Among bartenders, managers and club owners there is a spirited (pun intended) race to concoct the most exotic, most attention-getting and most expensive cocktails.

Still, Mr. Williams said even customers who don't have a lot of money will buy Million Dollar Grandtinis and other expensive cocktails for the image they convey.

"We started the trend of very expensive cocktails," Mr. Grossich said.

It is one of the most expensive cocktails in the world, selling at £333 per glass.

There are also some expensive ( $1000) cocktails which contain flakes of gold leaf.

From 'cowboy kipping' to drinking expensive cocktails in a shed, Intelligent Luxury is in vogue, says Victoria Mather.

Come nightfall, the same power set comes back with hair considerably slicked and/or flattened to drink expensive cocktails while surrounded by the sort of people who swoon over everything we've just described.

"Everywhere there are kiosks," she said, in reference to the trendy beach bars that serve expensive cocktails and blast hip music across the sand.

Start at Abaco (Carrer Sant Joan 1), an exotically decorated courtyard house serving expensive cocktails.

There are also teas, coffees, egg creams, beer, wine and expensive cocktails made with fancy liquors.