THE One Aldwych Hotel, in the heart of London’s theatreland, has introduced a range of cocktails inspired by West End shows.

The Showtime Cocktails menu, at the Lobby Bar at the Covent Garden hotel, features bespoke glassware and spectacular presentation.

The ‘director’ is Pedro Paulo, the Lobby Bar’s award-winning bar manager and as with any great performance, each of the 17 cocktails are full of razzle dazzle. The showstopper is “The Origin”, a blend of Dalmore 12 year old whisky, Merlet cherry liqueur, grapefruit juice, chocolate bitters and Lallier Champagne. Upon ordering it, guests wear Virtual Reality goggles to watch a video of sweeping 3D aerial footage describing the origin of the drink - from the Scottish Highlands to Covent Garden at night, ending at the Lobby Bar. The cocktail is presented at the precise moment the two-minute video finishes.

Others include the “Fairy Garden Infusion” (Hendrick’s Gin, Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port, Coriander Bitters and Rose Lemonade) inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream; “The Coffee That Goes Wrong” (Chivas Regal 18-year-old whisky, Madeira wine, Pedro Ximenex 30 year old sherry, liquorice bitters and bay leaves) inspired by The Play that Goes Wrong.; “Mediterranean Macbeth” (Botanist Islay Dry Gin, rosemary syrup, Campari, lemon juice, Lallier Champagne, served with a parmesan wedge) inspired by Macbeth; “Aldwych Mule” (Absolut Elyx vodka, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, ginger beer, gooseberry jam) inspired by Is He Dead? served in a copper highball vessel with a laser-cut image of the One Aldwych façade; and “One Fashioned” (Woodford Reserve small batch bourbon, Bacardi 8 aged rum or Patrón Silver premium tequila, house-made syrups and aromatic bitters) prepared table-side from a custom-made Old-Fashioned Cocktail Trolley for a moment of live theatre.

“Great cocktails, like great theatre, rely on superb presentation with lots of drama,” says Pedro. “In creating this theatre-inspired menu, my aim is to offer guests a sensory experience, not only for the taste buds but for the eyes too.”

Executive chef Dominic Teague’s bar bites, designed to match the cocktail flavours, include Dorset crab tartlet, avocado and wood sorrel, and chocolate financier, Devon cream and raspberry. Visit onealdwych.com