Winter Wanderlust

What a year! We can’t quite believe 2022 is coming to a close already. Fear not, here at Domino Communications we’re wrapping things up with a month of action-packed events. From an Italian aperitivo experience, an East-London hotel hot-spot with oysters, jazz and everything in between with  stocking fillers to boot, here are our December updates we know yule love…

The Stratford’s Where It’s At 

It’s that time of the year where our diaries begin filling up with festive plans left, right and centre, but half the challenge is deciding where to go. What better way to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest than hitting up The Stratford’s Kitchen Disco Brunch, every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3:45pm. Whether it’s pancakes, avocado on toast or even a rump cap brisket burger that tickles your fancy, paired with free-flowing drinks and the very best beats from hype DJs, you’re good to go for an indulgent wintery weekend. 

Brunch not your style? Then Jazz & Oysters at The Stratford is about to make your Hump Day a whole lot happier. Every Wednesday they’re serving up £1.50 oysters from 12pm - 3:30pm and again from 5pm - 9:30pm - with the late sitting featuring live jazz to serenade you into your oyster-induced food coma. Perfect for a festive gatherings, a birthday get-together or some midweek festive fun, it’s time to settle down for a dozen. 

Veganuary at Holy Carrot with SAVOIA Americano

For those looking to take on the Veganuary challenge and take Meat-Free Monday to the next level, look no further than SAVOIA Americano’s latest collaboration with Holy Carrot - coming to you in January. As the only vegan-certified vino aperitivo, Savoia is the perfect drink to enjoy throughout January. There will be three vegan cocktails featuring SAVOIA on offer, including the ‘Savoia L’Americano’ (Savoia Americano, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, pink grapefruit soda) the Rose Negroni (Savoia Americano, Seven Hills Gin, Rhubarb Liqueur and Lillet Rose) and the Temperance (Savoia Americano, Seven Hills Gin and Sweet Vermouth). And if food is what you’re after, check out the Holy Carrot x Cowspiracy set menu, with 20% of the proceeds going to Cowspiracy, the documentary exposing mass farming practices. This specially-designed menu has four planet-friendly plates, including tomato steak tartare, shepherd’s (or rather shepherdless) pie croquettes and a plant-based pecan pie. Vegan dining has never looked so good… 

Domino’s Predictor Trends for 2023 

It’s that time of year to dust off the crystal ball (or should we say snow globe?) and predict the trends for 2023…

Next year, it’s cocktail trolleys we’ve got our eyes on. The Connaught have it nailed with their classic Martini edition, whilst Mayfair’s Bar 45 are rolling out Negronis in style. But we think we’ve got them beat with the newest trolley in town;  the Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned Trolley at the JW Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor House. Designed with whiskey connoisseurs in mind, expect bespoke Old Fashioned cocktails made to your exact taste and preference. Guests can choose from a Classic, Aged or Smoked Old Fashioned and even trade up by selecting a preferred luxury bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Distillery portfolio. With theatrics and flare, this trolley is one you don’t want to miss! 

Next on our list is the Garibaldi Cocktail. Never mind flavour of the month, the Garibaldi was the drink of this summer; and with only two ingredients (Campari & orange juice), it’s no wonder this signature serve is headlining every cocktail menu going. But as the New Year fast approaches, we’ve fallen for a slight twist on this trending tipple. Enter, SAVOIA Americano. A unique and revolutionary aperitivo bridging the gap between a red bitters and sweet vermouth, this bittersweet concoction is the ideal way to mix up your mixology next year. And here’s how… 

Savoia Garibaldi

2 parts SAVOIA Americano 

1 part orange juice

4-5 ice cubes 

Garnish with an orange wedge 

Serve in a highball glass with ice and add SAVOIA Americano. 

Gently pour over the orange juice and garnish with an orange wedge. 

And last but not least we’re calling it in early with the new generation of wine clubs. This year we kicked things off with the first ever Lady Petrol Wine Club at The Stratford Hotel with Porte Noire, and it’s full steam ahead into the New Year with their next installment coming to you early 2023, in the form of… Drag & Wine. Think wine club reimagined, with a touch of glamour and minimal snobbery. Who knows what’s on the horizon for next year’s wine clubs, but we’re excited.

Starting With A Bang

With Bonfire Night just around the corner, it’s not just marshmallows we’re toasting… This month say hello to a ‘smoking-hot’ luxury cocktail trolley collaboration, a Día de los Muertos fiesta alongside planning a rooftop reggae-inspired spiced rum launch.

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET FOR …

The Old Fashioned Experience with Buffalo Trace 

Buffalo Trace Distillery, the world’s most awarded distillery, is set to launch the Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned Trolley at JW Marriott Grosvenor House this November. The trolley is a bespoke masterpiece by sOak London, marrying together the rich histories of JW Marriott and the distillery. The front of the trolley features a replica of the Buffalo Trace Distillery water tower, especially engraved with their motto; ‘Honour Tradition, Embrace Change’. Guests can select their choice of bourbon and which smoke they would like their Old Fashioned finished with, the ultimate destination cocktail experience this winter.

This collaboration starts on November 17th at JW Marriot Grosvenor House, London.

Sound good? We think it’s the ‘wheel’ deal…

EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT…

Bad Beer Vodka

Say goodbye to waste this firework season with Bad Beer Vodka, the latest release from BrewDog Distilling Co., Scotland’s first carbon-negative distillery. Bad Beer Vodkas are made from any batch of beer that doesn’t quite make the cut, making this the ultimate sustainable serve as the nights draw in… 

Cosy up by the bonfire this Guy Fawkes Night with our personal favourite, Vanilla & Marshmallow, combining notes of caramelised marshmallow and Madagascan vanilla, weaved together in a super smooth and tasty twist on the classic vodka. What ‘smore’ could you want? 

Watch this space - upcycling just got seriously delicious…

THE ART OF THE APERITIVO…

Savoia Americano : The new ‘Amaro Dolce’ aperitivo

Never has aperitivo hour been sweeter with Savoia Americano, the newest addition to the collection from the creators of Italicus bergamot liqueur. 

The brain child of  internationally renowned mixologist Giuseppe Gallo, Savoia Americano is carefully crafted in a historic artisanal distillery in Turin, the landscape of which inspires the classic yet distinctive bottle design. 

This Amaro Dolce aperitif bridges the gap between a bitter liquor and red vermouth, marrying the two beautifully in one bottle: the bitter (‘amaro’) and sweet vermouth (‘dolce’). The bitterness from aloe, rhubarb and quassia wood, balanced with zesty mandarin, bergamot and pink grapefruit, and finished with a gentle kick of cardamom and ginger make this the ultimate pre-dinner tipple…

Happy hour just got a whole lot happier.

REMEMBER REMEMBER

Día de les Muertos x Ojo de Dios

With Dīa de les Muertos just around the corner, we’ve got the perfect addition for your cocktail menu. Combining the richest elements of the Oaxacan region of Mexico, the skills of 3rd generation maestro producer Francisco Ortiz and progressive blending mastery of Cynthia Villalobos and Citlali Velazquez, Ojo de Dios is a perfect union of authenticity and innovation. 

Ojo de Dios Mezcal are just the ticket for creating the ultimate tipple for your celebrations, with three different variants : Mezcal Joven, Café and Hibiscus. Why not try a twist on the classic favourite with the Ojo de Dios Negroni? 

We’re marking the occasion with a Mexican-inspired paired dinner with Ojo de Dios Mezcals at one of London’s hottest new Mexican restaurants, Cavita, presented by head chef and owner Adrianna Cavita herself.

Cue the fireworks…

No Tricks, Just Treats

It’s officially spooky season, and we’re marking the occasion with an aged-to-perfection latest addition, a kaleidoscopic fundraising dinner, the biggest cosmopolitan cocktail festival in the world, and a new spirit that’s Jamaican us crazy…

Introducing Four Roses ‘The Fourth Rose’ 

Small Batch Select launches in the UK 

Step aside, there’s a new rose in town… Four Roses, the 133-year old bourbon distillery in Kentucky, has launched Small Batch Select, the latest permanent addition to their core UK collection. Small Batch Select is non-chilled filtered and features a blend of six different recipes, all aged between six and seven years. 

The new kid on the bourbon block features notes of raspberry, clove and nutmeg on the nose, before bright apricot, rose and vanilla hit the palate. Finishing with spearmint and a hint of cinnamon, Small Batch Select can be worked into multiple cocktails including a Mint Julep or a Manhattan. 

To celebrate, we’re hosting an exclusive tasting event at Block Soho  with Master Distiller Brent Elliot who’s flying in from Kentucky especially.

Born to Rum

3 years and 90 recipes later, the R&D team at Maison Ferrand are set to announce their latest creation : Canerock Jamaican Spiced Rum. Canerock is a unique blend of 100% Jamaican aged rums from two legendary distilleries, enhanced with delicious natural spices and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.  

A carved-from-beachwood turtle adorns the face of the bottle and a natural cork stopper completes this uniquely crafted vessel. Vanilla beans from Madagascar, coconuts from the Caribbean and a touch of ginger from Jamaica are infused separately to bring out its best flavours before being blended with the rum. But don’t take our word for it… order a bottle to taste-test yourself at Master of Malt for the ultimate cocktail upgrade…

Taking Pride In…

This month we’re rolling out the red carpet for the Kaleidoscope Trust and their fundraising gala dinner in celebration of their 10th anniversary and ongoing partnership with Crystal Head Vodka. The Kaleidoscope Trust is the UK’s leading charity working to uphold the human rights of LGBT+ people across the Commonwealth, and are hosting this exciting event with Crystal Head Vodka to honour their collective desire to ensure a free, safe and equal world for LGBT+ people everywhere. 

Crystal Head Vodka is Kaleidoscope’s chosen collaborator for their limited edition Pride bottle in the UK, bringing their creative spirit to life in the name of diversity and inclusivity, with profits from each Pride bottle being donated to charity. 

Everybody’s talking about…

London Cocktail Week x Henson’s Bar in Soho

It’s high time we celebrated London’s popping cocktail scene, and what better way than with a sizzling line up of the hottest bars in London serving up their most beloved recipes at a price that’ll get you talking… 

This year Henson’s Bar is shaking things up with the Pink Tusk, a simple and sweet combo of Ford’s gin and homemade citrus sherbet, topped with London Essence Pink Grapefruit soda. A match made in heaven? We think so.

Available from Henson’s Bar at Mimi’s Hotel, Soho for £7 from 13th - 23rd October

Grab your digital London Cocktail Week wristband here