London's Berkeley hotel has collaborated with Manolo Blahnik to create a fabulous cocktail and cake menu inspired by Marie Antoinette, coinciding with the V&A's major exhibition on the French queen's style. Olivia Palamountain reports

The Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge has partnered with legendary shoe designer Manolo Blahnik to create a Marie Antoinette-themed cake and cocktails menu, timed to coincide with the V&A's major exhibition on the French queen's style influence.

The experience takes place in The Berkeley Bar's pink-hued Snug, a private space featuring a mural by New York artist TM Davy depicting enigmatic female faces reminiscent of courtly intrigue at Versailles.

Blahnik's personal favourite flavours have influenced the collaboration, with cocktails including "Manolo's Martini," Blahnik's preferred tipple made with Grey Goose vodka, bergamot, beeswax and orange blossom - a nod to Marie Antoinette's daily ritual of bathing in orange blossom-scented water.
Other creations feature theatrical elements such as "La Reine Privée" with croissant air and "The Versailles Spritz" combining vodka with rosé and "La Dauphine's Garden", featuring gin infused with rose, elderflower, violet and butterfly pea flower. Seasonal cakes accompany the drinks selection in what organisers term a blend of "elevated mixology and decadent desserts."

The collaboration stems from Blahnik's sponsorship of the V&A's "Marie Antoinette Style" exhibition and his connection to the French queen's legacy through his shoe designs for Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning 2006 film Marie Antoinette.

Manolo Blahnik says: "The Berkeley is a beacon of luxury in London, and I am delighted to celebrate our partnership with this exquisite collection of cakes and cocktails inspired by Marie Antoinette. It is a delicious way to bring her spirit of elegance, indulgence and creativity to life."

The "Cakes & Cocktails fit for a Queen" experience runs from September 19, aligned with the V&A exhibition's opening.

Each session accommodates a maximum of six guests across three daily timeslots at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, with the private Snug exclusively reserved for individual parties. The intimate setting reflects both Marie Antoinette's preference for small gatherings and Blahnik's family tradition of hosting cocktail occasions. To book, click here.

The Berkeley has also created an overnight package priced from £1,020 per night that includes two tickets to the V&A exhibition, champagne on arrival and English breakfast. The fashion-focused experience targets visitors to London during what the hotel terms "the city's most fashionable season."