Today is the start of London Cocktail week and I have managed to get tickets for lots of the events.

Unfortunately I am still feeling quite unwell, so contemplate staying at home, but reason that as the first event is a talk about bitters, which were originally health tonics, then it is probably in my best interest to go along!

My main recollection of bitters was trying them neat about 18 years ago and finding them inbelievably foul.

But I was hoping that a bit of education, and my palette having changed over the years, would mean I found them enjoyable- especially as I discovered they come in so many different flavours. Who could resist adding  touch of grapefruit, chocolate, lavendar, ginger, cardomon etc. to a drink?

I was eager to like them now!

The talk was given by Bob of Bob's Bitters and was really interesting.

He spoke about the history of bitters as well as his involvement and experiments over the past few years trying to recreate old bitters and single flavour, all natural, bitters.

I came away with a new interest in bitters as well as a few samples and hoped I would get a chance to try some drinks using some later that evening.

One of the main highlights of the talk though was the venue.

It took place at Quintessentially Soho which from the outside looks like a regular old building. But step inside and wow!

I only got to see a small part of the building but what I saw was jaw-dropping.

The main stairs had two absolutely huge paintings by Peter Howson and an incredible light fitting too. Lots of crystals on it and great shapes- all very inspiring.

The room the talk took place in was also filled with wonderful artwork and I could have explored it all day. Fortunately I am back there later in the week so will hopefully get a chance to.

In the evening I went to my first meeting of the London Cocktail Society.

This took place at Callooh Callay in Shoreditch in a private bar where we got to hear a talk from the mixologist Sean Ware and sample some exclusive cocktails (including some lovely ones with bitters in) before moving down to the main bar and sampling a few more...