Desire Cocktail Bar reinvents the iconic Staffordshire oatcake as a stylish martini
The limited edition creation reimagines the classic bacon-and-cheese oatcake in a playful yet refined liquid form.
Desire Cocktail Bar is shaking up Stoke-on-Trent’s cocktail scene with a unique new serve: a savoury martini inspired by the city’s most iconic dish, the Staffordshire oatcake.
The limited edition creation reimagines the classic bacon-and-cheese oatcake in a playful yet refined liquid form. Fat-washed Belvedere vodka infused with cheese, smoked salt and a bright red tomato oil capture the familiar savoury notes, while a toasted oatcake garnish offers a subtle nod to the original dish.
Owner Dereece Gardner said: “To mark our second birthday, we wanted to launch something bold, unique and rooted in Stoke-on-Trent. The Staffordshire oatcake is part of our culture and identity. We’re proud of where we’re from and nothing shouts Stoke more than a Saturday morning queue for fresh oatcakes.
“I wanted to create a drink that celebrates that spirit, not as a gimmick, but through genuine craft and technique. We’ve reimagined something deeply embedded in our city’s life and turned it into a modern experience for visitors. It’s a fun serve, but it’s also a love letter to Staffordshire: familiar, comforting and a little bit cheeky, just like home.”
Since opening in Hanley’s Piccadilly in December 2023, Desire has built a strong reputation for elevating drinking culture in Staffordshire. With the oatcake martini, the bar continues to champion creativity, local pride and modern cocktail craft.
Dereece added: “This drink brought a real challenge – how do you express those savoury flavours without compromising the elegance of a martini?
“The idea actually came up during one of our team research-and-development sessions, and the moment it was mentioned, it was an instant: we have to recreate this now. It just felt right.
“We couldn’t use real bacon because it would make the drink heavy, so instead we built the sensation of bacon through smoked salt, fat-washing and carefully selecting the right cheese. Every detail had to be considered.
“The goal was to keep it clean, modern and drinkable. It’s also a nod to our team’s creativity – us pushing ideas, experimenting and seeing how far we can take something that’s part of our local culture.”
The Staffordshire Oatcake Martini, priced at £11.50, will be available at Desire Cocktail Bar from 15 December to 1 January.