Celebrate Christmas in the clouds with The Sofitel Melbourne on Collins this December.
Christmas in Melbourne is always magical. Whether your family’s tradition is checking out the Myer Christmas Windows, or chilling out on a warm Christmas Eve at Carols By Candlelight, there’s always something fun and festive going on. This December, The Sofitel Melbourne on Collins will ensure you have a ‘Joyeux Noël’ with their French-inspired cocktail and dining menu that really puts the ‘Paris’ in The Paris End of Collins Street.
The Sofitel’s No.35 Restaurant, The Atrium Bar on 35, and Sofi’s Lounge have all been giving a yuletide makeover, with special events and menus available all throughout December that will have you dreaming of snowy Paris rooftops and Christmas markets. Whether you’re planning your workplace christmas do, a night of classy cocktails, or you’d just rather spend Christmas Day dining in comfort without having to worry about cooking or cleaning, The Sofitel has you covered.
With the success of their recent Dior Code of Conduct range setting the standard high for cocktails that are innovate, delicious, and gorgeous to look at, the team at the Atrium Bar on 35 had their work cut out for them creating the Christmas cocktail collection, but they’ve come through with the goods with four stunning festive French-inspired cocktails.
The L’Etincelle (literally, ‘The Spark’), starts things off with a bang. An indulgently syrupy and sweet mix of a house-made chocolate and cream emulsion, Mozart Dark liqueur, Kettle One vodka, and topped with a lightly toasted vanilla meringue, this cocktail is a nostalgia-hit of late night Christmas hot chocolates with a cheeky, boozy twist. The addition of the golden sparkler that gives this cocktail it’s name will have you feeling like a kid again, and is the perfect celebratory tipple. I had the chance to whip this one up myself – with a little help from the Atrium’s master mixologist, Marc Dasan, as my guide – and it was an absolute treat, and is perfect as a cocktail or even as a little after dinner dessert.
Another cocktail on the menu that hits all the right nostalgic notes is Le Pain D’épice (The Gingerbread). If a cocktail could be a warm, snuggly blanket, Le Pain D’épice would be it. Spicy and bold, this creamy mix of Disarrono amaretto liqueur, Mount Gay Rum, cream, and gingerbread syrup is a comforting delight for the Christmas loving heart – and topped off with crumbles of gingerbread, it’s a lot easier to put together than a gingerbread house! While the sun outside may be blazing us into a summer of days stuck in the mid-30s, this cocktail will have you imagining yourself snuggled up by the fireplace.
If there’s one sweet treat that embodies Christmas more than any other for me, it’s the humble candy cane. I don’t feel like the festive season has truly begun until I’ve had my first candy cane of the season, and I’m pleased to say that my festive season began this year when I tasted the amazing Le Sucre D’orge (The Candy Cane). This amazing cocktail is the taste of Christmas! Refreshing and light, Le Sucre D’orge mixes together Chartreuse liqueur, Kettle One vodka, and sparkling rosé to create pretty and palatable drink, but the addition of a festive and summery house-made peppermint and strawberry sorbet (and a candy cane!) make this the perfect antipodean Christmas cocktail.
And it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from the Three Kings, but at the Sofitel they don’t come bearing myrrh and frankincense. In the Atrium’s Le Trois Mages (The Three Kings) cocktail, the three kings come bearing Karken Rum, Mozart Dark Liqueur, and Tia Maria Liqueur – and a shot of espresso to keep you going through the silly season. These are my kind of kings! But don’t worry, they haven’t strayed too far from tradition, because while the myrrh and frankincense may be missing, they’ve very much delivered with the gold in the form of a first-of-its-kind 24karat gold toasted marshmallow. Yes, you read that right, toasted marshmallows have gotten an upgrade fit for a baby king with the Le Trois Mages. If you love being a little extra glam, then this stunning and gorgeously Instagrammable drink is for you.
If you’re looking for something a little more substantial than a liquid lunch or late night cocktails, Sofi’s Lounge is hosting Afternoon and High Tea all through the christmas season, which is perfect for a girly catch up or as a way to say thanks to Mum for all she’s done for you this year (come on, you know she deserves it!). Afternoon tea is available Monday to Friday, with a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and a selection of French pastries, while High Tea runs on the weekends and is buffet style with the afternoon tea treats, as well as hot and cold savouries, and a chocolate fountain!
For a very special treat, No.35 Restaurant will be hosting a Christmas Eve dinner buffet of seafood, a carvery of meats, an array of desserts, and an included beverage package from 6pm til late. Christmas Day will see the restaurant come alive with festive cheer for their annual Christmas lunch. If you want a care-free Christmas day in the clouds, feasting on the amazing No.35 buffet, with the best panoramic views in Melbourne, the the Sofitel is the place to be. Oh, and I couldn’t forget the real highlight of Christmas Day at No.35: an unlimited luxury beverage package!
Head over to the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins website to check out the different options and price points available, then take a load off and let the Sofitel team take care of the rest so you can have a very Merry Christmas!
The Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
25 Collins Street, Melbourne
www.sofitel-melbourne.com.au