RumFest

Following yesterday's post on Kraken Rum, and an evening spent sampling the recommended cocktails (which, incidentally, were quite delicious), we at The Amazing Blog thought we'd stick with the same theme and feature the RumFest which is due to hit the streets of London this very weekend. The world’s biggest and best rum festival is taking place at London Excel this Saturday and Sunday (13^th and 14^th October) and is bound to be a tantalising treat for the taste buds. Offering revellers the chance to sip, savour and buy over 400 of the rarest and most delicious rums from around the world, it’s a fabulous celebration of the Caribbean’s tipple of choice. And in addition to the dark liquid, RumFest’s Tropical Food Area brings the opportunity to try delicious street food and some of the finest Caribbean cuisine. From rumcakes, to infused chocolate and fresh coconuts RumFest really is bringing a little bit of Caribbean beach life to Autumnal London.

And for anyone after a bit of culture there will be workshops and seminars discovering rum's history, where and how it's made plus master classes on rum and chocolate pairing. The Rum University will also be on hand where 'Cocktail historians' will be featured and Ian Burrell's Rum map will be revealed, outlining where rums come from around the world and linking in their flavours and ingredients.

There will also be a cocktail theatre with live demos and competitions, the chance to see some of the most exciting and skilled mixologists create cocktail master pieces and a live band playing exotic rhythms and really bringing a flavour of the Caribbean over to London’s dismal streets.

So whether you’ve got an uneventful weekend ahead of you and are looking for something fun to do or want to celebrate all things rum-related, check out London’s rather wonderful RumFest, tickets available here.

Cocktail Week? I'll drink to that!

The ladies at Amazing PR HQ have been so distracted by it being National Chocolate Week that we almost overlooked a rather important fact – it’s also London Cocktail Week. Thankfully it’s running until Sunday which means there’s three days left in which we can quaff cocktails to our heart’s delight. And featuring a whole host of bespoke cocktail tours this weekend, there’s never been a better, or indeed a more enjoyable way of learning more about the crème de la crème of drinks.

More than 5000 people took part in last year’s London Cocktail Week, and with over fifty bars and seven days of jam-packed events, it was a fierce reminder that London has one of the richest and most diverse bar scenes in the world. And having showcased events such as Molecular Mixology, Whisky-Tasting and a Bartender Competition in 2010, the organisers certainly haven’t disappointed this year.

Saturday is hosting an impressive eleven events including RumFest - a festival celebrating the diversity of everyone’s favourite dark liquor, A Museum of Cocktails – a bespoke pop-up bar within the Savoy Hotel, and Meet the Maker - a Gin tasting masterclass.

And if you’re still standing come Sunday why not celebrate with Champagne Charlie, a tutored tasting at The Wine Shop in Selfridges, or our personal fave – the Paradise Sunday Roast which does exactly what is says on the tin and is served with a complimentary Bloody Mary – perfect for those hankering after a mild dose of hair of the dog!

So, if you’re looking for something new to do this weekend, join in the fun with London Cocktail Week – a true celebration of our favourite tipple and a rather fabulous city. Bottoms up!