Mixologist claims new world record

A cocktail maker has claimed to have set a new record for the most expensive cocktail in the world.

Mixologist Salvatore Calabrese says "Salvatore's Legacy", made using ingredients dating back to before American independence and the French Revolution, will set you back a cool £5,500 per glass.

Guinness World Records said it is investigating the claim which would topple the record holder, a cocktail costing £3,766.52 served in a Dubai hotel.

The attempt was made at Salvatore's, Mr Calabrese's bar at the Playboy Club London, with a bar spokeswoman saying: "Earlier on today legendary mixologist Salvatore Calabrese, also known as The Maestro, broke the Guinness World Record for the world's most expensive cocktail.

"He created Salvatore's Legacy, a classic blend of vintage ingredients, costing £5,500 a glass."

The cocktail uses four ingredients: a 1778 Clos de Griffier Vieux Cognac, a 1770 Kummel liqueur, a circa-1860 Dubb Orange Curacao and two dashes of Angostura bitters dating from around 1900. The attempt was planned for July but was delayed when a bottle of one of the ingredients smashed.

"I was devastated when my bottle smashed and thought my dream of breaking the world record was over, but thankfully it has all worked out and nothing will stop me now," Mr Calabrese said before the attempt.

A spokeswoman for Guinness World Records, said: "GWR can confirm that we have received an official claim for the most expensive cocktail record attempt, taking place in London tonight.

"The current record for the most expensive cocktail commercially available is '27,321', costing 27,321 United Arab Emirates dirham (£3,766.52, 7,439 US dollars) which can be found on the menu of The Skyview Bar of Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

"GWR will only be able to confirm if the attempt has been successful or not three working days after we have received the evidence."