Experiences to try this London Cocktail Week

London Cocktail Week has been extended from one week to a whole month this year, to support venues suffering from the 10pm curfew imposed on hospitality venues in September.

Businesses are making the most of the opportunities afforded by the longer event with a range of experiences taking place around the city - and offering to transport visitors to foreign climes, metaphorically if not physically.

Below is a selection of events taking place in the capital throughout October for London Cocktail Week. It's time to 'Drink out to help out' and support your favourite venue, or try something or somewhere new from the capital's vibrant cocktail scene.

Rum cocktails and chocolate pairings

Take a trip to South America via Marylebone with Santa Teresa rum. Hacienda Burlock will play host to an immersive tasting masterclass where guests can sample Santa Teresa's flavoured rums paired with chocolate and coffee. There will also be live music and a limited-edition menu of Santa Teresa 1796 cocktails. Rum aficionados can also head to Hacienda Lima at Flora Lima, Garrick Street or Hacienda Callooh at Shoreditch's Callooh Callay for Santa Teresa 1796 cocktails and chocolate pairings. Available all month, no tickets required.

Aperitifs and oysters

French vermouth brand Noilly Prat will be bringing a taste of the south of France to Bethnal Green with the cocktail maestros at Coupette. They will come together to host Pavillion Bleu, a French hideout to immerse guests in L'Art de Vivre. There will be a weekly happy hour on Tuesdays from 6pm offering two of Noilly Prat's classic aperitifs accompanied by freshly shucked oysters. Inspired by Noilly Prat's home in Marseillan, the experience is designed to transport guests to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean. Available all month, no tickets required.

'Share the Rare' with Craigellachie

Scotch single malt whisky maker Craigellachie has teamed up with bijou whisky merchant and bar Milroy's to 'Share the Rare'. Guests will have the chance to upgrade their dram to the rare Craigellachie 31 Years Old, voted the World's Best Single Malt Whisky in 2017, with a spin on a whisky 'wheel of fortune'. The offer is running all month at Milroy's Soho and Spitalfields, alongside a limited-edition Craigellachie 13, 17 and 23 Years Old flight paired with a 'prime cuts' tasting board. Available all month, no tickets required.

Bourbon and cocktail masterclasses

Budding Bourbon connoisseurs can head to Southbank bar Lyaness, at Sea Containers London, to experience a "tasting and finishing school" from Angel's Envy. Visitors will learn about Angel's Envy's Kentucky straight small-batch Bourbon and the effects of its finishing period in port casks. The masterclass coincides with the first time Angel's Envy will be available in the UK and the events will include two cocktails and whisky mixology from the bar team at Lyaness, led by head bartender Will Meredith. Taking place on 22 and 29 October, with two slots per day. Tickets available via Eventbrite and the Lyaness website.

Single malt and honey hot toddies

Sun Tavern in east London will be hosting the eagerly awaited Return of the Hatch with Scotch single malt producer Aberfeldy on 23 October. A go-to spot for takeaway cocktails during lockdown, Sun Tavern's beloved drinks hatch is making a comeback with honey-infused hot and cold Aberfeldy cocktails. With each purchase, Sun Tavern is also offering the chance to send a cocktail-inspired postcard to a destination of your choice. For a more traditional whisky experience, try Boisdale Belgravia which is serving up a trio of specially made steaming cocktails throughout October including chilli mocha and hot toddies. No tickets required.

A natural experience

Bombay Sapphire has teamed up with Martini and St-Germain liqueur for an Escape to Nature experience. Inspired by the natural world, this series of workshops and masterclasses at The Mezzanine, Hoxton Southwark will see guests create their own tonic water for a personalised G&T, try their hand at screen-printing and have a go at flower arranging. Every Wednesday throughout October, 6-7.30pm, email hello@albielondon.com to book.

Welcome to the jungle

London Cocktail Club has teamed up with Bacardi to transform its Bethnal Green mazzanine into a 'jungle tree house'. Visitors can listen to Caribbean-inspired DJ sets, sample Bacardi's barrel-aged rums and take part in masterclasses with Fix8 founder Freya Twigden. Every Thursday throughout October from 6-8pm, email reservations@londoncocktailclub.co.uk to book.

Botanical adventures

Let your creativity run wild at the Mr Foggs House of Botanicals in Newman Street. Weekly workshops will allow visitors to open their palates and explore the natural flavours of Bombay Sapphire gin, and they'll have the chance to create a mini terrarium with help from the Botanical Boys. Taking place on 14, 21 and 28 October.

6 October 2020 - Bethany Whymark