It’s always a fun time of the year when I see London Cocktail Week pop back up in my calendar. The events start appearing on the website, the world famous mixologists are revealed and the takeovers by world renowned bars are announced. There are just so many bars, mixologist masterclasses, takeovers, music and more over the course of the 11 days that I have to pace myself and plan accordingly.
This will be our 4th year at the event, and over the course of those 4 years I’ve been to a myriad of different events; there seems to be something for everyone here. But here are my top 9 picks this year, the events that get my juices flowing and my excitement levels up to 11.
Cider & Sake Cocktail Dinner at Dinings
I always allow myself one or two splurges over the course of the 10 days, and this one is top of my list. It’s not often I actually mix with sake, and even less so with cider, so the ingredients here really intrigue me. Of course, the food pairing is the icing on the cake (or should it be salmon on the rice?). With sushi being my favourite cuisine … book me in!
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TAKEOVER : Attaboy (NYC) X Murder Inc (London)
If there’s ever a takeover that I’m not going to miss out on, here it is. The OG speakeasy combined with the beautiful venue at Murder Inc, what more could I want. I still remember my first real speakeasy over in San Francisco, and I’ve been in love ever since. With music flowing while I drink the masterful mixes by Attaboy, and free entry to boot, this one is already cemented in.
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Texture Is Everything - Launch of Silverleaf’s New Menu
It’s always an exciting time when a major location releases a new menu; the mixology scene at the moment is alive with exciting new ideas and mixes, and when thought and passion are poured into a menu we’re sure to find some new age classics. WIth interiors designed by Tom Dixon, I’m almost as excited by the decor as I am the Pistachio Matcha that I’ve spied on offer.
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TRADE ONLY : Bartender Knowledge Exchange - Behind the Scenes at The Connaught Bar
This one might be trade only, but if you are in the business then the opportunity to peek behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous bars is an opportunity not to miss. I wasn’t lucky enough to get selected last year, but if there’s ever a ring I’m throwing my hat into, it’s this one. Just drinking at the Connaught Bar is prestigious enough, but to experience back of house ethos, ideas and more is one I’d be silly to miss out on. Fingers crossed.
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London Cocktail Tours - Soho
Every year I ensure that I hit at least one cocktail walking tour as part of London Cocktail Week. The guides have always been fantastic, reliving and enthusing on a particular area of London and how it fits into the bubbling cocktail scene, both now and in the past. This year the walking tour of Soho should be a blast; the area is renowned for cocktail bars and amazing food. Having an evening with other like indeed people, having a damn good time, drinking damn good drinks - sounds perfect to me.
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Black Cow x Heddon St Kitchen Martini Food Pairing
I’m a sucker for great food, so I’m always intrigued to see what restaurants, chefs, locations and food pairing London Cocktail Week brings with it. This one is another one of my top picks this year - 3 courses at Heddon Street Kitchen, with a cocktail pairing for each course, yes please. It’s also made my top pick as in the basements of Heddon Street Kitchen is the cocktail bar HDN. What better location to move onto after.
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TAKEOVER : The Sun Tavern presents WTF
I’ve only been to one Sun Tavern London Cocktail Week party over the past 4 years, but from that one night I can tell you this isn’t one for the faint-hearted. The atmosphere is buzzing,the cocktails electric, and the music pumping. Throw in 3 amazing bars crafting their signature and unique cocktails (with Foco from Barcelona in there which I loooove) and I’m queuing up with the rest of you.
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The Art of the Espresso Martini
Yes there are parties. Yes there are food indulgences. But there are also the masterclasses and experiences that not only are great fun, but really elevate your cocktail game after the 10 days of fun fades. The Espresso Martini is such a classic that it would be rude to not just see how to master this infamous cocktail, but also to understand the finer points of coffee in its use in cocktails. Already booked!
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Dive Into Sensory Innovation: 'Texture Is Everything' Workshop and Cocktail Tasting
Wrapping up my top pick events at London Cocktail Week is something that is just so out there, so intriguing, so elusive in my understanding that the experience can’t help but delight. I’ll leave you with London Cocktail Week’s own explanation of this one… “Hosted by Professor Barry Smith, in this immersive cocktail tasting and workshop, you'll experience the new menu from Silverleaf in a whole new way—through the perspective of texture.”. I know right! I’m in!
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Make Me a Cocktail - Cocktails. Discovered.
Nick Wilkins is founder of Make Me a Cocktail, the world’s best online cocktail resource with all your recipes, presented in beautiful ways, and a host of deep dives, menu creators and more.
As part of London Cocktail Week, Make Me a Cocktail is giving away 5 lifetime premium memberships for free to 5 lucky attendees (yes that’s lifetime membership). Just send the team an email to [email protected], mention London Cocktail Week in the subject, and he’ll pick 5 random winners.
Web: https://makemeacocktail.com
Instagram: @makemeacocktail
