Located in the heart of Marylebone, The Churchill Bar & Terrace unveils its latest seasonal attraction, Cacao Verde, an immersive terrace experience paired with the unveiling of its extraordinary new cocktail menu, UNITY by Cacao. Gaston and team have been hard at work creating this masterpiece for the last year.
Churchill’s Cacao Verde Terrace offers guests an Amazonian-like escape, a true oasis of natural beauty. It transforms the alfresco space into a sensory retreat filled with tropical greenery, vibrant scents, and the rich, earthy charm of cacao.
UNITY by Cacao: A Cacao Plant Celebration
UNITY by Cacao is the third chapter in The Churchill’s UNITY series, honouring cultural richness through mixology. This summer’s edition is a profoundly moving homage to one of the world’s most esteemed ingredients—the cacao plant. With twelve signature cocktails, each inspired by a different cacao-producing country, the menu captures the cultural, botanical, and historical essence of cacao. The award-winning team of expert mixologists brings together bold cocktails that dive into the wonders of the cacao plant, one of the world’s most legendary and symbolic elements.
Every cocktail is carefully crafted around cacao and its many forms, ranging from fermented pulp and raw nibs to rich chocolate and fragrant husks. With creative techniques, house-crafted tonics, cutting-edge technology, custom garnishes, macerations, and infusions, Churchill Bar created an explosion of flavours with each unique drink.
Each beverage was developed in the state-of-the-art Churchill Bar Laboratory using innovation and creativity to extract the purest essence of cacao and layer it into drinks with elegance and sophistication. Every drink is a layered exploration, enhanced by innovative techniques and rooted in historic global tradition. Here are some of our favourites:
Mexico – a creamy, spiritual drink rooted in ancient wisdom of the Mayan. Made with 1800 Cristalino Añejo tequila, dark chocolate, horchata, Cointreau Noir, and double cream, this beverage feels like a heartwarming spiritual journey.
Ecuador – a fruity, tropical twist using “Arriba Nacional”, a cacao named after a river where it was discovered during a time when considered the golden seed of the nation. Featuring Merser Double Barrel 12 Yrs. Rum, banana, colada morada, and cacao bitters, it delivers a rich essence with a unique depth.
Peru – an intense and smoky cocktail inspired by sacred Andean rituals using Criollo and Trinitario cacao varieties, considered a sacred plant for nobles and warriors of a long-lost past. Crafted with Bowmore 12 Yrs. Whisky, cacao and algarrobina blend, and espresso coffee liqueur, it evokes ancient power in every sip.
Brazil – a bold and tropical cocktail celebrating the Amazon’s culinary spirit. With Sipsmith Origin 1639 Gin, jabuticaba, beetroot shrub, lemon, and white brigadeiro, it’s both sensuous and unexpected. A sweet and tangy celebration of traditional Amazonian rituals and culture.
Tanzania – a fragrant and savoury drink capturing East Africa’s vibrant culture. Even with British colonisers gone, after the independence of Tanzania, cacao farmers continued to be an essential part of the country’s agricultural economy. Dalmore 12 Yrs. Whisky, cacao husk, passion fruit, Punt e Mes, and cranberry & umami bitters offer a complex and extravagant journey both floral and spicy.
Madagascar – a bubbly and delicate mix honouring the island’s cacao and vanilla legacy. One of the world’s finest Forastero cacao lies within Madagascar’s borders and has become essential for the local culture and economy. Blended with Brugal 1888 Rum, rooibos, cacao tonic water, and vanilla bitters, this cocktail tingles with subtle sweetness and richness. This cocktail encapsulates everything about the menu with so much flavour and originality. This is the futire of highballs.
Nigeria – a refreshing and vibrant cocktail using cacao plant produced in Nigeria where the Yoruba people have considered the plant a symbol of wealth and heritage. Made with cacao husk infused Roku Gin, Zobo soda, and bitters, it bursts with floral notes and bold cultural pride.
Ivory Coast – a tribute to the world’s cacao capital, a dominant force in the global chocolate supply chain. Combining Desi Daru Original Vodka, chocolate wine, Pedro Ximenez sherry, umeshu, Fernet Branca, and kola bitters, the cocktail is rich, deep, and distinctive.
India – a sensational and balanced pour using the same cacao as Indian holiday traditions such as Diwali. The nation’s new focus on sustainable cacao farming practices ensures an even deeper sense of strong-minded culture. Desi Daru Mango Vodka, Suze, cacao white, and tomato tonic water create an unprecedented fusion of sweet, savoury, and tropical tones.
Thailand – an earthy, tangy cocktail blooming with character, tradition, and taste. The region’s tropical climate is ideal for cacao cultivation and, with its high-quality produce, Thai cuisine shines a light on cacao. Similarly, this cocktail pairs moringa & kaffir lime leaf infused Haku Vodka with fennel, Bitter Bianco, and Green Chartreuse, to create a refreshing drink.
Indonesia – an elegant, smooth cocktail shaped by local food culture and a growing focus on sustainability. Crafted with Akashi-Tai sake, London Dry Gin, Lillet Blanc, and pear, the cocktail is buttery, delicate, and deeply refined.
Dining That Matches the Innovation in the Glass
Enhancing Churchill Bar’s liquid artistry and creativity is a British-inspired culinary menu featuring sophisticated bar snacks and small plates that reflect the elegance of the environment around.
The small plates and nibbles section of the menu presents a variety of elegant yet approachable dishes, perfect for sharing or savouring with a cacao cocktail. Highlights include the Korean Fried Chicken Bites, crisped to perfection and glazed with gochujang and sesame, and the Duck Spring Rolls, served with hoisin sauce and pickled red cabbage. The Anna Potato delivers a satisfying texture, accompanied by truffle mayo and pickled mushroom, while the Cured Salmon Tostadas offer a vibrant bite with guacamole and coriander atop purple corn tortillas. For a lighter alternative, the Fattoush Salad provides a tangy and refreshing combination of gem lettuce, pomegranate, and lemon dressing.
The selection of new flatbreads and sandwiches at The Churchill Bar & Terrace offers a cosy yet elevated take on beloved classics. The Chicken, Basil Pesto Flatbread is layered with stracciatella and mozzarella, perfect for sharing, while the Harissa Quesadilla delivers layers of flavour with mature cheddar and mashed avocado. For a creative twist on classic appetites, the Winston Sliders feature a trio of mini burgers served with the bar’s signature Winston Sauce. The Crispy Chicken Katsu Sando adds a Japanese twist, combining spicy cabbage with golden fried chicken.
Signature Cocktails & Spirits Beyond UNITY
While UNITY by Cacao takes centre stage this summer, The Churchill’s classic cocktail menu also showcases an impressive blend of mixology elegance. This menu presents a unique take on classical cocktails and innovative creations, offering guests daring choices to indulge in.
Aztec Espresso Martini – a rich and stylish drink made with Desi Daru Original Vodka, espresso coffee liqueur, espresso coffee, and Aztec chocolate bitters. Paired with cacao & walnut foam, this drink delivers a modern twist on the famous classic.
Churchill’s Negroni – balancing bitterness with elegance, this beverage blends The Lakes Gin, La Fuerza Blanco Vermouth, Bitter Bianco, Suze, Akashi-Tai Jumai Daiginjo Genshu Sake, and Rhubarb Bitters. A bold and flavourful drink carefully crafted for the pure enjoyment of what life has to offer.
Inagi Fizz – a lively and fruity explosion of flavours. Blending Whitley Neill Japanese Yuzu & White Strawberry Gin, cherry, vanilla bitters, Angostura bitters, and Brut Champagne, this cocktail results in a vibrant bubbly option.
The bar’s collection also includes premium spirits from Monkey 47 Gin to Dalmore King Alexander III, and an exceptional wine and champagne list featuring Krug Grande Cuvée and Dom Pérignon. Guests are welcome to enjoy their selections on the year-round heated terrace, surrounded by rainforest flora during the Cacao Verde installation.
A Place of Storytelling, Flavour & Escape
Whether seated beneath a canopy of tropical greens or sipping on one of the bar’s cacao-inspired creations, The Churchill Bar & Terrace offers a thoughtfully curated retreat in the heart of Marylebone.
The launch of the UNITY by Cacao cocktail menu is a true representation of their dedication to authenticity and adventure. This hidden gem celebrates heritage while crafting a bold new chapter of flavour.
To Discover More Visit The Churchill Bar.
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All Imagery Courtesy of Churchill Bar.