It was on the hottest day of the year yet – the hottest June day in over 40 years in fact – that we found ourselves in the pretty little oasis that is the summer terrace of 11 Cadogan Gardens to sample their brandnew Sipsmith ‘Ginspired’ Summer Cocktail Menu.
Five-star 11 Cadogan Gardens, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Group, is just a few steps away from the hussle and bussle of Sloane Square and Kings Road and a picture perfect boutique hotel. Converted from a row of Victorian townhouses, built by Lord Chelsea in the late 19th century, the hotel, with its 56 individually designed rooms and suites, recently underwent a complete makeover. It sits in a quiet road opposite a pretty park, where it has been greeting its guests, including aristocrats, politicians and bon viveurs, with its quintessential British elegance and classic opulent style for decades.
To reach the hotel’s terrace you walk past the splendid library and through the elegant drawing room, where guests can indulge in the hotel’s signature afternoon tea or a quiet drink. You almost expect Miss Marple to perch on one of the comfortable sofas having a cup of Earl Grey and cakes. The terrace is a cool and serene space with comfortable seats and plenty of greenery; perfect to relax after a trip to the shops, pre-theatre drinks or for meeting up with friends to enjoy a cocktail or two.
This summer, 11 Cadogan Gardens has teamed up with the lovely people from Sipsmith London Gin to offer a truly ‘Ginspired’ cocktail menu, with recipes taken from the last two centuries but with a 21st century twist. There are five cocktails on the menu and each one is as delicious as the next. The French 75 is a wonderful refreshing and fizzy gin drink made with Sipsmith London Dry, fresh lime and champagne. This would also be a lovely a drink for guests at a summer party or posh picnic. I love the Lemon Iced Tea, perfect on a hot day and made with Sipsmith’s new London Cup, Antica Formula, Oleo Saccharum and Earl Grey tea. This is exactly the kind of drink you want to have next to you in a jug on a warm summer’s day whilst reading a favourite book in your garden (or on the terrace of 11 Cadogan Gardens). The Chamomile & Lavender Sour packs a lovely alcoholic punch, looks very pretty and is the perfect blend of Sipsmith London Dry, vanilla & chamomile, lavender bitters and egg white. The Cadogan Garden Spritz is another refreshing drink made with Sipsmith London Cup this time with fresh mint, spicy ginger ale and lime; if you like mules and mojitos, this one is for you. The Violet Milk Punch, based on a Dickensian recipe, is my favourite and it has nothing to do with violets, apart from the colour. This cocktail gets its purple colouring from South East Asian butterfly tea and the addition of orgeat; other ingredients are Sipsmith London Dry, Oleo Saccharum and milk. With a texture similar to that of a Piña Colada, this cocktail is smooth, velvety and very, very moreish!
If you need another incentive, snap a photo of your drinks and post it on instagram using @Sipsmith and @11CadoganGardens with hashtag #ginspired and you could win a bottle of Sipsmith London Dry Gin or an afternoon tea for two at 11 Cadogan Gardens. The competition runs until 31.08.2017.
The service at 11 Cadogan Gardens is exemplary and so was the food we were treated to at the tasting. And it was absolutely wonderful to be greeted with a cold, scented flannel on such a hot day – thank you! This alone makes 11 Cadogan Gardens a five-star hotel in my book!
11 Cadogan Gardens
London, SW3 2RJ
Tel.: 020 7730 7000
Sipmith was founded in 2007 by childhood friends and was the first traditional copper distillery in London since 1820.
Visit sipsmith.com for details on their products, recipes, how to go on a distillery tour and more.
London-Olios 