“Avalon Hotel” in Gothenburg has unveiled a brand-new cocktail menu, with each drink directly inspired by a specific artwork from the hotel’s own collection. In total, nine pieces—six paintings and three sculptures by prominent artists such as Martin Parr, Ernst Billgren, and William Sweetlove—have served as the creative starting point for the bar team’s new interpretations.
Each cocktail on the menu is a reflection of a specific piece of art, drawing inspiration from its title, the artist’s process, or the mood it evokes. They span the full flavor spectrum—from sweet and tangy to bold and bitter—and the menu is underpinned by a strong commitment to sustainability, with the bar making creative use of kitchen leftovers such as parmesan ends, duck fat, and used coffee grounds. “The Turtle Spritz”, for example, is inspired by William Sweetlove’s sculpture Cloned Turtle with PET Bottle and is made with cava, melon, and recycled apple peels. “Say Cheese, Larry” is a bourbon, peach, and parmesan whiskey sour—an inventive homage to photographer Hasse Persson’s iconic image of American actor Larry Hagman.
Swedish traditions are celebrated, too: “En Svensk Drajja” (roughly translated as “A Swedish Martini,” with “drajja” being Swedish slang for the classic cocktail) is based on photographer Jan Bengtsson’s Dry Martini. Ice-cold O.P. Andersson aquavit is mixed with dry vermouth and garnished with pickled herring. Humor is equally present—take “Unclearly Clear”, a tropical riff on the espresso martini inspired by illustrator and satirist Jesper Waldersten’s Lillördag, combining coffee, rum, pineapple, and kaffir lime.
Avalon’s new art menu is now available in the hotel bar and restaurant, blending artistic interpretation, craftsmanship, and sustainability into a multi-sensory experience.
