With Our Way, its newest menu, the Donovan Bar wears its pride with quiet assurance. It’s a tribute to the truest spirit of the London institution—anchored in the decades-long expertise of Salvatore Calabrese and the contemporary touch of Federico Pavan—and a declaration that mixology’s highest calling lies in substance, rather than spectacle.
Our Way: The Donovan Bar’s Latest Drink List
Creativity and innovation have long been inseparable from the world of cocktails. Yet there’s a risk—that the pursuit of novelty becomes a game unto itself, contrived and, at times, needlessly daring. The Donovan Bar’s new drink list takes a different stance, affirming that tradition and creativity must meet in harmony, with the former holding a place of honour. Our Way doesn’t champion radical experimentation, but rather the patient, deliberate refinement of what years of craft have already shaped.
A Meticulous Refinement
“This menu,” says Salvatore Calabrese, “is entirely about meticulous refinement, not reinvention. It’s not about being the most extravagant, but the most consistent. Here at the Donovan Bar, we want every guest to know that whatever they order will be prepared with care, skill, and the same attention we give to each person who walks through our doors—so their experience is flawless. That’s our style, and it’s reflected in Our Way.”
The philosophy rests on three pillars: elegant simplicity, excellence proven over time, and a deep respect for craftsmanship and flavour. True innovation, as Calabrese notes, “isn’t about chasing trends, but mastering what’s timeless.”
What to Drink at the Donovan Bar with Our Way
Among the highlights is the Marimo Martini, a Vesper-inspired serve with a dry, mineral edge and a delicate seaweed infusion—a crisp nod to James Bond, but with the unmistakable fingerprint of the Donovan Bar. Bellini Colada recasts the Venetian aperitif with a sharper focus on refreshment, bringing a velvety texture and a frozen snap of cucumber. The Eau de Martinez is a spirited twist on the Martinez, combining gin, tequila, sherry, amaro, and patchouli. Margarita Blush begins with a classic base, then bends it into something modern with tequila, mezcal, bergamot liqueur, green chili liqueur, and the vivid hue of purple carrot.
The finale is the Tarte Old Fashioned—a “dessert in disguise” that marries the sweet-savoury magic of ricotta, pear, and porcini bitters, deepened with both Scotch and Irish whiskey. As a final flourish, the menu itself is designed like a bartender’s notebook, filled with sketches and notes that reveal the creative process behind each pour—a quiet homage to the testing, thinking, and fine-tuning that define the Donovan team’s work.
Images courtesy of Donovan Bar
