Beluga Party at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon for London Cocktail Week

It’s that time of year that everyone’s been waiting for – nope, it’s not Christmas, but it certainly feels like it here at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, where the restaurant has teamed up with Russian vodka Beluga and mixologists, the Gastronomy Guys, to host a cocktail party as part of the infamous London Cocktail Week.

London is the capital of cocktails and, now in its fourth year, London Cocktail Week provides a seven-day celebration of our city’s unrivalled culture, designed to unite cocktail lovers and introduce new drinkers to a world of inventive mixology. And what better place to celebrate than aboard the Siberian Express at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon? The lounge is the train’s cabin for the night: dimly lit, full of plush red sofas, chrome ornaments and a roaring fireplace, it’s the perfect setting for relaxing with a mouth-watering Beluga Sling cocktail, a burst of citrus kiwi and Russian vodka.

Then we have the main feature of the evening on the balcony: the Siberian Express train’s “engine room”, which adds a sense of authenticity to the night. Inside, there is movie-set styled lighting, a poignant display of the time zones for London and Moscow, and the incredibly talented Gastronomy Guys with their laboratory.

The molecular mixologists work with liquid nitrogen and a vintage boiler to come up with some of the most inventive, thrilling and downright tasty desserts we’ve ever tried. The delicious White Russian Ice Cream has a rich, liqueur taste similar to that of Bailey’s, which goes down a treat amongst the passengers on board. Next, the boys offer us their chilly treats, including Deep-Frozen Meringues, which transform amused guests into dragons puffing out liquid nitrogen fog. The Beluga Blackberry Bubble, a vodka jelly bubble that literally bursts open in the mouth, leaves surprised guests with a mouthful of rich berry that is almost addictive.

As the evening draws to a close, passengers flock to the laboratory requesting one last try of their favourite dessert, which the guys happily prepare. All would agree that it’s been a fascinating evening leaving us wanting more. Beluga, we salute you.

Gemma Whitfield
Photos: Paulina Bobrowska

London Cocktail Week is on until 13^th October 2013, for further information and future events visit here.