Birds and Bees at Alice, Seoul. By Theo Watt.
What is it? A fruity-herbal take on the Bee’s Knees at Alice Bar, the subterranean Lewis Carroll lounge in Cheongdam.
How is it made? Basil infused Beefeater, pineapple honey and IPA foam are listed on the menu but there’s also lemon juice, as the bartender happily told me. Alice is a place that has earned a reputation for its garnishes and this drink is no exception. The Birds and Bees theme is reflected in the edible flowers (a la Marian Beke-era Nightjar) and the accompanying chocolate eggs (the kind with the satisfying sugar shell), which are served in a nest.
How does it taste? I don’t drink cocktails all the time, and when I do I like simple drinks. As much as the presentation is quite theatrical and contains lots of ideas, the drink itself is quite simple – just like the birds and the bees. It’s a twist on the Bee’s Knees cocktail, but with pineapple honey and basil gin. And the IPA foam completes the fruity-floral direction perfectly. The foam on top wasn’t at all dense, but really light and fluffy and it doesn’t overpower the drink.
Alice / 84-20 B1 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul / alicecheongdam.com
