Planning A Coronation Viewing Party? Here Are Cocktails Fit For A King

Royal events can always be counted on to create quite a stir. Whether it’s a royal wedding, a new prince or princess being born, or a jubilee, we’re sure to be planning cocktails and scones in celebration.

But the coronation of a new king is something that most people alive in the world today have never seen before, and that makes it extra deserving of a celebration. This might mean stopping by a viewing party at a local bar or pub, or planning something in your own home. Regardless of your plans for coronation day, you’re going to need to plan a menu — and a special cocktail or two in honor of King Charles III is absolutely in order.

God Save the King!

The King’s Gambit

At Ida Claire in Dallas, in honor of the coronation of King Charles III, The King’s Gambit is a modern take on the classic Royal Balmoral Punch.

This cocktail is made by blending apricot-infused Aberfeldy 12-year-old Scotch with apricot brandy, organic English breakfast demerara syrup, fresh-pressed apple juice, and lemon juice. It is then finished with apple bitters and black walnut bitters and garnished with three lemon roses on a crown cocktail pick and served with an edible flower ice sphere. Inspired by King Charles’s love for scotch, this is one elegant cocktail. “The King’s Gambit was inspired by the grandeur and majesty of King Charles’s coronation. I wanted to create a drink that paid homage to the King’s love for scotch while also remaining approachable to those who may not be scotch enthusiasts. Drawing inspiration from the Royal Family’s summer home, Balmoral Castle, I created a riff on the Royal Balmoral Punch, infusing it with apricot to signify the beginning of summer solstice. The addition of the lemon roses on a Crown Cocktail Pick make this cocktail truly fit for a king,” said Keena Hanson, Ida Claire mixologist.

The Pimm’s Cup

The beautiful Fairmont Washington DC, Georgetown, is hosting a garden party in honor of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, and Her Majesty The Queen Consort on May 6. The featured cocktail will be The Pimm’s Cup. “The Pimm’s Cup is such a wonderful British drink, one that is suitable for a garden party, a jubilee or a coronation,” said Mark Huntley, General Manager and Regional Vice President. of Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown.

Purple Reign

Found at Strawberry Moon inside The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach, this cocktail is made with Avion Silver tequila, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, fresh lemon and yuzu juice and butterfly pea and lavender syrup. The Purple Reign is the favorite cocktail of celeb royalty and goodtime hotel co-owner, Pharrell Williams.

London Calling

At Bar Collins at Loews Miami Beach Hotel, this cocktail is a regal blend of Sipsmith Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lemon, prosecco and juniper, garnished with fresh herbs and an edible flower. Director of Restaurants & Bars for Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Lucas Scudeler, says, “There’s nothing more classic that a gin cocktail for toasting the coronation of King Charles. Our London Calling spritz is made with London-made Sipsmith Gin, elderflower liqueur, juniper and prosecco to give it the effervescence of a brunch cocktail, since the coronation is in the morning.”

King Charles III Bramble

At Fantasy Lab, Las Vegas, the King Charles III Bramble is made with Beefeater Gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, mint lemon verbena syrup, and muddled blackberries. The King Charles III Bramble is a modern twist on an English classic.

King’s Punch

At The Vintage, the restaurant located at The Millbrook Inn in Hudson Valley, the King’s Punch is made with whiskey, freshly brewed chamomile tea, honey, and elderflower liqueur, served in a short tumbler over ice. Whiskey is one of King Charles’ favorite drinks and with the addition of another English favorite, tea, it is perfect for the coronation. The cocktail is finished with elderflower liqueur, which is a nod to King Charles’ son, Prince Harry as the flavor was used in his wedding cake. “I was inspired to create King’s Punch by ingredients that are favorites of King Charles and the British people (whisky and freshly brewed tea) and that also stay true to The Millbrook Inn’s farm-to-table philosophy of serving local. As King Charles is a long-term environmentalist, this influenced my use of honey within King’s Punch; did you know that Queen Elizabeth’s bees were told about her death as well as King Charles’ ascension? This is the perfect drink to enjoy while sitting in front of the television watching the coronation and then later that day while watching the Kentucky Derby,” said bartender Deb Colurciello.