World's Most Expensive Cocktail Sells For $14,000

Sipping on the world's most expensive cocktail is like drinking liquid gold. No, really—GiGi's cocktail, named after singer/actress Grace Jones, was sold for £8,888 ($14,441.31) in London this week, and is unofficially the world's most expensive cocktail. And yes, one of the ingredients is gold. The cocktail is not for the light of wallet: for that price you could take a 10-night luxury Australian vacation, or buy a brand-new Mitsubishi Mirage.

Or you could sip on this elegant cocktail. Here's the skinny on the GiGi: An extra-large flute glass is filled with a mixture of rare, vintage Champagnes, and an extremely rare Armagnac, and is topped off with a sliver of gold leaf: specifically 1990 vintage Cristal and 1888 Samalens Vieille Relique Vintage Bas Armagnac.

The drink was made especially for the opening of the new restaurant in London, and will not be added to the menu, but will be available by request. To avoid the embarrassment of one's credit card being rejected at such a lavish purchase (we couldn't think of anything more humiliating!), Gigi's restaurant requires customers to purchase the indulgent beverage in advance.  

"The Gigi's isn't the kind of cocktail that you display on a blackboard – if you have to ask the price, you won't be able to afford it," said restaurant manager Cesare Papagna. 

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Joanna Fantozzi is an Associate Editor with The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter@JoannaFantozzi