Writers, photographers, and influencers gathered to create (and drink) tasty cocktails in the company of two refined Sweet&Chilli bartenders at a cocktail-making experience and masterclass.
Warmly welcomed by The Plus Ones team and a glass of champagne, the evening started well. I always love those intimate events where the contact with others is easy and where everyone obviously shares the same interests. At this event, the conversations were usually about writing and drinking, two passions commonly shared.
The conversation about drinking was mostly driven by the charismatic bartenders of Sweet&Chilli. Sweet&Chilli is a specialist drinks agency. For over a decade, their mixologists and event experts have taught bespoke workshops and masterclasses. And best of all, they can set up anywhere. The Plus Ones invited them to the vibrant co-working space Vibewire for the night.
Gathered around the workshop table, we had the opportunity not only to drink cocktails but also to make two of them. We were about to learn how to make a bourbon-based concoction (see recipe below) and a margarita.
The tools and the ingredients were displayed on the table, ready to be used. It was very exciting. It felt like being a chemist for a night and learning how to create magic potions. We started with the basics — learning more about these metallic tools that we all have seen in bars before but that we have never used and that we couldn’t even name.
Once the introduction with the equipment was made, it was time to get to the heart of the subject: the cocktail. We all — more or less successfully — tried to follow the instructions of our Sweet&Chilli cocktail guru, Toby.
Ten minutes of confusion later, it was here — our first cocktail. After our efforts came the comfort, and in this situation the comfort tasted pretty good. The first sip was particularly satisfying.
The transitions from the party to the workshop and from the workshop to the party were very smooth. It was also very interesting to see how the two workshop sessions, each with two drinks to make, evolved throughout the night. They started with serious and focused attendees and ended up with more animated people.
At the end of the night, we all brought The Plus Ones cocktail recipe home with us. Specifically designed for the event, here is the recipe:
The Plus Ones Cocktail
Ingredients
60ml Bourbon
20ml Lemon Juice
15ml Honey Lavender Syrup
2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Method
Shake and fine strain into a coupette. Garnish with lavender.
It was very pleasant to go home feeling happier and smarter after a jam-packed and friendly evening. Cheers!
– Aimy
Aimy recently moved to Sydney from France where she enjoys Sydney’s lifestyle as much as she likes writing about it. Follow her on @aimyguez.
Sweet&Chilli offer bespoke gin tastings, craft beer workshops, whisky and food pairings, cocktail classes, and more. Contact them for your next work function or private party.
