Going to Knightsbridge is always a winner for me. I just love the luxurious pocket of London, nestled just south of Hyde Park and north of Sloane Square. You can quite happily get lost in the surrounding streets and never really be annoyed as the streets and squares are just so insanely gorgeous. The architecture and trees combine to make you feel as if you are in the London of times gone by.
One such building, which I had never been to before is Searcy’s Knightsbridge, a former town house and now events space. Hosting this summer’s Med Rooftops event in celebration of Gin Mare Mediterranean gin, it couldn’t have been a more perfect venue. Whilst at first glance a quintessentially English residence, the Georgian building and rooftop area were given a Mediterranean makeover.
What sets Gin Mare apart from other premium gins is the unique blend of botanicals which gives it an almost saving edge. The complimentary flavours of olive, basil, rosemary and thyme are blended with juniper, coriander, cardamom and cites to create a gin unlike any other.
Hand crafted just outside Barcelona, each botanical is steeped for a period of twenty four hours, to really bring out each of the flavours. The Gin Mare bottle cap conveniently provides the ideal measure (50ml) to combine with your tonic of choice. I enjoyed a delicious G&T mixed with 1724 tonic water, an abundance of ice and a sprig of rosemary.
Other drinks included a Fresa Fizz which combined Gin Marewith Merlet wild strawberry liqueur, lemon and fizz. The most inventive combination however involved pouring a measure of Gin Mare over Irish rock oysters by Hix. The result was like the most decadent dirty Martini I’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying.
Canapés and drinks were served late into the evening, and the mid-summer sun blessed us with its presence for a glorious fiery sunset. Much like the star gin of the evening, looking out over the Kensington skyline made this rooftop experience the perfect blend of English tradition and Mediterranean flavour.
Gin Mare welcomes you to its Med Rooftops – click here to find out more