Once again, Cocktails in the City is coming into serve thirsty Londoners some of the best cocktails in the city!

Oh wait, I just got the name.

Yes, CitC’s Summer Edition is a bringing 23 bars representing several spirit brands together under the sunny skies at Bedford Square Gardens where the sun beaten festival-goers will get a chance to enjoy bars from around the city coming together in one gorgeous location on July 29th and 30th 2016.

Bars and a representing brand set up stalls where bartenders presented the brand in a cocktail of their devising to the public for judging, with scores gathered at the end of the weekend.

A press preview gave the Hoodooist a chance to try a few of the cocktails out: so we’re gonna look at the cocktails that stood out of the previewed 10!

The Microlight, by the Looking Glass Cocktail Club

The Looking Glass Cocktail Club, Hoxton – who stunned us at the winter Cocktails in the City this year with their Maker’s Mark stand with a menu inspired by the whiskey’s baking heritage – is back with the incredible Microlight.

Aviation Gin is mixed with a host of the bar’s own creations in their Reina Lab: Mastrostefano vermouth (no added sugar), Tonic Syrup, Campi Elisi Creme de Aquavit, Ada’s lavender bitters and grapefruit bitters.

What a fabulous cocktail! How does one describe this? It’s like several classic gin cocktails rolled into one neat Martini-esque package. Aromatic, floral and subtly spicy, here was the Hoodooist’s personal favourite of the night.

It might not be keeping with the general theme of bright, sweet and seasonal cocktails with the trendy use of gooseberry, vegetables, or strawberries, but this sophisticated tipple is perfect for lounging on a sunbed.

Strawberries and Cream, by Fifteen

Fifteen, Old Street, came in with another winner! Inspired by Wimbledon’s classic, the Strawberries and Cream.

Inspired by Behn’s Milk Punch, this summery cocktail gets a 300 year update and is a massive mix of Langley’s gin, strawberries, whole milk, Dolin dry vermouth, coconut water, green tea, lemon juice and peels, sugar, pink peppercorns, tarragon and coriander seeds.

And what a fabulous mix it is!

A wonderful well balanced, silky cocktail, sweet without being overbearing and mellowed by the fruit and spices. Absolutely fantastic.

The Soho Soda, by Graphic Bar

Graphic Bar, Soho, came in with something much more traditional and evocative of the early summer’s affair with Aperol.

The Soho Soda mixed Hayman’s Gin with Cocchi Torino, Fraise des Bois, Angostura and grapefruit bitters, topped up with Prosecco. A light, bittersweet cocktail as the perfect refresher in this intense heat.

Simple, elegant, gets the job done. Love it.

Chocolate Brioche French Martini, by First Aid Box

First Aid Box from Herne Hill gives us the Chocolate Brioche French Martini!

Definitely a crowd-pleaser, we have a classic French Martini: Vodka with pineapple juice, lemon and cherry bitters – with the added fun of chocolate chip brioche!

Citrusy sweetness with a hint of tart excellent for the summer.

And a little snack in case you have few too many.

The Mayflower Collins, by Powder Keg Diplomacy

Finally, another interesting cocktail was the Mayflower Collins by Powder Keg Diplomacy.

A mix of Plymouth Gin, gooseberry and samphire cordial with an absinthe wash makes this a refreshingly different cocktail by going for a bit of salt and savoury instead of fruit and sweet.

The on trend gooseberry and beachside samphire are powerful flavours, hence the few ingredients, and as much as I enjoyed the first bit of the cocktail, being as different as it is, it became increasingly difficult to drink with time. Certainly better as a short drink than a long one.

Among a whole of host of fantastic cocktails, this year’s Cocktails in the City is set to astound once again!

Bourne and Hollingsworth (Here, here, and here) will be performing the Spirited Sermon masterclasses through the day by some of London’s best and brightest, as food by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen is provided. Expect live musical performances and even an interactive escape game that needs you to jump down the rabbit hole, cocktail in hand.

And hopefully this time the Hoodooist won’t have as much trouble being carried back to the nearest Uber.

See you at Bedford Square Gardens!

Cocktails in the City Summer Edition 

July 29th-30th 2016

Tickets: 15 GBP

http://www.cocktailsinthecity.co.uk/londonsummer/