Cocktail Prices to Trump Them All

Donald Trump. Who in the world hasn’t heard that name lately? Whether you love him or loathe him, the man who is about to take charge of the United States is no doubt a savvy businessman.
So, it comes as no surprise to hear that the cocktail prices at Trump Hotel have risen in response to the founder’s new presidency. When it opened back in September, cocktail prices ranged from $16 - $20, and they have steadily become more expensive over the past few months. Now, the cheapest cocktail on the menu is the Romanesque Revival at $24, while the most expensive is The Benjamin, which costs an eye-watering $100! The Romanesque Revival is a combination of bourbon, honey, mint and ginger, while The Benjamin is a martini-style drink made with three different types of vodka, as well as oysters and caviar.

While the Benjamin Bar’s cocktail list is easily the most extravagant in DC, there are other cocktails in the world that will make it seem positively cheap in comparison. Take The Gigi, for example. Created for the actress Grace Jones and intended to appeal to those who don’t need to ask the price, the beverage costs an extortionate £8,888. Available at The Mayfair Hotel in London, it is made with vintage Cristal champagne and a rare Armagnac known as Liquid Gold.

Meanwhile, The Winston made The Guinness Book of World Records back in 2013 thanks to its lavishness, an accolade that it still holds today. The blend includes Croizet Cognac, which on its own costs $6,000AUD a shot, as well as Grand Marnier Quintessence, Chartreuse Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé, Angostura Bitters and a soil of chocolate and nutmeg. The entire concoction is served over dry ice infused with citrus peel and spices and can be purchased at Club 23 in Melbourne, Australia. And the price? A cool $12,500AUD – making Trump’s cocktail look like an absolute bargain!

Another special cocktail worth mentioning is Salvatore’s Legacy, which is sold at Salvatore at Playboy in London. Salvatore Calabrese has built up an impressive reputation within the bartending industry, and this premium recipe only helped to cement his genius status. Made up of 1778 Clos de Griffier Vieux Cognac, 1770 kümmel liqueur, circa-1860 Dubb Orange Curaçao and two dashes of Angostura Bitters, it is no longer the world’s most expensive cocktail, but it is the oldest thanks to the vintage ingredients. All yours for just £5,500!

The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Tokyo has taken a different approach to adding value to its cocktails. Instead of using super-rare ingredients, or well-aged spirits, they have instead popped a diamond into the glass. The Diamond is Forever Martini costs a decadent $18,000 and is made up of Grey Goose Vodka and Lime. The one-carat diamond in the bottom of the glass makes it an excellent choice for those who wish to propose to their partner, but is liable to cause damage if accidently swallowed!

These expensive drinks are really only intended to appeal to the extremely wealthy, a market that Donald Trump loves to sell to. So don’t be surprised to see the cost of his cocktails rise more and more over the next few years – surely he will want to compete with the world’s most costly cocktails?