Happy Hour - World Gin Day - Grapefruit Collins

We’re celebrating World Gin Day (8th June) with our twist on a Tom Collins, super refreshing using grapefruit and a rosemary infused simple sugar syrup. We recommend pre-making the simple sugar syrup and store in the fridge. Follow along with Sommer on IGTV for all the tips and tricks.

Simple syrup infused with rosemary

Serves: 1 Tall Glass
Time: 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Simple Syrup

Prep - 5 mins

Cook - 6 mins

Ingredients for simple syrup :

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1/4 cup rosemary leaves

Method:

1. Combine water, sugar, and rosemary leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes.

2. Pour the syrup into a sterilised glass jar through a mesh strainer to remove rosemary leaves; let cool.

Ingredients for the cocktails :

• 50ml Gin

• 100ml Grapefruit juice (even better freshly squeezed)

• 30ml Simple syrup infused with Rosemary (recipe above)

• Club Soda

• Rosemary sprig, for garnish

• Wedge of Grapefruit , for garnish

Method:

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.  Shake vigorously to combine.  

2. Pour into a tall glass filled with ice.  

3. Top with soda and garnish with rosemary sprig and wedge of grapefruit.

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June

Summer officially starts this month and we are loving the warmer weather. People are descending to parks and BBQ’s are making an appearance. Summer in London is on another level and the happy vibe is infectious. We truly appreciate the warmer months because we know it won’t hang around for long ;) We’ve pulled together some of our favourite hits in the capital this month, enjoy. And please feel free to share your hits this month below in the comments x

Photo: @blossomandbabe

1st June - Lavender Fields - Mayfield Lavender Farm.

Picture this: it’s a gorgeous summer’s day, and the wind gently ruffles your hair as you wander lazily through a field of lavender. Does that sound like perfection to you? If the answer is yes, you need to get yourselves down to Mayfield Lavender Farm. (If the answer is no, you clearly need to rediscover the joy in life, so head there anyway.) This perfectly purple paradise reopens for 2019 on June 1, and it really is the place to be this summer. For more info and to discover the best time to visit click here. Words by Secretldn.com

Instagram @fielddayfestival

7th-8th June - Field Day Festival

Field Day 2019 takes place in a groundbreaking new festival venue, The Drumnsheds, with state-of-the art production and the loudest festival sound system in the capital. Open until 3am, their new home features 10 acres of outdoor space and four gigantic interlinking warehouses. See the likes of Skepta, Jorja Smith, Diplo, Jungle, Pusha-T, Bonobo (dj set), Octavian, Death Grips, Earl Sweatshirt, The Black Madonna, Deerhunter, HOMESHAKE, Mahalia, Seth Troxler, Tiga, Todd Terje and many more! Sample sensational food from some of London’s finest traders in the Street Food Arcade, check out 10 independent breweries in the Beavertown & Friends Beer Market, take a Photography Masterclass with the Guardian, be part of Boiler Room’s first live festival broadcast and much, much more. Then experience the first-ever Field Day Late Night after parties when the likes of George FitzGerald dj, LEON VYNEHALL, Modeselektor dj, Nocturnal Sunshine, Denis Sulta, HAAi, Mella Dee and Tiga take over the main warehouse space and keep the festival alive until 3am! For ticket and more info just click here. Words by Field Day Festival.

Instagram @londonparksandgardenstrust

8th -9th June - Open Garden Squares Weekend.

Open Garden Squares Weekend highlights some of the best gardens and green spaces that make up the rich tapestry of London’s green infrastructure, but there are many others – just as valuable to their communities – which are in decline or under threat of development. For one very special weekend in June, London's hidden green spaces open their gates for public enjoyment and discovery. With the purchase of a Weekend ticket, you can explore a huge variety of gardens which are usually closed to the public - and enjoy a host of activities and experiences for all the family. For more info click here. Words by Open Garden Squares Weekend.

Instagram @zipnowevents

12th June -15th September - Zip Now London

The world's highest and fastest city centre zip wire returns to London this summer. Zip Now London is setting up camp in Archbishop's Park in Lambeth for a third consecutive year, with a 225m-long zip line to keep the capital's thrill seekers happy. Climb to the 35m-high launch platform (that's about 10 storeys high and — sorry — there's no lift), and enjoy the view before launching yourself off the platform and across the tree canopy below. Previously, three lines ran parallel, but this year, a fourth has been added, meaning you can add an extra mate to race. And once you've reached the other end, there's a further treat for adrenaline junkies, with the option to take part in a free-fall Mega Drop to get back to the ground, stairs are also an option, if you've has enough excitement for one day. For tickets and more info click here. Words by Zip Now London.

Boa Borough

Now Open - Bao Borough

Looking for a restaurant experience with a difference, then why not try out the latest offering from Bao. Cult Taiwanese favourite Bao has launched its third site on the edge of Borough Market. A prevalence for fun is exemplified by BAO KTV, the gang’s first karaoke room, which is bookable for up to 12 guests. For reservations and more info click here. Words by Bao.

Taste London

19th-23rd June - Taste London

Popping up twice a year in June and November, Taste of London is the highlight of the foodie calendar. Each June, over 50,000 people flock to London’s Regent’s Park for an alfresco summer feast like no other. Sample signature dishes from London’s latest, greatest and most exciting restaurants, as well as off-menu items they've created exclusively for Taste. For tickets and more info click here. Words by Taste London.

Merchant Square - Paddington

19th - 20th June - Water Zorbing

Water Zorbing is back to Merchant Square for the ‘Summer of Fun’ programme! Walk on the canal on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June with all your friends from 12PM – 8PM each day. If Water Zorbing isn’t for you why not try paddle boarding or Yoga at Merchant Square. There is so much more to checkout throughout the summer. All activities are free to partake in and bookings can be here. Words by Merchant Square.

Instagram @fulhambeach

Now Open - Fulham Beach at Neverland London

Escape the city, tucked away by the Thames, Fulham Beach provides guests with a stylish and multifaceted venue consisting of the brand’s signature beach, an large indoor jungle themed pergola, two pop up restaurants, two bars, live Dj's, weekly events and games for all to enjoy. Other offerings include, bottomless brunches, Rose Saturdays, yoga sessions on the beach, cocktail masterclasses, glitter artists an outdoor cinema on the beach, showing cult classics every Tuesday! For tickets and more info click here. Words by Neverland.

Happy Hour - Strawberry and Basil Margarita

It’s happy hour here at House Curious and we have a delicious and refreshing Strawberry and Basil Margarita recipe for you. The perfect summer cocktail which is super easy to make and you can follow along with Sommer over on IGTV. It’s a fun twist on a classic and a great way to use seasonal strawberries. So, why not have a go yourself for your next summer soirée

Serves: 2 Margarita
Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Instructions:

• 2 large handfuls of strawberries

• 100ml blanco tequila

• 50ml Cointreau

• Juice of 1 lime

• 1 tbsp honey (raw if you have it)

• 3-4 basil sprigs

• Handful of ice

• Salt flakes

• Zest of 1 lime

• 1 lime for the glass

Instructions:

1. Ground the Salt and zest of 1 lime in a mortar and pestle. Place on a small side plate that is wider than the diameter of the margarita glass. Make sure you have enough so that the salt covers the plate and is about 0.5cm deep.

2. Cut 1 of the limes in half and rub it around the edge of your margarita glass, then dip each glass into the plate of salt and lime to cover the rim in a layer.

3. Place the strawberries, basil, tequila, cointreau, lime juice, honey and a few handfuls of ice (6-8 cubes) into a blender. Blend thoroughly on high.

4. Pour into the salted glasses and serve immediately.

Tip: Add slices of strawberry and small sprig of basil as a garnish to serve.