The secret terrace at The Windmill is the perfect location to enjoy gin cocktails in the sun.
My last picnic involved dragging a cheetah print suitcase packed with booze, an oversized birthday cake and two Tesco meal deals to Hampstead Heath. Wondering who’s birthday we were celebrating? Your guess is as good as mine. Four years on, I like to think I’ve got a touch more class, which is why I ventured to The Windmill’s Sipsmith Pub Picnic. Promising three hand-crafted cocktails and a dainty selection of bites in a secret space, the time to say bon voyage to my dodgy suitcase to picnic like a pro had finally presented itself.
Arriving just before the starting time of 7.30pm, we were shown a private entrance to The Windmill’s secret Sipsmith-themed terrace, where the event was being held. A small but well equipped bar space was tucked to the left hand side of the sun-trapped space, and in tune with the picnic theme, each table was dressed with dainty red checkered table cloths, grass cutouts, and vases with tall pink and bright yellow flowers. Teaming up with Sipsmith for the event, we were given a short insight to the cocktail list by one of their brand ambassadors alongside a short history of Sipsmith before being left to our own devices.
The quail Scotch eggs were presented in colourful egg trays, warped in warm spicy meat.
The first cocktail of the night was the Sipsmith Sloe Gin Spritz. This welcome drink was made with Sipsmith Sloe Gin, topped up with a generous splash of prosecco; it proved itself to be a refreshing and sweet mix for summertime drinking. The next cocktail on the menu was a choice between The Perfect G&T and The Moscow Mule. I went for the G&T option as I was able to choose Windmill’s in-house watermelon and mint infusion as a base - which was an absolute dream if you must know. An hour into the event, each table was clustered with mini scotch quails eggs in cute canary yellow egg trays; Windmill’s award-winning pies that were crammed with tender meat; crayfish, avocado cocktail jars; homely British asparagus, pea, mint and feta tart; a perfectly-sized salad made with freekah, radicchio, apple, walnut, and blue cheese ; plump wild strawberries with smooth vanilla cream; and rich chocolate brookies, for dessert. The final cocktail of the night presented itself to be the Sipsmith London Cup. Made with an interesting fusion of botanicals (including Earl Grey tea), borage, lemon verbana, lemonade and lemon wheel. With underlying hints of cucumber, it reminded me of a classic Pimms. Although the other cocktails were on point, this one was probably my favourite of the night.
The next Sipsmith Pub Picnic at The Windmill will take place on Saturday 5th August. Click here to purchase tickets.
