Ice-cold Martinis and endless fries designed for sharing at The Spy Bar, the hidden cocktail bar inside Raffles London at The OWO. On May 19, Coqtail – for fine drinkers, in partnership with Parmigiano Reggiano and The Orientalist Spirits, marks another international stop dedicated to presenting its magazine. The event, ’Tinis & Fries, is led by the team behind the acclaimed speakeasy and Bar Manager Sotirios Konomi.
Coqtail Presents Its Print Issue at London’s Spy Bar
Tea and biscuits or Martinis and fries? For Coqtail – for fine drinkers’ afternoon gathering, London is decisively choosing the latter. On May 19, inside The Spy Bar, service revolves around rows of perfectly chilled Martinis, fries circulating from table to table, and the atmosphere that has turned the venue into one of the most closely watched addresses on London’s cocktail scene.
The Spy Bar, Hidden Inside the Former Headquarters of British Intelligence
Reaching The Spy Bar means passing through Raffles London at The OWO, the grand Edwardian building on Whitehall that for decades housed the offices of the British Army and intelligence services. Corridors, operational rooms, and offices once frequented by figures such as Winston Churchill now coexist inside one of London’s most remarkable hotels, while preserving the disciplined, almost cinematic character that still defines the entire property.
Here, from 5:30 PM on May 19, Bar Manager Sotirios Konomi and Head Bartender Marcello Toscano place the Martini at the centre of the experience, with four twists on the classic created specifically for the occasion.
A Celebration of Martinis, Fries, and Parmigiano Reggiano
For ’Tinis & Fries, the Martinis are built with The Orientalist Spirits’ Gunpowder Gin and Origins Vodka, from the spirits brand created to interpret Asia through contemporary distillation and botanicals sourced across the continent. The gin used for the evening incorporates gunpowder tea, Kampot pepper, Korean omija berries, osmanthus, and dried mandarin peel — ingredients that deliver a clean, sharply defined profile perfectly suited to Martini service at The Spy Bar.
For the event, the team has developed four distinct interpretations of the cocktail. The Signature Vesper Martini combines The Orientalist Gunpowder Gin & Origins Vodka with distilled London honey and house vermouth. Drier and more citrus-driven, the Martini No.52 blends The Orientalist Gunpowder Gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters, served in tribute to Forest Collins. The Coqtail’s Flame of Love Martini, created as a nod to the magazine’s name, explores warmer notes through The Orientalist Origins Vodka, fino sherry, and flambéed orange peel. A Gibson closes on a more savoury note, combining The Orientalist Gunpowder Gin, dry vermouth, sweet Marsala, Parmigiano Reggiano, and balsamic sweet-and-sour onion.
The Parmigiano Reggiano Pairing
Alongside the cocktails, large silver platters circulate through the room, loaded with fries and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano shaved in front of guests, accompanied by a separate selection of cheese shards served alongside olives.
The result is an aperitivo rooted in Italian flavour, delivered through a style of service and convivial sharing that has gained increasing momentum across cocktail bars in recent years. Whether served in bites across different aging profiles, in small tastings, or scattered generously over hot fries, the iconic Emilia-Romagna DOP cheese becomes an integral part of the experience behind the bar. Even in London.
Photo courtesy Raffles London at The OWO
