Smith & Sinclair x John Lewis = Edible Cocktail Candy-Shop
What: Edible Cocktail innovators Smith & Sinclair have combined with John Lewis to launch an interactive in-store experience, where guests can create their own incredible edible cocktail gift box. The kind of adult candy-shop fun we’re all about.
Where: John Lewis, 300 Oxford Street, London W1C 1DX.
When: From now until January 2018
Tell me more: Playing on the senses, customers can discover the world of Smith & Sinclair through thermal reactive surfaces, scent diffusing walls and animated light features. Shoppers will exclusively be able to buy individually wrapped Edible Cocktails in a variety of flavours including Berry Daiquiri, Spiced Rum, Elderflower Spritz and Whisky Sour, as well as prop up at the bar and enjoy a mid-shop tipple. What’s more, visitors are invited to create their own alcoholic edible cocktail gift box – which is most certainly the kind of pick n’ mix we’re keen on.
The tastes, sights & sounds of turn-of-the-century New Orleans come to London
What: In recognition of 100 years of recorded jazz, arts education charity, The Arts Society and East London music dynamo, Kansas Smitty’s are coming together to tell the story of the way jazz became jazz for the first time.
Where: The spectacular surroundings of Two Temple Place, one of London’s hidden architectural gems.
When: Sunday 12th November
Tell me more: Jazz might have made it onto record in 1917, but its foundations can be traced to the American slave plantations, the street cries of hawkers, African polyrhythms, and even the European classical tradition. Head to New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th century, and you can see this all converge in the dynamic melting pot of the city.
For this one-off event, the people and sounds that enabled the greatest leap forward in popular music recording for a century, will be brought to life through talks, interactive workshops and live performances by some of the best young musicians in the country. All accompanied by NOLA street food specialists, Decatur, who will be on site serving their hearty gumbos, oysters, catfish and beignets to hungry jazz fans,and MW Heron’s Signature Bar serving up New Orleans Classic cocktails alongside Southern Comfort – think the Sazerac, Ramos Fizz and a Roffignac. There will also be free cocktail tutorials with guests throughout the event. Offering half hour slots to two guests at a time, bartenders will guide customers through these famous Nola drinks and advise them how to use their personal flavour choices and preferences to ultimately create their very own signature cocktail.
Booking: Tickets are priced from £15 and are available online here.
Mix up your own Clapham-inspired cocktails
What: Ever had a deep desire to mix up a cocktail that’s been inspired by a famous Clapham landmark or character? Haven’t we all. Well, Clapham Common’s neighbourhood restaurant, Minnow, will be throwing open their doors inviting guests behind the bar to shake things up and try their hand at mixing some cocktails connected in some way to the area.
Where: Minnow, 21 The Pavement, Clapham Common, London SW4 0HY.
When: Every Tuesday evening throughout November, starting 14th
Tell me more: Whether this little pocket of South West London resonates because you’ve lived nearby, know a friend who started their Big Smoke adventure here, or simply had an misjudged night in Infernos, this pocket of London no doubt has a special place your heart. And now on Tuesday evenings, Minnow’s resident cocktail expert Marco Giovanelli will focus on a different cocktail inspired by a Clapham landmark or a famous character along with accompanying bar snacks from Head Chef Jake Boyce, to complement the evening’s drinks. Lovers of sakè should get booking for the inaugural class on 14th November, as the cocktail of choice will be ‘The Netsuke’ made with sakè, green tea syrup, lemon juice, ginger and egg white.
Booking: Tickets are £15, including the masterclass, a cocktail and a bar snack. For reservations, please call 020 7720 4105 or email info@minnowclapham.co.uk.
Fever-Tree launches seasonal Gin School at Merchant House
What: Following a hugely successful run this Summer, Fever-Tree is bringing back its Gin School, in time for the festive season. Once again the G&T experts are distilling their expertise to create an education in flavour that caters to all tastes. ‘Students’ will also get an exclusive taste of the premium mixer brand’s limited-edition festive mixer; the Clementine & Cinnamon Tonic.
Where: Merchant House, 13 Well Court, London EC4M 9DN.
When: Monday 13th November 2017 until 20th December
Tell me more: The Fever-Tree Gin School is an immersive tasting, crafting and distilling experience unlike any other. The focus of the one-hour class is less on taking notes and more about tasting notes, as guests channel their inner gin distiller to create a liquid guided by their preference of tonic. After all, ‘If 3/4 of your gin and tonic is tonic, make sure you use the best’.
After enjoying your free welcome Gin & Fever-Tree cocktail and a brief introduction to the brand and its range of mixers, you’ll then discover all there is to know about the wonderful world of gin and the different botanicals that give each one its own unique taste and character. Then it’s time to get creative, as you choose a selection of your preferred gins to blend in order to produce your own unique 500ml bottle of gin.
The personalised gin signifies your ‘graduatio’n and as grade-A students, you’ll receive a number of free goodies to take away with you. This is the perfect gift for any gin-lover – or simply a treat for yourself this festive season!
Booking: Tickets can be bought here at designmynight.com – price £45, with two sittings a day (6:30pm and 8:30pm).
Cooking withCocktails for Movember at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings
What: Enjoying specially crafted cocktails and delicious dishes in a gorgeous environment, while also appeasing your altruistic charitable side – what’s not to like? Well, this Movember, Monkey Shoulder scotch have teamed up with some of the brightest bars and restaurants in London to combine the kitchen and the cocktail shaker – and even better, all proceeds go to charity.
Where: Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, 42 Northampton Road, London EC1R 0HU.
When: 20th November
Tell me more: The mixology and culinary world have much in common, both require innovation and a innate knowledge and respect of flavours, so with that in mind the chefs and bar teams of Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings, Petit Pois bistro and Victory Mansion have created a three-course menu taking perfectly balanced cocktails and cooking them into dishes. Utilising traditional techniques such as curing and more modern sous vide and vacuum infusion techniques, fish, meat and desserts are paired perfectly with the cocktails and flavours they are cooked or rested in.
Guests will enjoy an arrival drink and three specially paired courses followed by a dram of Monkey Shoulder whiskey, with all of the proceeds going to the Movember Foundation, helping charities focusing on men’s health. Dishes are set to include the Victory Mansion Blood & Sand with torched drunk mackerel, steak with a Manhattan jus, and a Boulevardier chocolate ganache tarte from Petit Pois.
Booking: Sittings at 6.30pm & 8.30pm – tickets include arrival drink & three courses with paired cocktails for £50. All proceeds to the Movember Foundation. Tickets can be bought here.
