ISSN 2052-059X
Issue 37 / Spring 2021 Ingredients for more than just great drinks
Better Together The Togetherness Issue
For further information contact Edrington-Beam Suntory UK Distribution Limited. Tel: +44 (0) 333 016 1910 Web: Edrington-BeamSuntoryUK.com
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IF THERE’S ONE THING THAT THE PAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT TO THE FORE, IT’S THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN CONNECTION, OUR NEED FOR TOGETHERNESS. Sure it’s been good to press pause, escape the busyness and noise but as Dr Gary Wood, a psychologist who specialises in such things, tells us on page 18: “Our behaviour, thoughts, even personality traits are shaped by our sense of belonging to a group.” Little wonder the past 12 months or so have left us feeling discombobulated. As we ease our way out of the various lockdowns and back into bars, pubs and restaurants, we celebrate togetherness, one of the key traits of hospitality. We talk to top bods in the drinks industry for their views on everything from working in teams, with Ryan Chetiyawardana (p. 34), to the importance of community with Matteo Zed in Rome (p.48), Ben Reed in London (p. 28) and Valentino Longo in Miami (p. 45). We also hear from friends, family and husband-and-wife teams working together, and showcase the best vessels for serving Punch – the ultimate sharing drink of all time. The theme of togetherness also works its way into how to pair cocktails with food (p. 50), and more pairings come under the spotlight as we look at the best new mixers created to complement your favourite spirits (p. 38). There’s more too, including a chance to Send A Friend To The Seychelles (p. 46) and bottled cocktails from around the world (p. 60). We hope you enjoy the read and if you do, pass it on. It’s always good to share. Happy sipping! Ms S & Mr G thecocktaillovers.com
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7 \ in the know
25 reasons to be a cocktail lover this season Perfecting our pouts, taking a boozy vacay and playing our cards right – just a few of the things we’re looking forward to in the next few months
11 \ in the know
18 \ In the hotseat
In the Hotseat
The People
Hanna Lee and Michael Anstendig lead our pack of inspiring, talented and passionate people working together to share the cocktail love
Exploring the meaning of togetherness with Dr Gary Wood
12 \ in the know
20 \In the spotlight 36 \Indulge Friends, family, lovers
Pack a party punch
Showcasing the exciting new collaboration between Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky and Joshua Vides
Five very different drinks businesses all powered by close relationships
Punch bowls, vessels and recipes for sharing with your bubble
The Product
15\ in the know
28 \In the spotlight
It’s all eyes on Manchester with the hotly anticipated opening of Schofield’s Bar from brothers Joe and Dan
Ben Reed shines a light on the spirit of hospitality and the community acts that have bonded the industry
The Place
16\ in the know
Better together
The Drink
In praise of the mighty Punch
30 \In the spotlight
Love, Respect & Understanding Hannah Sharman-Cox on why being in business is better with a friend
34 \In the spotlight 38 \In the mix Team work rules
The key behind the best bars starts with the team behind them, Ryan Chetiyawardana tells us
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Made for pairing
The bright, bold and beautiful new mixers created specially to team with your favourite spirits
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44 \ In focus
46 \ In focus
Valentino Longo on Shōshin Art Club the educational platform he built to inform and enlighten the bar community
Meet three inspiring people who will be heading off for a holiday of a lifetime in Takamaka’s Send A Friend To The Seychelles campaign
Join the club
Reaching out
Editors/
Sandrae Lawrence Gary Sharpen
Office Manager/ Tereza Singh
Sub editor/
Stephanie Jones
Art director/
James Cheverton at Burnt Studio burntstudio.com
Contributors/
Yolanda Evans Tara Garnell Millie Milliken Ben Reed Hannah Sharman-Cox
Photography/ Rob Lawson
48 \In focus When in Rome…
Matteo Zed on Roma 4 Roma and creating a united front
50 \ In focus
54 \Informed
Cocktails and food make good company as Millie Milliken finds out
Bringing the restaurant and bar experience home
Mix & match
Mains & Martinis
60 \ International A lot of bottle(s)
Yolanda Evans cracks open the best bottled cocktails from around the world
64 \ Last word The Sparkling 4
Comic book-inspired drinking vessels for grown-ups
For all editorial and advertising enquiries, please contact: mail@thecocktaillovers.com T: 020 7242 2546 thecocktaillovers.com Printed by Stephens & George Distributed by Gold Key Media Reproduction in whole or part of any contents of The Cocktail Lovers Magazine without prior permission from the editors is strictly prohibited. The Cocktail Lovers Issue No. 37 Spring 2021
All details of bars featured in this issue were correct at time of going to press. Please see individual websites for up-to-date information.
The Cocktail Lovers magazine is published by The Cocktail Lovers Ltd in London, UK PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
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Contributors
Millie Milliken
Hannah Sharman-Cox
With credits including The Good Food Guide, SquareMeal and most recently Imbibe as deputy editor, Millie writes about drinks and the people who make them for numerous UK and US publications, she also manages the Drinks Community, the new platform from drinks-industry charity The Drinks Trust.
One of the leading faces of the global cocktail scene, Hannah was voted no. 65 on the Bar World Top 100 list 2020. Along with business partner Siobhan Payne, she co-owns and organises London Cocktail Week and heads up HANDS London, the duo’s drinks industry consultancy.
In this issue, Millie details the skill of food and drinks pairings (p. 50).
For our Togetherness issue Hannah extols the joys of working with her best friend Siobhan (p. 30).
Tara Garnell
Rob Lawson
A freelance drinks stylist with over a decade working in the hospitality industry, Tara’s work has appeared in publications such as The Sunday Times, Kinfolk, British Vogue, The Guardian and Waitrose Magazine and her advertising campaigns take in all the major drinks brands including Campari, Glenmorangie, Grey Goose, Tanqueray No. TEN, Smirnoff and Bombay Sapphire.
A motorbike accident brought an abrupt end to Rob Lawson’s assisting career, forcing him to branch out as a freelance photographer. He started working with Simon Difford at the original Class Magazine, which is where he discovered his niche. Shooting on location and from his studio in London, he’s worked with all the world’s major drinks brands.
Tara’s eye for detail can be seen in our Made for pairing photo shoot (p. 38).
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In this issue, Rob captures the new tonics created to enhance your favourite spirits (p. 38).
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Reasons to be a cocktail lover this season...
SP RI NG
01 \ Celebrating the new season
‘David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020’, is our cultural pick for the season. Why? Because each of the 116 images on show are pure joy. Bursting with colour, life and wonderment, the original works, all captured in Hockney’s home in Normandy, showcase a new medium for the artist – the iPad. How does that tie in with drinks? Adaptability, of course. It’s something that bars around the world are justifiably celebrated for. Make it your business to support their incredible artistry and resilience – now more than ever, your local bar needs you! David Hockney: The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 is showing at the Royal Academy, London, 23 May-26 September 2021. royalacademy.org.uk
David Hockney, No. 186, 11th April 2020. iPad painting © David Hockney
Raise your hands in the air and wave them around like you just don’t care – it’s Spring 2021 people. That means brighter, more hopeful, happy dancing days ahead.
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two \ Getting some wrist action
04 Flexing our pecs
Tech out, notebooks in. Get your cocktail recipes down in a trusty journal created specially for your specs. Bartender’s Journal, stonejournal.co
Still working out from home? Add this Silver Dumbell Cocktail Shaker to your routine. Tone up your muscles, then mix up a drink, it’s two life essentials for the price of one. asprey.com
05 \
Playing our cards right
The perfect card for cocktail lovers? One you can drink, of course. A message on the front, a nip of their fave spirit inside, it works like a charm every time. nipyata.com
03 \ Loosening our belts …and diving into Ben & Jerry’s Whiskey Biz ice cream. How’s this for tasty: Blondies and brown butter bourbon ice cream, WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye Whiskey caramel swirls with white chocolate ganache and fudge chunks to top the whole lot off? Naughty but oh-so very nice! benjerrys.com
06
seven \ …but it’s not all about the liquid, how about these beautiful cocktail recipe cards for making a statement. henriettaskitchen.co.uk
… or send them an Old Fashioned. Choose from one, two or five pouches, add a message and leave it to the team at Send An Old Fashioned to do the rest. sendanoldfashioned.com
08 \
Getting tiki with it Transform your garden into a tiki paradise. Yes, it’s a little kitsch but that’s what makes it kinda cool. Just add rum cocktails, your best tropical print shirt and you’re all set for good times. vidaXL.co.uk
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NINE Perfecting our pouts For perching on this Lipstick Bar Stool, natch. Available from royalstranger.com
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10 \
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…close your eyes, sip on one of these three varietals of Jung & Wulff Luxury Rums and just like that, you’ll be transported to the Caribbean. Sunglasses optional. sazerac.com
Taking a boozy vaycay Until we can all travel freely, we’ll be holidaying at home. First stop: Mexico with this bright and slightly bonkers barware collection. Bring on the smiles. kitchencraft.co.uk
TWELVE
…and for a taste of the Med, dive into Baldoria Vermouth. Simply pour over ice and enjoy. @baldoriavermouth
13 \ Making space Small home, big on entertaining? You definitely need this drinks trolley in your life. Make some room for the folding bar cart from kitchencraft.co.uk
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fifteen \ Keeping chill Say hello to your new essential desk accessory, the USB Retro Fridge – just what you need to keep your brain from overheating this summer. yellowoctopus.com
Living the park life Wine and nibbles delivered to any
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Bringing the outside in No park? No garden? No problem. Recreate that outdoor, summery vibe with the Cocktail Garden candle from dirtybartender.com
17 \ Calling the shots
London park within an hour? That’s
Add some colour to your glassware
summer sorted. Get the Drop Wine
collection with these zingy Murano
app now! dropwine.co.uk
shot glasses from cascacelva.com
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18 \
NINETEEN … and try Blood Orange Bitters, the new
Rethinking drinking
expression from Agua de Madre Water Kefir. Add a slice of blood orange and
For anyone who doubts that non-alcoholic cocktails can pack serious punch, we have one word: Crossip, the extremely tasty new n/a collection from Carl Anthony Brown. Sip and see for yourself. crossipdrinks.com
a rosemary sprig for a mindful aperitif remedydrinks.com
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twenty \ Playing alchemist Creator Mark Stone calls the Hocus kit Decontructive Ethanology, we call it crazy genius. Simply add your choice of spirit ‘essence’ to the neutral spirit base and boom! You’re an instant master blender. hocus.co
21 \ Discovering the beauty of mezcal Appreciation for the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into Oax Original Mezcal starts with the artisanal bottles. The rest is a liquid adventure. oaxoriginal.com
Switching up our scents
23 \ Being app happy If you like making cocktails at home, you’ll love Mix Lab. The new app brings together fab drinks (with instructional videos) from some of the best bartenders in the world and even better, they get paid for their recipes. Download from your app store.
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Vodka on the rocks as a drink? Er, pass. Vodka on the rocks in a luxurious scent? Now you’re talking. Fresh, light and utterly gorgeous, this one takes top spot in your bathroom, not your drinks cabinet. bykilian.co.uk
24 If roast dinners could talk, they’d demand Sour Cherry & Prosecco sauce on the plate. Add it to duck, venison, roast potatoes – you name it, and you’ve got guaranteed next level flavour. harveynichols.com
25 \ Following the fash pack Campari & soda, Aperol spritz, mimosa, tequila sunrise, Sidecar – take your cocktail cues from the hottest shade on the catwalk this season, orange drinks are go! Materiel scarf detail dress, harrods.com
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in the know
The People Hanna & Michael \
There’s no greater test of a relationship than working with a friend, family member or lover. We should know! As should Hanna Lee and Michael Anstendig, the married couple behind award-winning agency Hanna Lee Communications. Based in New York with a global reputation, they work tirelessly to promote and help out the hospitality industry – not only through PR and their excellent Hospitality Forward podcast, but with publishing advice and charitable initiatives. Check out hannaleecommunications.com for details. For more family, friends and lovers working together, see p. 20.
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Discover the finest contemporary silver and jewellery from over 300 designer-makers. www.thegoldsmithsdirectory.co.uk
Cocktail set: Martyn Pugh
in the spotlight
The current climate has evoked a wealth of community acts that have helped bind all areas of the industry (remember the 5Bs). Here are just a few. As a runner myself, I was particularly inspired by the William Grant & Sons collab with the Reyka Runners, inspiring the group of bartenders to get out on the road to raise money for The Drinks Trust. Knowing, as you set off to run a half marathon that 130 others are doing the same at the same time can only help you run harder and faster. Virtually running together. Of the bartender initiatives, Max Venning and co. from Three Sheets converted their restaurant Top Cuvée into Shop Cuvée at the onset of LD#1, inviting bars with no retail platform to sell their bottled cocktails beverages there. Helping others and increasing his offering at the same time, win:win. Atlas bar in Singapore has been featuring cocktails created for their lists from bars in other countries in place of guest shifts. This both mimics foreign travel for the guest and raises money for bartender support networks. Each bar benefits from the association, there’s money for charity and the visitor experiences a cocktail from a bar they can’t physically get to.
The drinks industry doesn’t just look after its own. Pre-pandemic, Sly Augustin of Trailer Happiness bar headed up Community Spirit a scheme that began in support of the Grenfell Tower families, but now supports wider parts of the West London community. Transcending categorisation, two individuals have dedicated time to galvanise the industry and emphasise the message that being together makes us stronger. Milk & Honey’s Jonathan Downey started a WhatsApp group in March 2020 in which he filtered and advised on the daily flow of government information regarding the legalities of furloughs, rent moratoriums etc. Rachel Harty founder of HospoDemo encouraged industry workers to lobby the government and physically come together to protest for better support for hospitality.
I’m proud to belong to a community that has proven time and again to be at its best when it collaborates and nurtures relationships. I don’t know who it was that said “all the world’s problems come from an obsession with ourselves and all the joy in the world comes from wanting others to be happy,” but that’s not a bad hospitality mantra and a good one to end a piece on ‘togetherness’. Alternatively, and to paraphrase the late Gary Regan, “our aim is for people to leave our venue feeling better than when they walked in.” That feeling is one of being part of something and a sense of belonging. It’s what we as an industry do well or what drinks strategist Fraser Campbell, another member of OFP, describes as, “being in my element when I’m bringing people together.” Ben Reed
Better together? I’d say so. More than the sum of their parts? Definitely, just like a Cool Cocktail™ in fact (check out @Cocktail_ credentials to see what I mean).
Global Cocktail Ambassador Cocktail Credentials i: cocktail_credentials for Cool Cocktails™
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Interviews News Features Fashion Food Travel Recipes & a whole lot more The Cocktail Lovers magazine, ingredients for more than just great drinks
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