I have a confession to make: I’ve never been to The Ritz. There, I said it. I’ve lived in London for ten years and have been to The Wolseley, The Sanderson, The Savoy, but the most famous of them all? Never. I’ve even been to Le Caprice down the road (I recommend the lamb, FYI).
Their high tea has been highly recommended to me – with an endless supply of sandwiches and fancies, who could resist? But what enticed me to finally step over the threshold was not ladies drinking out of fine china, but a lady who was renowned for drinking out of her shoe.
Tallulah Bankhead was an American actress, known for her outspoken views on sex and relationships, and her outlandish behaviour. A regular to The Ritz, Tallulah was often spotted, freshly-worn shoe in hand, sipping on the finest Champagne.
Inspired by this spirited women, ‘The Tallulah’ comprises of a potent mix of Soshu Japanese spirit, jasmine pearl tea, Cinzano Bianco, geranium essence and Piper Heidsieck Champagne. Presented in a perfume bottle and accompanied with an un-Cinderella-like, dark glass slipper (a collaboration between Christian Louboutin and Heidsieck).
It’s a concoction that will knock your socks off, with a ‘glass’ that draws attention to you, just like Tallulah had a knack of doing herself. And, if you have time for one more, I recommend the Iron Lady, a stiff take on a classic G&T, named after our very own lady of the bag.
