London has long been renowned for its place in cocktail-making history. From The Savoy’s Hanky Panky to Dick Bradsell’s famous Espresso Martini, legendary drinks have been created in the city’s bars for over a hundred years. Now, it’s possible to experience part of London’s cocktail narrative in person through a new exclusive tour hosted by one of the city’s veteran drinks writers and cocktail enthusiasts.
Award-winning drinks podcaster and writer, Susan L. Schwartz knows London’s cocktail scene inside out. Founder of the award-winning drinks blog, A Lush Life Manual, Susan also hosts Lush Life Podcast, where she interviews movers and shakers in the drinks industry and has written for Grazia, The Tonic Magazine, Ritz Magazine, Mail on Sunday and Condé Nast Traveller.
London Cocktail Tours offer an introduction to bars in Soho, both established and new to the scene, that play their part in the story of the cocktail. Guests will have the chance to try celebrated drinks and learn some of the secret ingredients and stories that continue to make Soho such an important part of cocktail history.
Centring around four of Soho’s cocktail bars, such as The Blind Pig, El Camion and Nightjar Carnaby, Susan also shows guests other important historic and current cocktail spots, such as the former site of Milk & Honey, Bar Swift and Gerry’s, the iconic liquor store.
At each bar, guests can enjoy cocktails hand-selected especially by the bartenders and Susan for the tour, and made in front of them, as well as small plates of food. During their time there, they can learn from bartenders about their signature styles, tastes and techniques.
London Cocktail Tours guarantees an evening of great drinks and a fascinating insight into what makes the city’s scene so special. It’s a unique experience for visitors to London looking for an insider’s guide to its bars, a group of cocktail lovers celebrating a special occasion, or a date with a difference.