Shangri-La Paris Unveils the Redesign of the Bar Botaniste
The Shangri-La Paris continues to refresh its dining offerings with the Bar Botaniste. Completely redesigned, it invites guests to immerse themselves in the world of Roland Bonaparte with ten signature cocktails.
Following Les Salons du Prince, which celebrates the elegance of grand receptions, and then Maison Roland, the Bar Botaniste explores another facet of Roland Bonaparte’s history. The Shangri-La Paris is gradually reimagining its dining offerings, drawing inspiration from the identity of the man who once lived in this residence.
Through his travels—which took him from America to Lapland, from India to Tibet via Indonesia and northern China—Roland Bonaparte amassed one of the largest private herbariums of his time: some 2.5 million specimens, including 200,000 ferns, representing nearly 100,000 species. To bring this new identity to life, the Shangri-La Paris enlisted Alex Francis and Rory Shepherd of Atelier De Vie, renowned consultants on the international mixology scene.
Ten signature cocktails
Numbered and presented like the pages of a contemporary herbarium, each of the ten signature cocktails showcases a single plant.
- Chocolate Mint: The collection opens with a gourmet creation that elevates this aromatic variety through a blend of cognac, white vermouth, and tea infused with chocolate mint, evoking the delicacy of a garden of rare herbs.
- Huacatay: Blanco tequila, tagete liqueur, Belvedere vodka, and lime come together in a fresh, luminous cocktail where notes of tagete shine through with finesse. Served very chilled, it offers a unique interpretation of this little-known aromatic plant.
- Nepita: Set sail for Corsica, home to this wild mint emblematic of the maquis. Fresh and light, this signature cocktail subtly echoes the origins of the Bonaparte family.
- Fig Leaf: It celebrates the landscapes of Provence. The sweetness of the fig leaf blends with cognac, a peach-verbena aperitif, and coconut milk in an elegant and enveloping composition.
- Nasturtium: Inspired by old-fashioned vegetable gardens, this blend brings back into the spotlight a flower long used in cooking. Arugula, sorrel, and nasturtium come together to create a lively and delicately floral cocktail.
- Licorice: The Bar Botaniste reimagines the anise-like notes of French heritage in a refined interpretation where licorice reveals its full aromatic richness.
- Sage: a tribute to the hills of Provence. Infused in bourbon and then served on the rocks, this iconic herb reveals fresh, herbaceous, and intensely fragrant notes.
- Immortelle: Corsica makes another appearance with this cocktail inspired by this iconic flower of the maquis, renowned for its unique fragrance and its use in fine perfumery.
- Shiso: grown in France, it exemplifies the fusion of Asian influences—which define the identity of Shangri-La Paris—with France’s botanical heritage.
- Geranium: crafted around the fragrant geranium of Grasse, it pays homage to the expertise of the Côte d’Azur’s perfumers.
On the food side, to accompany the cocktails, the menu features a selection of jiaozi, traditional ravioli from northern China: beef and onion, or pan-fried and filled with vegetables, shrimp, chicken, or pork, served with a spicy sauce on the side.
