Trump hotel’s ultra-pricey US$169 ‘soft’ cocktail concoction creates a stir in Washington
The Benjamin Bar & Lounge charges top dollar for US capital’s most expensive drink – but it does come with a fancy crystal spoon
Donald Trump’s International Hotel in Washington spared no expense for its signature US$169 cocktail.
At that price, you would expect it to at least contain some hard liquor. But no.
The Benjamin Bar & Lounge in the hotel’s lobby is reportedly serving the hard liquorless drink, the most expensive in DC, and it comes with an accompanying ornate crystal spoon, The Washingtonian reported on Friday.
The drink is based on the American 19th century recipe for sherry cobber, The Washingtonian said, with the blend including citrus, berries and a sweet Hungarian wine.
But it is also served with an ounce of the Hungary-based Royal Tokaji's “Essencia” – described as the “richest and rarest of all Hungarian Tokaji wines” – on a crystal spoon.
The bar is known for its glamorously-priced drinks, including a US$100 martini that includes potato, caviar, raw oysters, vodka and rye.
The bar’s menu includes a section called “Wine By The Crystal Spoon”, where spoonfuls of wine fetch US$15 to US$140.