Here at House of Coco, we are always on the lookout for ways to make your summer that little bit sweeter. Truly live La Dolce Vita and say Buongiorno to the sun at Mayfair’s must-visit al fresco terrace, the Courtyard at Hush Mayfair. Back with a brand-new look, ‘The New Dolce Vita’ Courtyard, in partnership with Disaronno, is the season’s hottest spot, set to whisk you away to the golden age of Italian glamour.
Designed to give a taste of the indulgence, luxury and the spontaneity synonymous with long Italian summers, the Courtyard has been adorned with an abundance of blooms and floral arches in pastel shades of peach, cream and blush. Inspired by Disaronno’s sultry, oh-so-Italian aesthetic and timeless charm, black and white polaroid pictures are strewn across the terrace, reminiscent of the paparazzi that relentlessly snapped Rome’s film stars in the 50s. An Instagrammers dream, perch for the picture-perfect moment on a vintage white vespa ladened with cascading roses or take a selfie on the picturesque swing against a black and white backdrop of the Trevi Fountain.
Disaronno’s distinctive amber shade and signature sweet almond and apricot notes are sure to summon the sunshine with every sip. Available to enjoy exclusively on the Courtyard, the range of Disaronno delights, priced at £15 each, include the sensational Velvet Batida made with Disaronno Velvet Liqueur and coconut. For a refreshing tipple, try the Disaronno Fizz with Disaronno Originale, lemon and Fever-Tree Soda Water, or opt for the Velvet Espresso Martini, a must-try for any caffeine lovers and made with Disaronno Velvet Liqueur, Sauvelle Vodka and coffee. The Mai Tai Sbagliato is an intriguing blend of Disaronno Originale, Plantation Dark Rum, Dry Curaçao, lime and pineapple; whilst the Almond and Strawberry Daiquiri is a unique take on the much-loved classic, mixed with Disaronno Originale, Cut Spiced Rum, strawberries and lime.
The ideal pairing to any summertime sip, enjoy a range of plates from the all-day Brasserie menu. Think summery serves of La Latteria Burrata with English asparagus, wild garlic and balsamic; beef fillet carpaccio with Bloody Mary Dressing, gorgonzola and walnut; squid and smoked bacon noodles with tomato, lime and coriander; and a zingy Amalfi lemon tart with Neal’s Yard crème fraiche.
If you’ve never heard of lymphatic drainage before – then now is the time to jump in the body rolling bandwagon. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured to RE PLACE London to be one of the very first people to try its innovative lymphatic massage treatments. Here is what went down.
RE PLACE, the first of its kind in town, is bringing the lymphatic massage concept from LA and New York to London. Its Body Roller machines are a game-changer for banishing stubborn fats, loose skin and ridding your body of nasty toxins.
Walking into the RE PLACE London studio in Westbourne Grove is like entering a wellbeing sanctuary from the future. Before starting your treatment, the lovely Jade at front of house will tell you all about the myriad of benefits of lymphatic drainage massage and myofascial release, which (as we learned) can help boost your body’s natural lymphatic systems to get rid of bloating, excess fluids and toxins.
Before getting down to business, we visited the RE PLACE London café for some delicious, dairy-free coffees and protein snacks. The staff at RE PLACE London make a wicked cup of joe, and it’s easy to get lost exploring the different healthy snacks and drinks on offer here too. We especially liked NUCCY’s Nut Butter, which offers deliciously nut spreads, the 111Skin face mask and the Served Hard Seltzer.
Downstairs in the treatment room, you will find several of RE PLACE London’s innovative Body Roller machines. These machines combine the benefits of lymphatic rolling with infrared and collagen lights that can help reduce inflammation and boost circulation leaving you feeling revitalised and recovered.
Don’t expect a relaxing massage though, because the 45-minute Body Roller experience is just as much a workout as it is a massage. As a Body Roller novice, I mistakenly thought you were going to lie underneath the roller and have all your toxins squeezed out of you – unsurprisingly that was totally inaccurate. Instead, the 45-minute session is broken down into 3 minute intervals, rolling different parts of your body starting from the feet all the way to your arms. The secret, according to Jade, is to roll towards your heart. This is the best method to maximise your body’s lymphatic drainage system.
Indeed, after the 45-minute session, I felt light, toned and svelte. RE PLACE London takes a 360-degree holistic approach to wellness and so after the rolling session, we were invited to try Somadome, which is a kind of futuristic meditation dome that will help you relax the mind.
Overall, the RE PLACE London experience left us feeling rebalanced in mind, body and soul. RE PLACE’s treatments were designed to complement any form of training – no matter how active – and are excellent for people looking to diversify their fitness and wellbeing routines. RE PLACE London is a wonder – and we shall surely be returning.
Hannah Tan-Gillies checked out The Act, Notting Hill’s all-singing all-dancing new weekend destination for an evening of delicious cocktails and excellent show tunes.
Live entertainment in Notting Hill never looked so good. At least, that is what we thought after visiting The Act. The Act is livening up Notting Hill’s usually quiet neighbourhood scene with fabulous live performances featuring everything from West End hits to bangers from the 80s, 90s and the early aughts.
We visited The Act at dinnertime on a Saturday Night, and while the bar may have just opened in March, inside it was filled with a vibrant, effortlessly cool crowd that was dancing and singing as if it were peak nightclub hours, just before closing time.
The stars of The Act are the staff themselves and when they are not serving up delectable cocktails, they are jumping on tables, singing, dancing and leading flash mobs to hits from Amy Winehouse, Britney Spears, ABBA, Prince and so much more. The performances are a sight to behold, adding an element of grandeur and spectacle never before seen in Notting Hill. The Act is rotating different themed performances monthly, giving you endless reasons to keep coming back.
Everything about The Act pays homage to the spectacle of theatre. This is reflected in the cocktail menu which draws inspiration from some of the biggest characters on stage from Jean Valjean, Grizabella, Elder Price and Elphaba.
Elphaba, named after the ‘wicked’ witch of the west, was our favourite. Made with a blend of Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Agwa Cocoa Leaf Liqueur, apple, cucumber and mint – this cocktail is a perfect refresher in between the performances at The Act.
Another favourite was Viscount Raoul, which blends Grey Goose Vodka with sparkling Yuzu, strawberry puree and Limoncello. This devilishly sweet cocktail is just as devilish as its namesake — and sinfully delicious too.
No matter what cocktail you select though, one thing is for sure, you better get your dancing shoes ready for your visit to The Act, which brings all the joys of the West End into the heart of Notting Hill.
Summer is the season for al fresco – but it’s also when the London restaurant scene comes to life. While there seems to be an endless, ever-changing roster of cool restaurants in London town, we’ve rounded the top five most exciting London restaurant openings so you can get your reservations in order this summer.
With its doors officially opened on Thursday 5th May, Laurel’s On The Roof is London’s newest and most laid back rooftop restaurant, bar and pool. Located at the Mondrian Shoreditch, Laurel’s is nspired by 1970’s Hollywood and the legacy of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. Who/What is Laurel’s you say? – Laurel’s is an all day-dining and drinking hotspot infused with glamour and offering London’s most sought after tables. This effortless rooftop spot is the epitome of laidback California cool and takes diners on an exploration of Los Angeles. Laurel’s offers an evolving all-day, highly seasonal menu, the perfect spot to while away long summer evenings whilst overlooking the bustling Shoreditch neighbourhood. Definitely a London restaurant to hit up this summer.
On 8 June, Notting Hill will welcome its new neighbourhood spot. Riding House Bloomsbury is the long-awaited second iteration of Fitzrovia’s Riding House Café from restaurateur Adam White. This casual bistro-style restaurant had a successful soft launch on 25th May and is set to be a lively modern brasserie with a members’ club-like atmosphere. We’re sure Riding House will add to Bloomsbury’s burgeoning reputation as the latest dining hotspot.
Riding House Bloomsbury’s all-day dining style menus will be cooked up by Chef Partner Henry Omereye. The menu is international, contemporary and unfussy, with Afro-Caribbean and Asian influences throughout. Riding House Bloomsbury is located in Bloomsbury’s The Brunswick Centre, a listed, Brutalist piece of architecture with interiors contrasting the stark exterior with an inviting interior. Surely this will become one of your new favourite London restaurants.
Mr Fogg’s Apothecary is opening a much-awaited new location in Mayfair. Located on Brook Street directly opposite Claridge’s, the elegant new venue will transport you into Phileas Fogg’s wonderfully eccentric world. The bar will be stocked to the rafters with an extensive apothecary collection, with precise weighing scales on hand to measure out the perfect cocktail serves, perfect for cocktail connoisseurs.
The main drawing room was inspired by an elegant Mayfair townhouse with grandfather clocks, large armchairs and sofas to create a comfortable space to encourage visitors to settle in for the evening. With its own separate entrance is the Elixir Room which houses 24 Hennessy cabinets, each with their own unique key locks which will be gifted to lucky regulars to house their own bottles of spirits within. This cosy backroom has three large wallpapered booths which offer a perfect place to hide away and sample Fogg’s most restorative tipple – what a fantastical place for afterwork drinks.
After being reimagined as a contemporary Scottish restaurant and dedicated whisky bar, Notting Hill dining and drinking institution the Walmer Castle has officially opened its doors. Walmer Castle was relaunched in collaboration with Scotland’s oldest whisky hotel, the Craigellachie Hotel. The Walmer Castle is inspired by the uniquely restorative, mineral rich waters of the River Spey twinned with the eclectic nature of London’s Westbourne Grove. Entrepreneur and hotelier extraordinaire Piers Adam is at the helm of Walmer Castle which serves as a local’s local and capturing the essence of Scotland within the neighbourhood. Walmer Castle spans two floors with a ground floor dining room and bar serving exceptional modern highland cuisine and the first floor Spey Bar with over 400 of the world’s finest whiskies.
Located in the ground floor of private member’s club Kindred, Cellar recently opened its doors the heart of Hammersmith. Cellar boasts a fabulous menu crafted by acclaimed chef Andrew Clarke, whose signature style is instantly recognisable in an ingredient-led and micro seasonal all day menu. Cellar showcases an eclectic range of dishes that celebrate the arrival of Spring produce, using the highest quality local meat, fish and seasonal vegetables.
Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner and with a gorgeous summer terrace, guests can while away the hours whilst feasting on dish highlights such as Fried cod cheeks with harissa mayo and lemon, Celeriac schnitzel with cavolo nero and wild mushrooms and Korean spiced tartare of Dexter beef served with straw chips. Expert mixologist Julian de Feral has created the cocktail menu which offers crowd favourites like the Kindred Spritz, blending Everleaf Forest aperitif, Bonanto cherry aperitif, peach, jasmine soda and sparkling wine and the West 6 Buttered Up.
The Act is now open, serving up an all-singing, all-dancing programme of live entertainment and cocktails – seven nights a week. Located in the heart of Notting Hill Gate’s vibrant neighbourhood, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable night out, with performances from The Act’s talented team, as well as appearances from stars of the West End stage. The Act team will spontaneously serenade you with 80’s – 00’s crowd pleasers. Expect nightly flash-mob-style performances of musical favourites such as: Grease, ABBA and The Greatest Showman. Who said show tunes were limited to the West End.
The team behind our favourite East London bars The Sun Tavern and Discount Suit Company recently opened the doors to their third venue, The Umbrella Workshop. Located on a cobbled lane just off Boundary Street and housed in a C19th atelier, the Umbrella Workshop team have carefully restored the space to offer an interactive cocktail experience. The bar is set against an impressive, floor to ceiling display of spirits which include locally made and independent brands, as well as bartender favourites and rare whiskies.
Umbrella Workshop also hosts tastings and workshops, with everything on the menu available to buy and take home. With just 12 seats inside and the same outside, this intimate drinking spot is a hidden gem amongst bustling Shoreditch and perfectly located for pre-dinner cocktails before heading off to local favourites, Brat, St John and Rochelle Canteen.
City institution Boisdale of Bishopsgate recently opened its new art exhibition and oyster concept, ‘Alice’s Oyster Bar and Gallery’. Blending a stunning marble topped bar with a characterful gallery of contemporary art, Alice’s features works from some of the most talented up and coming artists living and working in London. Alice’s Oyster Bar and Gallery also offers some of London’s finest oysters, a generous array of bar snacks and dishes charged with a taste of Boisdale’s Scotland sitting alongside a creative cocktail menu and a range of outstanding artisan beers from Hawkshead Brewery. Art and oysters? What’s not to love.
The Bradley Hare, located in the quiet yet charming village of Maiden Bradley, gives you the familiar feeling of a traditional village pub but with a twist. Forget your preconceived notions about traditional country inns because The Bradley Hare is that and so much more.
Located in the wildly picturesque grounds of the Duke of Somerset’s estate, The Bradley Hare benefits from and is inspired by the gorgeous pastoral landscapes that surround it. The rooms, which are warmed by roaring fires in the winter months, have been designed by James Thurstan Waterworth, ex-European Design Director of Soho House.
While boasting some handsome 18th and 19th-century furnishings, each of the 12 individually-designed bedrooms exude a muted yet contemporary vibe, elevating the rural chic interiors. Picture glorious free-standing baths, Egyptian cotton sheets, Siberian goose down duvets and a colourful array of contemporary artwork – that is exactly the aesthetic at The Bradley Hare.
We stayed in one of the five generously-sized dog friendly bedrooms in the Coach House. Opposite the pub and with plenty of space to roam, these gorgeous farmhouse style rooms are the perfect place to relax and unwind amidst the sounds and scenery of the great British countryside.
Guests who are staying at The Bradley Hare can expect a complimentary continental breakfast, which exceeded our expectations of continental meals. While hot breakfasts incurred an additional charge, the continental, which offered delicious homemade granola, pain au chocolate, ham, fresh juices, coffees and freshly-baked sourdough with homemade jams and yoghurts will soon make you forget about the lack of a full English.
We were lucky enough to visit during a sun-soaked weekend and so our lunch was enjoyed in The Bradley Hare’s garden. Here, both locals and tourists come together to enjoy delicious food and great company. Inside, the pub’s bar area is dog friendly – perfect for well-behaved dogs like TeamCocopup. The Bradley Hare boasts an ever-changing seasonal menu that makes good use of the fresh and local ingredients to reimagine pub classics. The Bradley Hare is a champion of zero-waste and tries to minimise food waste as much as possible.
This is best exemplified by the ‘Crumbled Pig’s Head’ which is a delicious appetiser made with the offcuts of a pig – ensuring that the whole pig is used. The Pork Belly with anchovy sauce is crispy, tender with the anchovy sauce offering a surprising yet delightful twist to the pub classic. We also liked the cod roe with asparagus and chervil sauce, and the Hake with artichoke heart. All this is paired with a fabulously eclectic wine list and cocktail list. The Bradley Hare was also very accommodating of our dietary requirements, making it a suitable place for those suffering from food allergies and intolerances.
If, during your visit, you only have time to do one thing in Maiden Bradley, then definitely spend the day at Stourhead. This gorgeous National Trust property is just a seven minute drive away from The Bradley Hare and boasts 2,500 acres of unspoilt countryside and breath-taking gardens. There are Palladian structures that add majesty to this place, shady pathways and even a hidden grotto. The gardens are dog-friendly, offering the perfect day out for families and four-legged friends.
Back at The Bradley Hare and run a relaxing bath in your room. It is the best way to recharge after a day of exploring. Between the tranquil interiors, excellent service and even better pub food – there’s plenty to love at The Bradley Hare. We shall surely be returning for another relaxing and magical weekend in Maiden Bradley’s best kept secret.
Pre-March 2022, I would not have considered a staycation in the United Kingdom, given a general preconception of poor value for money offered by the hospitality industry. However, the last 2 year have shown us, that our hotel industry has seriously upped its game and have pumped countless pounds into its facilities to make them world-class. A case in point is my recent visit to Galgorm in Northern Ireland which is a mere half an hour from Belfast. With the recent airport issues, flying to Belfast is a much safer bet than flying further afield with countless flights from numerous British airports daily. (Although, saying that, I am still liaising with British Airways to claim compensation for a cancelled Belfast flight).
Travelling from Belfast to Galgorm is the opposite of the M4 Heathrow experience. Rolling green meadows and towering trees greet your arrival and if you want an even more VIP experience, arrange for one of their Rolls Royce Phantoms to pick you up from the airport. The long gardened drive up to the reception area sets the scene for a regal experience even if the front of the hotel building seems deceptively unassuming. There are over 163 acres of serene woodland for you to discover.
What immediately catches the eye is the picturesque beauty of the River Maine, which flows through the estate and the immaculately manicured flora which blooms on the estate. The resort used to be a very important local mill hence why the river plays such an important role on the estate. The hotel has been expanding exponentially with the boom in staycations and offers hotel rooms, shepherd’s huts, cottage suites, log cabins, residences and treehouses. The core of their business is the 125 hotel rooms divided into suites, deluxe and superior rooms. The rooms are extremely spacious ranging from 32 m² to 122 m². Most have impeccable views of the scenic river. Whilst the complimentary minibar is always a crowd-pleaser including local craft beers. You know it’s a no-expenses-spared experience when you find Aromatherapy Associate amenities, Dyson heater/fan and Marshall Bluetooth speaker. The king-sized beds offer a pure blissful sleeping experience with their King Koil mattresses.
There is no shortage of dining options to choose from including The River Room, one of only 4 restaurants in Northern Ireland to be offered 3 AA Rosettes. And options for Italian food lovers at Fratelli Ristorante, options for meat lovers at Gillies Grill and a gastropub experience at Castle Kitchen + Bar. The latter I would particularly recommend if you want a little trip outside of the estate, as it’s situated at the Galgorm Castle Golf Club and the hotel will provide complimentary transportation to and from the restaurant. Whilst the Gillies Grill is also well worth visiting, not just because they source some of the finest cuts of Irish aged steaks but they also have Asian twists on their meat-heavy menu. Their bang bang chicken with a hypnotic mix of sweet chilli, soy and satay is a guilty pleasure to savour.
The jewel in the crown of Galgorm is their thermal spa village. Calling it a village is a very apt description of their facilities with every possible spa experience under the sun available. This is not an exhaustive list but includes Celtic sauna infusion, snow cabin, sanarium, snail shower, the salt cave, Beltane hot tubs, saunas and pools. You can enjoy an exclusive individual hot tub relaxation session right by the river and this is the kind of restorative therapy that can take away every scintilla of stress from your body.
If you want to enjoy professional spa treatments, make sure you book well in advance as their slots do book up very quickly. Highly recommended are their opulent aromatherapy massage on a heated massage bed and the anti-aging skinceuticals expert skin-specific facial. With the former, they will even give your recommended regular treatment suggestions to ensure you reap the full benefits.
If you looking for a wellness escape, Galgorm is the place to check out with their world-class thermal spa village. It is a one-of-a-kind experience in Ireland and great value for money with what they are offering.
Rooms are from £195 per night including breakfast
You can book an individual hot tub in its secluded riverside spot to enjoy an hour soaking in the freshwater and watching the local wildlife with a bottle of fizz for £80.
Wine Unpacked is a fantastic new wine tasting subscription service that aims to debunk any smoke and mirrors surrounding wine and transform even the most novice wine drinker into an expert of the grape.
Tom Planer founded Wine Unpacked after taking part in a wine course where he finally learned to understand the ins and outs of wine after years of being faced with long and scary restaurant wine lists. He launched the company with the aim of empowering others and giving them the opportunity to gain quick, simple and practical wine knowledge, equipping them with the ability to confidently buy and order wine that they actually enjoy.
MONTHLY WINE CLUB
Finding the perfect bottle of wine is like finding a needle in a haystack and many people play it safe with the same types or take the risk and then have an open (and sometimes expensive) bottle that isn’t right for them. To figure out individual preferences, Wine Unpacked send a one-of-a-kind tasting pack with 12 fun-sized wine samples that come with the first month’s delivery, as part of the wine subscription. This pack expertly guides wine lovers to learn more about what they like (and don’t like!) and puts together an individual taste profile. Once complete, subscribers just need to sit back and enjoy the personalised selection of wines every month that are delivered to their door. Every box is accompanied by a video featuring Holly Willcocks, ex-Noble Rot sommelier and co-founder of Camden’s Half Cut Market – a true expert on all things vino.
Every bottle (all of which are from small, independent and quality-focused producers, with an RRP of around £20) is accompanied by tasting notes and pairing suggestions so that recipients can learn a bit about their new favourite grapes, styles and regions – from organic orange wine to fruity and fizzy. There are no minimum terms and subscribers can skip, pause and cancel at any stage. If taste preferences change with the seasons, they can be updated at any time and if requested, the team can even surprise drinkers with a wild-card that doesn’t match the usual profile. Change can sometimes be good!
A Wine Unpacked subscription that includes two tailored wines each month, starts from £39.00.
UNDERSTANDING WINE – SIX WINES AND VIDEO LESSONS EACH MONTH
The six month Understanding Wine course gives users the knowledge to buy the right bottle of wine for every occasion. Each month, drinkers that are thirsty for tips and tricks will receive 6 x tasters of incredible wines alongside video tastings from some of the country’s top sommeliers. The Wine Unpacked team will guide drinkers through the wines from the comfort of their own home. All you need to do is decide whether you want regular (best for one person) or large (perfect for two)!
Wine Unpacked, founder Tom Planer says: ‘We’re so excited to bring this exciting, immersive and interactive wine tasting subscription experience to the public. I have been nervously ordering wine in restaurants for years, but having the knowledge to order and drink confidently has been a game-changer for me. Working alongside Holly Willcocks, we can’t wait to help make wine more fun and less confusing.’
Regular 6 x 60ml subscription, starts from £29.95.
Wine Unpacked is also set to launch a bottle shop that will allow subscribers to purchase full-sized bottles of their favourites from each tasting box.
Holiday humidity, sun, chlorine, and sea spray can leave your holiday tresses a bit worse for wear. Like our skin, our hair is vulnerable to sun damage so it’s essential to show your locks some love over the summer.
Celebrity hairstylist, Jason Collier invited me down to Kitch salon for a hair glow up and the low down on how you can maintain fabulous highlighted hair this summer.
Jason whose clients include Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria shared his hair hacks while brightening up my blonde ready for the holiday season. He recommended I went for highlights as they are easier to maintain, keep their colour longer and are low maintenance. He explained, “The heat can often wreak havoc on the condition of your hair, especially if it’s coloured. When it comes to taking care of holiday hair there’s a few things you can do.”
Switch up your shampoo
Purple shampoo and conditioner are your ultimate besties for blonde. They will retain the vibrancy of your shade, while diminishing brassy and dull tones. Just remember to follow instructions, we’re going for gold, not purple. The Jerome Russell Bblonde Intense Silver No Yellow Shampoo is an intense sulphate free, professionally formulated shampoo for use on bleached, grey or super lightened hair. RRP £9.99, available from Superdrug.
Protect your hair
If you use a lot of styling tools, then you’ve got to incorporate into your hair care a heat protector. Whether its straighteners, wands or even just a hair dryer it’s important to protect your hair from the heat. Blonde hair especially will break and become dry. The BStyled Heat Protect Sleek Primer is lightweight and protects your hair from every day heat damage up to 230°C.
Cool it down
Hot showers cause hair colour to fade. Lukewarm temperatures work best when showering, so be sure to turn the dial down when it comes to shampooing.
Refresh summer hair
Highlights keep their colour longer and need to be re-done less. However, if you do need to give your summer hair a refresh then I love the Bblonde Blonding Brush from Boots, £19.99. It’s a heat-activated highlighting brush for gradual precision lightening, touching up highlights or to lighten mid-lengths and ends for a blonde refresh. It’s formulated with bond building technology to help nourish and strengthen hair whilst colouring. The purple pigments remove brassy tones you often get after being in the sun.
TLC for your tresses
Always wear a hat to avoid your hair drying out and colour fading. Investing in a good quality hair mask and popping it on when you get back from the beach or leaving it on overnight will hydrate and nourish dry, damaged hair. Bblonde Jplex Bond Maintainer Treatment is a professional hair bond strengthening system which is a great holiday hair treatment. Available on Amazon.
Tone, Tone, Tone
Over exposure to the sun can give your hair a yellow hue so you need to ensure you’re toning it regularly. The Jerome Russell Bblonde Semi Permanent toners neutralise yellow pigments to give you fresh bright blonde results for up to 16 washes, without the use of ammonia. RRP £7.99, available from Boots.
I left Jason armed with some top tips for looking after my hair and a stylish choppy lob, sprinkled with some fresh blonde highlights.
Jason Collier is a Bblonde Brand Educator and celebrity hairstylist. Details on the BBlonde range is available here.
More than 16,000 street parties are expected to be held over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend. Whether you are hosting a party or going as a guest we have you covered when it comes to your drinks. Here’s our round up of the best tipples to celebrate the Jubilee in style.
Brothers Cider has launched a dazzling new variant, Cherry Bakewell, the perfect treat to toast to the celebratory weekend. Emulating the much-loved quintessential British tart, Cherry Bakewell is full of cherry flavours with a hint of frangipane and is also vegan friendly and gluten-free.
RRP £2.20 per 500ml bottle available from Aldi Special Buys, B&M Stores, Home Bargains, One Stop, selected cash and carries and direct from the Brothers online shop.
British gin distillers, The Big Hill Distillery has joined forces with legendary luxury retailer Fortnum and Mason to launch a very special bottling of its signature gin ‘The Spirit of George’. Inspired by British climbing pioneer – George Mallory, this beautifully packaged gin includes a unique blend of Nepalese botanical ingredients, to create a super smooth spirit. Soft, dusky spice on the nose with a little citrus orange and earthy sweetness make way for notes of cardamom, cumin, and ginger to follow, later developing into sweeter notes of cassia and cinnamon that continue onto the finish. A subtle Himalayan tea component provides an extra dimension and contributes to the overall smoothness of the gin. Serve over ice with tonic and slice of orange for a sip of summer.
Created by Chloe, Poppy and Cara Delevingne, Della Vite is on a mission to put the sparkle back into Prosecco, with its range of sustainably sourced and wildly delicious Proseccos. With the same commitment to quality as champagne, minus the elitist cache, Della Vite is perfect for your Jubilee celebrations. Elegant in coral colour, but bold and different in taste, this is Prosecco Rosé on a new level.
RRP £24.95 available fromwww.dellavite.comandOcadoor delivered ice-cold direct to your door, in just 15 minutes via grocery app Gorillas.
The delicate elderflower is quintessentially British and now these pretty white blooms that herald the start of summer are back in the spotlight to help celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Their two limited edition ‘Best of British’ Elderflower Cordial and Sparkling Elderflower are perfect for street party and garden party celebrations. A splash of Belvoir Farm Elderflower Cordial (£3.30, 500ml) will elevate your cocktails and mocktails. Created almost 40 years ago and still made to the same traditional family recipe, it’s also delicious as a dash on top of beer for a refreshing Elderflower Top. Ready to drink Sparkling Elderflower (£2.70, 750ml) with ice makes a cooling long drink or mix with Prosecco for bubbles with a floral twist.
Available from major supermarkets.
Independent, London-based distillery, Doghouse, has created a cheeky new Aperitivo – Doppelgänger (20% ABV). Doppelgänger is curated using a proprietary blend of 19 hand selected botanicals on an English wheat spirit base, making this vibrant liquid the signature serve of the summer. With its flavour profile of citrus, rosella (hibiscus), mountain roots and herbs, the drink balances bitter and sweet flavours to perfection.
The ‘Brit Spritz’ is a must-try and is the perfect serve for the Jubilee weekend – Here’s how to make it:
Add 50ml Doppelgänger Aperitivo to a wine glass
Add one strawberry, quartered
Fill with ice
Add 10ml Elderflower cordial
Add 75ml Prosecco
Top with Soda and stir
Garnish with a slice of orange
RRP £21.50 available from Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange, the Doghouse Distillery website as well as selected premium retailers.
Since dining at Colonel Saab last October I have been struggling to think of a better place to eat in London – the best food, the best service, the best decor, so when I was invited back to sample their new art and food pairing I jumped at the chance and this is your notification that you should too.
Guests can expect a feast for the eyes and stomach, as Holborn’s unique, luxury Indian dining concept Colonel Saab launches its Art and Food Pairing Experience on 24 May.
Colonel Saab’s founder, Roop Partap Choudhary will personally take diners on a culinary journey across India, with a nine-course tasting menu of dishes and carefully paired and curated art collected by the award-winning entrepreneur and his family across the continent and lovingly brought to London.
Roop’s father, Colonel Manbeer was given the honorific name Colonel Saab – shared by the restaurant – and the extensive menu is inspired by places he was stationed in the army, from local lunches in the tents of Rajasthan to British-inspired Indian breakfasts in the Officer’s Mess and stunning banquets hosted by Indian nobility and Maharajas.
The art-festooned restaurant was meticulously crafted as a love letter to Roop’s family and India, with a treasure trove of eclectic and museum-worthy Indian art and artefacts collected by his family on their travels.
Roop spent a year retracing his father’s footsteps across India by train, bus and car with Indian food royalty, Karen Anand (Dishoom) to curate contemporary twists on dishes passed down through the generations of people they met, with many regional specialities appearing for the first time on a London menu.
And for this event, Roop and his team pair extraordinary art including 17th and 19th Century Tanjore paintings, the Maharaja of Patiala’s Asprey drinks bar, pure silver Gujarat temple doors and a canopy of ornate chandeliers from Firozabad with dishes which tell the stories of those regions and people.
The multi-sensory experience of India will also incorporate drinks. A Masala Dabba – or spice box – of artisanal gins, whiskies and rums based on Indian botanicals has been created with the Diageo mixology team, along with innovative cocktails by celebrated mixologist Antony Bertin, designed to complement the food and named after Choudhary’s family members.
Roop said: “We are passionate about food, art and India so this event combines all three and brings them to life, in a multi- sensory experience which will take you across the vast continent and its diverse and beautiful sights, tastes and fragrances, showing the powerful roles food and art plays in India.”
The nine-course menu costs £150 per person and includes progressive and exciting dishes, from Pulled Charcoal Lamb with Jeera Aloo and Biryani to Chicken Chettinad with Malabar Paratha and Chocolate Silk Cake, Thandai Crumble, Candy Floss and fresh berries. The vegetarian menu includes Gutti Vankaya, Andhra-style Eggplant Curry and Cauliflower 65, South Indian curd rice with fruit sorbet.
Each mouthful will bring the continent and its rich history to life, with fascinating stories and insight about the carefully paired art and artefacts, from a stunning, carved temple door from South India, to handwoven Persian carpets and precious decanters and crockery from the palace of the Maharaja of Faridkot.
The modern Indian restaurant has made its home in the elegant, former Holborn Town Hall, continuing his family’s proud legacy of hospitality that spans more than three decades, celebrating the vibrant and diverse culture of India’s food and history with humility, elegance and originality.
