If your idea of dry January is a little less vermouth in your martini, 100 Wardour Street is the place to be on Tuesday evening.
From 7pm, the central London bar will pit five premium gins against one another - and last year’s champion - for a place in the World’s Best Martini 2019.
The heavy responsibility of naming a winner will fall to three martini aficionados: bartender Gabriele Sasnauskaite of The Langham’s Artesian bar, Rebecca Milford of the BarChick online guide and Ivan Dixon of spirit supplier Enotria&Coe. They will assess each gin in both a classic and “showcase” martini.
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Last year’s winner, the Scottish gin Arbikie AK’s, will defend its crown against an all-English shortlist drawn up by the co-founders of the contest, Gary Sharp and James Thomas. The C,
Alongside London-distilled Marylebone Gin and Campfire Gin from Hertfordshire are three blends with a seafaring connection: Conker Spirits Navy Strength Gin, Plymouth Gin and HMS Spirits Mary Rose Gin.
“Each year we try to make it bigger and better,” says Thomas, “We’re so pleased to have the support of these great gin-makers, bartenders and bars. And of course, it’s our martini-loving crowd that makes it such a great night out.”
Guests will be served with samples of classic martinis featuring all the finalists, as well as a chance to meet the expert gin-makers and bartenders taking part.
Tickets for the World's Best Martini 2019 are £25
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