How’s your January going? Whether you’re doing Dry, Damp or you’re firmly in ‘the-first-month-of-the-year-definitely-calls-for-a-few-big-boy-abvs-to-see-you-through’ camp, get off that sofa, get out that door and support your favourite bars.
If you’re (still) doing Dry…
Try: Noobies, the new, non-alcoholic cocktail menu at Nine Lives in London. More than just n/a this one cleverly highlights nootropic ingredients like chlorophyll, CBD and functional teas, in fact, it’s all about cocktails to promote certain moods. Take your pick from the likes of Uncle Phyl (healing), CB-Daisy (social) and Meadowsweet (happiness), all made to give you some ‘oomph’ during dreary January.
Meanwhile, in Paris, CopperBay, Lancaster are offering a range of three alcohol-free cocktails from its ‘Cocktails 0.0’ menu – all complimentary to guests.
If you’re doing Dryish…
Try: The ‘High Spirits: Low ABV’ weekly changing menus at Archive & Myth. Every Tuesday in January an ace UK bar team mix up some clever (and delicious) no- and low drinks using ABV-free spirits brands Real Drinks, Everleaf, The Pathfinder and Seedlip. On 21st January, it’s the team from Bench in Sheffield and the following week, on 28th January, it’s the turn of Hey Palu from Edinburgh.
If you’re doing full ABV…
Try: The very special six-seater Omakase Experience at Kwãnt. Each 90-minute session takes in five mini cocktails featuring spirits from the Nikka portfolio. And to make them go down even better, they’re paired with two bite-sized portions of deliciousness from fab chef Joni Ketonen.
…Also, this week the The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz launched its very first concept cocktail menu. And they’ve gone large. Called Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Plants, the 14-strong list (four non alc) explores the alchemy of the planets and plants through a biodynamic approach to mixology, and each cocktail is presented in bespoke serve ware created by 3D Vault. What’s it like? We’ll let you know what we think. Full review to follow on the next episode of The Cocktail Lovers podcast on Thursday 23rd January.
And also…
***This week Havana Club announced the global launch of the second Havana Club Cocktail Maestros. To be in with a chance of securing your place at the global finals in Havana, Cuba in 2026, check the details and entry requirements here
***Jason Candid-Knusel and the Healthy Hospo team invite the hospitality industry to join them in their Mindful January sessions, held every Monday, 1-3pm at the Zetter Marylebone. Up for discussion on Monday 20th the tricky conundrum ‘Achieving Work-Life Balance in the Hospitality Industry’, with Craig Robertson, GM at Murder Inc London; Madeleine Geach, Hospitality Leadership Coach at The Good Life Coaching; Nicolas Medicamento, founder & CEO of Doctor Cocktail and Younouss Nimaga, Private Healthy Chef. The round table discussion is hosted by the lovely Anja Rubin, with refreshments from Everleaf, St. Germain and Rebels 0.0.
***We’re looking forward to seeing Lorenzo Antinori when he jets in for a one night only guest shift at Scarfes Bar on 29th January. No stranger to London’s bar scene having previously worked at the American Bar at The Savoy, before heading to Seoul as Bar Manager at award-winning Charles H bar, then on to Hong Kong where he’s now the proud owner of Bar Leone, currently No. 1 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and No. 2 in the World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 lists if you don’t mind. This one is going to be busy so we suggest getting your bookings in early (although drop-ins are more than welcome).
Reasons to be cheerful
January 25 is… National Irish Coffee Day
You can’t beat an Irish Coffee at Swift. Take your pick from the Soho, Borough or Shoreditch branches, you won’t be disappointed. barswift.com
January 25 is… Burns Night
The Bruichladdich Distillery have teamed up with select bars and restaurants around the UK for special Burns Night menus, running on and around Rabbie Burns big day, Check out the following:
From 19th-26th: (Glasgow) Small plates and paired cocktail menu at dry-aged beef specialists Porter and Rye
20th-26th: (London) Order the Burns Night special, the delicious Figs of Islay cocktail featuring The Classic Laddie with salted hazelnut, Angostura bitters, and Three Cents Fig Leaf Soda, on the menu at Equal Parts
23rd: (Birmingham) Indulge in the cheese and whisky pairing at Fox and Chance
23rd: (Westerham) Book up for a special six-course food pairing at Squerryes Winery
24th: (London) Ham Yard Hotel are offering a selection of exclusive dishes paired with whiskies from the Bruichladdich portfolio
25th: (Malvern) The Cottage in the Wood have a feast and whisky flight planned for the big day itself
30th: (Edinburgh) A little later in the calendar is the special Burns Night Whisky dinner at Ubiquitous Chip
