Muse at RSA Opens
Muse is London’s newest premium cocktail bar. Opened this month (November), Muse is a collaboration with renowned bartender Marcis Dzelzainis and his drinks company Idyll Drinks.
Muse is located at the Royal Society of Arts House. This old Georgian town house, situated behind the Strand, has been home to the RSA since 1774. You can see the original period architecture mixed with classic, sophisticated comfort. Muse is located on the ground floor and has a luxurious granite bar. The extravagant yet relaxed space, with artwork created by RSA fellows adorning the walls, provides a private members club feel.
The menu focuses on British ingredients, local provenance, sustainable agriculture and rewilding projects with a collection of wild distillates. This is due to Marcis Dzelzainis, Idyll Drinks founder and celebrated mixologist, who enjoys foraging for ingredients and bringing a connection between people and landscape. Muse promises to bring flavour and creativity to their serves.
There’s 8 cocktails on the core menu. The names sounded great. There’s East of Eden, Blackadder and William Shipley, named after the founder of the RSA, to name a few. The Truffle Martini (£16.50) was recommended to me by no less than 3 people within minutes of walking in the door. It’s a spin on the Vodka classic, with Truffle Distillate and amontillado sherry. Served in a chilled glass, it wasn’t too overpowering but still a very enjoyable and indulgent yet savoury treat. I really enjoyed slowly sipping to savour every moment.
In addition there are four wild cocktails that are seasonal and created to present wild ingredients in the context of a classic drink. I love pineapple so was tempted by the Pineapple Weed Pisco Sour – a nod to the Peruvian classic, with Pisco, Pineapple Weed Liqueur, Lemon and Bitters. I was more intrigued by the Wild Carrot Margarita (£14.50) as I can’t remember ever having carrot in a cocktail before. As the name suggests, it’s a vegetal take on a classic. It comprises Tequila, 4th Rabbit Agave Spirit, wild carrot distillate, Aperitivo Co Orange Triple Sec and lime. The unusual mix was zingy and refreshing.
Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks which made the selection process so much easier. I was fortunate to be able to taste pear, apple and quince eau de vie (colourless fruit brandy). The quince one had a delicate citrus and floral flavour but the 1000 Trees Apple eau de vie was my favourite. It really did taste like fresh apples, had a floral nose and was sweet.
There’s some bar snacks such as herby mixed olives, nduja sausage roll or bbq crackers. I had the tomato and paprika breadsticks which were incredibly moreish- I could have eaten more bowls of these. Muse prides itself on being a cocktail oasis and from mu experience this was true.
Muse is open Monday – Friday 4pm– 11pm.
Address: 8 John Adam St, London WC2N 6EZ
Website: https://www.thersa.org/about/muse-at-rsa-house
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg
https://www.instagram.com/rsahouse
https://www.instagram.com/idylldrinks
Written by Caitlin Neal
