Dre Masso kicks off the week at L.T.D. @The SocialThings we’re looking forward to this week
After a week off from full-on cocktail duties, we’re ready and raring to go – just as well really, we’ve got a busy seven days ahead…
Monday sees the launch of L.T.D @ The Social, a brand new limited-run bar aimed at those seeking out a quality drinking experience. What makes it different is the fact that guests will have access to classic cocktails made using only one gin, vodka, whisky, rum or tequila, chosen for superiority by a panel of experts including Dick Bradsell, Nick Strangeway, Salvatore Calabrese and Peter Dorelli. Fab drinks aside, there’ll be art, music and guest stints from a range of legendary barmen, headed by Dre Masso. More details and full review to follow.
Tuesday is the London leg of the Twisted Vespa competition at Aqua Spirit. We’re not on the judging panel but that doesn’t mean we won’t have our own opinions on the entries vying for a place in the final in France next month… Later that evening we’ll be joining Jo Good on BBC Radio London to talk about London Cocktail Week. This time we’ll have someone on hand to mix up the drinks while we get on with highlighting the fab events lined up for the ten day extravaganza running from 7-16 October…
Like most Londoners, we’re salivating at the prospect of Hawksmoor Mark III, opening in the City in the next few weeks. We’ve been invited along to try the new cocktails on Wednesday and will be lucky enough to sample six drinks, one from each section of the new menu. Don’t think for a moment we’ll be trying full glasses, we’ve got things to do later that day. Like heading along to the Fifth Floor at Harvey Nichols for the launch of Museum of Cocktails, an exclusive collaboration with Eclipse Cocktail Bars and Bacardi Brown – Forman Brands.
Showcasing ten of the most popular cocktails from the past century, including the Colony Cocktail (1920s), The Vesper (1950s) and Watermelon Martini (2010) this liquid history lesson, backed up with displays and original vintage cocktail paraphernalia from the corresponding eras runs 6-16 October to coincide with London Cocktail Week.
Thursday is Around The World in Cocktails without stepping foot out of London. We’ll be joining Midori’s brand ambassador Manuel Terrone on a tour of four bars to sample cocktails from India, Italy, Polynesia and Japan, culminating with a Japanese meal.
And then it’s London Cocktail Week, time for cocktailing, carousing and mucho fun. The launch issue of our magazine also goes live on Friday, so in between drinks please take some time to check it out, we’d love to hear what you think.
Words to the wise
We’re all for drinks from every part of the globe but we can’t help but favour the one’s created right here in the GB HQ. So during London Cocktail Week raise your glasses and salute Mr Dick Bradsell for his wonderful creations The Bramble, Russian Spring Punch, Espresso Martini and The Wibble, all of which put London firmly on the worldwide cocktail map.
Make it at home:
The Bramble
50ml gin
25ml fresh lemon juice
2 barspoons sugar syrup
15ml creme de mure
2 blackberries
Slice of lemon
Method:
Squeeze lemon juice, gin and sugar syrup in to shaker and shake over ice. Add crushed ice to Old-fashioned glass and pour in. Lace with creme de mure and garnish with blackberries and slice of lemon.
Hawksmoor Guildhall, 10-12 Basinghall Street, EC2V 5BQ. thehawksmoor.co.uk (opening 31st October, bookings taken now)
L.T.D. @ The Social, 5 Little Portland Street, W1W 7JD. T: 020 7636 4992.
London Cocktail Week (more details here)
Museum of Cocktails, Fifth Floor, Harvey Nichols, 109-135 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RJ. T: 020 7235 5000. harveynichols.com (from 6-16 October)
