Customers of a popular British restaurant have been left stunned by the launch of an unusual new cocktail, with one curious diner asking: “What on earth is that?” The cocktail, called “Vive Le Asparagus”, available at selected Côte eateries across the UK, celebrates the healthy seasonal vegetable traditionally collected by British farmers from St George’s Day to the summer solstice.
The tipple complements Côte’s spring specials which feature asparagus and have been designed by Gordon Ramsay’s former executive chef Steve Allen.
The crunchy, green aristocrat of the vegetable world is known to be an aphrodisiac and is celebrated for being high in vitamin K (healthy blood and bones), a great source of fibre, promotes good bacteria in the gut and is said to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Alas, the elegant earthy asparagus is not to everyone’s tastes, it certainly is a vegetable which is either loved or loathed in equal measure.
And now Côte has challenged willing customers to guess the drink’s mystery ingredient during a blind taste test with some amusing results.
Sampling the drink on a video posted on the French brasserie’s Instagram page, one guest asked: “Is that a flower? It smells like kiwi to me.” Another woman said: “It tastes earthy. Is that cucumber?”
Someone else enjoyed the “really refreshing” beverage, exclaiming: “That is quite nice!” But another was not so convinced. She said: “I am going to go with peas. I don’t know what this is. It feels weird.”
Removing her blindfold to reveal the cocktail another guest said: “Oh my god! That’s asparagus. I actually like that. Can I take it now?” And someone else agreed, saying: “It’s really nice!”
Commenting on his unorthodox creation, mixologist Dan Whiteside said: “The cocktail has the flavour of asparagus, sweetness and floral notes of elderflower, body and acidity of the cold press juice.
“It’s an interesting take on a popular Collins cocktail, using fresh flavours such as apple, ginger and elderflower and combing with the unique flavour of asparagus. The cocktail combines a food that’s big in French cuisine with one of the most popular types of cocktails at this time of year.”
Last month Côte launched its spring menu with a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients to showcase classic French cuisine.
Steve Allen’s new menu additions celebrate La Saison Délicieuse with a collection of timeless dishes, sharing plates, seasonal spritzers and French classics with a Côte twist.
Former Claridge’s chef Steve has elevated La Cuisine Française at Côte with the new dishes, created with produce from trusted British and French producers with the asparagus for the new specials sourced from a long-term partnership with the Chinn family in the Wye Valley.
Steve said of the new menu: “I have been cooking French cuisine since the age of 13 and this menu is a reflection of everything I love about French food in the Spring. Our main focus is and always will be about the taste of our food at Côte. Simple, yet complex and delicious.”
“Vive Le Asparagus” will be available from May 19 – June 14 at selected Côte restaurants (Newcastle, Exeter, Kingston, Henley, Solihull, Windsor and London restaurants St Christopher’s Place, St Katherine’s Dock, Sloane Square, Hay’s Galleria and the Barbican) priced at £9.95.
