Perrier Nights

What does every good cocktail need? A solid start is to get a mixture of fruit juices as a base, follow it up with an intriguing combination of spirits to provide the kick and to finish it all off? How about a little water? If this sounds a little strange you dear reader, it’s the same reaction I had upon learning that Perrier water was being used to make cocktails. On watching a cocktail waiter raise the famous green bottle, ready to pour, I tried as hard as I could to suppress an urge to knock it out of his hand and scream, ‘My God man, you’re watering it down!’

However, ever the open-minded sophisticate that I am, I let him pour away and finish off the spicy apple martini. This was all part of Societe Perrier London, which is taking place over the summer. These events aim to bring a sense of fun as well as informing those attending about the history of cocktails in London. The spicy apple martini was a little sweet and the creation involving whisky and Perrier water was simply watered down whisky. However, given these are but two of the new creations inspired for the event, it was too early to judge the effect of Perrier on cocktails.

A group of us were taken through a series of rooms, that went from the beginning of the 20th century up to the present day. Taking us along for the ride was Dr. Perrier himself. Or rather an actor playing Dr. Perrier. The first room, a 1900s salon gave us the chance to learn about the fashion for punches as well as to sing a song about Perrier.

The addition of fake moustaches got everyone in the mood as well as the latest drink of Bathtub and Bubbles, a beguiling mixture of champagne, Perrier and liqueur. This was the first drink that gave an indication of the qualities that Perrier can bring to a drink, with a great deal of effervescence and freshness combining delightfully with the liqueur.

The next room, featuring a 1970s bar, was kitsch beyond belief. No cliche from the decade was left out with platform shoes, disco records and kipper ties in abundance. It was amusing given how over the top it was but the main attraction was to be found in the proceeding room.

Demonstrating his finesse with all things cocktails was Laurent Greco, a leading mixologist. In the final part, we were instructed about how to dazzle at children’s parties, do nifty separations with slices of lemon and ways to make us of GSCE chemistry and booze.

Perrier Nights may not be the most subtle or persuasive event on this summer but it is a hell of a lot of fun. To find out more visit.