Shopkeepers of London, stock up on the Aspirin. There could be a few sore heads on the mornings of next week as we welcome the first ever London Cocktail Week.
Forget the Thames, it will be mojitos, mai tais and martinis that will be flowing through the city, with cocktail related talks, tastings, events and awards going on all over town. Or at least in zone 1.
The first step is to get kitted out with a London Cocktail Week wristband, which is completely free and can be done online then picked up at Selfridges. These will grant wearers walk-in access to the daily events, plus cheap £4 cocktails at these participating bars around the capital. We’ve heard that wristbands are running low, so be quick - but many of the ticketed events will be accessible even without one, so long as you book sharpish.
Picks include a rum festival, a speakeasy hosted by Four Roses Bourbon and a pop-up distillery in Marylebone. Alongside this, there’ll be lectures and seminars on such intoxicating topics as fortified wine, sake, Cognac and bitters. Many events are completely free, including the chance to taste the brand new Beefeater Winter Gin at Hix in Selfridges, and to get some Don Julio shots at Luxx in Mayfair.
Hendricks are one of the week’s biggest players, and the return of their Horseless Carriage of Curiosities is a much awaited highlight. You can simply hop aboard the stationary wagon on Clerkenwell Road during the daytime and create a short rhyme, riddle or recipe in homage to the gin and be rewarded with a free Hendricks & tonic, which can’t be bad. Come evening, the carriage will play host to decadent, mind-bending dinners created by no other than Bompas and Parr. They’ll also be hosting Quintessential Anthology of Gin classes, which are sure to be entertaining. Visit the Hendricks website to book your place aboard the carriage, and see the London Cocktail Week itinerary for the full line-up of events.
Let the supping begin...
