The week in pictures
SB‘s Amy Hopkins joined db‘s Lauren Eads to enjoy a night of cocktails, sushi and sake at iconic London bar and restaurant Zuma. The pair were treated to drinks from the Knightsbridge-based venue’s Chanoyu Cocktails list, which is inspired the graceful Japanese tea ceremony of the same name. Each cocktail is infused with a different variety of Japanese tea and range from £12.50 to £15.00. A particular favourite was the Banirachi (pictured), a mix of Konik’s Tail vodka, chai tea essence, vanilla liqueur Zuma lemon cordial and topped with prosecco. In terms of food, the lemon sole tempura, short rib and chocolate caramel fondant dessert are to die for.
Bartender Alexander Taylor of 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff, triumphed in the Northern Restaurant & Bar’s annual cocktail competition following a fierce final against three other contestants. Taylor blew judges away with his Tequila Casco Viejo cocktail creation, Don Augustin’s Daisy, and was awarded with a trip to Arandas in Mexico. The other three finalists were Steve Lawson of MASH Steak in London, Ciaran Russell of The Tippling House in Aberdeen and Tim Ward of Alvino’s in Newcastle.
It’s one of the most important dates in any whisky lover’s calendar – Whisky Live. Last weekend, SB headed down to the annual trade show to sip and sample our way through myriad whisky brands from around the globe (and rums too).
This week, soon-to-be-opened venue Barrio Brixton released an inside peek of the new premises. Owned by the Barrio family, who already have spots in Angel, Soho and Shoreditch in London, the new bar will be serving a spread of serves, from Tequila and mezcal to pisco and cachaça.
Jameson Irish whiskey held a three-day celebration in Dublin to mark St Patrick’s Day. As part of the Paddy’s Day extravaganza, Jameson head blender Billy Leighton, mixologist Nick Strangeway and local coffee roasters TwoFifty Square collaborated to create the “perfect” Jameson Irish Coffee.
Sake no Hana celebrated the start of spring this week with the return of its sakura cherry blossom garden. The London-based venue also created a limited edition menu featuring a bento box, dessert and macarons, complete with the Kaori Arpège cocktail served with three atomisers: red cherry, black cherry and cinnamon.
Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), met with British prime minister David Cameron this week to represent the trade body’s views on the UK’s looming EU referendum. WSTA members raised their concerns over losing the benefit of the EU’s free trade agreements with third countries, which would affect the nation’s status as the “world’s gateway” to the EU.
SB headed to The Goring Hotel in London on Monday night for the launch of the latest Laphroaig expressions – Laphroaig Lore.
This week, cocktail ingredients brand Funkin held its third innovation forum, focusing on the current and future trends in the food and drinks industry. It welcomes industry leaders to have open dialogue on what’s hot and what’s not, as well as what’s innovative. The brand revealed its latest innovation products, which were showcased in cocktails created by the Funkin Innovation Champion, Massimo Zitti, and paired with food conceptualised by Masterchef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards.
