“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” — Leonardo da Vinci.
In an age of overstatement and dramatisation, there’s something daring about doing less — and doing it with care and sophistication. That is the essence behind Simplicity, the new cocktail menu launched at 45 Park Lane. The presentation might be minimalist, yet the explosion of taste and the impact of the experience is sensational. Simplicity strips away the noise to focus on flavour, sensation, and emotion.
The Concept: Personality in the Glass
In its curated design, each cocktail begins as if wondering how you feel and how it can explore your senses to spark joy and curiosity. It is built around six expressive flavour profiles: Crisp, Rich, Umami, Negroni, Rare, and Zero. Moving away from overperformance and never-ending ingredient lists, this menu guides the guests through a clearly defined new cocktail concept that pairs minimalism with unexpected flavour profiles. The menu is easy to understand, logical and approachable.
Simplicity refines the cocktail experience down to its purest, most personal form. Not everyone has the same tastes, but you will find that, at Simplicity, there’s a drink for anyone. Each section starts with a short description of what to expect from the drinks to follow. Tailored to your personal taste and the night’s mood, there is a flavour that will spark your interest. Yet, as you take the first sip, you may realise the creative intrinsicness behind each ingredient choice. Both comforting and innovative, Simplicity crosses the boundaries between the expected and the unexpected.
The Minds Behind It
Created by Enrico Perri and Mario Gualtieri, the approach is intuitive, elegant, and refreshing. The team have created something quite unique– a cocktail concept that feels like a carefully orchestrated symphony, but delivered with the ease of a casual conversation. With talented individuals that shine amongst creativity and connectivity, the team constantly creates wonderful moments and an unforgettable experience.
The Cocktail Selection
Each cocktail is elegantly understated in appearance, but, behind the scenes, the team applies advanced techniques such as Greek yoghurt washing and clarification. These advanced methods, often hidden from view, serve one purpose: to extract complexity from purity. These methods help enhance flavour and texture while keeping it simple in its final result.
CRISP – Clean, refreshing, bright
A celebration of clarity, this category offers light, tangy cocktails with uplifting botanical notes and natural sparks.
We Paloma – A radiant highball of Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila, kiwi, kaffir lime leaf soda and Italicus, delivering a green, citrusy vibrance with a distinctly modern freshness. This cocktail is nothing short of intrinsic, mixing bitter and citrus tastes with a refreshing essence. PAlomas have neber been a favourite but this creation is elegant and complex without the overpowering grapefruit bite.
Bacchus Kiss – Telmont Brut Champagne, Belvedere Vodka, Savoia Orancio, yoghurt, passion fruit. Effervescent and elegant, this cocktail marries crisp Champagne with bright passion fruit and yoghurt-washed vodka for a silky, refreshing finish. A subtle citrus bitterness from Savoia Orancio adds depth to its clean, lifted profile.
RICH – Decadent, layered, indulgent
This section features deeper, warmer, often dessert-like flavours — think spice, nut, caramel, and dark fruit. They are texture and velvety in a glass.
Banana President – This is all plush opulence. Ripe banana sweetness is enhanced by the richness of XO rum, while cream sherry brings a nutty, oxidative depth. The vermouth sharpens the profile with herbal lift. In a blend of unexpected ingredient combinations yet conforting flavours, this cocktail is a true sip of elegance and creativity.
Peach on the Beach – The Lakes The One whisky, peach, Bénédictine D.O.M, grapefruit, and sage. Lusciously rounded with a hint of intrigue, this cocktail blends mellow whisky and ripe peach with the herbal complexity of Bénédictine and a twist of grapefruit. Sage lends a soft aromatic finish, grounding the drink in subtle earthiness.
UMAMI – Savoury, earthy, intriguing
This portion of the menu highlights unexpected, culinary-inspired ingredients. Expect vegetal, smoky, fermented, and many flavours with earthy undertones.
Italo-Samba – The tomato and strawberry combination is sweet-savoury, juicy and unexpected, grounded by the bitterness of Barolo Chinato and the sugarcane funk of cachaça. Both floral and earthly tangy, this cocktail pulls from nature’s unique elements and create an explosion of taste.
Parmatini – Seatrus gin, parmesan, apple, coconut, saffron oil, Extra Dry vermouth. Unexpected yet harmonious, the Parmatini layers umami-rich parmesan with crisp apple and creamy coconut for a savoury-smooth profile. A hint of saffron oil and dry vermouth brings elegance and lift to this avant-garde martini.
NEGRONI – Bold, bitter, reinvented
This section explores bitterness in all its nuanced forms — from citrus peel and herbs to coffee and nuttiness. Each version is a reinterpretation the classic.
Coconut & Sesame Negroni – Warm, nutty, and tropical. The coconut adds creaminess, while the sesame vermouth introduces a roasted depth, beautifully complementing Campari’s signature bitterness.
Aged Negroni – Whith The Lakes Classic gin, Bénédictine D.O.M, Antica Formula, Campari, and Amaro Santoni. Rich and velvety, this Negroni deepens the classic profile with layers of herbal warmth from Bénédictine and Amaro Santoni. Barrel-ageing smooths the edges, delivering a mature, bittersweet complexity with every sip.
RARE – Vintage, forgotten, extraordinary
These drinks are build with spice-laden, aromatic, and slightly boozy elements. They’re about drama, mystique, and the quiet complexity of old-school recipes.
Rob Roy – Decadent and nostalgic, this vintage take on the Rob Roy blends rich sherried whisky with rare, antique vermouth for a deep, luxurous finish. A dash of Angostura anchors the cocktail with spice and structure.
Gold Martini – Beluga Gold Line vodka, Cocchi Extra Dry vermouth. Pristine and refined, this martini highlights the silky smoothness of Beluga Gold Line vodka balanced by the crisp, herbal lift of Cocchi Extra Dry. With sips of elegance, it’s a minimalist serve with maximum impact.
ZERO – Alcohol-free, full flavour
Simplicity doesn’t equate to compromise, especially when it comes to non-alcoholic cocktails. Just because it’s a bar doesn’t mean it’s all about alcohol. At BAR45, the Zero section proves that sophistication, creativity, and enjoyment are not exclusive to spirits. These carefully crafted serves are just as nuanced, layered, and satisfying as their boozy counterparts, offering a full-flavoured experience for those choosing to go without.
Peach Temple – Lively and juicy, with Everleaf’s alpine bitterness balanced by ripe peach and citrus bubbles. Think sparkling peach iced tea — but polished. This cocktail explores the limits of deliciousness.
I Left You On Red – Everleaf Marine, tomato, strawberry, coconut. Bright yet savoury, this alcohol-free blend pairs coastal botanicals with sun-ripened strawberry and creamy coconut. Tomato adds an umami twist, making it refreshingly complex without the need for spirit.
The Food: Elevated Simplicity on the Plate
While the focus remains on cocktails, Simplicity also offers a refined selection of bar plates by Elliott Grover that echo the concept’s understated luxury. Think Beluga caviar with herb blinis, truffle-slicked Wagyu sliders, or tempura oysters with a spicy kick — each dish thoughtfully composed to complement the drinks without overshadowing them. There are also some beautiful Wagyu skewers that must not be missed.
The Ambience: Where Art Deco Meets Contemporary Elegance
Ascending the sleek, black-lacquered staircase of 45 Park Lane, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that seamlessly blends the opulence of Art Deco with modern sophistication. Designed by the renowned Thierry Despont, the interior showcases rich natural materials such as mahogany, velvets, leathers, and Italian marble, creating a warm and inviting space. The ambience is further elevated by bespoke silver chandeliers inspired by clouds, casting a soft, ambient glow that complements the deep hues of the furnishings.
BAR45 isn’t just a bar. The curated art collection, featuring works by artists like Damien Hirst and Sir Peter Blake, adorns the walls, adding a layer of cultural richness to the setting. This artistic infusion extends to the cocktail menu, where each drink is a masterpiece, reflecting the bar’s commitment to creativity and excellence.
Simplicity at 4 5Park Lane: An Outstanding Experience
Recalibrating the drinking experience is at the heart of Simplicity, which is not merely about cocktails. Inviting us to look within, the visible restraint is intentional. The sophisticated approaches are presented in a subtle and understated manner. A personal, refined, and perceptive idea emerges as a result.
Restoring the practice of enjoying a great drink to its rightful place, Simplicity places an emphasis on flavour, mood, and discourse rather than performance and flair. Here, in the middle of Mayfair, elegance is discovered not in excess but in moderation. It is a place where sincerity meets clarity and complexity.
To discover more about Simplicity, visit 45 Park Lane.
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All imagery courtesy of The Dorchester Collection.