This was such a fun and needed girls night out for me! Following my mommy-me outing with Rex in Hayes Valleys, I threw on a dress for an evening out with Beefeater (the OG when it comes to gin). I hosted an intimate happy hour for friends and press as a kick off to summer and a chance for us all to learn how to step-up our gin and tonic mix-mastering skills. The setting? Whitechapel–the way cool, dark and moody gin bar that instantly transports you straight to London. Which was rather appropriate and obviously planned on our part as Beefeater is a London brand. Also fun fact, Whitechapel boasts the largest selection of gin in North America.
Learning that you really can’t mess up a g&t (it was fun to try everyone’s combinations), the chance to mingle and catch-up with my girlfriends, and just the whole vibe of the night was pretty perfect in my book. The evening also made my sister and I realize we seriously need to make our way back to London asap.
The assortment of garnishes–everything from citrus and herbs to floral, and a variety of tonics to choose from as well.
My look for the evening… a silver slip dress and a studded denim jacket. I actually forgot the heels I had originally planned to wear (part of the problem of constantly living out of a suitcase) but luckily I had these boots in the back of my car. I thought the vibe was totally London-esque… so things worked out in my favor.
Cucumber Lavender Sour
Beefeater Gin. Ginger Liquor. Cucumber. Lemon Juice. Lavender Simple Syrup.
Prior to everyone’s arrival I had the chance to try the three specialty cocktails the bartender was mixing. They were all super unique–the Cucumber Lavender Sour, Clairage (with apricot and orange bitters), and Norman Conquest which I actually just liked for the name as my grandpa was Norman. My fave though was the cucumber lavender. Anything with lavender gets my vote!
I will admit sometimes you just want a bartender to make your drink, but it’s also fun to experiment. My gin cocktail mixing lesson take away of the evening was that you really can’t mess it up. I tried so many unique combinations from watermelon cucumber floral to mustard seed and citrus.
The Look | Isabel Marant Denim Jacket. Slip Dress from Jenni Kayne (similar or snag the look for less). IRO Booties.
Photography | Stephanie Russo