After the success of the Wine Buyers Awards 2023, run by the London Wine Fair, Pub & Bar is excited to once again be the official media part... Pub and bar operators react to Autumn Statement Operators from across the pub and bar industry have been reacting to the various measures introduced by the chancellor in his Autumn Statement o... Karen Jones and Hamish Stoddart join Punch

Pub & Bar’s regular Drinks Buyers Club virtual tasting sessions are well underway now, bringing together key buying figures from across licensed hospitality and presenting them with the latest liquids to make their way into the on-trade. This month, it was time to embrace our softer side. White explains that Tom is a keen chef and applied the same skills to crafting mixers. White says he took an almost culinary approach to deciding on the botanical blend, looking into the characteristics of whiskies and rums to find complementary flavours using food grade aromatherapy oils and just simple sugar and water. The major challenges was in not knowing how much work goes into getting your products listed in bars, dealing with wholesalers, pub and bar chains. Plus the amount of brand collaboration which is necessary to make a name for your brand and to even be able to have it sold into venues in the first place. Being a small brand meant that for the first year or so of running Sekforde, there had to be an intense effort of getting acquainted with the drinks industry, spreading awareness about the brand and building relationships with bars, bartenders, suppliers and brands.” Given that so much of a drink’s success is down to how much it stands out on the shelf, Talula’s simple, eye-catching design probably served Sekforde wonders in its first year. Standing out from the crowd: With the boom in bespoke, craft, and luxury spirits, more people than ever are paying attention to the drinks themselves. More and more people are seeing drinks tasting as a hobby.Laying on the doorstep of the ‘city’ and close to the “hip” London areas of Shoreditch and Islington, Clerkenwell and Farringdon is a real mixture of offices, small businesses and residential streets, but unlike other areas close the “the city” there’s often quite a buzz, quite likely down to people enjoying these pubs in and around the area. Friends and family also helped test out the drinks in the early days and shared notes. It was those reactions that helped convince the Whites that there was real potential in their mixers. Bringing the brand to life: They carbonated their first attempts with a soda stream before testing their experiments with a selection of the spirits. Sekforde differs from other market leaders quite dramatically as the process and mindset behind the products is so different. While still set within the category of drinks mixers, Sekforde breaks new ground as they are designed from the outset as complementary to the spirit, rather than having a set flavour which can be paired to alcohols later. So, in her kitchen on Sekforde Street, she dreamed up Sekforde Drinks, created for mixing and tailored around the spirits themselves in every aspect.

Sekforde Drinks’ Sicilian Orange, Rosemary & Gentian soda can be enjoyed on its own as a soft drink but has also been tailored to mix with whisky and bourbon (our panellists tasted it with Monkey Shoulder whisky).Our aim is to preserve and uphold the expertise and love that went into creating the flavours of our favourite spirits and to be able to experience them in a new way.” I won’t lie, I kind of miss the alternative vibe that was found in the The Three Kings when they had the old magazine and newspapers on the walls. However, a fresh feel isn’t a reason to dismiss this icon of Clerkenwell pubs.) Sekforde Drinks’ Aromatic Raspberry, Rose & Sage soda can be enjoyed on its own as a soft drink but has also been tailored to mix with gin and vodka (our panellists tasted it with Chase Distillery Gin).

We are focusing on getting Sekforde out there as much as possible, it’s such a new concept, the best way to raise awareness and get people on board is to do tastings and events.The food at the pub is pretty good, better than most pub food and something they have really tried to develop. Like the rest of the service, if you’re after a lunchtime drink and meal (or even dinner) then I’d definitely recommend The Sekforde as one of the best gastro-pubs around Farringdon. I’ll admit, there have been times the service can get a bit patchy and knowing the right spots to get served are an art. But overall, the pub is an icon and certainly deserves to be on a list for the best pubs in Clerkenwell. At 60 calories per bottle and under, they contain no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no colourings, no preservatives and are never from concentrate. The 100% recyclable bottles are the perfect premium single-serve soft drink, as well as ideal for mixing. Located (quite literally) next to Farringdon Station, The Castle is great little pub at the centre of the area and frequent stopping off point for those working in the area. Staying open till quite late (usually 11pm), The Castle can get a bit busy at peak times, with a commuters often going in with friends and colleagues for after work drinks – or for “one last one” on their way to the station. A serving suggestion is the Rhubarb Float: to create Cawston Press’s homage to rhubarb and custard chews, spoon a scoop of quality vanilla ice cream into a glass and top with Sparkling Rhubarb.

To help you find your next social meet up point or after work drinks location, here are selection of the best pubs in Clerkenwell, Farringdon, and near by. The Best Pubs In Clerkenwell And Farringdon Located about less than 2 minutes walk from The Jerusalem Tavern, on St. John’s Square, The Clerkenwell And Social is a bit more of a bar than a pub. One the most modern of the pubs I think are the best in Clerkenwell, The Clerkenwell And Social a really love spot to meet friends, colleagues, and even the odd client.The rum mixer is centred around lime, mint, sage, rose and cacao bitters. With a lighter rum, it is grassy and fresh, perfect for a hot day. With heavy or aged rums, you get more of the caramel flavours coming through. Marston’s PLC has announced thatAndrew Andrea has agreed with the board that he will step down as chief executive officer of the pub... Payne, Stonegate founder and chairman, to retire What is the inspiration behind this brand-new concept of natural botanicals mixers for Whiskey, Rum and Gin? That said, standing out on the shelf is only half the battle. Ultimately, it’s the taste of any drink which will convince customers to keep buying it. However, with huge names like Schweppes and Fever-Tree available, Sekforde had to provide something different.