Couch Tripping: Reggie’s Camel Camp

This one is on my must go list. To read NY Times correspondent Gardiner Harris words, Reggie’s Camel Camp is one of few places to “recall the era of the maharajahs and their spirited bond with the British”. He tells tales of Reggie Singh, Camel Camp Osian’s proprietor, passing around free bottles of champagne at his decadent little hideaway nestled in the Indian dunes.

Located in Jodhpur, India, on one side of the dunes lie Osian temples and the other, mystic views of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. This is truly a castle in the sand as it sports a pool, luxuriously fitted tents and even a camel racetrack. Talk about an oasis. As Reggie himself is the grandson of the Maharajah Ratan Singh of Jodhpur, he goes out of his way to make his guests feel like royalty. Explore the desert sands, local tribes and villages on camelback by day, sip champagne and smoke cigars in the Safari Bar with Reggie by night. Fit for James Bond, a visit from a swanky British spy and his glamorous gal wouldn’t be out of place in Reggie’s domain. I’m so there- in my mind anyway.

Being that this year’s tax day was not a pretty one, I’ll be packing my imaginary bag full of these goodies. So the Leica’s a bit out of my reach right about now but that crossbody bag is $49. Hmmm.

1. Vintage copy of A Passage to India. Ok so this is like $11,000 or something but it looks cool and this is my couch trip and I can fake buy if I want to.
2. Josie Maran’s SPF 40 Moisturizer- fantastic- my everyday moisturizer with great SPF protection and NO stinky smell, love this stuff.
3. Dolce Vita’s Bagley Gladiator Flat
4. Joie Julietta silk pants- a splurge but this is all pretend anyway so whatevs.
5. Anthropolgie’s Slubby Lace Up Dolman tee.
6. Block Shop’s Arrows Coral scarf.
7. Joy Gryson Crossbody Bag. Because it’s $49 and something here has got to be sensible.  Plus, this would look pretty good amongst the dunes, don’t you think?
8. Leica point and shoot.

So maybe I’m not actually jetting off to Jodhpur (not yet anyway) but I can certainly Couch Sip and dream of a night in Reggie’s Safari Bar. I’m thinking that this Champagne Cocktail recipe from Jerry Thomas’ 1862 The Bartender’s Guide: How To Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant’s Companion is a perfect fit for this old world haunt.

First of all, I need to own this book. I can’t very well claim to be a member of the Bon Vivant club without owning the Bon Vivant’s Guide. How many times can I say Bon Vivant? Bon Vivant Bon Vivant Bon Vivant. Try it, it’s tough- much easier to type. But I digress, you can pick up a reprint via Amazon here, it’s chock full of old school 19th century fancy cocktail recipes.

This one is super simple.

You need:
Champagne
Chilled Champagne Flute
1 Sugar Cube
Small Bowl
3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Lemon Twist

How You Make It:
1. Soak the sugar cube in a bowl full of the bitters.
2. Pour champagne into chilled flute.
3. Drop the sugar cube in.
4. Garnish with the lemon twist.

Voilà- How easy is that! I think Reggie would approve, maybe one day I’ll find out. In the meantime, from my couch to yours- Cin Cin!

{Images: Camel Rider: Naina Redhu, Reggie’s Camel Camp: camelcamposian.com, Polaroid Sunset Shot: Bruce Miller, Champage Cocktail: Lucas Allen}

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