Good question. We've tackled the subject of "most expensive" a few times in this column, from burgers to diamonds, from wines to baked potatoes. Plus, watch out for an upcoming revisitation of the most expensive suites in town.
Cocktail-wise, there have been two trends since we first QoDed on the subject back in 2006. The first is the widespread introduction of bottle service in nightclubs, ultralounges, and pool parties. The second, which we discovered while researching this answer, is the disappearance of several of the more outlandish signature cocktails that were all the rage as publicity stunts a couple of years back.
The whole bottle-service thing has elevated the price of a drink to crazy levels without even venturing into the world of rarified cocktails: When we checked out the drink menu at the Palms' Ditch Fridays pool party a couple of months ago, we discovered prices like $375 for a bottle of Stoli/Grey Goose etc., $500 for absinthe, and $900 for Cristal. So, if you assume the average bottle size is 750 milliliters and the average shot size is one ounce, that would be about $15/shot for the vodka, $20/shot for the absinthe, and $180/glass for the Champagne, assuming you get five glasses per bottle.
We called Lee's Discount Liquor to compare these with retail prices and they were charging $28.99 for Stoli, $49.99 for Grey Goose, $40-$60 for absinthe, and $300 for Cristal, so, relatively speaking, the Champagne actually works out to be the best-value poolside tipple.
As far as the most expensive cocktails are concerned, gone from the list is MGM Grand's $275 Seablue martini, made with super-premium vodka and Beluga caviar. A spokesman for the restaurant explained that it was a fun idea that didn't sell.
The former Teatro Euro Bar (also at MGM Grand) served a $2,200 High Limit Kir Royale, comprising Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé Champagne, Hardy Perfection Cognac, Grand Marnier Cent-cinquantenaire, and fresh muddled raspberries, but that one bit the dust when the property closed to make way for Rouge.
Other casualties include the Capital Grille's $1,000 High Roller and Gotham martinis, both of which came paired with a piece of Lagos jewelry (a diamond pave ring and a strand of pearls, respectively), but these were only intended to be short-term promotions, with $500 of the price going to charity. Bellagio's Prime Steakhouse has sold out of the $1,050-a-shot Chivas Regal 50-Year Salute, so the Queen of England and her friends and family are about the only source left if you want to sample that rare elixir (the 255 limited-edition bottles came from her coronation cask).
So, what's left? Good news! There are still plenty of ways to blow obscene amounts of money on alcohol all around town. Here are some suggestions:
