SUMMER IS HERE! *We think* – obviously given the fact we live in Blighty means we can never be 100% certain of the kind of weather allotted to us. Still, excitement levels are rising and we’re crossing our fingers and toes for a long, balmy summer of al fresco drinking, refreshing libations, and all kinds of teasingly tropical cocktails. Because who can’t identify with the fact that, in winter, the idea of a Piña Colada is a little kitsch… in summertime, it’s a one-way-ticket to feeling like we’re on holiday.
June also brings some pretty cool cocktail highlights – watch out for our piece about World Gin Day on Saturday 9th, take a look below at fabulous fun happening for Negroni Week (4th – 10th), and prepare for World Martini Day on June 19th (there’s a superb twist on an Afternoon Tea below that’s sure to ignite some excitement for lovers of this classic). Add to this an array of awesome pop-ups, tempting terraces, and a whole load of sunshine-filled party vibes, and your summer sipping is already looking pretty sorted!
Negroni Week 4th – 10th
That’s right, a whole week has been dedicated to the herbaceous amber aperitif that we all love to quaff before a meal (or generally when we want a punchy dose of Gin, Campari and Vermouth). So where’s best to head to get your fix?
Well, Cocchi – one of the world’s finest producers of vermouth and aperitivo wines from the heart of Piedmont in Italy – has teamed up with 7 of London’s finest bars and restaurants to create a bespoke series of 9 Cocchi Negronis. So you can head to Park Chinois for the likes of an Espresso Negroni, sip a smoky Mezcal Negroni at a Citizen M hotel (Tower Hill, Shoreditch and Bankside), and enjoy a chamomile and Kamm&Sons Negroni at Temper City (Temper Soho and Covent Garden have their own exciting versions).
Osteria restaurant and Aperitif Bar at the Barbican is an Italian hidden gem offering an exciting list of Negroni Cocktails, with a specialist menu that includes no less than 7 variations of the timeless cocktail. As part of Negroni Week, they are hosting a series of Master Classes on 4th, 5th and 9th June with 3 cocktails and platters for £15. Now that’s a pre-theatre experience that we can definitely get on board with!
From 7.30- 9pm / £15 | Tickets can be bought here.
Fancy making a night of it and sipping Negronis to the sounds of a live Italian swing band, while appreciating one of the best 360 degree views that London has to offer? Head to Searcys at the Gherkin on 4th June, where Searcys head mixologist, Federico Geniale, has created a special Negroni Menu. Guests can indulge in a choice of two Negronis and an aperitivo plate of delicious antipasti for £28 per person.
The offer is available for the whole month | http://searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
ROKA Summer Sessions
Prepare to embrace those summer-soaked party vibes, as ROKA Canary Wharf have partnered with CÎROC vodka to bring you the ROKA Summer Terrace Sessions – a series of parties to celebrate the arrival of warmer months. On the last Friday of each month, the terrace will be transformed with a different theme, each time featuring performances by internationally renowned DJs. With the terrace ambiance ranging from the relaxing shores of the Balearic Islands, to the streets of Notting Hill Carnival, each evening will transport guests to the ultimate party scene.
The first party on June 1st embraced ‘The Spirit of the Balearic’, and saw DJ Mass and Jim Wood bringing a sunshine-filled Balearic set of luscious house and cosmic grooves to the terrace, alongside bespoke CÎROC vodka cocktails. These will also alter depending on the theme – one month you might be sipping on the Amnesia (CÎROC vodka infused with sancho berries, rosemary droplets bitters, tonic water and garnished with an orange zest, rosemary & thyme) while later in the series, you’ll find the likes of the British Garden – a CÎROC vodka martini, with Sakura vermouth, Cocchi Americano, elderflower & strawberry cordial, all garnished with a grapefruit zest.
The next ROKA Summer Session takes place on 29th June, and channels ‘The Spirit of London’ – so grab your tickets and prepare for one capital bracer of an evening!
Tickets are £15, available from www.rokarestaurant.giftpro.co.uk/vouchers and include a CÎROC vodka cocktail on arrival | 6:30pm-11pm
‘Lost Vegas’ at Queen of Hoxton
Forget the white tigers, spinning roulette wheels and Britney in concert every night… Queen of Hoxton are reimagining a Sin City of 2030. In this future setting (only twelve years away, argh!) eco-warriors and net-hippies have taken over and left the space to the mercy of flora.
This topsy turvy world of futuristic Lost Vegas includes an interactive playground where you can get married by Drag King Elvis in the little Vegas chapel, play the slot machines, or jump on a bike and get cycling to power up the giant Lost Vegas sign. Cocktails can be found at the abandoned school-bus, with some highlights being the thirst-quenching Rhubarb and Vodka Seltzer, a throughly refreshing Paloma Grapefruit Slushie, and an utterly delicious Banana Colada. What’s more, all these ready-to-serve cocktails have been created in conjunction with East London based ‘cocktail scientists’ Three Dots and Five Miles Brewery, meaning they’ve abandoned single-use plastic cups and straws. Eco-tastic!
http://queenofhoxton.com
MarTEAni Afternoon Tea at DUKES LONDON
June 19th should be in highlighted in everyone’s diaries due to the fact on this day, the whole world bows in recognition of the mighty Martini cocktail. And for a quintessential twist on the classic martini with an, er, twist, we’ll be heading to DUKES LONDON for their MarTEAni.
Three delicious mini martinis have been created using The East India Company Gin and infused vermouths, designed to perfectly pair with the sandwiches and sweet treats of the traditional afternoon tea served at DUKES LONDON. There will be a Lemon Martini to pair with the sandwiches, an Orange Marmalade to pair with the scones and finally a First Romance Tea Martini with an infused vermouth using The East India Company’s First Romance tea, to pair with the pastries. An afternoon (tea) delight simply too good to miss!
Available daily, from 12pm to 6pm from 19th June | £42.50 | www.dukeshotel.com
Opening of Moonshine Saloon
For all those imbibers who like a hearty dose of interactive theatre with their cocktails, this one’s for you – Moonshine Saloon is finally open! Offering guests an evening of riotous fun alongside some yummy cocktails, this one-of- a-kind immersive cocktail bar experience is set to transport guests from the streets of West London to the streets of the Wild West.
Inspired by the captivating tales of the Wild West and its covert operations, Moonshine Saloon invites guests to bring their own liquor to be granted entry to the undercover saloon and into the dark world of moonshining. There’s also the opportunity to head downstairs and see what the ‘locals’ are getting up to – while avoiding the eyes of the sheriff, that is. So grab your favourite liquor, you favourite friends, and get moonshining!
£33.99 (includes 4 cocktails from brought drink of choice + 1.45 hours inside Saloon)
www.moonshinesaloon.com | Until 25th August2018 | Bookings can be made online here or at Design My Night
Sassy Cidre Summer Orchard Pop-Up at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel
A sophisticated cocktail bar, one of London’s most iconic hotels, and Sassy Cidre? This seems like the ultimate summer experience!
Sassy Cidre Orchard promises a range of exquisite cocktails, a stunning floral aesthetic and a friendly, vibrant atmosphere, all with the aim of redefining the way we drink cider. Sassy Cidre will be partnering with three different alcohol brands every month to create innovative cocktails at the Summer Orchard pop-up. June sees them pair with Suze & Lillet, followed by St. Germain in July and Belvedere in August. Think French Negronis, Summer Spritz’s, and other floral cocktails. And if that’s not enough to get excited about, they’ve got loads lined up to entertain you and your friends. Look forward to live performances from budding French artists, as well as masterclasses in flower arranging, cocktail making and even yoga!
Open June, July, August | Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 16:00 – 22:00
Quaglino’s Launches Q Aperitivo Menu
Thursday is the new Friday at Quaglino’s, as they’ve introduced the Q Aperitivo menu, with a selection of new spritz cocktails and a complimentary Aperitivo Counter at the bar. Available every Thursday from 5-8pm, guests can enjoy refreshing Venice-inspired cocktails such as the La Serenissima (Aperol, Italicus bergamot liqueur and Tanqueray gin lengthened with fresh watermelon and prosecco), or perhaps the Aqua Vita, consisting of Moscato Grappa infused with Strawberries, honey, blood-orange and lemon served in a coupe “the sour way” with a white horseradish flower.
Aperitivo is an important tradition in Italy, a popular time of day to meet friends after work for a light bite and cocktails before dinner – and Quaglino’s is further enhancing this feeling of joviality by hosting some of London’s most authentic Italian live bands. Definitely a slice of La Dolce Vita that we’d like to embrace this June!
For more information & bookings visit: www.quaglinos-restaurant.co.uk/book-a-table/
