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The Nest has joined forces with Moët & Chandon for their summer terrace to bring a celebration of Moët Moments, where you can treat yourself to some well-deserved bubbles or cocktails. The beautifully decorated rooftop bar boasts spectacular 360-degree London skyline views, which you can admire whilst being treated to Moët & Chandon. As you would expect the cocktail menu features some heavenly sublime concoctions with champagne as a key ingredient along with some refreshing sustainable cocktails which include many of your 5 a day. You can rest your weary feet on sumptuous sofas whilst listening to great chillout beats from The Nest’s resident DJ located in their very own treehouse. As you enjoy the afternoon/evening sun, a mobile oyster shucker will be providing an excellent accompaniment to a fresh glass of champagne, with refreshing lemon and mignonette toppings. Should you fancy a bite to eat, the food menu is just as impressive with a great selection of sharing plates and large plates. The next Moët & Chandon terrace takeover will take place on Thursday 31st of August, for more info. visit – www.treehousehotels.com/london Address: 14-15 Langham Pl, London, W1B 2QS Written by Lorna Bryn Photography courtesy of The Nest #londonrooftop #moet #thenest

Remember your younger days, when you excitedly spent your pocket money on sweets from the newsagents? Think back to those sweet love hearts, mouth-watering refreshers and chewy drumsticks… Are you salivating just thinking about it? The clever guys and gals behind tea company Bird & Blend have teamed up with Swizzles to create a new collection of sweet-inspired teas. The four new tea blends are inspired by the nation’s favourite sweets; Love Hearts, Refreshers, Parma Violets and Drumstick Lollies. Each contains the distinctive smell and taste of the sweets! The collection includes: Love Hearts  – Apple pieces, Rosehip, Hibiscus and Elderberries. Parma Violets – Black Tea, Hibiscus and Mallow Flowers. Refreshers – Apple pieces, Rosehip, Lemongrass, Orange Peel and Calendula Petals. Drumstick – Apple pieces, Rosehip, Hibiscus, Chinese Oolong Tea, Sunflower Petals and Freeze-dried Raspberry. Boxes are priced at £10 and contain 12 single-serve tea blends. Available on the Swizzels and Bird & Blend websites and in-store. Written by Nyla S. Photography courtesy of Bird & Blend #birdampblend #tea

Summer is finally back in London, with brighter days and warmer evenings and if drinking G&T’s or gin based cocktails alfresco is high up on your agenda Masons of Yorkshire Gin has you covered offering up three delicious favours! Masons of Yorkshire Citrus Vodka – Delicious in a Passionfruit Martini, Citrus Spritzer, and Key Lime Margarita. Masons of Yorkshire Orange & Lime Leaf Gin – Orange citrus flavours complemented by kaffir lime leaf. Masons of Yorkshire Pink Grapefruit & Cucumber Gin – Perfect in a Summer Punch pitcher. Fancy learning more about Masons of Yorkshire? Visit their distillery in Yorkshire to learn the art of distilling, along with a guided tasting of the range, or experience a cocktail masterclass, where you’ll learn how to whip up the perfect serve. To purchase a bottle visit www.masonsofyorkshire.com Photo courtesy of Masons of Yorkshire #gin #masonsofyorkshire

Located in the heart of the city, Social 24, located in Tower 42 has been framed as a ‘beautifully elegant yet relaxed bar making for the perfect spot to enjoy drinks and nibbles with colleagues or to wind down with friends’. In line with the launch of their new cocktail menu, the team invited us down to enjoy an evening of cocktails and to experience the venue in all its glory. The first thing you notice when you enter is the incredible view. 42 stories high with a panoramic view of the city, it really is breathtakingly beautiful. The kind of setting where you can spend the whole night looking out the window spotting landmarks and familiar areas of London. In such a swanky setting, I opted for something a little bit fancy; I choose the house signature cocktail French 24; Bombay Gin, Homemade Raspberry Liquor Cordial, Acqua di Cedro, topped off with Moet & Chandon Imperial champagne. A refreshing twist on the iconic French 75, this was much more up my street than the original, with the fruity accents making it a sweet, easy drink. My partner selected the Better Cosmo; Chase Raspberry Vodka, Crème De Pache, Lemon and Cranberry, which felt like an upscale version of the sex and the city favourite. A cocktail bartender herself, my guest sampled a very unusual option off the menu, The Roquefort Martini; Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, Asparagus infused Cocci Americano. Slightly too stirred for her personal taste, the garnish consisting of an olive stuffed with blue cheese blew her mind, apparently the pairing was incredible. Going slightly off-piste and in need of a pick me up after a long week, I requested an off-menu classic margarita. Given the option to make it spicy, which I of course obliged, finished with a dehydrated orange and artistic salt rim, you could see the bar’s personality shining through and the outcome was superb. Nibbling on a plate of Padron peppers from their menu of bar snacks as we watched the sun go down, this was the perfect end to a busy week. Delicious cocktails, attentive staff, and unparalleled views of the city, this bar is incredibly reasonably priced. With classic cocktails starting from just £9, you are paying basic bar prices for a luxury experience, a huge hit for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life without the elevated price tag. Address: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad St, London, EC2N 1HQ Website: https://citysociallondon.com Written by Jordan Crowley Images courtesy of Social 24 #Social24 #tower42

On a very warm evening after my friend and I strolled across Tower Bridge for our well anticipated reservation at Savage Garden, a roof top terrace on the 12th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton, Tower of London. I must admit I’ve lived in London for many years and never knew about this place, which is shocking, but let me tell you, after my visit it will definitely be on my go to list, it was fabulous. As soon as we stepped out of the lift, we knew we were entering into somewhere special. The staff were personable and very welcoming. The décor is decadent with a colour scheme reminiscent of a spectacular sunset.  As it was still early into the evening, we tried to get a seat outside however our hostess explained that his area is not available to book and it’s operated as a first come, first serve basis. We were disappointed, but she did get us a table right next to an opened floor to ceiling window which had a direct view to the Gherkin building, which suited us fine. The panoramic views are probably the best I’ve experienced, there was just so much to see from Tower Bridge, The Shard, 20 Fenchurch Street to the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building. We started our evening ordering some of their signature cocktails, all synonymous with the Tower of London;  ‘Bloody Roses’ a concoction of Sauvelle, Chambord, lychee liqueur, rose essence, grapefruit & citrus,  along with ‘Lady Grey’ a classy drink containing Grey Goose vanilla, Hendricks Orbium, Cocchi Americano Vermouth, peach bitters, white chocolate, and pineapple. A very impressive set of ingredients in both cocktails and the taste did not let us down. The new bar summer menu is just as impressive with a list of ingredients that will make you want to try just about everything. As my guest is a vegetarian, I had initial concerns that the menu would be unappealing but there was plenty to choose from, all sounding delicious. We settled on ‘Bang Bang’ cauliflower and Goats Cheese, Pea & Tarragon Croquettes from their ‘Addictive’s Menu. Both dishes were presented beautifully but the ‘Bang Bang’ cauliflower was the star dish, the spice was perfect. My friend chose the Crispy Masala Squid with tomato and coriander chutney, and me being a meat lover I just had to choose the Beef Sliders, which were Instagram worthy, and tasted just as good as it looked.  Of course, we had to have the Savage Fries, which were tossed in spice and served with garlic aioli. We left nothing on our plates! We finished off our evening watching the sunset, with cocktails recommended by our waiter ‘The Executioner’, Remy Martin, Peach liqueur, sour bitters, and red wine along with a ‘Fizzy Arabella’ vodka, cacao, passion fruit liqueur, lime & apple cordial, and Cava. Service throughout the evening really had to be commended, the staff were attentive, and we felt well looked after. We ended up chatting to the manager at the end of the evening who advised us that they will soon be opening another section of the terrace, one that can be experienced even in Winter so watch this space. An interesting point to add is that the venue has a range of spaces including terraces that can be booked privately with a capacity for up to 380 which is fabulous if you have any special birthdays, weddings or even work events coming up. The two sky-high rooftop terraces have spectacular views, the perfect spot to kick back, enjoy a tipple and soak up the views. Address: Savage Garden, Floor 12, 7 Pepys St, London, EC3N 4AF Website: https://www.savagegarden.co.uk Written by Lorna Byrne Photos courtesy of Savage Garden #roofterrace #savagegarden #terrace #towerbridge

On the corner of Rathborne Place and Percy Street, Bourne and Hollingsowrth Fitzrovia bar is a real hidden gem, a basement bar known for its exceptional cocktails and super cool setting. Having partnered with the renowned rose liqueur brand Lanique, we were here to experience their outdoor terrace summer pop-up. Influenced by the tranquillity of the coast, the intimate outdoor bar transports guests to the seaside, right in the heart of the city with scalloped umbrellas and a seascape backdrop. A grizzly London summer evening, the area was filled with the buzz of after-workers refusing to let the rain ruin their Thursday evening drinks. We sat down on one of the high tables to people watch and made our way through the concise menu, which features 3 special cocktails, each with a seaside theme and featuring Lanqique rose liqueur. We went in order of the bartender’s suggestions, beginning with the Rose & Grapefruit Margarita, a rose-tinted twist on the classic margarita. Combining Lanique Spirit of Rose with blanco Tequila, grapefruit liqueur, triple sec, pear liqueur and lime juice, it was a creative update to a longstanding favourite of mine. Moving on to a tipple made for summer evenings, ‘Shore Thing’, offers an aromatic twist on a daiquiri pairing Lanique Spirit of Rose with Caribbean blended rum, Italicus, Chinotto Nero and fresh lime. We finished with the showstopping ‘A Rose a Day, Oysters Away’, combining Lanique Spirit of Rose with gin, nectarine liqueur and Bonanto Aperitivo before being topped with Prosecco. Served in its very own handpicked shell alongside a scoop of homemade pomegranate and rose sorbet, it looked stunning, a work of art. Worth a visit whilst it lasts, if you like Lanique you will love this pop-up, and if you haven’t tried it before it’s the perfect way to experience the liqueur in its full glory. With the bar’s open-air charm, if you can time it with some sunshine you are on to a complete winner. Make sure to check out the main Bourne and Hollingsworth bar as part of your visit, it’s not to be missed. Address: Bourne & Hollingsworth, 28 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JF Website address: www.bandhbar.com Written by Jordan Crowley Photos courtesy of Bourne & Hollingsworth #BourneampHollingsworth #Fitzrovia #Lanique

Buffalo Trace Distillery, will be launching a first-of-its-kind American whiskey experience in Covent Garden in December. Guests will be able to embark on an immersive, sensorial experience that brings a taste of Kentucky, the homeplace of Buffalo Trace Distillery, to London. The exclusive tasting experience will delight any whiskey lover, where they can choose from two tasting experiences. The first offering – Taste of the Trace – will feature a guided tasting of three outstanding expressions from Buffalo Trace Distillery’s core product lineup: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sazerac Rye, Bourbon Cream and the option of a Buffalo and Ginger Ale cocktail sample. The second tasting experience – Tradition & Change – will feature a selection of Buffalo Trace Distillery’s premium expression lineup, including White Dog Mash #1, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old, E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and a small pour of a Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned. Inside will also feature a shop where guests can get their hands on exclusive whiskey bottles and unique merchandise (just in time for Christmas). To pre-book your tickets visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com/london Photo courtesy of Buffalo Trace Distillery #Americanwhiskey #Whiskey

On 20th October CASA BRUGAL opens its doors in East London, for a week long celebration of the area’s iconic brands and legacy. An activation by Brugal’s rum, the vibrant café bar will be running from 20th October – 29th October from 10am – 11pm. Located on Hackney Road, the space is set to introduce Londoners to Brugal rum’s welcoming Dominican spirit and showcase the legacy of 135 years of rum mastery. Guests can visit and pick up CASA BRUGAL’s Dominican coffee blend, taste Lily Vanilli’s Brugal-inspired cake, book a candle making class with Earl of East or pick up cocktail ingredients for hosting-at-home with Brugal. Alongside all these great activities and of course lots of opportunities to sample Brugal’s rum, guests will also be safe in the knowledge that they are contributing to a good cause; all profits will be donated to local charity FoodCycle, whose mission is to connect communities, reduce loneliness and food poverty by creating a welcoming space for people to meet, eat and have conversations. Address: CASA BRUGAL, 326 Hackney Road Website: https://casabrugal.com Written by Jordan Crowley Photography by Rebecca Hope #casabrugal

Thanks to the generous folks at Plenish, you can grab a free coffee of your choice at The Plenish Café in Shoreditch, which will open for two days on 19th and 20th October, to celebrate the launch of their new barista range. You can get your flat white fix, much-needed matcha latte and much more at the Plenish Cafe, all made using the new Plenish Barista Almond, Oat or Soya m*lks. In need of a stretch and a gentle core strength workout? Why not book in for a pilates class hosted by pilates guru Ashlea McKee, for £5.00 (which also includes a hot drink and a goodie bag!). Be quick, spaces are selling out fast! – www.eventbrite.co.uk Address: The Plenish Café, 133 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG Opening Times: 7:30-15:00 Photos courtesy of Plenish #milk #plenish #shoreditch

Permit Room, an offering by Dishoom, has recently opened up in Brighton. Taking its influence from the permit and beer rooms of Bombay, this all-day bar café will showcase an impressive brand-new cocktail and drinks list, alongside food, bar snacks and some larger plates. Fans of Dishoom will be pleased to hear there will be a few favourite from the original Dishoom menu. With a focus on drink, the venue will offer a relaxed retro interior, DJ sets on a Thursday, and bar snacks and “drinking food” to match. It will pay homage to the Irani cafes that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay back in the 60s and 70s, where only with a Permit were you allowed to drink! As well as collaborations with local breweries, and supplies, more than 50% of the main menu, and all the side dishes, will be vegetarian or vegan, catering well to Brighton’s big vegan population. And in extra good news, it will be open for breakfast, serving Naan Rolls, coffee, piping hot chai and of course the odd obligatory Bloody Mary. An all-day offering that will keep you entertained from breakfast to bed. If you didn’t have enough reasons to plan that weekend by Brighton beach, you do now! Although officially opening on 1st November, they have opened for a soft launch, offering guests 50% off food, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Address: 32 East St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN1 1HL Website: www.permitroom.co.uk Photo courtesy of Permit Room #brighton #dishoom #permitrooms

With the imminent approach of the holiday season, there’s no better way to get into the festive season than visiting Convent Garden. From the 7th November, the date for switching on Covent Garden’s world-famous Christmas lights, an enchanting experience awaits you where you can climb aboard the Christmas Martini Express and embark on a journey through gin-infused winter warmers and personalised Martini Masterclasses thanks to folks at Sipsmith. Sipsmith will be stationing their iconic bus on the East side of the piazza from 12pm to 10pm Tuesday to Sunday until the 3rd of December. During the day, the Martini Express will offer a delightful array of gin-infused winter warmers that will have your taste buds zinging, such as hot Lemon Drizzle; a perfect blend of gin and zesty lemon flavours or the warm and spiced concoction of mulled Sloe Gin. Not forgetting the ever-popular Gin & Tonics, including non-alcoholic options, there will be plenty of offerings that are sure to please your palate. At night, a more immersive and exclusive experience awaits, the Sipsmith Martini Express invites you to climb aboard the bus for the ultimate ticketed adventure. For £35, you can participate in a personalised Martini Masterclass, hosted by non-other than Jared Brown, Sipsmith’s Master Distiller who is thrilled to share his wealth of knowledge and passion for Gin, and will guide you through the art of crafting the perfect Martini: including how to create your own personalised martini under his expert eye. Whether you’re a gin connoisseur or just looking to try something new, don’t miss this unique opportunity to step into the world of Sipsmith Gin and learn from the best. The Christmas Martini Express in Covent Garden is the perfect way to kick off your holiday festivities. All aboard! Tickets are £35, and can be purchased by visiting https://sipsmith.com/sipsmith-martini-express Schedule: Masterclasses run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 6pm and 9pm (no Friday or Saturday evening classes, but the bus is open for drinks service). Dates: 7th November – 3rd December (except Mondays) from 12pm – 10pm Address: Covent Garden’s iconic Piazza, East side #coventgarden #sipsmith

There’s a fantastic new sustainable British Vodka available on the market and it’s causing quite the stir. The latest product from family distiller Hayman’s, Respirated is reimagining vodka in the form of a 100% rescued grain spirit, repurposed in a 100% recycled glass bottle. The first of its kind, Respirited is set to evolve the world of vodka with its message of sustainability. Ensuring that nothing from the development to the packaging goes to waste, it is a direct result of Hayman’s mission to repurpose grain spirit from their usual (gin) production process. Crisp, bright and uncompromisingly smooth, Respirated not only tastes delicious but looks the part in a beautiful recycled glass bottle complete with sustainable cork and compostable capsule with the label printed on recycled paper. Price: From £25 Respirited is available from Amazon and Ocado For more information visit https://respirited.com Written by Jordan Crowley Photo courtesy of Respirited #Respirited #vodka