I made the decision not to blog on my birthday. The 5th February was going to be my day off, that is until I was invited to a private party in Harvey Nichols. My thoroughly modern alter ego sprang back into action and I replied to the invite with a resounding YES.
A select guest list made its way up to the fifth floor of Harvey Nichols. It was only midday but heels were out in force, make-up applied and best party frocks zipped up – this was not an ordinary lunchtime cocktail party. In the smart bar champagne flutes awaited in a rainbow array and photographers lingered. With cocktails and cake, we all celebrated the new Spice Girls inspired mixtures which accompany the hugely popular Viva Forever themed afternoon tea. Girls gossiped and tottered about exchanging excited opinions on their favourite flavours.
The five show-stopping cocktails are all Champagne based and created by Fifth Floor Bar Manager, Dominic Jacobs, with each drink highlighting the Girls’ most famous traits.
Tied up in individual bows, from Union Jack to leopard skin, the VIVA FOREVER! cocktails are priced at £14.50 each and available until the end of April.
Baby Spice – Peach puree and fresh strawberries, Harvey Nichols Champagne
Ginger Spice – Domaine de canton ginger liqueur, rose syrup topped with Champagne
Scary Spice – Fresh chilli, lychee liqueur topped with Champagne
Sporty Spice – Amaretto, curacao bleu and lemon juice topped with Champagne
Posh Spice – Apricot brandy, sugar cube soaked in grapefruit bitters, topped with Champagne
The new cocktails accompany the VIVA FOREVER! Afternoon Tea, available until the end of February. My favourite was the exotic Scary Spice variety with lychee and chilli… a sweet drink with a spicy kick. The Baby Spice cocktail is a simple fruity cocktail and the Posh Spice recipe offers something a little more sophisticated.
To eat, the luxury department store has created food and drinks with specific references to each of the five girl’s personalities:
Ginger and lemon layer cake with Union Jack decoration
Scary chilli chocolate roll with leopard printed chocolate discs
Zesty and energetic orange chocolate chip cake pop, inspired by Sporty’s love of Chupa Chups
A Posh Victoria sponge shopper
A sweet and innocent vanilla and raspberry mousse presented in a baby bottle
Alongside these sweets, afternoon tea guests are given cured beef and onion chutney poppy seed bagels, smoked chicken and carrot roulade, creamed smoked salmon on pumpernickel bread, an egg mayonnaise bridge roll and homemade winter spiced and plain scones with Champagne strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Writer and Producer of the show Jennifer Saunders and Judy Craymer attended to celebrate the cocktail launch, as well as most of the cast of the musical. Everyone was most excited to witness the arrival of the pop group themselves. Geri, Mel B, Emma and Mel C all honoured us with their presence, making the gaping hole for a missing Victoria Beckham very obvious.
It was a girly event – a feast of fun, food and cocktails and an opportunity to taste the imaginative Viva Forever afternoon tea. The perfect party for my 25th birthday, and an epic celebration of girl power.
More information here.
