What Cocktail Dress to Wear Whilst Drinking a Dark Horse

The origin of the word ‘cocktail’ is unknown but there are several stories, some of which are equestrian based.

In the 18^th and 19^th century it was the custom to bob the tails of horses that were of good quality but of mixed breeding. This caused them to stick out like a cock’s tail.  Trainers and horsemen also began to give these cock-tailed horses a dose of ginger mixed with water in order to stimulate their antics for the show ring, maybe the first cocktail drink?

Dark Horse - 25ml Kahlua or coffee liqueur, 25ml rum, 5ml rosso vermouth, cola and lemon slice.

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake and strain into a Champagne flute over crushed ice.  Top with cola and garnish with a lemon slice.

A Dark Horse of a cocktail dress is Pinko’s Rivista dress with its layers.

The bottom layer is in plain ‘cola’ black silk but the shorter top is more complex. There is the creamy coffee coloured silk layer with black lace trim and bronze ‘crushed ice’ sequins.  The front sequins are covered in a sheer film of creamy silk chiffon creating a shimmering effect. The sequins at the back are left exposed.

Fabric:  100% silk with polyester lining Price £310

Available from their flagship store at 161 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW2 1QU Tel: 0207 584 6524

Team with edgy black courts. Gianmarco Lorenzi’s black patent leather courts have a twist of rock chic with its metal chain detailing on the platform sole. Price £590

Available from Gianmarco Lorenzi’s boutique store at 40 South Molton Street, London W1K 5RW. Tel: 0207 493 2906

Add your slice of lemon with Pinko’s  Novello leather clutch at £475 Available from the Brompton store.

Cocktail ring: Gold plated Hard Candy ring with its ‘cola fizzy’ black Druzy Agate crystals. Price £119. Available from www.trisori.com