In Bordeaux, the Ginto hotel group is deploying its vision of the bar. At the Grand Hôtel Français, the Casa bar unveils a new spring-summer cocktail menu. Led by consultant Jérémy Lauilhé, the offer aims to combine technical requirements and user-friendliness.
You have to go to the center of Bordeaux (Gironde) to discover the strategy deployed by the hotel group Gold for the bars present in its establishments. At Grand Hôtel Français (35 rooms, 3 stars), the Casa bar, launched a new cocktail menu on March 27, 2026, for the spring-summer season.
“Bars must express our hospitality expertise and embody a friendly spirit…dispose Brice de Puymorinthe president of the company (120 people), which has eight hotels. Another challenge is to attract customers from outside the hotels – in Bordeaux, 75% of the bar’s customers do not live there.
The interior of the bar is elegant (photo: Pierre Monetta)
Opened in September 2023, the Casa bar at the Grand Hôtel Français uses, like the other Ginto establishments, the services of Jérémy Lauilhéa consultant in bar trades based in Landes. “We have started thinking about seasonality, working in short circuits and the bar target. We don’t want to make geek cocktails…he says. On site, operations are carried out by Vincent Mirambertbest apprentice in France 2025, and Paulin Dimulleancien élève de Jérémy Lauilhé.
Milk punch, fatwash… on the program for the technical part
Volupté
Two cocktails are served only in alcoholic version. Favorite for Volupté (rum, apricot, coconut, Lapsang souchong tea, falernum, lime, 10cl), a milk punch served in a small bottle. “Apricot and coconut bring sweetness and deliciousness, enhanced by the spices of falernum and a fine smoky note of black tea. The Planteray Original Dark structures the whole, while the lime highlights its liveliness…, it is described on the menu. On the nose, the cocktail expresses unique notes of coconut, and slightly lime. In the mouth, this drink is very accessible. The apricot gives it creaminess, the texture is more “leathery” in the finish. Alas, tea remains in the background.
Change of register with Sweet Olive (gin fatwash with olive oil, white vermouth, Italicus, verjuice, olive, 10cl), in the spirit of a dry martini. “The Haize gin washed with olive oil brings roundness and depth, while Italicus illuminates the whole with a zesty freshness. The Siorac verjuice prolongs the tasting with a dry, saline and delicately bitter texture, says the Casa team. On the nose, olive predominates. On the palate, the verjuice and the olive are vectors of acidity, while the bergamot mischievously takes over later, through the Italicus.
Four mirror cocktails, available with and without alcohol
In addition to four “classic signature” recipes, six new cocktails have just been added to the menu. Among which are four mirror recipes, available with and without alcohol. “This is a complicated exercise, since certain alcohol-free products were, at the beginning, very aromatically marked. There may be a difference with and without alcohol, at the risk of lacking body. It’s challenging…estime Jérémy Lauilhé.
Little Corn
Among the mirror cocktails, the Little Corn“acidulous, vinous and gourmand†(whiskey, sherry, roasted corn, verjuice, nuts, saline solution, 10cl). A very graphic creation visually, with a beautiful foam which gives it a quite contemplative aspect. The nose is nutty, popcorn. On the other hand, on the palate, the very liquid texture and the emphasis on salt counteract this first impression. The walnut brings oily notes.
Pêche des Dunes
The Pêche des Dunes (gin, peach, immortelle flower syrup, honey, 17cl), includes Verjunade, a product based on verjuice (acid juice extracted from grapes that have not yet ripened) from Domaine du Siorac (Périgord). A sparkling long drink, enhanced by the presence of honey. Sparkling, very smooth and refreshing, in the spirit of a spritz, but softer, without the heat of alcohol.
More classic inspirations
Berryfly
Classic cocktails revisited include the Berryfly (Haize gin, blueberries, lemon), “fresh, tangy and delicious†, clarified with whole milk. Elegant with its purple color, and worn on red fruits, it allows you to gently enter the world of cocktails while being marked by the aromatic power of blueberry.
And, apart from the menu, perhaps the bartenders will be able to prepare you an old fashioned à la Blanche by Christian Drouin (cider brandy), with a peach bitter and an immortelle flower syrup. Chic!
Cocktails de 12 Ã 14 euros.
12 rue du Temple, 33000 Bordeaux
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Consume in moderation.
