appears in three variations, designed to show progression from classic to experimental, and to alcohol-free.
The Alchemy Espresso Martini, for example, uses distilled coffee for a crystal-clear finish, while retaining the flavour profile of the original. Meanwhile, the Essence version uses Lyre’s Malt, tonka, orgeat and espresso to offer a layered, spirit-free alternative. Similar variations are applied to serves including the Negroni, Rum Punch and Gin Basil Smash.
The on-site drinks lab, located within Sketch’s Mayfair address, allows the team to develop and test ingredients such as lacto-fermented fruit and clarified milk in-house.
Rare wines by the glass
Alongside the cocktail list, The Glade Bar has launched a new wine and champagne programme curated by Wine Director Fred Brugues. Highlights include pours from rare producers such as Egly-Ouriet and Jacques Selosse, made available by the glass via Coravin.
Previously reserved for bottle service in the three Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library upstairs, wines such as “Egly-Ouriet, Cuvée VP” and “Jacques Selosse, Initial” can now be sampled in smaller format at the bar. The list also includes established grand marques such as “Pommery Apanage 1874”.
Food and setting
The drinks offer is complemented by a small plates menu, with options such as truffled arancini, lobster rolls and Cantabrique anchovies. The Glade Bar forms part of Sketch’s wider venue at 9 Conduit Street, which also houses the Parlour, the Gallery and the Michelin-starred Lecture Room & Library.
Sketch was opened in 2002 by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and chef Pierre Gagnaire, and continues to operate as a combined space for food, art and music.
