Alex Eagle has a refined taste for timeless classics, and her favourite picks reflect her love for elegant simplicity and quality craftsmanship. Her selections also show her appreciation for timeless beauty whether in literature, cuisine, or cocktails.
Favourite Book: Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
A cult classic, Bonjour Tristesse is a novel that perfectly captures the heady mix of youth, love, and melancholy on the French Riviera. Written by Françoise Sagan at just 18 years old, the novel tells the story of Cécile, a privileged yet emotionally conflicted teenager navigating love and loss. Its crisp prose and sharp psychological insight make it a timeless must-read.
Favourite Recipe: Chocolate Nemesis by Ruth Rogers
This legendary flourless chocolate cake from The River Café is one of Alex Eagle’s favourite indulgences. It’s rich, velvety and deceptively simple, perfect for any chocolate lover. Try cooking it at home!
Ingredients
340g dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa)
225g unsalted butter
5 eggs
225g caster sugar
120ml water
Method
Preheat the oven to 120°C (250°F). Grease and line a cake tin. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Stir until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until pale and doubled in volume. Heat the water and dissolve half the sugar in it, then slowly add it to the whisked eggs. Fold in the melted chocolate mixture gently. Pour into the cake tin and bake for about an hour, until just set. Allow to cool before serving. The result is a silky, decadent chocolate dream.
Favourite Cocktail: Negroni at Il Pellicano, Italy
A Negroni enjoyed at the glamorous Il Pellicano hotel is Alex Eagle’s perfect drink. This Italian classic is the ultimate aperitif, bitter, bold and beautifully balanced. Here's the recipe.
Ingredients
25ml gin
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
Orange peel, for garnish
Method
Fill a glass with ice. Pour in the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Stir well until chilled. Garnish with a twist of orange peel. Serve and enjoy the perfect taste of Italian elegance.
January, 2025
