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The week in pictures

Elderflower liqueur St-Germain is getting into the festive season with a Christmas pop-up in London’s Covent Garden.

The St-Germain Winter Bloom Pop Up, which will run until 22 December, will serve cocktails including a cosy mulled Cidre Chaud and the sweet, spiced Hiver.

Located on Floral Street, the pop-up will feature a range of contemporary wreaths, bouquets and flower domes, as well as a series of wreath-making masterclasses.

This week, SB headed to Milroy’s of Soho to visit the Craigellachie Bar 51 pop-up.

The venue opened its doors for three days and offered whisky fans the chance to sample Craigellachie’s 51-year-old whisky, which the distillery is giving away, rather than selling.

SB was able to try a number of Craigellachie cocktails, the brand’s 13- and 17-year-old expressions, as well as the 51-year-old bottling.

Zest Mixology, a provider of pop-up cocktail bars in the UKhosted its first Zest in the City party on Thursday 22 November.

Held at Covent Gardens’ White Space venue, hundreds of VIPs and business heads enjoyed an evening of cocktails, from Passionfruit Mojitos to Chocolate Orange Espresso Martinis.

Guests were also treated to a burlesque performance by Katrina Darling, who entertained guests in a giant Martini glass covered in bubbles; while DJ group Hed Kandi played to the crowd.

Earlier this week, archaeologists unearthed a medieval structure at Lindores Abbey Distillery, which is thought to be one of the “oldest possible whisky stills ever discovered”.

The discovery at the Fife-based Scotch whisky distillery is believed to be an installation used for distilling during medieval times.

Archaeologists who were present at the dig confirmed the structure’s features are “characteristic” of traditional kiln stills used at the time, and also found residue inside that “is certainly in keeping” with brewing and distilling from medieval times.

On Wednesday, Artisan, a new contemporary Italian restaurant on Portobello Road, held a launch party. The venue has been created by the team behind Japanese restaurant Ukai in Notting Hill.

The cocktail menu features a number of Italian-inspired serves including Italian Fizz, an olive oil washed gin with homemade bay leaf syrup, elderflower and Prosecco, and The Noble Artisan with a careful blend of Sherries, bergamot-infused Cocchi Americano, finished off with homemade chamomile syrup.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) headed to Tokyo this week to showcase British export products, including gin.

Producers showcased a range of British gins and English wines in Tokyo over three days to “capitalise on the increasing thirst for British produce overseas”.

Products from 10 gin distillers were showcased to buyers, importers, journalists and influencers. This was the WSTA’s second trade mission to Japan in two years.

Greek drinks producer Roots Spirits has unveiled its first pop-up bar in Athens. Open until 23 January, the Roots Rakomelo pop-up is located at 9 Solonos Street, in the basement of the Yolenis Gastronomy Centre.

The Roots Rakomelo bar celebrates the ‘rakomeladiko’ tradition (old school taverns with homemade rakomelo and meze food). The set up is based on Roots philosophy for simplicity, heritage and quality and will feature Roots perfect serves as well as ‘comfort drinks’.

Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, has been named the new chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for wine and spirits.

Coyle replaces Tim Loughton MP, who stepped down last month having led the group since 2014.

Coyle’s constituency is a hub for the UK wine and spirits industry. There are at least three distilleries across Bermondsey and Old Southwark, and the headquarters of several wine businesses as well as industry charities and merchants are located there. 

Flor de Caña rum concluded its mixology meets gastronomy series, ‘Mixtronomy’, at London’s TT Liquor bar. The dining experience offers an intimate dining and drinking experience that stimulates the five senses.

Flor de Caña’s ‘Mixtronomy’ brings together a mixologist and chef to create a five-course extravaganza complete with a cocktail to complement each dish.

Guests were also treated to a tasting of Flor de Caña 12-year-old, 18-year-old and 25-year-old.

At TT Liquor, the drinks were designed by Jake Rogers and food was provided by Le Petit Chef, the projection mapping dining experience.

Non-alcoholic ‘spirit’ brand Seedip has launched a pop-up shop and bar in London’s Mayfair. Seedlip’s store will boast an eclectic selection of items including Seedlip’s non-alcoholic spirits and cocktail book, home, barware and books.

Descending into the basement bar, guests will have the opportunity to try a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails including the NOgroni and Hot Toddies.

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