AN EXOTIC blend of appropriate drinks was unveiled at the Gleneagles Hotel yesterday as the luxury venue celebrated its 80th anniversary.

An impressive 80-years-to-the-day the doors first opened, the five-star hotel is marking the occasion in a properly indulgent way.

Bar manager Regis Lemaitre and supervisor Stephen Low have created 80, a cocktail designed to help guests relax, and perhaps celebrate a little along with the staff.

The pink potion mixes 15-year-old Dalwhinnie single malt whisky with pink champagne, plus vanilla liqueur and sugar syrup “to mix the taste and make sure it’s just right on the pallet,” according to Regis.

He said, “We made it with pink champagne, to start at the top end, but then we also wanted it to be whisky-based because it’s Diageo and it’s Scotland.”

The result, Regis said, is a drink that’s “very vibrant and very bright,” although it’s also worth noting that three measures of Dalwhinnie make 80 very potent.

Despite needing “almost no decoration,” the creative bar staff have added some blackcurrants to complete the package.

Regis said, “It’s very refreshing. It’s definitely a champagne drinker’s type of drink.

“Obviously, with the whisky it has a little bit of a whisky tang as well. I would say if you like a traditional champagne cocktail type of drink then it’s some style of thing.”

Built by the Caledonian Railway Company, the Perthshire hotel has long been a prestigious destination, attracting the likes of Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy, Sir Sean Connery and King Hussein of Jordan.

It boasts three championship golf courses, a golf academy, a maze, 700 staff and an unrivalled worldwide reputation.

This week it will be filled with people as it hosts the Diageo golf championship, a top European tour event.