Welcome one and all to the recap of the first day of London Cocktail Week 2016! Wield a red or white wristband and enjoy the discounts/events that LCW has to offer!

Today we look at October 7^th: Where the Hoodooist tackled City!

5.45PM:

Auchentoshan Scotch whisky, allspice berries, home made ginger, black pepper, and granola soda is what the Four Sisters Townhouse served up in the Laidback Mule – the complex soda is home-made, like all of the bar’s ingredients, and is part of their weekly rotating menu!

The granola might seem like an odd choice, but is perfect for the cocktail. The warming spices follow the sweet whisky, ending on a sudden light smoothness of the granola. Love this drink.

 

 

6.30PM:

Demon, Wise and Partners is back with its classically bitter and quintessentially Italian flavours!

The Gin Jacket serves up Old Tom gin, Noilly Prat vermouth, Fontaine chocolate absinthe, garnished with chocolate.

At first, the drink is overpowered by the aniseed, but with a little added water, the gin and the floral Provence flavours of the Noilly Prat emerge – complemented wonderfully by the chocolate garnish. An enjoyable drink, if an acquired taste for bitter dryness.

 

 

7.30PM:

We’re back at the high-rise expanse of City Social!

Riding the trend of milk punches, the Wheys a Tun mixes Ailsa Bay Scotch whisky, apricot brandy, clarified milk, fresh ginger and winter spice. A drink that is enjoyable, but would only pay the 5 quid for. Beautiful silky texture, but the flavours can come off a bit confused.

 

 

8.30PM:

Our favourite of the night was no doubt the heavyweight Natural Ban Killer!

Discount Suit Co once again celebrates Irish Ban Poitin by mixing it with orgeat, apple, lemon, topped up with home made ginger beer. The powerful sweet cereal flavour of the poitin smoothly is lifted up by the nutty orgeat and fruity citrus, before a quick sizzle of ginger and fizz. The apple garnish goes so incredibly well with this drink, it’s been a while since I was so pleased by a pairing (and one that simple!).

 

 

9.30PM:

Earlier this year Apples and Pears had seriously upped their cocktail game, and this year’s LCW is no different, with a major improvement from last year’s offering.

The Imperial Exile brings floral Courvoisier VSOP cognac, umeshu plum liqueur, home made wine reduction and lemon for a smooth and sweeter drink without being offensively so, and not compromising on the ABV.

The initial floral cognac with its lavender moves into the sweet plum, lifted up by the bright fruit of the wine reduction, ending with a length of umeshu once again. A heavier drink, and one I’d recommend for the end of a night.

 

 

11PM:

After stuffing our faces at HotBox, downstairs at 46&Mercy we have two LCW offerings!

The Flip Willy,  Jameson Caskmates Irish whiskey, Mr Black cold press coffee liqueur, coffee, muddled with Irish fudge – was underwhelming.

One the other hand, a much better drink is found in the Langer’s in Manhattan – Jameson Cask Mates Irish whiskey, Cocchi di Torino vermouth and home made chilli liquor. I might not have chosen the Caskmates for this drink, but it still works well.

Highly recommended as an aperitif early in the night for its intensity, the Langer’s celebrates a classic Manhattan with the spice of the chilli instead of cherry. A light burn after the sweetness of the prior two ingredients, finishing on a sweet length of the Caskmates.

 

Alright! That’s our recap of Soho of London Cocktail Week 2016! I do hope it may have helped you one way or the other, dear readers, on our quest through the most magical week of the year.