And just like that, it’s the end of January. It wasn’t too bad, was it? That said, if we’re being totally honest, February is looking sooooo much better. Here’s why…
New menus
…You’d be hard pushed to find a more stimulating setting for a nature-inspired cocktail menu than the glorious playground that is Gleneagles. So, no surprises that the latest offering from its American Bar centres on plants. More specifically, the rose family of flowering plants. Think apples, apple, cherry, plum and almonds. Launching on 5th February, the Rose Compendium takes in 19 drinks, some repurposing ingredients used in the hotel’s kitchens, others focusing on hyperlocal rose-based ingredients. Top of our list? We’re looking forward to trying the three iterations of Barley, the team’s take on the Rob Roy. Rather than choosing between their takes on Sweet, Perfect or Dry combos, we’ll defo go for all three.
…You can always rely on Jack Sotti and co. to come up with fun and fabulous new ways to tempt guests down to their beaut of a bar, Archive & Myth. Their latest treat is the Japanese Happy Meal, which is much more high end than its Maccy Ds counterpart – we’re talking a Bartender’s Breakfast of Champions made up of a Japanese Slipper cocktail, ice-cold glass of Sapporo Japanese Beer, followed by a KAY sake sipper – all for £17.
New bars
…It’s the one that tout le monde have been waiting for: the opening of schmuck. in New York. It’s been a while in the making, but as they say, all good things and all that…
So what do we know so far?
1. It occupies a very cool corner site in New York’s Lower East side.
2. The opening has been a labour of love. Not to mention copious amounts of sweat and possibly tears. In true schmuck style, Moe Aljaff, Juliet Larrouy and the loyal team have put in more graft getting it ship-shape than most.
3. The space is inspired by designers and architects from Mid-century Modern, Space Age and Brutalist design movements.
4. schmuck. is divided into two distinct areas: an all-seated main living room, and a smaller, more convivial room with an open sharing table.
5. There are 22 drinks on offer – 12 in the main room, 10 in what they’re thinking will be the more everyday, drop-in kinda spot.
6. And as for those drinks, they continue that culinary style that we’ve come to expect, with new and exciting combos like Blanka, inspired by a classic French winter salad, featuring Four Walls whiskey, fennel, mustard vinaigrette and pecan.
Keep an ear out for our special podcast interview with Moe and Juliette coming soon
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…Milan has the historic Camparino and from 6th Feb, London will have its own temple to the bitter aperitif with the UK’s first-ever Negroni Bar by Campari. The brand new space at The Alchemist Monument promises ‘theatrical cocktails and immersive experiences’ – we’ll be the judges of both, thank you very much! We’ll let you know what we think once we’ve done the necessaries.
What we do know is, it’s a 5,549sq. ft space split over two levels and will be decked out rather fittingly in Campari-red. As for those Negronis, they’ll be five variations on offer: Classic and a non-alcoholic classic, Barrel-Aged, Paradiso, Choc-O-groni and Negroni Sour as well as the obligatory Campari Soda.
New bottles
…The Sexy Fish teams are clearing space on their back bars for the the arrival of their brand new, own-label vodka. Being Sexy Fish, it’s of the premium kind and packs a punchy 42% ABV. Created in collaboration with Hawkridge Distillers, it’s double-distilled, triple-filtered and finished with a touch of honey. Throughout February you can taste it, mixed with a touch of the restaurant’s Chichibu Japanese Whisky, in a Sexy Fish Martini, at the special price of £10. And if you like what you taste, you can buy a bottle at Sexy Fish London, Manchester and Miami for £40 for a 50ml bottle.
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…In the same week that two old, established brands i.e. Harrison Ford and Glenmorangie announced that they’ve partnered up on a series, we hear that there’s a new Scottish whisky brand on the scene. Step forward Tom Costello, Carl Johnstone and Adam Harding, the Edinburgh-based start up behind the Tailored Spirits Co.
Their first release saw them unveiling three experimental, micro-batch, single cask whiskies born with ‘curiosity, exploration and innovation’ in mind. The line-up takes in Croftengea Loch Lomond 7-year-old (52 bottles, £59.50 each); Fettercairn 13-year-old (84 bottles, £74.50 each), and an Ardmore 8-year-old (60 bottles, £64.50 each).
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…Another limited-edition release but this one is Highland Park 56, the rarest and oldest whisky in the range to date. The result of laying down 10 casks in Orkney in 1968, only 170 bottles have been created – yours for a cool £40,000 each.
And also…
…Today (31st January) is the launch of the new Covert Operations: The Spy Bar Takeover Series. Each month some of the world’s best bartending talents will be invited to take the helm at the historic Spy Bar (which is located in the confines of former Old War Office in case you didn’t know) where they’ll be offering bespoke cocktails, storytelling and unique guest experiences. First up, Filippos Filippopoulos from Leeds-based Tabula Rasa, with Stanislav Harcinik from Mirror Bar in Bratislava booked for 22nd February.
…Rosewood Phnom Penh in Cambodia is celebrating its seventh anniversary by hosting the first Phnom Penh Cocktail Festival on 7th-8th February. Featuring 14 guest bartender shifts from the likes of Bar Leone, Hong Kong; Speak Low, Shanghai and Vendor, Taichung, plus local talents Cin Cin, it marks a year of accomplishments for the hotel, including number 3 on the 20 Favourite City Hotels in Asia.
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Industry news and events
…For everything you wanted to know about the best sustainable bartending practices and resources, check out the Shaken Leaf open source platform from the team at The Cambridge Public House in Paris. From practical tips on reducing waste, to sourcing eco-friendly ingredients, the website also includes a database, with cocktail recipes, garnishes, and mixers, each with a sustainability score and the ability to filter based on ingredients, dietary requirements, and eco-friendly metrics.
…Get your entries in for:
– (Global) Does your latest cocktail menu have what it takes to win the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award? If you think you’ve done a great job as far as innovation, storytelling and great drinks are concerned, why keep all your hard work to yourself? The award is open to bars worldwide, regardless of style, or how long they’ve been open. The highest scoring finalists will be invited to attend The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 where the winner will be revealed. Entries close Monday 3rd February, so get your skates on!
– (Global) We haven’t met anyone who hasn’t said that the training, mentorship and education they receive/d as a CAP Red Coat has been one of the most invaluable experiences in their careers. If you fancy learning from the best at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, today (31st January) is the last day to get your applications in. Do it now!
And while you’re at it, you can nominate someone who you feel deserves recognition for the work that they’re doing to drive diversity and inclusion in the world of cocktails. Tales Catalyst, another initiative from Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, is a celebration of women or non-binary individuals who are breaking boundaries in the industry, with awards going to one US based and one international honoree. Nominations close 7th February. And nominations for the Spirited Awards are also open. You have until 13th February to propose yourself or others for everything from World’s Best Cocktail Bar to Best International Bartender.
– (UK) Bartenders/owners, you have until 17th February to get your nominations in for this year’s CLASS Bar Awards, taking place on 21st May. Categories include Emerging Bartender of the Year, Bar Manager of the Year, Front of House Star of the Year, Bar Employer of the Year and Sustainable Practices Award.
Reasons to be cheerful
8 February is… International Scotch Whisky Day
Get the drinks in at either (or ideally both) of our favourite specialist whisky bars in London: Dram and Black Rock
