Yet again there is a carnival shaped hole in our collective London hearts this year. For the rum lovers however, you only have to wait a month or so before London Rum Week descends on bars and restaurants around the city. From 10th – 17h October, events, tastings, supper clubs and limited-edition menus will be popping up at partner venues to celebrate everything Rum. The week culminates on October 16th with RumFest, a rum lovers dream of a day, jam-packed with tastings, exhibitions, seminars and demonstrations from both new and established distillers and blenders from the world of rum. The day’s sessions, all curated by industry titan Ian Burrell will take place from 2-4pm and 5-9pm and Golden Tot tokens, priced at £5 each, will be available to buy in advance, allowing guests to sample some of the world’s best rums. Still missing that carnival spirit? fear not, Guests will be treated to Carnival Time featuring live music, dancing and exciting food traders offering delicious snacks and meals as well as food and rum pairing masterclasses. And if you can’t make any of this in person, you can still join in with RumFest Online with streamed live events and specially recorded digital content. If you prefer your rum on the spicier side, the Spiced Rum Show on 17th October at Night Tales in Hackney doubles down on the much-loved category. Rum Fest takes place on 16th October at ILEC Conference Centre in Earl’s Court. Tickets are priced at £30 and include a tasting glass, a show brochure, access to free masterclasses and all samples at the show aside from Golden Tot rums. Find out more at www.rumfest.co.uk Written by Rick Hartley #earlscourt #LondonRumWeek #drinks #Rumfest #Rum #Drink #rumfest

Each year, London Design Festival is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in sophistication and creativity and this year, why not do it with a fabulous drink in your hand. From September 13th – 26th, critically acclaimed bar Lyaness – brainchild of the world’s most awarded bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana AKA, Mr Lyan –  has teamed up with contemporary glassware brand Nude to bring you an exclusive trio of cocktails. In a perfect combination of drink and glassware, the menu has been inspired by and created specifically for American designer Brad Ascalon’s sleek and delicate Hepburn range. Each drink has been paired with the perfect glass to produce three subtly glamorous creations: A rhubarb and Kummel Gin Sour A rich and silky Sazerac with Lyaness’ unique ingredient Purple Pineapple A bright, floral and peppery Vodka Soda with Sichuanpepper, white peony and jasmine This is a collaboration that exudes innovation, creativity and quality, and original flavours to boot. Reservations are recommended but not required; to book, email lyaness@seacontainerslondon.com. Address: 20 Upper Ground | London | SE1 9PD Find out more at lyaness.com Written by Rick Hartley #Nude #drinks #LondonDesignWeek #Lyaness #Cocktails #Drink

Just like many people around the world, the recent lockdown situations forced me to rethink my alcohol consumption. I was missing my normal social life, I found it was getting far too easy to compensate by creating my own solitary cocktail hour. It’s not that I really needed a drink to make me feel happy or relaxed, it’s more just that I love and missed everything that goes with it. Sitting with my fashion friends, the chilled spirits pouring out of the bottle, the ice clinking around in the glass. It’s just all so glamorous and fun – and so far from the boredom of the COVID-19 lockdowns. My solo ‘Happy Hour’ helped to relive the memory, but drinking at home alone every night didn’t feel healthy. So, I started looking around to see what alternatives were available that still felt special but with less of the alcohol. The answer for me was STRYKK; a company making proper non-alcoholic alternatives to popular traditional spirits including gin, rum and my personal favourite, vodka. Although they are usually available in supermarkets such as Tesco, I couldn’t find them in my smaller local shop. But luckily the bottles are available on Ocado. All three of the offerings – STRYKK not g*n, STRYKK not r*m and STRYKK not v*dka – are 100% distilled naturally with no sugar, no fat, no carbs and no artificial flavouring. In fact, it took the company two years to develop the drinks in collaboration with top bartenders from around the globe. And the results are wonderful. They have managed to reconstruct the flavours of spiced rum, London dry gin and traditional vodka. My tipple of choice is vodka, so that’s the one I usually go for. I also love a classic vodka, lime and soda, and the STRYKK non-alcoholic option certainly works perfectly as an alternative. I am now in the process of perfecting the STRYKK not v*dka Martini and the Pornstar is coming next. And the cherry on the cake is that the bottle is also gorgeous and if you hate mocktails like I do, this is a fabulous alternative. Cocktail lovers should definitely check out their website for all the spirit but none of the nasty morning after! Website: https://www.strykk.com Written by Lupe Castro #nonalcoholic #STRYKK

Free beer on London’s South Bank We all know money doesn’t grow on trees, but this September thanks to Budvar Budweiser we can now believe beer does! From 8th – 9th September, (1pm – 5pm) guests are invited to come and pick their own free beer from the Budvar Beer Tree, on the Southbank. No ticket required, find the tree, pick your chilled beer and kick back and watch the sun go down on London’s Southbank! Location: The Republic of Beer, Observation Point, London SE1 9PP The Nuet Smörgåsbar – a hidden retro cabin pop-up at Callooh Callay Take a walk through the wardrobe at the back of Callooh Callay to find your way up to the hidden Nuet Smörgåsbar, a retro cabin pop-up, brought to you by Scandi spirit brand Nuet Aquavit, running from 8th – 12th September. Think vintage skis, sheepskin rugs, fire lanterns and Norwegian music. Unwind with friends or loved ones and try one of the seven different Nuet serves, specially created for the Nuet Smörgåsbar. On 9th September guests can purchase a £5 ticket to the Nuet Smörgåsbar which includes a complimentary cocktail on arrival. Location: Callooh Callay, 65 Rivington St, London EC2A 3AY To book tickets for 9th Sep, visit: https://www.calloohcallaybar.com/events/2021/9/2/nuet-smrgsbar-the-jub-jub Gousto hosts Flavourlust Gousto are launching Flavourlust – an immersive pop-up, with an exciting limited-edition Street Food recipe range, from 17th – 18th September. Guests will enter a foodie’s emporium where they will be immersed in the exotic street food destinations of Thailand, India and Brazil with delicious dishes. Guests will also be able to grab a cocktail or two and dance the evening away with a live music set. Location: Hoxton Arches Tickets are £15, and can be purchased here: https://mailchi.mp/1851caa1270d/flavourlust-gousto New CorporateQueer exhibition at Broadgate A new photography exhibition is coming to Broadgate as part of their ongoing celebration of Pride season and their commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, inclusion and diversity. Captured by photographer Fiona Freud, #CorporateQueer is a deeply honest, wonderfully captured and extraordinarily candid insight into professionals who want to celebrate their own ‘queerness’ or that of their allies and colleagues. With the recent figures showcasing how many challenges and issues the LGBTQ+ community are still facing there has never been a better time to highlight this and champion change. Portrait of Kevin McLean – Head of Learning & Development EMEA, CBRE. Free entry | Location: 3 Finsbury Ave, Broadgate, EC2 #Flavourlust #NuetAquavit #NuetSmörgåsbar #gusto #CalloohCallay #pride

A Casamigos bar, weekly parties and live performances are all part of Percy’s programming, lining it up to be one of Kensington High Street’s hottest new spots. Guests will be invited to drink, dine, and dance in the space, well into the night, perfect for those winter nights where you want to get cosy inside. A Casamigos Tequila and Mezcal bar will accompany Percy’s own bar and lounge, where DJs, live music and hefty helpings of generous hospitality will be an everyday occurrence, think of it as London’s most hedonistic house party. Designed to imbue a sense of having stumbled into the home of one of the most generous hosts you’ve ever encountered. Percy’s will have a playful atmosphere that promises no fluff, no front just great music, good drinks and happy people. Percy’s have collaborated with some of London’s best-loved distilleries, wine merchants and craft breweries to offer an extensive drinks selection, which will also include generously poured cocktails and Champagne on ice. The kitchen will serve up seasonally focussed dishes and a constantly evolving menu which celebrates the best of British. Unfussy dishes will be served from 5pm, with small plates and sharers served into the night. The Casamigos bar will honour its namesake, with the George Clooney founded award-winning tequila and mezcal served in expertly mixed cocktails, including Percy’s signature drink, the Watermelon Mezcal Negroni, alongside Pineapple Margaritas, Ginger Mint Palomas and a New Fashioned. An eclectic line-up of DJs selecting the finest Disco, House, Funk and Soul, will run alongside a rolling roster of live saxophonists and percussionists. Opening date: September 30th | Times: Thursday to Saturday from 5pm until very late Address: 2a Kensington High Street W8 4PT Website www.percyslondon.co.uk Written by Jordan Crowley Photography courtesy of Percy’s #kensingtonhighstreet #Percys

World Sake Day (translated to Nihonshu no Hi in Japanese) is an important date in the Japanese calendar with celebrations held annually across the globe. This date is considered “New Year’s Day” for sake because it marks the first day of the sake making season in Japan, and to honour it this year, Japan Centre is hosting a series of special sake tastings to raise a glass to one of Japan’s most famous exports. Starting in 1978, the day has become synonymous with commemorating the contribution that sake has had on Japanese culture, as well as the skilled brewers who create the fermented rice drink. For a limited time, Japan Centre is offering up to 20% off its sake range and presenting a series of tastings so you can try before you buy, as well as learn all about this complex beverage that is created like a beer, but drinks like a wine. They are also putting on an online sake brewery tour for those who wish to learn all about the brewing process. Founded in 1976, Japan Centre has been credited for trailblazing the familiarisation of Japanese food in the UK. A family business to this day, has helped to transform the Japanese food and dining scene in London through its food halls, book shop, and ramen bars. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn more about sake as well as the fascinating culture it was born from. Japan Centre World Sake Day Events: Online Event: Visit a Sake Brewery 2nd October, 4pm JST (8am BST London) Join Lauren, your local host, on a one-hour virtual exploration of an amazing Sake brewery in Fujinomiya (at the base of Mt. Fuji), and learn interesting facts about sake, the brewing process, food pairing ideas and so much more. Sake Tastings at Japan Centre Ichiba, Westfield London and Japan Centre Leicester Square Did you know that Japan Centre has 80-100 different kinds of sakes imported from local suppliers? Try before you buy, at one of the upcoming Sake tastings in celebration of World Sake Day. Japan Centre’s in-house Sake Sommelier Sachiko Koyama will also be on-hand to answer any questions about sake brewing, how it’s made, and the different types and classifications of sake. Dates:1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, and 10th October | from 12pm-5pm Written by Claire Coveney Photography courtesy of Japan Centre #Japancentre #japanese #sake

As summer draws to a close, the nights get cooler and the light gets dimmer, brighten up your evenings and warm your cockles with one of these three Spiced Rum Cocktails from BACARDÍ. BACARDÍ Grilled Pineapple Swizzle INGREDIENTS 50ml BACARDÍ Spiced 25ml Lime juice 20ml Simple syrup (x2 parts sugar, x1 part water) 25ml Pineapple juice 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters METHOD Add all ingredients to a glass or jug, fill with 2/3 crushed ice, stir and then top with more crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and a slice of grilled pineapple. BACARDÍ Spiced, Apple & Ginger INGREDIENTS 50 ml BACARDÍ Spiced 50 ml Apple juice 50 ml Ginger ale 2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional) 1 lime wedge METHOD Build all liquid ingredients in a highball glass over cubed ice, squeeze a wedge of lime and add Angostura bitters if desired. Stir to combine. Garnish with another lime wedge or apple slice. BACARDÍ Caribbean Highball INGREDIENTS 50 ml BACARDÍ Spiced 75 ml Pineapple juice 75 ml Ginger beer 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1 squeeze of lime METHOD Build ingredients in highball glass with cubed ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. To get your hands on a bottle of BACARDÍ visit: Sainsburys | Ocado | Tesco | Asda Photography by Caitlin Isola #Bacardi #BACARDÍSpiced

Wine lovers raise a glass, Porte Noire bar and cellar is coming to North London! Partners in wine Idris Elba (actor, producer, and DJ) and David Farber (founder of Connaught Wine Cellar) are launching Porte Noire on 18th of October. Porte Noire will bring a selection of wine, cheese & charcuterie, as well as an earthy brasserie-style food menu to the shopping and restaurant district of Kings Cross. Porte Noire will be home to one of the largest wine tasting rooms in London and 800 (yes 800!) wine bins. All of the wines are available to drink (and more importantly buy in the shop) have been hand-picked, rare bottles for the wine connoisseurs and a selection of on-tap wines for the more casual drinkers. Cocktail lovers, we have not been forgotten as a selection of premium spirit apéritifs are also available to order on the drinks menu. Porte Noire boasts a beautiful outdoor space as well as a dining room and bar that seats 70 guests. On the food menu are no-nonsense, French brasserie classics: stand-out dishes including Oeuf Meurette – a classic Burgundian dish of poached eggs in a rich and flavourful red wine sauce and slow-cooked beef cheek, pommes purée and leek persillade. Lighter bites can also be found on the menu – a selection of high-end European cheeses and charcuterie is available to order as a platter. Seriously, what’s not to like? If you’re on cloud wine just thinking about Porte Noire, be sure to swing by – cellar doors open on Monday 18th October! Address: Gasholder 10, Unit A, 1 Lewis Cubitt Square, London, N1C 4BY Website: https://www.portenoire.co.uk/about-us/ Written by Lenny Wright #IdrisElba #kingscross #PorteNoire #wine

October kicks off London Cocktail Week, one of the biggest cocktail festivals in the world. This year, the festival has extended the events to last all month, allowing you to try some of the best, most expertly crafted cocktails this city has to offer for only £7 a drink. London’s own Fords Gin has collaborated with three venues this year, offering complimentary freshly shucked oysters to accompany their perfectly smooth gin martinis. A classic pairing, the juniper and botanical flavours found in Fords Gin beautifully enhance the flavours of briny oysters, making them the perfect pairing for a night out. Fords Gin was conceived when 8th generation master distiller Charles Maxwell and gin expert Simon Ford paired up with the goal to create a versatile spirit that would become a bartender and mixologist’s “go-to” gin. Blending together the perfect balance of oils and nine botanicals sourced from around the world, Maxwell and Ford spent two years meticulously crafting a versatile spirit that would complement any gin-based cocktail. Having won numerous awards, this isn’t a gin to miss. Check out the events below: The Hide – October 14th 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF Details: £7 for a Fords Gin Martini and complimentary oysters The Ham Yard Hotel – October 21st 1 Ham Yard, London, W1D 7DT Details: £15 for a Fords Gin Martini and complimentary oysters (This is a ticketed event, purchase tickets here) For more information, search ‘Fords Gin’ on the London Cocktail Week website: londoncocktailweek.com Written by Joanna Finlay Photography courtesy of Fords Gin #fordsgin #Londoncocktailweek

Veuve Clicquot, the eminent champagne house, presents an exclusive four-month installation hosted by Selfridges from the 4th October 2021 until the end of January 2022. Guests will be transported back in time in ‘Le Tram’, a retro-chic installation that takes over 50 square metres of bar and retail space on the ground floor of the iconic Selfridges London store. This year’s iteration of the bottle is a Veuve Clicquot personalised bottle – The Veuve Clicquot Tape. Over Christmas, ‘Le Tram’ will be home to an intimate 10-seated bar offering a unique menu of Veuve Clicquot champagne and curated cocktails including a Pear and Ginger Mule, Belvedere Organic Infusion Blackberry and Lemongrass vodka and Eminente Rum. In keeping with the cassette tape and retro theme, through retro speakers drinkers will be able to play tunes of their choice, sharing moments of festive happiness. After a strange year for us all, Christmas this year has new meaning focusing on time for connection, optimism and spending it with loved ones. Fizz the season! For those wishing to send a more personal Christmas gift, an individual message, inspired by song lyrics, can be added to a personalised label (that’s in the shape of an authentic mixtape label!) to evoke a shared memory, or simply let someone special know how much you care. Browse from among 300 gifting messages or type your own on a retro typewriter. You can keep the box at home to display long after the bottle is enjoyed! Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label cuvée bottle at Le Tram bar, £90 | The Clicquot Personalised Tape, £59.99 Opening times: 10:00am – 09:00pm (Monday to Saturday) | 11:30am – 06:00pm (Sunday) Reservation not required; walk-ins welcome Clicquot Tape limited edition features 100% recyclable packaging, personalised bottles can also be ordered online at www.selfridges.com Written by Lenny Wright #champagne #christmas #Selfridges #VeuveClicquot

The folks at Bombay Sapphire haven’t just been busy pumping out the good stuff to keep you rolling during lockdowns and meetups in the park. Far, far from it. Apart from the new-look cinema and interactive cocktail bar, the team is launching a refreshed cocktail menu and tour experience. Designed by Heathwerwick (yes, that one) Studios, Bombay Sapphire’s distillery was once a 300-year-old paper mill and has been an under-the-radar secret for years, but the team are going big in time for Christmas. Grab your iconic balloon glass and use the new dispenser pipes to create your unique cocktail and finish with a garnish of your choice. The first part of the new experience is all about personalising your gin. Make sure you save some gin for the movie in the new cinema room, where you’ll learn facts such as Bombay Sapphire is based on a 1761 recipe, and how Bombay’s Master of Botanicals, Ivano Tonutti, sources the ten natural botanicals from around the globe. After this, you’ll walk around the Instagrammer’s paradise that are the Heatherwick greenhouses. Hungry for more? Add on a Masterclass to your experience with a specially trained Gin Expert who will answer your questions, teach you some tricks of the trade and allow you to get creative with the new varieties; BOMBAY BRAMBLE, BOMBAY SUNSET and BOMBAY PREMIER CRU. Then exit by the gift shop naturally! Bombay Sapphire is based on Hampshire’s River Test (roughly a two-hour drive from London), it is easy to get to via train, bus or taxi. The multiple structures visitors get to explore are architecturally stunning and worth the trip alone. The new additions gives you a reason to return or go for the first time. Whether you go for the day or as part of a more extended trip, bottoms up! Pre-book (essential) and find out more, head over today  bombaysapphire.com/distillery Written by Paul Armstrong Photography courtesy of Bombay Sapphire #BombaySapphire

Autumn! That golden time of year where everything seems to be draped in orange, yellow and brown hues. As our clothes get thicker, pumpkins seem to pop out of every corner; pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, candlelit pumpkin faces. This year BACARDÍ wanted to mix it up a bit with two spicy cocktails featuring everyone’s favourite autumnal squash. Pumpkin Spiced Vermouth Sour It’s indulgent, it’s zesty and it’s vegan. INGREDIENTS 50ml MARTINI Fiero 25ml Aquafaba 25ml Lemon juice 15ml Pumpkin spiced syrup METHOD Pour all the ingredients into a shaker and shake well without ice, add ice and then repeat then strain into a coupette glass. La Petite Treat A touch of sophistication and fizz with this elegant spritz. INGREDIENTS 10 ml ST-GERMAIN 7.5 ml Pumpkin Spiced Syrup 25 ml BACARDÍ Ocho 1 dash Orange Bitter Champagne to top METHOD Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, strain in a Champagne flute, top with Champagne and garnish with a cocktail cherry. Photography courtesy of BACARDÍ #Bacardi #Cocktails #StGermain #martini #Autumn #BACARDÍSpiced