If you’ve never really enjoyed camping, then Hendrick’s Gin will show you why you should change your mind: Add a few Tom Collinses and some wild animals to a camper-van and voila: A camping trip to enjoy.
On the Unusually Useful Contents of Kitchen Cupboards is a cocktail masterclass made simple, but also with a twist. Taking place in Hendrick’s own personalised camper-van - complete with bar, dining table and plenty of ice buckets - it is a truly unique way to make and partake in delicious cocktails, using easy-to-find household implements and improvising with whatever is around.
Before embarking upon our one-hour camping trip, guests sipped daintily on cocktails amongst the quirky Victorian décor of the beautiful Carnival itself, situated at One Royal Circus. This sophisticated salon is inhabited by equally historical entertainers who can provide you with a compendium of knowledge as you wait for the main event. What’s more, you’re even allowed to hold the snakes and geckos placed around the parlour. So chic.
Once loaded onto the van, gin-enthusiastic participants were seated around a beautiful lacquered table, while highballs and plentiful amounts of Hendrick’s were laid out reverently. Our host Evil Jim (who was anything but malicious and appropriately hungover for a barman), gave simple how-tos for cocktails such as Mojitos, Margaritas and Joan Collinses - significantly more alcoholic than Tom it must be said. Using the titular ‘Useful Contents’, Jim quickly whisked up a syrup with water and sugar in seconds. This show answered the question: Why not use Dolmio sauce jars as shakers? Possibly because they give a tomatoey aftertaste. Nevertheless, the masterclass would not be complete without tasting one’s creations, would it? Cheers!