Celebrity makeover for Dakota hotel's new cocktail menu

Forget social media influencers, some of the world’s best-loved celebrities have inspired a glamorously dapper new drinks list at a luxury hotel in Leeds.

Portraits of the celebrities personified in the drinks are displayed throughout Dakota Deluxe and the “High Society” menu – consisting of 13 cocktails – was created by the bar team led by Andy Wilson.

From Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren to Steve McQueen, Clark Gable and Ava Gardner, the cocktails have been designed to fit the celebrity’s personalities and stories, incorporating ingredients, garnishes and even the type of glass used.

The Monrose cocktail.

Andrew Creese, General Manager at Dakota Leeds, said “A lot of thought, passion and time has gone into making each drink. For example, the cocktail inspired by Ava Gardner, a “Coco Mogambo”, was brought about through our research which discovered she was a light drinker and always had coconut cake on her birthday.”

Portside

Other cocktails include; Chairman’s Choice (Frank Sinatra), Portside (Cary Grant), Lady Lazzaro (Sophia Loren), Frankly My Dear (Clark Gable), Coffee & Kisses (Edward Kennedy), Box Office Poison (Fred Astaire), Aviation Frequency (Hedy Lamarr), Satchmo Sazerac (Louis Armstrong), Apples & Pears (Sir Michael Caine CBE), Monrose (Marilyn Monroe), King of Cool (Steve McQueen), Kings of Hollywood (Clark Gable, Van Heflin, Gary Cooper and James Stewart).