Glenmorangie is celebrating the Golden Age of American Whiskey this March with the opening of Spice & Rye: a vibrant Speakeasy cocktail bar in the heart of Fitzrovia, London. The creation of the spice-inspired, roaring 1920s-style temporary bar marks the release of Glenmorangie Spìos: the 9th release in the Highland single malt’s explorative Private Edition range. Glenmorangie Spìos (Gaelic for ‘spice’ and pronounced ‘spee-oss’) is the first ever single malt scotch that has been entirely aged in American ex-rye whiskey casks and showcases Glenmorangie’s expertise and experimentation with ...
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'I want something that will pick me up and f*ck me up,' Kate Moss asked famed cocktail maestro Dick Bradsell in the early eighties. And thus, the espresso martini was born, as the mixologist only had a coffee maker and some vodka to hand. We headed to the Bluebird in Chelsea to get a mixology masterclass from the restaurant's top bartending team. The espresso martini is one of the venue's most popular cocktails. The head bartender, Egzon Kastrati, revealed that the bar uses more coffee than the main restaurant for making the heady libations. In a month, they roughly rustle up 3,000 espres...
Read more →I was on my way to the 'powder room' when I suddenly realised I was in the 'Bon Vivant' swing of things (in French the phrase roughly translates to someone who knows how to live life well). I'd had a couple of deceivingly heady Dirty Pink cocktails - a mix of gin, Chambord raspberry liquor, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white - and I was just about to settle in for dinner. The lights had dropped, with the glow of candle light setting the tone, and the restaurant was abuzz with chatter and funky music. I had to admit, when I Google Street Map imaged the address of Bon Vivant I was s...
Read more →Tucked away in the heart of Hackney on the corner of a street, through an unsuspecting door and down an unsuspecting staircase, is a cracker of a cocktail bar that promises to make you warm and fuzzy inside. Behind This Wall inhabits the basement of 411 Mare Street - a skip and a hop from Hackney Central Overground. Complete with a DJ deck, candles and fresh flowers brightening up the bar, there's an air of cool sophistication without trying too hard. One thing they do care about is good drinks. After ordering the £9 Vieux Over Manhattan, I watched mesmerised as the bartender gradu...
Read more →Nestled behind South London’s central transport epicentre lies Vauxhall Street Food Garden, a hidden gem that brings a multitude of native cuisines to the capital. The daily food festival, which is open five days a week, features a rotating line-up of stalls, cocktails and craft beers. Whether you want to grab a burger on your lunch break, are a freelancer working from home or meeting friends in the evening, Vauxhall Street Food Garden brings a slice of culinary culture to your week. Experience Chinese contemporary tastes with Win & Lily Oriental Fine Foods, tastes of India at Roti P...
Read more →Who said British summers always had to be miserable? Gin Mare certainly don't - and to prove it they are about to launch their NEW Mediterranean inspired rooftop pop-up in the heart of Kinghtsbridge. For just two evenings only, from 6:30pm the exclusive rooftop terrace at Searcys 30 Pavillion Road will offer the perfect city escape and a place to enjoy a range of drinks inspired by the unique savoury botanicals of Gin Mare. What's more Mark Hix has devoted a bespoke menu of light bites inspired by the laid back cooking style of the Med. On arrival, guests will be greeted with an aromatic...
Read more →Skip down to Sketch in the heart of London as it plays host to Mayfair's first-ever flower show. The regal venue, previously the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects, has been transformed into an oasis of colour and scent thanks to some of the city's most playful green-fingered creatives. Walking into reception a spread of greenery greets you, while a cascading waterfall of flowers lures you in further. Stepping into the Glade bar, a suspended ceiling of pastel coloured posies await. The pièce de résistance can be found if you head to Sketch's quirky ba...
Read more →Ayoush has a certain theatricality about it, and this is continued through to the cocktail menu. The Genie Wizz Fizz (pine tree gin, champagne reduction, orange blossom flavoured cream, egg white, vanilla sea salt and walnut oil) arrived at the table in a ceramic pot, which on lifting the lid produced a little puff of smoke; Aladdin eat your heart out.
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