NODNOL ISSUE #2 NODNOL-Issue 2 | Page 58

A DAte With the City During London Cocktail week the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho hosted a couple of pop-up evenings on its private roof terrace which usually is closed to the public. For only £10 I had the chance to enjoy their roof top space that was revealing their little secret garden. The mix- ologist who showed us around the garden told me that only one gar- dener takes care of all the toma- toes, peppers, olives trees, jasmine, lavender, scotch bonnet chillies, other herbs and much more. The secret to a good cocktail is flavour, are fresh ingredients and I agree. Surprisingly, they also keep bees here to make their own honey. In a city like London with its millions of people and so little space for gardens, I’m always impressed by how hotels and restaurants make use of their roof tops and create a piece of nature, a source of organic and fresh ingredients. 53 So here is what I've learned and mixed: - filled a tall glass with ice - poured in 50ml of dry gin, 30ml of lemon juice and 20ml of my chosen flavour hibiscus - stirred it well - poured it into my glass with the ice and toped up with soda - garnished it with mint and raspberry