03/06/2025
Palmetto ‘seasoned’ with sean non-alcoholic bitters
Picture credit: Katvonstoth.com
Wi******er Cocktail Week is Back and Shaking up the City!
Summertime and the drinking is speakeasy with Wi******er Cocktail Week returning for a sixth-round, 2-8 June 2025. This is Hampshire's biggest festival of spirits and mixed drinks with a whole week of offers at some of Wi******er's top venues to raise everyone’s spirits.
Wi******er Cocktail Week was launched at a special event at café-bar Cabinet Rooms, which introduced the Week’s stirrers, shakers and sponsors. Andy Thakkar of headline sponsor Buffalo Trace Distillery demonstrated an Old Fashioned. JP (aka Joe Prout) of Speciality Brands explained how non-alcoholic ‘seasn’ bitters can provide green, grassy, umami and spicy notes to add depth of flavour and ‘seasoning’ to mocktails. Cocktails served during the evening included welcome G&Ts with Fever-Tree tonic, Basil Daquiri, Espresso Martini, Palmetto and Happy Marriage Cake created by the Cabinet Rooms team.
Wi******er’s annual cocktail festival was originally started in 2016 by the team behind the Cabinet Rooms. After a pause of five years due to the pandemic and Cabinet Rooms’ expansion into neighbouring premises, the team decided to start stirring and shaking up the city once more with Wi******er Cocktail Week returning last summer.
This year, Wi******er Cocktail Week includes old favourites and exciting new venues. What hasn’t changed is the aim to encourage cocktail lovers to explore the city and discover delicious cocktails and mocktails and refreshing G&Ts on a Fever-Tree trail, while supporting local along the way.
An all-indie line-up includes Cabinet Rooms, Kyoto Kitchen, Lucky Lychee at The Green Man, Overdraft, Piecaramba!, St James Tavern, The Mucky Duck, The King Alfred, The Wi******er Hotel & Spa, The Wi******er Orangery and Turkuaz. Signature cocktails and mocktails include a Cucumber Shisojito with Junmai Sake, Jungle Bird (the closest Malaysia has to a national cocktail), Lose Yourself, Mezcal Mary, Pineapple Mojito, Tiramisu Martini, Gina Colada, Moretto Sour, Paloma and more. There are also discounts on food for wristband wearers at Overdraft, Piecaramba!, St James Tavern and Turkuaz, plus special events such as The Larder House taking over the Cabinet Rooms (4 June) and a DJ in the garden at The King Alfred (7 June).
Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care are also getting into the spirit of the week. Wristband holders popping through their door will be given a themed Wi******er Cocktail Week goodie bag and can enter a prize draw to win a Cocktail Making Hamper.
Gary Whiter of Cabinet Rooms, says: “This year we’ve shaken up and refreshed the festival. All venues taking part are independent businesses – they are a really nice mix, and all offering something different. This event is an opportunity to visit a range of venues, try a variety of cocktails and find out which ones you like. The Wi******er Cocktail Week ticket costs £10, however with cocktails on offer to wristband wearers for £6, G&Ts for £5 and mocktails for £4, the cost of the wristband is quickly covered if you buy just two cocktails.
“We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors. These include Buffalo Trace Distillery, recognised as one of the most awarded distilleries in the world, and ‘seasn’, a choice of exceptional non-alcoholic bitters. We also have a special Fever-Tree trail so those taking part can discover their favourite G&T.
“This is not simply happy hour! This is happy week with a focus on craft, classic and contemporary cocktails and mocktails, and refreshing G&Ts. Come on the Cocktail trail. It’s such a fun way to support local. Cheers!”
To get involved, simply pop into the Cabinet Rooms on Jewry Street for a wristband and map. Show your wristband at official venues to access great deals on cocktails and special offers during Wi******er Cocktail Week, 2-8 June. Plus, visit Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care to collect a goodie bag and be entered into a prize draw for a Cocktail Making Hamper.
People are invited to post their Wi******er Cocktail Week cocktails online, tagging in , and sponsors , and . For all the latest news follow Wi******er Cocktail Week on Instagram or email [email protected]
******erCocktailWeek ******erCocktailWeek
