In a city known for pushing the boundaries of luxury, Dubai has just shaken the global bar scene once again. A single cocktail, priced at a jaw-dropping Dh15,6243 (approx), has officially become the most expensive drink of its kind ever sold.

The record-breaking sip was served at Nahate, a high-end restaurant and bar in Dubai, during a glittering event celebrating the 260th anniversary of Baccarat, the legendary French crystal house.  

A Vintage Pour Worth Its Price Tag

But what exactly does one get in a drink that costs more than a luxury car? For starters, a recipe worthy of royalty: the ultra-rare Kina Lillet from 1950, paired with 1930s Angostura Bitters, and an exclusive Patron Tequila drawn from a barrel reserved solely for Nahate. The cocktail was expertly crafted by renowned mixologist Salvatore Calabrese, known in the industry as “The Maestro”.

And it wasn’t just the ingredients that made this drink one for the history books.

Served in Crystal Fit for a King

The cocktail was presented in a pair of Baccarat crystal glasses from 1937, originally designed for the International Exhibition in Paris. The glasses belong to the Service Leczinska collection, named after Marie Leszczyńska, wife of France’s Louis XV – the same monarch who granted Baccarat its royal warrant in 1764.

Rich in heritage and flawless in design, the crystal stemware added gravitas to an already extravagant affair.

A Royal Sip of History

The celebration may have arrived slightly late; Baccarat technically marked 260 years in 2024, but the timing didn’t seem to dull the sparkle. If anything, it added to the charm of a night where French craftsmanship met Dubai flair, and a drink became a statement.

Even Louis XV, who reportedly had a taste for lavish cups of hot chocolate (his personal recipe survives), might have raised an eyebrow at this ultra-luxe snifter.

But in a world where luxury is often defined by experience rather than ownership, this cocktail wasn’t just a drink. It was a moment, stirred with history, served with style, and sipped in serious Baccarat sparkle.

(Source: Apollo-Magazine)