Who knows whether Louis XIV enjoyed a cocktail or two – but if he did, he would have felt quite at home in the Versailles-esque bar at Champs-Élysées hotel Georges V. Plush, decadent and classy, complete with glossy wooden panels, high ceilings, parquet flooring, and a gorgeous chandelier, this is the height of Parisian luxe.
Sip on their delightful cocktails, either nestled in the plush, red armchairs or perched up at the elegant bar. ‘Dream Lover’ (€28) – the head barman’s speciality – is a beautifully refreshing tipple, combining Bombay gin, lemon grass, lime and Velvet Falernum. It is simple but perfectly balanced. ‘Soul To Squeeze’, (€28) with Grey Goose vodka, blackberry purée, fresh lime juice, Saint-Germain liquor and ginger beer was another hit: sweet – without being cloying or sugary – and dangerously drinkable.
But beware, prices are high at around €30 for a cocktail, so it’s best to restrain yourself from sampling the entire, mouth-watering menu. Unless you’re Louis XIV himself, in which case go wild and let your hair (or rather your wig) down.