Castle Garden: The Celestial Libation of the Met Gala
Behold, The Celestial Libation of the Met Gala Affair Tonight
Echoing the essence of The Garden of Time, this exclusive concoction features a blend of honey syrup, zesty lemon juice, and delicate baby’s breath.
As the spotlight shines brightest on the grandeur of fashion, at the illustrious Met Gala, it heralds three quintessential pursuits: witnessing luminaries and their stylists craft exquisite masterpieces, embracing the spirit of camp, and presenting a whimsical, thematic libation.
In this year’s spectacle, The Macallan, in partnership with The Mark Hotel (a favored haunt of the stars), has curated a bespoke cocktail to grace the lobby bar post-event. Dubbed Castle Garden, this libation pays homage to the Costume Institute’s latest exposition through its intricate flavor profile.
With the gala’s theme centered on “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” and the prescribed attire invoking “The Garden of Time,” the exhibition promises to traverse realms of land, sea, and sky. Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, shared with Vogue that the motif celebrates “an ode to nature and the emotional poetics of fashion.”
“The Macallan’s Castle Garden draws inspiration from this year’s thematic exhibition, celebrating the wonders of the natural world,” divulged Ryan Welliver, The Macallan Brand Ambassador, to Better Homes & Gardens. “As a brand steeped in a 200-year legacy, we have always revered nature at the heart of our endeavors. Thus, we aimed to craft a cocktail that not only embodies the theme but also illuminates our ethos.”
Castle Garden boasts a blend of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau de Charentes, honey syrup, lemon juice, sparkling wine, and is adorned with a delicate flourish of baby’s breath and passion fruit “caviar.”
“The cornerstone, The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, offers nuances of orange zest, subtle spices, culminating in a sweet oak finale,” elaborated Welliver. “These elements, entwined with the honeyed sweetness, citrusy zest, and effervescence, yield a naturally earthy and invigorating equilibrium, promising an opulent tasting voyage for those recreating it at home.”
For those hosting viewing soirées, eager to toast in tandem with their beloved luminaries and fashion icons, the recipe is simple: Combine 1 ounce of The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, 0.75 ounces of Jean-Luc Pasquet Pineau de Charentes, 0.25 ounces of honey syrup, and 0.25 ounces of lemon juice in a shaker with ice. After vigorous shaking, strain into a champagne flute. Crown it with 2 ounces of Brut sparkling wine, and bedeck it with a baby’s breath blossom, adding a touch of ethereal elegance.
To truly savor this libation, indulge in the spectacle of the crimson carpet, engage in lively discourse on the sartorial splendor, and deliberate: Who truly adorned it with unmatched grace?