Florattica Cocktail Masterclass Review

DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.

Reviewed by Z Bonds

Florattica Rooftop Canopy by Hilton (London City) is nestled amongst the hubbub of office blocks right in the heart of the city, served by Aldgate station (Circle/Metropolitan lines), which is only a few minutes away on foot.

Accessing the venue was via a private lift that catapulted us up to the 11th floor. Florattica as you would expect, is defined by its floral nature, but the ceiling floral installations inspired by the silk-woven floral patterns created by local craftspeople in the area are a sight to behold – apparently the largest permanent floral installation in the UK!

A wonderful view welcomed us and as the sun set and the lights began to illuminate the city, we were delighted to be able to see the Gherkin, Cheesegrater and St Paul’s in our own picture-postcard scene. We entered a room abundant with autumnal colours and festive delights adorning the stunning floral masterpiece – there were spiders hiding in there! The music created a vibrant atmosphere that was engaging and acceptable to both my guest and I – no mean feat considering the generational difference. It was clear that style is an important element of the Florattica experience with the unique design and fabrics used for furnishings to details such as the stunning shape of light fixtures, all had been carefully considered to enhance the stunning décor.

On a dry evening, it would be lovely to sit out on the terrace enjoying the sights and the calm of the night, particularly as there appeared to be patio heaters that were movement activated and therefore sprung to life as soon as you passed them.

Themed pods on the terrace allowed us to engage with the Halloween theme – one contained a selfie screen that transformed our faces to skeletons, another housed the resident face painter for the evening and the final pod was where our masterclass would be held. We arrived in good time, giving us the opportunity to engage with both of the themed activities prior to the masterclass. Our face painting was delightful and really helped to get us in the mood for the evening.

Our Espolon Tequila host (and well-travelled expert), was hugely knowledgeable and began by giving us an in depth history of Tequila’s origins. His expert knowledge of the agave plant really helped to set the scene and this prompted me to consider why I had not realised that this spirit originated from a plant which requires 7 to 10 years to mature. That said, it appears to be abundant and grows easily, however it did make me question whether I would ever buy agave as a sweetener again, when actually it can be made into such an incredible spirit!

We learned that 100% Blue Weber Agave is used specifically for production of Tequila and how this, as well as altitude plants are used to ensure the best product possible. On tasting it, we could absolutely understand what he meant. I have to say this tasting experience bore no resemblance to any Tequila experience I’d had previously. From the outset, the Tequila Blanco had a fabulous bouquet – just wafting the aromatics (or volatiles as he called them) allowed a whole new experience. Tasting it did not disappoint, with its fiery, peppery undertones. Full bodied and warming, it really did open my eyes to a whole new world of spirit I’d never experienced. My Mum, who I consider to be something of a whiskey connoisseur, agreed that there was a depth of flavour she’d previously not been aware of in her limited experience of Tequila. When it came to trying the Tequila Cristallino (aged and filtered through charcoal) we were all intrigued. This was where my mum was able to bring her whiskey experience to the table and she really appreciated the marshmallow, sweeter undertones of this more refined
version.

Our final opportunity for learning about this wonderful Tequila was through the medium of a cocktail. We diligently measured our spirit, adding a small measure of lime juice, ice and grapefruit mixer. A refreshingly sour ‘Paloma’ was the result. It was enjoyed by all, though some of us did feel that it seemed a bit of a shame as it seemed a bit like the excellent Tequila was no longer the star of the show. Another snippet of wisdom was that gases are more soluble in colder liquids, therefore by adding ice, you are maintaining the sparkling nature of the drink for longer.

While the cocktail masterclass was part of Halloween festivities, it may be an event that will return for further special occasions at this incredible venue.

Following the masterclass, we were also able to sample another of the Halloween Tequila specials which was equally as delicious, catering more for the sweet palate with a mix of coconut and pineapple added to the ‘potion’. It really did look very much like a Halloween concoction! We also selected items for the ‘nibbles’ section of the menu, which complemented our drinks perfectly and were ideal to share. Heartier options were additionally available.

Staff were attentive and easy to find/ speak to and by mid-evening had also had the opportunity to have their faces adorned with lovely day of the dead themed motifs, adding to the atmosphere. All tables (both in and out) had an excellent view of the city skyline, which all guests seemed to be there to appreciate. This classy establishment may not suit everyone’s budget, but it really was a stunning location for a memorable evening.

I would rate the experience 5/5. We both agreed it was really something very unique which neither of us had experienced before and enjoyed immensely as a result – the mix of gaining new knowledge while enjoying the new company and surroundings was a great deal of fun and it will be an evening we will remember for many years to come. As for the Tequila – we are sure that we will continue to investigate/ appreciate this new and exciting spirit at our next family celebration soon!

Rating: 5/5

For more information about this amazing venue or to book a table, visit floratticalondon.co.uk

Florattica is open weekdays from 4pm, and from 12pm on weekends.
Children over the age of 12 are welcomed until 6pm, after which Florattica becomes 18+ only (valid physical ID may be required)
Dress code is smart casual.
A card authorisation is required to secure your booking and minimum spend conditions can be found on their website under ‘useful info’.

Florratica Roof Top, Canopy by Hilton, 11 -15 Minories St. London EC3N 1AX