London Cocktail Week to shake the capital

The inaugural London Cocktail Week hits the city next week and a host of the industry’s leading figures are looking forward to putting their shaking skills on display in a host of seminars, masterclasses, tastings, dinners and of course, parties.

A brand new event bringing drinks trade, media and consumers together, London Cocktail Week hopes to position London as the World capital of cocktail culture and showcase the best of UK spirits along with the city’s top bars.

G & J Greenall’s Joanne Moore, the world’s only female master gin distiller, will be giving an intimate tutored tasting at the Searcys Club situated at the top of one of London’s most iconic landmarks, The Gherkin, at 6.30pm on Monday 11 October.

Exclusive to club members only, Moore will be sharing her passion and knowledge of gin, presenting the inspiration and development behind Greenall’s Bloom brand, and the key botanicals behind the portfolio of spirits that she is a custodian of; Greenall’s Original Gin, Bloom Gin and Berkeley Square Gin.

Indeed, Moore is in for a busy week as she hosts a Meet the Maker seminar at the House of St Barnabas at 1 Greek Street, Soho, from 2pm-3pm on Tuesday, 12 October, followed by a Bloom tutored tasting at Graphic Bar, Golden Square in the evening from 6pm-8pm.

Elsewhere the “Soulshakers” – Michael Butt, Giles Looker and Kevin Armstrong – will romp through 500 years of Cognac history and 200 years of Cognac cocktails during a one-night-only masterclass on Wednesday, 16 October at Lutyens Bar on Fleet Street.

The session will begin with six classic cocktails, including the original Mint Julep and Sazerac, the Sidecar and the Brandy Alexander.

Proceedings will then be brought right up to date with two brand new modern classics and a chance to taste The Summit, the most recent Cognac cocktail created by 20 of the world’s top bartenders in 2008.

The event is organised in collaboration with The Cognac Bureau (BNIC) and limited to 40 guests only. Participants can also enjoy a special three-course dinner menu at Lutyens at an exclusive rate of £29.50 which includes a Cognac cocktail or Cognac with dessert or coffee.

A spokesman for London Cocktail Week said: “This is the first event of its kind within the UK and whether you’re a keen amateur or a professional bartender there’ll be something timetabled during the week that encourages you to try new things, learn new skills and ultimately drink better.”
 
LCW has organised free London Routemaster bus tours, which will be running around the five key areas of the capital every evening.

Over 50 of London’s best bars have pledged support and will be offering discounted cocktails to anyone who is part of the festival.

For a full rundown of events and booking information, visit www.londoncocktailweek.com

Alan Lodge, 05.10.2010