Marching Dominoes

As spring dawns, we’re gearing up for a jam-packed March here at Domino HQ. Seeing some sky-high Martini masterclasses, St Patrick’s Day magazine house takeovers, spiced rum insurrections and saluting all the fantastic women in our industry for International Women’s Day.

Early March sees the Crystal Head’s Pornstar Martini Masterclass at OXO tower, a celebration of the world’s most Googled cocktail (in 2021) that was created here in London by the late and very great Douglas Ankarah.

Henson’s Bar is going on tour for St Patrick’s Day, hosting a takeover for the team at Time Out London, there will be Irish Coffees (naturally) and a whole series of Irish spirit-laced fun.

Rum lovers rejoice as Limin’ Beach Club hosts their annual Rum Insurrection. BrewDog Distilling Co will be showcasing the entire 500 Cuts range including Cherry & Dark Chocolate, Pineapple & Mango, Coconut & Vanilla as well as their brand new Spiced Rum. Make sure you make a beeline for their stand for samples and to hear about the carbon negative properties and amazing ingredients that go into every bottle. Ticket holders receive a 500 Cuts cocktail on arrival and can purchase some delicious cocktails from the very well stocked bar. So if you fancy checking out some of the best spiced rum brands around, a whole host of 500 Cuts cocktails, DJs, Trinidadian food and all the vibes, head for London’s Southbank on 10th March (6:30pm-9pm). Tickets are £30 and available from Design my Night

International Women’s Day – we're raising a glass to these fine industry ladies who’ve shared some words of inspiration for us:

Jaye Iwanowski – Director of Identity Drinks

What advice would you give your younger self?

Your network is your most important vice, you have plenty to offer.

Who inspires you the most?

It’s a team event. All the women out there raising mini humans, excelling at work and sharing love.

Which female bartender is your one to watch?

Sophie ‘Boss’ Bratt, a true professional with unfaltering lipstick.

Siobhan Payne & Hannah Sharman-Cox aka ‘Hands’ & co-founders of brand new international bar recognition guide, Pinnacle

What advice would you give your younger self?

Take much less notice of what you THINK people think about you. They're almost certainly not thinking it. Relax. 

Also - wear the shorts. 

Who inspires you the most?

My bizniz partner Siobhan. Life would be RUBBISH without her. 

Which female bartender is your one to watch?

We were lucky enough to do some work with Kyra Elton - who's now at Happiness Forgets - last summer. 

She's super switched on. Go get 'em Kyra!

02.02.22

As we transition out of January and varying degrees of sobriety we’re casting a look back at what we all got up to to mark the start of 2022.

A very belated Domino Christmas lunch took place at Manteca; the flavour-forward Italian inspired diner, run by Chris Leech and David Carter, which lived up to all expectations and we were spoiled rotten. After indulging in every pasta dish on offer, we toasted last year's achievements over a game of dominoes, naturally. It was a joy to celebrate with the team, finally, after a challenging 2021 and some major milestone achievements.

On 26th January, Three Spirit, our amazing functional non-alcoholic client, joined forces with Ryan Chetiyawardana’s acclaimed bar Lyaness for a stylish mindful cocktail session. Guests were treated to an amazing selection of non-alcoholic cocktails, the vast array of botanicals in Three Spirit’s award winning core range and a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails such as the 1-Up  Three Spirit Livener, Grass Amazake, gentian & pine brew

Looking forward to February and the joys of Spring on the horizon, we’ve compiled some super-easy cocktail recipes with a Valentine’s Day stance, assured to give you all the feels. 

For the LoneWolf

Rogue Wolf

Combining LoneWolf Gin from BrewDog Distilling Co, and Regal Rogue’s Bold Red vermouth, this bold and bright cocktail has some serious bite and is the perfect drink to for any spring-time cocktail party. 

25ml LoneWolf Gin

25ml Regal Rogue Bold Red vermouth

25ml Campari, 

A splash of pomegranate juice and garnish with an orange wedge studded with cloves.

For the Loveable Rogue

Regal Rogue Spritz

Regal Rogue have been turning Vermouth upside down since 2011, creating an everyday, quaffing vermouth to suit everyone. This spritz is no excpetion; the cocktail combines the aromatic spice of Bold Red vermouth, with the smooth sweetness of Italian Blood Orange soda, creating the perfectly balanced tipple.  

50ml Regal Rogue Bold Red

100ml Fever-tree Italian Blood Orange Soda

Method – add all to the glass over ice

Glass – wine glass

Garnish – orange wedge

For the Fitness Fanatic

Henson’s House Ginger Beer 

Alcohol free doesn’t mean flavour free, and Henson’s House Ginger Beer is proof of this. Punchy, ginger based drink GIMBER offers the perfect kick for your alcohol free serves, which is exactly what every good cocktail needs. 

Ingredients 

30ml GIMBER

30ml Lemon Juice

30ml Pineapple Juice

1tbsp Maple Syrup

1 dash Angostura 

90ml Soda Water  

Method 

Shake all ingredients except Soda Water

Strain into a highball glass

Top with Soda Water

For the Chic Seeker 

Seignette Fizz

Chic, smooth and sophisticated comes to mind with the Seignette fizz. Why not shake up serving champagne alongside your nibbles, with  a more complex flavoured cocktail? This recipe is perfect for anyone in need of a classy tipple, featuring Seignette’s VS Cognac, which can be traced all the way back to 17thCentury France… 

Ingredients

25ml Seignette VS Cognac 

12.5ml Lemon Juice 

12.5ml Sugar Syrup 

Champagne

Five raspberries

Method

Place all the ingredients in a shaker, and shake with ice

Strain into a glass

Top with Champagne 

Garnish with a raspberry

For the Party Lover

Three Spirit Herbal Stimulant 

Three Spirit is driven by what is added to alcohol free drinks, as opposed to what is taken away, and that’s what makes it so delicious. Led by bold flavours and sweet aftertastes, Three Spirit’s twist on the Espresso Martini is the perfect pick me up cocktail, it’s the perfect evening serve…

50ml Social Elixir

25ml espresso strength coffee

7.5ml (a teaspoon and a half) of maple syrup

Optional extra: 15ml dark rum

Start the night in style with our easy-to-make alcohol-free Espresso Martini. Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker or a jam jar. Shake HARD until ice-cold and strain through a tea strainer into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated raw cocoa beans.

However you choose to spend the occasion this year, we hope you raise a glass with us, and we can’t wait to update you on more Domino antics soon…

Something New and Something Blue

As we welcome in the New Year, we’re taking a look at some fresh new trends in the non-alcoholic drinks category. Between FUL, Three Spirit and GIMBER, our alc-free clients offer a plethora of flavours with benefits.

Dry January 2022 is set to see the launch of FUL Spirulina Fizz, a brand-new range of blue ‘climate positive’ sparkling, super food drinks that contain one of the planet’s richest forms of nutrients. Already a huge hit in Holland’s leading gyms and bars, FUL was created by three climate-entrepreneurs, Julia, Cristina and Sara in Amsterdam in September 2021. FUL® Spirulina Fizz is a blend of carbonated water, patented ingredient FUL® Spirulina and natural flavourings to create a range of low calorie, low carb superfood drinks. FUL® Spirulina is loaded with calcium, plant-based protein, iron, magnesium, vitamin B2 and powerful antioxidants. Available in three flavours from www.fulsuperfood.com 

•  White peach

• Lemon & ginger

• ·Lime & mint

If the prospect of ditching alcohol for a month is daunting, Three Spirit is an incredible range of functional non-alcoholic drinks, that reduce fomo and still give you that ‘buzz’. The core range features three, flavour-forward alcohol alternatives; Livener, Social Elixir, and Nightcap. These elixirs have been developed in partnership with plant scientists including Professor Michael Heinrich from UCL School of Pharmacy, world-class bartenders and herbalists in order to create different feelings. Three Spirit is all about celebrating what we can add to alc-free drinks, rather than what we take away; wise words!

Or maybe you’re looking for a fiery winter warmer to keep the January chills at bay, then it’s definitely the smooth and spicy GIMBER for you. Founded by maverick Dimitri Oosterlynck who struggled to find a sophisticated and characterful replacement for alcohol. GIMBER uses completely natural, organic and unfiltered ginger, lemons and spices to create an incredibly versatile concentrate ideal for a myriad of drinks. One of the key compounds found in ginger is gingerol, which not only activates spice receptors on the tongue but also has been found to have restorative properties; and what could be better given that going alc-free is truly all about restoration. GIMBER is a hugely adaptable liquid and is great as a morning pick me up, a sumptuous evening cocktail, mocktail or tea, adding a little zing to your day. Try adding a splash to glaze your salmon, excellent if you’re out of ginger but still want that heat in your dinner.

So, whether you’re braving Dry Jan this year or not, we hope these drinks have inspired you to try something new! 

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and a fantastic start to 2022!

Team Domino x