London Cocktail Week — the world’s greatest celebration of cocktail culture — will return from October 12-22, celebrating the city’s revered reputation as a global capital of cocktail culture with an all-new Connoisseur’s Collection of luxury, one-of-a-kind experiences, for the most dedicated drinks enthusiasts alongside the return of its Curated Cocktail Tours, offering Signature Cocktails for just £8 across more than 200 of London’s top bars.
Brand new for the 14th annual festival, the Connoisseur’s Collection is a programme of exclusive, reservation-only experiences held at a handful of London’s most prestigious bar venues, with each intimate event representing the very pinnacle of cocktail service.
Select signature cocktails
The schedule includes two experiences at The Savoy Hotel. At the hotel’s historic American Bar, guests will be able to try an authentic Vintage Daiquiri made with rare 1970s Bacardi rum alongside a modern-day interpretation (£40 per person).
Also located at the Savoy, The Beaufort Bar will offer a ‘Martini and Caviar Bump’ experience that will see guests enjoy a martini alongside a 5g ‘bump’ of French Sturia caviar served directly onto their hand (£40 per person).
Experiences
Möet Hennessy UK are inviting guests to come along and enjoy 12 exciting events, masterclasses and takeovers at some of London’s finest bars. What better way to kick off London cocktail week than an amazing night with Möet & Chandon at Artesian? For one night only, Marian Beke, owner of Old Street’s The Gibson Bar, will be going back to his roots for a special takeover at Nightjar Carnaby on the 16th of October between 7pm and 11pm. To send off London Cocktail Week in style, Seed Library and Moët & Chandon will be hosting an unforgettable closing party on Sunday 22nd October. Ryan Chetiyawardana and team have created a list of bespoke Moët & Chandon cocktails alongside special guests Yacht Club from Denver, and Sweden’s finest, Röda Huset, who will also be joining the party bringing their own elegant twist to Moët cocktails.
At The Aubrey — known for London’s first Omakase cocktail experience of its kind — Director Pietro Rizzo will personally host a special series (£198 per person). Omakase translates to ‘I’ll leave it up to you,’ reflecting the immersive and frequently evolving world of Japanese Spirits nestled in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel of Hyde Park.
Whisky fans can also sign up for Sexy Fish’s once-in-a-lifetime Whisky Tasting event on October 16, which will allow six guests to taste an extremely rare selection of the bar’s top-shelf Japanese whiskies (£335 per person).
Altamura Distilleries has teamed up with Michelin-starred Italian restaurant LUCA to revive the Three Martini Lunch during this year’s London Cocktail Week, offering a selection of three different Martinis. Throughout Cocktail Week lunch
to dinner, a flight of all three Martinis, in miniature form, alongside full-size serves of each variety, will be available within the bar and restaurant for any guest with a LCW wristband. The three Martinis, entitled Nostalgia, Contemporaneo and Futura, are all made with Altamura Vodka, produced in Italy’s Puglia region from ancient Altamura wheat. The Nostalgia Martini (Altamura Vodka, Vault Coastal, Dry Vermouth, Oyster leaf) will also join the cocktail list for the week, ensuring everyone is able to experience these awesome martinis.
Other venues taking part include Lyaness — named the ‘World’s Best Bar’ last year during the annual ‘Spirited Awards’ by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Kwānt — a revamped cocktail bar a few strides away from Green Park Station in Mayfair and Scarfes Bar nestled in the Rosewood Hotel — offering critically acclaimed drinks accompanied by live jazz on most nights.
What about Med Transfers by Gin Mare? Be taken on a journey of food and drinks pairings created by bartenders from Kwãnt, Bar Daskal and Parrillan. You will be transported from bar to bar in a traditional VW camper van, then discover paired cocktails, inspired by the signature botanicals of Gin Mare; Arbequina olives, rosemary, thyme and basil. The specially designed cocktails will be complemented with Mediterranean inspired light bites at each venue. Med Transfers by Gin Mare run on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th October.
Others include GONG at Shangri-La The Shard, which hosts breathtaking views of the London skyline as the ‘highest hotel bar in Europe’ and Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese at Corinthia London, offering signature drinks and live music Tuesday – Saturday.
The Evolution of London Cocktail Week
A popular mainstay of London Cocktail Week since its inception in 2010, the Curated Cocktail Tours will see more than 200 bars across the city offer £8 Signature Cocktails that have been specially created for the duration of the festival.
Cocktail lovers will be able to explore and experience the best of London’s bar scene by making their way through the curated selection of participating bars, with the signature cocktails available to those who show their festival wristband. The ticket price will also include a printed guidebook featuring all the bars taking part.
Highlights across the list of Signature Cocktails include:
Nightjar – La Mariposa
Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, Italicus, Vida del Maguey Espadin, Peruvian marigold, Tonka & agave syrup and grapefruit juice.
Common Decency at NoMad London – Cool As A Cuke
Patron Silver tequila, coconut milk, lime juice, lactose fermented cucumber syrup, saline and Two Tribes Mexican sour.
TT Liquor – M.A.A.D City
Hennessy VS Cognac, Orgeat, peach syrup, lemon juice, peach bitters, Angostura bitters and Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer.
Nobu Bar – Espresso High
Discarded Cascara vermouth, lacto-plum syrup, re-brewed coffee husk, cocoa nib soda, spent coffee husk dust and gold.
Spey Bar at Craigellachie Hotel – Same Again
Craigellachie 13-year-old Scotch whisky, Benedictine D.O.M. liqueur, cherry brandy, Peychaud’s bitters and orange oils.
69 Colebrooke Row — Prairie Oyster
Horseradish vodka, Oloroso sherry, pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato yolk and oyster leaf.
Many of the bars will also offer a non-alcoholic Signature Cocktail option for £6, making the festival fully accessible to non-drinkers. Each £15 wristband is valid for the duration of the 11-day festival and will be available to purchase in advance online and at the bars themselves during the festival, with each bar retaining the full ticket fee — a new initiative for this year aiming to give further support to London’s bar industry.
To discover more, visit: londoncocktailweek.com
All imagery courtesy of London Cocktail Week and the brands featured.