Cocktails. One of my favorite things. Pretty much on par with a G&T, yet way more versatile, with so many creative recipes using different spirits, mixers, syrups… the possibilities are endless!
So when I was invited to the press preview of Cocktails in the City, the new cocktail festival set to hit London later this month, on the
29th and 30th July, I obviously had to go.
Up on the roof terrace of The Big Chill in Kings Cross, we were welcomed with a cocktail (obviously) and settled ourselves along the back.
We weren’t too late and there was already such a great turn out, but we got a spot with a good enough view of the bar, knowing there was going to be some sort of cocktail-off (like a riff-off but with cocktail skills, shaking and a different style of creativity).
We stood for a short while, chatting about our days before the presenter of the cocktail comp welcomed us all. He then introduced the first bar to show off their techniques and win over the crowd, whilst someone else brought around a little taster of their cocktail for everyone to taste and score.
How cool is this? That’s a little choc chip brioche on the top!
We all had score cards to complete, three categories for every bar – presentation, uniqueness and taste – so after sipping from our little shot glass and conferring (Alex and I normally have the same type of taste, but this was interesting) we popped down our scores and waited for the next contestant. Eleven in all, I can say honestly, there were some fab cocktails being presented…
This one was awesome! Just look at that presentation! It even had crumbled chocolate cake in the flower pot, representing soil.
A little taster of the above cocktail – Made us feel like we were in the Caribbean. Absolutely delicious!
Sweets!
I now have even more bars on my to-do list. There were just so many great cocktails, many using one of my favorite spirits – Gin!
Our fave had to be the cocktail from Fifteen, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant. It was fruity and sweet, not too strong or bitter, and was easily the best. This cocktail turned out to be a collective favorite too, voted the top cocktail of the evening! I’m definitely going to have to pop along to the restaurant so I can have this again.
Cocktails in the City is only 3 and a half weeks away, and I’m already looking forward to it.
Pic courtesy of Cocktails in the City
If you’re free the last weekend of July, and enjoy a cheeky cocktail or two, I highly recommend popping down to Bedford Square Gardens, where 20 of London’s bars will be gathering beneath the green canopies for a two-day celebration of the city’s unique and diverse drinking scene. A weekend devoted to cocktails, what could be better?
What’s your favorite cocktail in London?
Chloe xx
* I was invited along to the press preview of Cocktails in the City. All views my own! I’m super excited for Cocktails in the City at the end of July!