PLUS An exclusive interview with Christina Hendricks A peak behind the scenes at Gerry’s Wines & Spirits And 25 reasons to be a cocktail lover this season
The London Issue The finest bartenders in the
capital come out to celebrate our first birthday edition
IN-tro
PARDON US FOR
BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPETS but London really is one of the coolest cocktail capitals in the world. We haven’t made that up; you’ll find all the proof you need to back up our theory during London Cocktail Week. From speakeasies in the south to notable drinking dens in the north, edgy hotspots in the east to well-to-do watering holes in the west, this seven-day celebration is the perfect excuse to check out our diverse and wondrous bars. We’ve kickstarted the party by bringing together some of our favourite bartenders for the cover of The Cocktail Lovers Magazine. Well, seeing as this is the very first print issue of our quarterly drinks lifestyle publication, we had to do something special. So we called on the best, from the ones to watch starting out in their profession, through to those at the pinnacle of their careers. And we must say, with a 10 o’clock start on a Monday morning, we were thrilled to bits with the turn-out. A massive thank you to all who took part (see p. 59). The London theme gathers pace with a six page Access All Areas guide to the capital with a map, area profiles and a handy bar directory (p. 17), and continues with a spotlight on Gerry’s, one of our favourite retail outlets in the whole wide world (p. 24). You’ll also find a lighthearted liquid history of London cocktails (p. 30), fashion with the London Cocktail Club crew (p.38) and a peek inside the portfolio of bar, hotel and restaurant consultants Gorgeous Group (p. 34). Oh, and we talk to Hannah Sharman-Cox, the lady we all have to thank for £4 cocktails, Routemaster bus bar tours and pretty much everything else happening at London Cocktail Week (p.42). We do cast our net a little further afield with a look at the best of Leeds’ nightlife (p. 52) and a visit to Amsterdam to discover what’s hot on the cocktail front (p. 54). If that wasn’t enough, we also spend time with Mad Men star Christina Hendricks to find out why Scotch is her tipple of choice (p. 14). Don’t say we don’t give you value in our free, 60-page magazine. Speaking of which, as well as being distributed during London Cocktail Week through to December, you’ll find The Cocktail Lovers Magazine online. Check in to see the making of our cover shoot, read profiles of the bartenders who took part, discover their specially created cocktail recipes and a whole lot more.
Happy imbibing! Ms S & Mr G www.thecocktaillovers.com
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Since 1885 Giffard has aimed to source the ďŹ nest ingredients, fruits and plants to provide bartenders worldwide with the perfect liqueurs and syrups to create unique and delicious cocktails.
www.giffard.com
Join us on
GIFFARD UK : MANGROVE - Tel: 020 8551 4966 info@mangroveuk.com - www.mangroveuk.com
IN-gredients
6. IN-the know 25 reasons to be a cocktail lover this season
which technique gets your vote on the cocktail-making front?
34. IN-focus
Blinging up festive cocktails and decking the halls – just a couple of the things we’re looking forward to in the next three months
The Gorgeous effect Behind-the-scenes with London’s top bar, restaurant and hotel consultancy
10. IN-terview
36. IN-dulge
In the hotseat – Alex Kratena
Buy the book
The winner of the International Bartender of the Year and World’s Best Hotel Bar shares a few secrets with Rebekkah Dooley
Ten cocktail books worth adding to your the home bar
12. IN-the spotlight Gentlemen’s drinks: Manning up to cocktails Alfred Tong gives the lowdown on how to get what you want at the bar
14. IN-the spotlight Real women drink whisky Christina Hendricks talks Scotch and reveals her favourite gamechanging serves
38. IN-style Get the drinks in at... London Cocktail Club. With seriously cool looks from JJ Goodman, James Hopkins, Sarah Mitchell and Andy Mil
42. IN-dustry greats Ms Fix-it: Hannah Sharman-Cox The force behind London Cocktail Week explains how she got the project off the ground
17. IN-the spotlight
45. IN-dependent spirits
Access all areas: The discriminating drinker’s view of London
Beer necessities
Ben Norum puts the capital’s drinking spots under the microscope, with a map by Becky Roberts and a directory of London’s hottest bars
24. IN-focus Top of the shops Gerry’s, a veritable Aladdin’s Cave for serious cocktail lovers, right in the heart of Soho
26. IN-focus Take one drinks company... and focus on six of its brand ambassadors who explain what the highly coveted job entails
30. IN-focus London cocktails: Did you know? A lighthearted guide to the serious business of drinking in the capital
32. IN-focus Classics vs. experimental Good old shaking and stirring or centrifugal systems and foams,
Pre-mixed cocktails get the V.I.P. treatment with Shaky Pete’s bottled Ginger Brew
46. IN-formed Mains and martinis Three great London restaurants where the cocktails are as good as the food
48. IN-formed Word up… Last orders from Holly Penfield; music to drink cocktails to by The Style Council and The Cocktail Girl relives her childhood at Golden Bee
51. IN-the mix This season it’s all about... Bitters Add some ‘oomph’ in the flavour department with a few dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
52. IN-sider’s guide Hot Leeds Why North gets the thumbs up with MOJO’s bar manager Sam Fish
54. IN-ternational Going Dutch Where to go, what to see and what to do in Amsterdam
58. IN-vite only Snapshot Pictures from our favourite parties, competitions and events from the past three months Editors Sandrae Lawrence, Gary Sharpen Sub-editor Susannah O’Grady Creative Director James Cheverton at Burnt Studio www.burntstudio.com Illustrations Melanie Milne www. seriousaboutdesign.me.uk; Nick Schon www.nickschonillustrator.com; Becky Roberts www.doodleyboo.co.uk Photography Johnnie Pakington www.johnniepakington.com; Liam Kennedy www.liamkennedy.co.uk Video Travis Watson at TBone Productions traviswatson@hotmail.com Contributors Rebekkah Dooley, Sam Fish, Ben Norum, Alfred Tong; Lauryn Tomlinson With special thanks to Fjalar Goud, Bob Nolet, Dennis Tamse For all editorial and advertising enquiries, please contact: mail@thecocktaillovers.com 020 7242 2546 07801 932 941/07816 202 547 www.thecocktaillovers.com Printed by BG Print Reproduction in whole or part of any contents of The Cocktail Lovers magazine without prior permission from the editors is strictly prohibited. Cover photography by Johnnie Pakington. Issue No. 5 October-December 2012 PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
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25
REASONS TO BE A COCKTAIL LOVER THIS SEASON Getting suited and booted, replacing fragrance with barrel-aged scents and reliving the spirit of the Eighties, just a few of the things on our radar in the next three months
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Drinking cocktails from soup cans Whisky, Cherry Heering, Clayton’s Kola Tonic and soda all come together like a work of art in the Andy Warhol, served in a Campbell’s soup can, what else? www.beardtotail.co.uk.
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IN-the know
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Blinging up festive cocktails
Blowing the budget
with edible gold crumbs and powder, available from Handmade Treats. www.handmade-treats.co.uk.
and splashing out on this drop-dead gorgeous, downright glamorous Bloody Mary Kit crafted from sterling silver. Do we need it? Not really. Do we want it? Yes please! www.theofennell.com.
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by securing them with this nifty Combi Lock Bottle Stop from www.whiskhampers.co.uk.
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GETTING SUITED & BOOTED
KEEPING SPIRITS UNDER WRAPS
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BEING INSPIRED BY THE CATWALK
PLAYING FANTASY GIFT SHOPPING
and going for flower power for the cocktail hour. We’re loving the funky floral frockage from Peter Pilotto. Available from www.harveynichols.com.
08. ZONING IN ON THE DETAILS… Accessories are where it’s at this season. Ladies, go for instant glamour by pulling on a pair of elbow-length leather gloves from www.corlettelondon.com…
in the drool-worthy new clothing and shoe collection from Berluti, probably the finest men’s clobber around. www.berluti.com.
Top of the list is this lush Tini Time Cocktail Cabinet. Not only does it look the business, it comes with a concealed vintage cocktail shaker that appears at the push of a button and secret compartments for garnishes. James Bond, eat your heart out. www.davidlinley.com.
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while guys can get in on the act with a natty bow tie. Choose from the fab selection of day and evening styles available from Budd Shirtmakers. www.buddshirts.co.uk. The Cocktail Lovers - 7
Cosying up with cocktails & cake
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How spiffing! 16 slices of hand-made cake, 12 sachets of tea, two Monin cocktail syrups, plus doilies, napkins and cake topper flags, all posted through your letterbox in one handy kit. Just add your spirit and carefully chosen guests. www.enjoycrumb.com.
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to put right the ravaging effects of central heating, cold weather and all the events previously mentioned (see 11). We like Restorative Moisture Crème by Radical Skincare www.radicalskincare.com, and for the closest shave ever, try Kyoku Sake-infused shave crème for men. www.kyokuformen.com.
Thierry Mugler’s limitededition Liqueur De Parfums are left to mature in wooden casks for eight weeks, combining the art of perfume makers with the skill of cellar masters. Genius. www.mugler.com.
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Stepping out in style in gravity-defying heels from the brand new Manolo Blahnik boutique on the first floor at Harrods. Perfect for perching at posh bars. www.harrods.com.
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INVESTING IN A QUALITY EYE MASK With London Cocktail Week, Rum Fest, big birthdays and Christmas all on the agenda, our peepers will need all the help they can get. We’ll be keeping Origins No Puffery Cooling Eye Mask on standby – it does exactly what it says on the tin. www.origins.co.uk.
SLATHERING ON QUALITY LOTIONS AND POTIONS
13. REPLACING FRAGRANCES WITH BARRELAGED SCENTS
ELEVEN
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Taking notes of our favourite bars in the super-smart Places To Remember book from Smythson. www.smythson.co.uk.
Logging on to thehomecocktailshop for top-drawer cocktail kit at reassuringly down-to-earth prices, courtesy of World Class GB Bartender of the Year Andy Mil. www.homecocktailshop.com.
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MAKING BOTTLED GIFTS EXTRA SPESH
by simply adding a personalised label. Select your colour, choose the wording, decide on the finish and leave it to Katie Sue to do the rest. Minimum order 2. www.katiesue.co.uk.
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Decking the halls
with the kitsch Martini glasses wallpaper border from www.interiorandgarden.com.
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TWENTY ONE FLAUNTING HOLLYWOODSTYLE PJS & NIGHTGOWNS
Packing up our troubles in a sleek-as-you-like clutch bag, like this one from David Hampton. www.davidhampton.com.
Stocking up on mini milk bottles Just the ticket for stylish serves of egg nog and other festive tipples. Order yours from www.dotcomgiftshop.com.
at the wonderful Bedtime Stories at 40 Winks series. With cocktails, nibbles and prizes awarded for the fanciest nightwear, it would be rude not to get into the spirit of things. www.40winks.org, nightwear from www.myla.com.
Kick starting the day with a breakfast cocktail Bacon and egg Martinis, Bloody Marys, boozy smoothies and the ultimate wake-up call, an espresso vodka, they’re all on the menu at the Fifth Floor Bar at Harvey Nichols. What could possibly go wrong? www.harveynichols.com.
23. Practising our tango and Cha-Cha-Cha and taking to the floor at the wonderfully elegant Waldorf Tea Dances each month, followed by a celebratory cocktail in Good Godfrey’s. www.waldorfhilton.com.
CHANNELLING THE SPIRIT OF THE EIGHTIES at the recently opened Babycham Bar at Maggie’s. With cocktails such as the Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am and Lady in Red, you just know you’re going to have a good time. www.maggies-club.com.
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24... MAKING SPICED SYRUPS FOR TASTY TIPPLES:
Warm 50ml caster sugar, 50ml water, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ nutmeg grated, 2 cloves and 1 split vanilla pod. Heat gently for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally. Leave to cool. Add to a tot of rum and top with champagne for a delicious twist to mulled wine. The Cocktail Lovers - 9
Alex Kratena Head bartender of Artesian at the Langham hotel
IN-terview
IN THE HOTSEAT The Czech born head bartender of Artesian at The Langham hotel picked up two of the most coveted awards at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards this year – World’s Best Hotel Bar and International Bartender of the Year. And they couldn’t have gone to a nicer bloke. The man who follows his heart not his head, and can’t live without the illusive ‘her’, embodies the ethos “work hard and be nice to people”. What is your favourite drinking hole? Blahovka, in Brno in the Czech Republic. It’s an oldfashioned Czech pub where my great-grandfather used to go. They serve the most amazing beer, home-made eau de vie and traditional pub snacks. It’s always packed and there’s never any bullshit. In London I like The Connaught Bar, Happiness Forgets, The Donovan Bar at Brown’s hotel, Callooh Callay, China Tang at The Dorchester hotel and the bar at 45 Park Lane. Who would play you in the movie of your life? Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception).
Three things that make you happy? A certain young lady I am in love with; travelling; bartending. Who or what was your first love? Alcohol in any form. What did you last dream about? You certainly won’t be able to publish that! What is your greatest fear? Running out of stock; broken ice machines and glass washers. What is your biggest regret? I never regret anything in my life; I take everything as it comes. Where is home? My home is where my heart is. What is your favourite smell? Bergamot and sandalwood What gets you out of bed in the morning? A-Tunes (Alexino Tunes).
Photography: Veronica lukasova
What is your preferred nightcap? The one in my glass.
What is your most treasured possession? My life experiences, material things mean nothing to me. Head or heart? Always heart. What is success? Being happy, healthy and wealthy… on the beach! Describe your proudest moment Every time I make someone happy. What would be the theme tune to your life? 100% Bangers. What can’t you live with? Arrogance, ignorance and stupidity. And can’t live without? Her. Tell us something we don’t know about you There’s a secret bar at The Langham. And something you don’t want us to know? A****** L**** M***** B*** You can drink cocktails made by the International Bartender of the Year in the World’s Best Hotel Bar at Artesian, The Langham hotel, 1c Portland Place, W1B 1JA. T: 020 7636 1000. www.artesian-bar.co.uk. --- Interview by Rebekkah Dooley
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