Highland Park Midwinter Social

THURSDAY 24TH NOVEMBER – FINNEBASSEN WITH SUPPORT FROM KIPP$

FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER – EELKE KLEIJN WITH SUPPORT FROM KIPP$

Highland Park, the Orkney Single Malt with #VikingSoul, is taking over The Boiler House for their Midwinter Social to celebrate the longer nights in anticipation of Winter Solstice. You will be transported into an Orkney-themed urban oasis where opposites clash to create a breath-taking environment, to enjoy an evening of feasting, socialising and enjoying Highland Park.

Highland Park will evoke this Viking Soul by featuring a variety of food vendors curated by Root + Bone, tales from the distillery around the fire pit, torchlight tasting sessions, and more. World renowned DJs Finnebassen, Eelke Kleijn and Kipps will be providing the soundtrack to the evenings. Plus you’ll get a free drink on arrival to make sure your evening gets off to a good start. Actually, that’s not enough. We’ll throw in a second drink each.

Two complimentary drinks are included in the ticket price.

Get your tickets at:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/highland-park-midwinter-social-tickets-28940680354?aff=es2

Pitch Black

Nov4

“The 90-minute blind tasting will see guests sip on a pre-set selection of 5 libations. Consisting of bubbles on arrival, 2 mouth-watering cocktails, an amuse bouche to cleanse the palate, followed by 2 aromatic wines, to be imbibed in absolute darkness.”

‘Blind tasting’ taken to its literal and logical conclusion means drinking in a subterranean room on City Road in complete darkness – have to admit, I was curious, and found myself learning a lot in the process!

Pitch Black cocktails blind tasting

The cocktails and wines will change week to week throughout its run November and December 2016, and is an excellent learning experience for drinks novices and experts alike.

Led down a stairway into a cosy room, we rest on the banquettes as the 8 of us get to know each other – but as the lights dim and eventually go dark, we find inhibitions dissolving and conversations with the others in the room enlivening.

To be fair, the drinks probably helped too.

Novices will get a chance to pay closer attention to finer details like nose, flavour, and mouthfeel, whereas experts will find themselves approaching some well known classics with a renewed appreciation for the drink.

Cocktails and wines will be served, with no hint as to what they are, as participants explore the drinks and discuss flavour and ideas. At the end of each session the drinks are revealed and explained in further detail to surprise.

A Breakfast Martini can have some surprisingly herbal flavours in the dark, and a Pisco Sour a spicier nose than one first thought. An amuse bouche to be enjoyed before moving onto the wines: a naturally sweet Riesling and a devious blend of reds, before a final glass of bubbly to enjoy.

Pitch Black does exactly what it says on the tin, and is well worth the experience. Darkness heightens not only the senses, but the social aspect of the evening, and will be educational to all participants of any level of expertise. I highly suggest you sign up for a fun evening with friends, entertaining parents, or a date, for something just a little bit different.

Tickets cost £48 per head and can be purchased at: http://pitchblackbar.com/

London Cocktail Week ’16: City!

Oct9

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!

The Laidback Mule by Four Sisters Townhouse!

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.

The Gin Jacket by Demon, Wise and Partners!

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.

Wheys a Tun by City Social!

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.

The Natural Ban Killer by Discount Suit Co!

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!).

The Imperial Exile by Apples and Pears!

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.

The Flip Willy and Langer’s in Manhattan at 46 & Mercy!

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.

London Cocktail Week ’16: Soho!

Oct5

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!

This year the Hoodooist will be bringing you #YourDailyDoseOfHoodoo, a daily review of each day of London Cocktail Week ’16.

Today we look at October 4^th: Where the Hoodooist tackled Soho!

We got to admit, everyone’s upped their game. This might be the first time the Hoodooist enjoyed every single drink he drank. Hell.

Jinjuu’s Kimchi Bloody Mary!

1PM:

Jinjuu’s Korean Sip n Snack was perfect to start the afternoon after the Whisky Show the night before!

14 pounds gets you a plate of fried chicken with a pair of delicious Jinjuu sauces, and cocktail:

The Kimchi Bloody Mary fancies up the classic hair of the dog with kimchi, sriracha sauce, celery and black pepper infused soju, topped up with fresh tomato juice. Tall and spicy, the cocktail is light, beginning with the salty-sour kimchi juice, immediately moving to the spicy sriracha, finally ending with notes of black pepper soju, all the while riding a wave of tomato juice. Needed that.

A short walk away, we’re down at MASH!

MASH’s Punch the Buffalo

2.30PM:

Everyone knows the Hoodooist loves MASH.

Steve and the boys in this subterranean hideaway do love their Buffalo Trace, and this year they’re going to Punch the Buffalo, by mixing up Buffalo Trace Bourbon, La Concha sherry, lemon juice, maple syrup and cardamom bitters.

Reasons to love this drink: You taste every single flavour in perfect harmony. No confusion, no ingredient trying to outperform the others. First the initial sweetness of wheat from the bourbon, followed by the maple’s own unique sweetness. After the sherry’s dryness and cardamom that lifts it up, ending with the bourbon’s vanilla length. Spectacular job.

Milroy’s of Soho’s Hebrides and Ivory

3.30PM:

And here we are at Milroy’s of Soho!

A whisky lover’s home away from home, MoS is not kidding around with this year’s offering. Short, heavy, uncompromising.

The Hebrides and Ivory (yes, ouch) does…harmonise fantastically (sorry). Truly, this drink immediately screams out to me with the unique mix of Kilchoman Machir Bay scotch, Dolin Coeur de Genepi, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and hopped grapefruit bitters. This almost velvety cocktail is strong as all hell. Just the way I like it.

Take your time with a book and the shop’s puppy while sipping this, beginning with hints of grapefruit and the powerfully nutty and peaty whisky – sweet and medicinal – the flavours give way to the elderflower that manages to not be cloying. The wormwood (light and fragrant) comes in next, balancing the flavours, ending on a short length of more grapefruit.

If you are not familiar with Dolin’s Coeur de Genepi, it’s because this bar pretty much bought the UK’s entire stock. Highly recommend trying this cocktail to become acquainted with it!

Sweet tooths, beware.

Tredwell’s A Feather in the Cap!

5PM:

Walking down closer to Covent Garden, the Hoodooist finds himself at Tredwell’s Saint Martin’s Lane for the Feather in the Cap!

Frapin VSOP cognac meets apricot and fig liqueur, manzanilla sherry and Grand Marnier. This rather viscous cocktail unfortunately tends to drown out the fruity spiciness of the cognac a bit, but nothing a little bit of alteration with the liqueurs can’t solve!

The initial cognac hit moves into the lightness of the sherry, then to the apricot – ending on a length of figs and Grand Marnier. For the sweeter tooth, this is a wonderful cocktail timed with the fig season.

Talli Joe’s Nizam’s Punch!

6PM:

The last stop of the night was the most surprising – and might be for the rest of the week!

Recently opened Talli Joe just won their first Michelin Star only days ago, and by the looks of this cocktail, they well deserve it.

The sip and snack (8 quid) pairs charminar chana jor garam black gram crisps with Nizam’s Punch: Bacardi 8 Rum with lime, turmeric honey syrup, biryani oil and Fever Tree tonic water.

I had no idea what to expect here. And it was wonderful. Turmeric begins and releases the intense spice of the biryani oil, followed by honey. Rum and tonic make their entrace, ending with the biryani spice. It is far more approachable than it might sound, and is a must-try this London Cocktail Week!

This day in Soho has served up a lot of unique and successful cocktails: Jinjuu gave us salty and sour – it’s spice also showing up with Talli Joe‘s unique concoction. Whiskey shows us it’s versatility with the sweeter production by MASH and the smoky challenger from Milroy’s. Finally, sweetness is not ignored by Tredwell’s seasonal cocktail.

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.

Remember to check out Highball Hoodoo every morning of London Cocktail Week for more reviews of the LCW cocktail offerings, parties and events!

Get #YourDailyDoseOfHoodoo each morning from 4th to 9th October!

Tequila Fest 2o16 Preview!

Sep14

Though the wide-spread drinking of tequila and the recent emergence of Mezcalerias like Agaveria El Nivel, one of the Hoodooist’s favourite openings 0f 2014, are known well enough, a connoisseurial culture of the spirit never completely blossomed in the Isles. “This is a no salt or lime zone”, stresses Festival organiser Eduardo Gomez, as we grab our tasting cups.

After last year’s major success, TequilaFest 2016 is not an event to be missed – on September 17th and 18th at the Boiler House Brick Lane!

Hosted at Lupita, Shoreditch, the press preview brought forward a spectacular crowd to taste a large variety of tequilas & mezcals. A few fantastic discoveries in the world of agave for the Hoodooist, such as Meteoro‘s pure Espadin mezcal – it even comes with a backstory – a crater from a crashed meteor in Oaxaca became the cooking spot for this mezcal’s agave. Delightfully smooth, the Meteoro Joven is a fantastic sipping tequila. Bold, muscling in with powerful smokiness and a bright trail left behind, it lives up to it’s media campaign, #ItFellFromTheSky.

Another of the TequilaFest newcomers to expect will be agave giant Patron with theirSilver, Reposado, Anejo and XO Cafe range – and in a few days will be unleashing their Incendio chilli-chocolate tequila onto #Drinkstagram tags everywhere.

Herencia de Plata has entered the ring as well, with their bright, peppery range, and can carry it’s weight in combat with the other stars of the show.

Expect to see old reliables like Ocho, who have unveiled their Curado – a Blanco tequila that has been infused with agave – carrying their Blanco’s feel and kick, with a fruity wave of agave, addictive this one.

Stars of last year are back, from the smoky caramel Espadin San Cosme mezcal, to classic Altos and Siete Misterios Espadin, with that spicy, earthy smokiness and sugary dried fruit (so, so beautiful). And you certainly can’t go wrong with a Del Maguey Tommy’s Margarita.

After the food provided by Lupita was demolished by the now slightly staggering clientele of the room, the Hoodooist realises that this year’s TequilaFest at the Boiler House Brick Lane is going to enormous in comparison to the previous year – this is an event he – and you – should certainly not miss.

“The Tequila Fest will educate you in the customs of production and consumption and engulf you in the taste, smells, sounds and sights of true Mexico. There are few spirits with a more rich and fascinating lineage. Get to grips with the technical jargon, the process of distillation and the bounty of care that goes into every single bottle.” Also featuring blind tastings, cocktail tutorials and masterclasses, “Real tequila.”

http://www.tequilafest.co.uk/

Welcome the Night Tube!

Aug19

So the Night Tube starts tonight!

You’re preparing your clubbing plans across London as the 24 hour Central and Victoria lines come to life tonight, how about some words on late night food and cocktail bars around the city to indulge in before drunkenly stumbling into Vauxhall at 3AM?

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City of London:

A short walk from Chancery Lane station, it’s the last week to enjoy the successful Game of Thrones menu for the fans here at Bird of Smithfield, so enjoy some seasonal British fare and five floors of dining and boozing till midnight tonight before just crossing the street to Oriole. The critically acclaimed bar, open till 2AM, boasts a massive collection of sophisticated and unique cocktails with a tropical jungle theme. A relaxed venue, studded with international treasures comes to life with a live band and a Saligo Bay (Bruichladdich, baked oat syrup, peated barley, green walnut liqueur, peat dust) in hand.

Bird of Smithfield’s Dragon Egg Salad

Or, hop further East at Liverpool Street to pop into the 24 hour Duck and Waffle before a short jaunt to Black Rock Whisky Bar across from sister cocktail bar, the Worship Street Whistling Shop for 2AM tipples.

Duck and Waffle’s Nutella Negroni

Central London

There is no shortage of late night venues in London’s never-sleeping beating heart.

Meaty late night bar snacks and sensational cocktails to be found in the red arena of MASH Steak (or both, in the Mexican Smuggler cocktail)

MASH’s Mexican Smuggler

Not far, there is the enormous subterranean Brasserie Zedel, which will be serving French fare till midnight, whose Bar Americain will be open till 1AM for cocktails in a snug Art Deco setting.

Soho is still up late, with celebrated cocktail bars like the spectacular El Camion dishing out the tequila till 3AM, and Balans still going strong at 6AM. A midnight meal of Korexican can be had at Bo Drake, before a little bit of everything and a dance at 100 Wardour St till 2AM!

Bo Drake’s Bo Ssam and Brisket Bao

After some late night Chinese, there is always Opium Chinatown serving up dim sum and cocktail till 3AM. And something closer to the theme, Cahoots cocktail bar will be shelling (sorry) out the cocktails in a 1940s style tube carriage of a bar!

Opium’s ‘Born on the Baijiu’

East London

If you’re willing to walk a little further to Shoreditch, the amazing NOLA is open late till 3AM for one of their award-winning Sazeracs.

Nola2

If not, hop on the Central for a 4 course midnight dinner at Sager+Wilde Paradise Row, before hopping over to Peg+Patriot for some seriously experimental cocktails.

The excellent Sun Tavern – tonight open till 2AM! Serving free oysters and 5 pound Poitin Boilermakers, you can’t miss this. And PS: keep the receipt and hop on the Central to Liverpool St after. Until 2AM, Discount Suit Co. will be giving 50% off your tab if you are carrying your receipt from the Sun Tavern!

Discount Suit Company London cocktails Aldgate

DSC’s Royal Rhubarb

West London

Notting Hill is the place to be for Central line late – pop by the legendary Trailer Happiness for 1AM shenanigans fueled by copious amounts of rum, or at the Little Yellow Door, serving up American fare till 1!

Trailer Happiness

North London

Highbury and Islington‘s got some late night fun – the recently opened Little Bat Bar – sister to the famed Callooh Callay, will be serving up dinner and drinks till 1AM tonight, and after pop down to The Doll’s House for late night live music and carousing till 4AM!

The Doll’s House Negroni

Or, grab a late night biryani at the King’s Cross St. Pancras Dishoom before 1AM cocktails at the Pancras Hotel, or Shaker & Co. at Euston/WarrenSt!

Sonia’s Negroni at Dishoom

South London

Brixton has exploded in popularity, and isn’t lacking in late night venues from late nights. Three Eight Four, who serve up a mean Brooklyn and Smoked Manhattan go on past midnight, or run under the arches to cocktails at Ekcovision till 4AM!

If you’re looking for a quieter night out, find yourself sampling unique and experimental cocktails over dinner at the hidden away Shrub and Shutter till 3AM!

Three Eight Four Brixton

And that’s just the Central and Victoria lines! Travel safe, and for god’s sake don’t lose your Oyster card.

All info on the Night Tube can be found at the TFL website.

Cocktails in the City Summer 2016 Preview!

Jul22

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!

Cocktails in the City London summer cocktail bar

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. 13501739_10154317466344559_3579539051248160301_n

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/

Yelp London’s Slides and Scoops Ice Cream Festival!

Jul12

Chill out, London.

This city is stressful, even in the heart of summer, but we’re here to help. Yelp London is running the city’s only ICE CREAM FESTIVAL! Yes, returning for it’s second year, Slides and Scoops is back to delight and make your life a little more sweet.

It all happens 16 July from 1 to 6pm at the Lumpy Hill Adventure Playground. Entrance is a free check-in on Yelp or £10 to our charity of choice: Islington Play. RSVP now, you’re not going to want to miss this little treat.

IN SHORT…

Here’s all you need to know about the event:

DATE: Saturday, July 16th
12pm: Yelp Elites (yelp.co.uk/elite)
1 to 6pm: Event Doors Open!

FOOD AND DRINKS: Ice Cream! (Plus, some hot foods and drinks!)
ATMOSPHERE: Casual
SIZE OF THE EVENT: BIG!

SPOTS GIVEN OUT ON: Right up until the day of the event!
COST – Free
OPEN TO – Adults only (sorry kiddies) who RSVPs, but…*

*PLEASE NOTE: Event places will first be given to those who know London, have an opinion about it and are happy to share it! So, to get a place, you will need to have recent photos, reviews or tips on your Yelp page to prove it!

o (2)

ICE CREAM TO MAKE YOU SCREAM, INCLUDING:

Alcoholic Ice Cream from:
* Boozy Udders (boozyudders.co.uk)
* Drunken Dairy (drunkendairy.co.uk)
* Lic (havealic.com)
* Wavey Ice (waveyice.co.uk)

Cornish Ice Cream from:
* Callestick Farm (callestickfarm.co.uk)

Gelato from:
* Oddono’s (yelp.co.uk/biz/oddonos-l…)
* Scoop (yelp.co.uk/biz/scoop-lon…)

Ice Cream Sandwiches from:
* Blu Top Ice Cream (blutopicecream.com)
* Milo & Hector’s (miloandhectors.com)

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream from:
* Whipsmiths (whipsmiths.com)

London’s First Vegan FREAKSHAKES from:
* The Canvas Cafe (yelp.co.uk/biz/the-canva…)

Rum Ice Cream from:
* RUMblin’ and Galindo’s (rumblin.co)

Sorbet from:
* Sorbitium Ices (sorbitiumices.com)

Thai Rolled Ice Cream from:
* Frew & Co (frewandco.com)
* T.R.I.P. London (triplondoncity.com)

—

OTHER TREATS INCLUDING:

Ice Cream Topping made of crickets from:
Chipper (twitter.com/@wearechipper)

Magical Chocolate Fruit from:
Choco fruit (chocofruit.co.uk)

The Ice Cream Waiter Drone from:
SkyEdge360 (skyedge.co.uk)

—

AND ENTERTAINMENT FROM…
The Gaming Party Bus (gamingpartybus.co.uk/?ut…)
Josh The Magician (joshthemagician.com)
Rabble (joinrabble.com)
Vodkaluge (vodkaluge.co.uk)
Malmaison London (malmaison.com/locations/…)

o (1)

RSVP now and we’ll see you there!

https://www.yelp.co.uk/events/london-yelp-londons-slides-and-scoops-ice-cream-festival

Citadelle Gin’s 20th Anniversary

Jun13

The popularity of the London Dry has led to bit of a misconception that gin lacks a popularity on the continent, where its predecessor – jenever – originated.

The popular French Citadelle Gin reminds us of that continental history with a wonderful smooth and spicy tipple perfect for a Martini. And to celebrate its French history, the 20th Anniversary of Citadelle places the escargot front and centre as its posterchild.

Citadelle Gin London Bar cocktails

Held at the LASSCO Ropewalk, with food by the Disappearing Dining Club, the anniversary served up three classic cocktails with little twists, hosted by the wonderful Citadelle Gin and Maison Ferrand Brand Ambassador, Paul McFadyen.

Neat, Citadelle is smooth, beginning crisp with brine and juniper, before giving way to warm spices like nutmeg and cardamom. A unique gin, definitely.

First, a bright Gin and Tonic, using Fevertree Mediterranean Tonic (quite floral), garnished with singed orange peel, served with a Snail, garlic and lemon Arancini with herb aioli. The snail does more for texture than flavour, but still enjoyable.

Photo Credit to the wonderful @janan_jay

Next the star of the cocktails: an Escargot Martini. Light, crisp, glassy. With ice shaken in the vermouth before the gin, the Martini is garnished with a floating snail shell, filled with lemon and olive brine, for the drinker to control how dirty they like their Martini.

The crisp airiness of the cocktail is combatted by the heavy, sensuous Foie Gras Sliders with sour apple chutney in brioche – a wonderfully moreish and decadent accompaniment to the Martini.

Citadelle Gin London Bar cocktails

Finally, a smooth and fluffy silver Gin Fizz: the rosemary heightening the spices in the gin. A great way to end the evening on a sweeter note, without being sickly. And served with a Brie, leek and truffle Croquette with caramelised red onions.

All three cocktails served are simple enough to recreate at home, and displaying the versatility of the Citadelle Gin and it’s expressions in each drink.

Once again, The Disappearing Dining Club has served up wonderful food paired well with superb cocktails from their barge bar.

Citadelle Gin is an unappreciated star of the gin scene, and certainly one that deserves a place in your cabinet. Spectacular stuff.

Citadelle Gin London Bar cocktails

Sauvelle Vodka ‘La Nuit’ Launch

May31

After its launch last year, we are beginning to recognise the Sauvelle brand in bars across London – in a city dominated by gin, vodka is determined to make a comeback.

And in an typically vodka fashion, the French brand launches of recent arrivals like Sauvelle are surrounded by glitz and glam – Sauvelle has gone for a luxurious look, edgy ambigram logo, and the hashtag #WildBeauty, inspired by it’s name – ‘wild and beautiful’.

Sauvelle Vodka La Nuit Launch

But is there any substance behind the glam?

This week Sauvelle launched their limited edition La Nuit electro-luminescent Magnum (1.5l) and Jeroboam (3l) bottles at the Unit Gallery Soho, available online at 31 Dover – a sleek black bottle with gold lettering that certainly trumps many other vodka bottles in design.

Distiller Miko uses French Winter Wheat and Gensac spring water, triple filtered using chene du Limousin, charred oak, and cherry wood – giving Sauvelle it’s characteristic flavours.

Sauvelle Vodka La Nuit Launch

On it’s own, the aroma and flavour notes are incredibly similar.

Neat: A lot of black pepper here, that powers over some sweeter notes of vanilla, oak, and almond. Creamy, the vodka is fun to enjoy alone, and goes well with tonic.

The Sauvelle & 17 cocktail served on the evening is essentially a Vodka Tonic with a vanilla pod garnish, which, though is meant to complement the subtle vanilla of the vodka, creates an overpowering nose.

However, the result is a wonderfully smooth vodka tonic for a sunny brunch Sunday.

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Though there were a few cocktails up at the bar, the Hoodooist skipped those and the firey burlesque show to instead tinker around the Martini Bar hosted by Sauvelle and Belsazar vermouth, with the help of the wonderful flavoured DROPLETS by Javier de las Muelas.

Three very different Martinis were knocked out, amongst them was a Smoked Martini: A Martini using Sauvelle, White Belsazar vermouth, 5 drops of Oak Smoke Droplets and 2 of Orange Blossom Honey for a smokey number with a hint of sweetness to go with the light herby and orange of the Belsazar White.

Another fab spontaneous recipe went for a similarly dry Red Hot Martini, but bit of Dry Belsazar with three drops of Red Hot Chilli Droplets for the Sauvelle. A beautifully light, complex and aromatic cocktail with some serious bite.

Sauvelle Vodka La Nuit Launch

All in all, though the official menu tended toward light cocktails, I found that Sauvelle works well in stronger drinks like Martinis. It’s black pepper flavour provides a little bit of spice, and the brand should not be afraid of exploiting that and not pay so much attention to the much subtler vanilla.

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Find the smooth, spicy French Sauvelle Vodka at 31 Dover and remember that Martinis are always better stirred.
Unless you know, you’re one of those people.

#WildBeauty

http://sauvellevodka.com/

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