COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: LONDON’S BIG CELEBRATION OF BOOZE IS BACK AGAIN!

Words by Adam Bloodworth

Raise a glass, or five: Cocktails in the City returns this week, which is your chance to drink unusual and high quality mixes from some of the best bars in London, all outdoors in Bedford Square Gardens.

There’s a festival-like atmosphere as bar tenders and mixologists set up stands in the Square. Some of the drinks are classics they sell at their bars, while others are made up especially for the festival. So you could end up trying the next big thing.

Cocktails in the City say the event is “celebrating London’s global reputation as a leading cocktail destination and the people that make it such an exciting place to be”. So how does it work? “Guests can enjoy world-class drinks from some of the city’s most renowned, internationally recognised establishments. Visitors can participate in workshops, tasting sessions and games supported with award-winning street food and music to deliver a delectable festival of drinks.”

Tickets cost £22 and that includes a welcome cocktail. Like Taste of London, guests are invited to an afternoon or an evening session, and drinks are bought individually from the traders. Each trader has a nonalcoholic option, and this month some of the London bars appearing include Bourne & Hollingsworth, 0° Sky Bar, 8 at The Londoner, Alma Bar London, Baccarat Bar, Black Parrot and TT Liquor.

Tickets are available for Thursday between 5-10pm, Friday from 4-10pm, and Saturday from 12-4pm and 510pm.

Learn about the latest cocktail making trends, flavours and approaches, then cast your vote for your favourite, as well as your top bar; awards are given out each month the event runs throughout summer (Cocktails in the City returns again in September).

To whet your appetite, we asked some of the participants to give us a