We’re born and bred Londoners so we make no apology for saying that London Cocktail Week is one of our favourite times of the year. To set the mood, we’re opening two products raised in the capital: Jensen’s Old Tom Gin and The London Essence Co, a range of premium mixers.
Our bar review sees us going back to one of the original good-times spots– a bar that started life as the Covent Garden Cocktail Club back in 2008, before changing its name to the London Cocktail Club when it expanded to two further venues in central London. Now, with 10 bars in the capital under its belt and having taken the crowd-pleasing formula further afield to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Reading and Exeter, it’s no longer just a London thing – hence its new name: The Cocktail Club. But London is front and centre of our book choice which zones in on what is considered to be the true spirit of the capital, it’s London Gin – The Gin Craze by Thea Bennett.
Listen to our new episode on your favourite podcast channel or direct right here…
All of which primes us for our interview with Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne, the brilliant minds behind London Cocktail Week. Tune in to hear what’s in store in this year’s packed programme, and their plans for the Michelin-star guide for cocktail bars, The Pinnacle Guide, launching in November 2023. #amazing
In this episode…
We’re mixing…
London Calling
Ingredients:
45ml London Dry Gin
15ml Fino sherry
15ml sugar syrup (2:1)
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 dashes orange bitters
Method:
Shake all ingredients over ice. Pour into chilled Nick & Nora glasses. Garnish with grapefruit twist (optional)
Recipe created by Chris Jepson, Milk & Honey, London
Talking with Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne…
Opening up…
Tasting…
And…
Dropping into…
For details of London Cocktail Week see londoncocktailweek.com and for the Pinnacle Guide see thepinnacleguide.com
London Cocktail Week highlights include:
THREE UK TAKEOVERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Passing Fancies (Birmingham) x Mama Funki (London)
15 October – Info HERE
The Hideout (Bath) x Present Company (Liverpool) x Filthy Xiii (Bristol) x Murder Inc (London)
17 October – Info HERE
Panda & Sons (Edinburgh) x Kettner’s (London)
20-22 October – Info HERE
THREE INTERNATIONAL TAKEOVERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Flying Dutchman (Amsterdam x GONG Bar (London)
13 October – Info HERE
Sidecar Bar (New Dehli) x The Aubrey (London)
15 October – Info HERE
Drink Kong (Rome) x Coupette (London)
20 October – Info HERE
TRADE ONLY EVENTS:
Bartender Knowledge Exchange
A specially-curated programme of hands-on, in venue learning experiences for those working in hospitality, including Round Building at Satan’s Whiskers, Ice Carving at Swift, Behind the Scenes at The Connaught and Omakase Mise en Place at The Aubrey.12-22 October – Info HERE
Moët & Chandon opening night party at Artesian
Toast the start of the festival at The Langham’s outstanding hotel bar, with a special selection of Moët & Chandon cocktails.
12 October – Info HERE
Japan Night
For one night only, seven Japanese Bartenders, renowned in their own country, and who currently work in some of the best UK bars, are gathering together behind the bar.
16 October – Info HERE
Music to Drink Martinis To
Hawksmoor’s Spitalfields Bar is opening its doors for just one night for the launch of this musical collaboration between Fords Gin and Handsome Boy Modelling School.
19 October – Info HERE
Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne’s first Bar Takeover
Festival Co-Founders, Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhan Payne make the only drink they know how to serve behind the beautiful Nobu Bar, Portman Square. With a DJ set from Jake F Burger. 20 October – Info HERE
For more details and full programme, see londoncocktailweek.com
Catch up with every episode of The Cocktail Lovers Podcast here:
The Cocktail Lovers Podcast Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis ‘T-Bone’ Watson
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