With London Cocktail Week on the horizon, we thought we would put together a handy Cut The Cap approved guide to all the things we are excited about and will be checking out.
With so much happening next week, it’s going to be hard to make it round to everything but we guess by sharing some of the great pop ups and events, it will also act as a list for us.
Havana Club 7 ‘Black Box
Where: LCW Village – Old Spitalfields market
For obvious reasons, we are excited to get ourselves to the Havana Club 7 ‘Black Box’ & lose ourselves in the sights, smells & tastes of a night in Havana.
Make your way through the secret door to find yourself in the midst of a hot Havana night in the “Jardines de la Tropical” where you will discover the various bars and soak up authentic Cuban flavours. Try a variation of cocktails created by Jake O’Brien Murphy from Callooh Callay bar, inspired by his time spent in Havana.
If you are lucky enough to be there on Friday & Saturday they will be joined by Jesse Vida from award winning BlackTail bar in NYC, who will help celebrate the Cuban day of the bartender.
Jesse’s four bespoke cocktails are inspired not only by the key flavour and aroma notes of Havana Club 7 – coffee, honey, island fruits and aromatic leaf but also by the great bartenders who have influenced his bartending career.
If you are down there, and manage to experience the Black Box, then let us know. We’ll be the ones pretending to smoke Cuban cigars.
Session Times:
Monday: First Tour 17:30 – Last Tour 21:00
Tuesday: First Tour 12:30 – Last Tour 21:00
Wednesday: First Tour 12:30 – Last Tour 21:00
Thursday: First Tour 12:30 – Last Tour 21:00
Friday: First Tour 12:30 – break from 16:00 until 17:00 – Last Tour 21:00
Saturday: First Tour 12:30 – break from 16:00 until 17:00 – Last Tour 21:00
Sunday: First Tour 12:30 – Last Tour 17:00
Aperitivo Hour
Where: Madison’s Rooftop Bar
Anything that has the words ‘Rooftop Bar’ immediately gets our attention. The ability to enjoy some amazing cocktails and pair them with our cigars gives us the CTC seal of approval.
The drinks menu will feature some of Dante NYC’s greatest hits including their modern classic, the Garibaldi, the Italiano Sour, with Martini Bitter, Aperol, Strega, Italicus, grapefruit, lilac and egg white.
Where: LCW Village – Old Spitalfields market
Iconic spirit brand Cointreau will be bringing back their unique Cointreau Kiosk pop-up bar, first seen in 1904 to Old Spitalfields Market. Positioned in the heart of London Cocktail Week’s village from Monday 2nd – Sunday 8th October, guests will be able to step back in history to sip a refreshing Cointreau Fizz.
Here’s a real chance to soak up some history while enjoying one of our favourite cocktails of this year.
Tanqueray No.Ten Presents Aqua Shard
Where: LCW Village
Aqua Shard and Tanqueray No.TEN are bringing some world class cocktails to you and showcasing a blend of drinks created by Aqua Shard’s bar manager Luca Missaglia. So you can enjoy some great cocktails without having to travel up all those floors.
Ketel One Vodka Kitchen and Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Where: LCW Village
Sometimes everything is better in pairs, and like the Avengers this year two iconic brands are teaming up. Ketel One Vodka and Bulleit Bourbon are coming together for LCW 2017 in a two storey space, with delicious cocktails ‘on tap’, that is set to be a must see drinking spot at the ‘Cocktail Village’ in Old Spitalfields Market. Expect masterclasses, tastings as well as some pretty amazing cocktails.
World Class Garden To Glass At Ham Yard Hotel
Where: Ham Yard Hotel Roof Terrace
There is the magic word again ‘Roof terrace’ – Ham Yard are opening their roof terrace for a series of pop-ups inspired by home-grown ingredients such as Lavender, Jasmine, Tomatoes, Scotch Bonnet Chillies and honey ensuring there is something for everyone.
Firmdale group mixologist Eoin Kenny has been working closely with the World Class family to produce 5 different concepts including Ketel One Bloody Mary classes with a spicy twist and how to supercharge your Tanqueray Collins using ingredients from the home and garden. Each night you can learn from the experts on a leafy private roof top terrace overlooking London.
If the zombie apocalypse hits, then at least we know we can still grow grow our own ingredients and have a decent cocktail.
Pirates Grog Rum Takeover
Where: Smugglers Tavern – Fitzrovia
All week Pirate’s Grog Rum will be taking over the Smugglers Tavern joining forces to bring you a special rum-focussed cocktail menu for the week, which includes an almighty Grog Old Fashioned for the rum connoisseurs amongst you, the infamous Pirate’s Grog Espresso Rumtini using the dangerously delicious Black Ei8ht Coffee Rum, a Smugglers Special carefully crafted by the Smugglers bar team and finally, The Long John a passion-fruit wonder, will take centre stage as the London Cocktail Week special for just £6.
As well as a week-long menu takeover, fellow pirates and customers can take advantage of free samples of the Pirate’s Grog product range (simply ask a member of bar staff for your free sample). The range includes Pirate’s Grog Five Year, Pirate’s Grog No.13 and Pirate’s Grog Black Ei8ht Coffee Rum.
On Thursday 5th October it’s the Rumtini House Party! The evening kicks off with an Espresso Rumtini Masterclass at 7pm, where attendees are invited to enjoy a sit-down event in which they get a full rum tasting session hosted by the owner and captain, Gaz Noble. The second half of the session is all about crafting the ‘perfect Espresso Rumtini’, after a demonstration and introduction to all the necessary equipment, attendees will shake their way to perfection, before enjoying their very own cocktail. Tickets are priced at £20 and you can be sure there’ll be rum o’plenty! And it doesn’t end there, as the party opens to the public at 8pm, for 2 for 1 cocktails served straight from their infamous nitro tap system – yes that’s right, Espresso Rumtini’s on Tap!! With music maestros spinning funky beats and good vibes what’s not to love?! So, clear the diary for an evening of rum, rum and more rum on Thursday 5th October!
To buy tickets to the Masterclass email Beth – beth@piratesgrogrum.com
The Botanist
Where: Sager + Wilde
If you are a gin fan then look wards east London as The Botanist, the first and only Islay dry gin, is partnering with Sager + Wilde to bring you a drinking and dining experience like no other. The experience is brought to you by Head Chef Chris Leach and Mixologist, Marcis Dzelzainis who have been influenced by their stay on the remote Isle.
Available to diners from the 3rd – 6th October, over four evenings, guests will be treated to a feast for the senses inspired by foraging and exploration of Islay. Made with wild, seasonal ingredients, the menu includes delights such as, Venison Ragu, Cocoa Tagliatelle and Pine Oil. Each course will be paired with four specially curated, foraged The Botanist cocktails.
Hosted by Brand Ambassador Abi Clephane, guests will be given an immersive experience in the upstairs area at Sager + Wilde, Bethnal Green – bringing the spirit of Islay to east London.
If you can’t make it to the dinners, try the pop-up bar in the Sager + Wilde outdoor courtyard, where Brand Ambassador, Abi will be hosting informal masterclasses throughout London Cocktail week. Digital Pass holders will also be able to purchase The Botanist Crab Apple Gimlet cocktail, combing The Botanist Gin and Crab Apple Cordial for £6.
Limited spaces for dinner available, tickets are priced at £45 each and can be purchased here.
So there you have it. A flavour of what to expect at London Cocktail Week this year. We will of course be reporting live over the week across our social media platforms, but if you see us smoking cigars, come say hi.
Get your £10 digital passes now from DrinkUp.London and we shall see you there. Please note some events require further tickets.
Cheers