Celebrating cocktails from the 1900s to the1950s Hendrick’s Gin in association with the Paris Experimental Cocktail Club regularly host ‘The Fantastic & Ridiculous Monday of The Unusual Rose and Cucumber Society’ – a series of flamboyant and exquisitely decadent Victorian events – in cities across the world. Expect the unexpected, and more, at these ‘most unusual soirees’; tales of extravagant costumes, a private bar in a horse drawn carriage and drinking gin in teacups! The next evening of nostalgic excess salutes the work of one of Britain’s greatest wits and most revered literary writers; Oscar Wilde. Held at a secret location in Cannes on May 20, this is sure to be the ‘hottest’ ticket in town.

Such is the notoriety of these gatherings that at the recent event at London’s Bungalow 8 on April 14 – a Toulouse Lautrec inspired evening – the daddy of the dandies, disgraced MPs son, Henry Conway, arrived in a 19th century horse-drawn carriage provoking paparazzi frenzy. Party guests also enjoyed performances from the strange and unusual Bearded Lady, Mr Teds the Gentleman Pig and The Horse Midget as well as moustache ‘painting’ and a shamanic spiritualist. Dressed in all their finery gallant musketeers partied in all their frock coat, frills and finery with eccentric British colonial military types, chap and chapesses and even the odd Pearly King. Drinks were served in delicate china teacups and included the Green Fairy Blazer, Hot Gin Punch (as drunk by Charles Dickens) and the Ramos Gin Fizz.

Xavier Padovani, Hendricks’ Global Brand Ambassador, says of their success, “Hendrick’s is delighted to work in partnership with the Experimental Cocktail Club introducing people around the globe to the most unusual world of Hendrick’s Gin with these fantastic Victorian themed events. What better way to communicate Hendricks’ brand values than with a string of Victorian inspired eccentric nights where Oscar Wilde is quoted, costumes are authentic and cocktails are derived from literary
works by Charles Dickens?”