There are certain London rituals that feel almost untouchable. Afternoon tea is one. The Martini is another. Both rooted in precision, heritage and a quiet kind of ceremony. This May, those worlds are set to collide, not in a Mayfair drawing room or behind a polished bar, but on the move, weaving through the city itself.
No.3 London Dry Gin is bringing its Afternoon-Tini Tour to the capital, a limited-run experience that leans as much into theatre as it does taste. Part cocktail masterclass, part moving tasting menu, it reimagines one of the world’s most iconic drinks in a way that feels distinctly London.
Where It Begins: St James’s and a Sense of Heritage
The experience will begin at Berry Bros. & Rudd, the historic St James’s institution that has quietly shaped the capital’s drinking culture since 1698. It’s a considered starting point, grounding the evening in heritage before taking it somewhere more unexpected.
Guests will be welcomed with a Long Martini Spritz, a lighter, more relaxed interpretation of the classic serve. It sets the tone for what’s to come, less about rigid rules, more about evolution, and a fresh perspective on a timeless drink.
The Martini Bus: London in Motion
From there, the experience moves onto The No.3 Martini Bus.
Designed as both setting and stage, the bus will travel through some of London’s most recognisable landmarks as the city shifts into evening. Rather than a static tasting, the tour unfolds in motion, pairing the changing backdrop of London with a curated sequence of cocktails.
It’s an approach that places the Martini directly into the rhythm of the city, making London itself part of the experience.
The Martini, Decoded
Hosting the journey will be Alicia Stark, guiding guests through the nuances, rituals and variations of the Martini along the way.
Her role moves beyond presentation, offering insight into what makes the cocktail so enduring, while reframing it in a way that feels more accessible and contemporary. The aim is not to overcomplicate, but to open up the experience, bringing a sense of ease to something often perceived as formal.
Tea Meets Tini: A New Kind of Pairing
At the centre of the tour is a playful reinterpretation of afternoon tea.
Guests will be served three tea-inspired mini Martinis, each paired with a curated selection of afternoon tea elements. The menu is designed to balance flavour and texture, with citrus, herbal and more delicate notes working alongside classic sweet and savoury bites.
It’s a format that nods to tradition while shifting it into something more unexpected, aligning with the broader idea of rethinking how and where a Martini can be enjoyed.
A Final Stop in Mayfair
The experience will conclude in Mayfair, where guests will be served a final, full-sized Martini at The Four Seasons in Mayfair.
By this stage, the drink becomes more than just a serve. It acts as the closing moment of a carefully paced experience, shaped by movement, storytelling and the changing backdrop of the city.
Guests are then invited to stay on and continue the evening at their leisure.
Why It Feels Right for London Now
Rather than reinventing the Martini entirely, No.3’s approach is more subtle. It shifts the setting, placing the cocktail into a new context and allowing the experience around it to do the work.
As London moves into longer evenings and a more social rhythm, experiences like this speak to a growing appetite for something beyond the expected. Less about routine bookings, more about curated, one-off moments that feel considered without being overdesigned.
The Afternoon-Tini Tour sits comfortably within that space, offering something that feels both familiar and new.
The Details
The No.3 London Dry Gin Afternoon-Tini Tour will take place in May 2026, beginning at Berry Bros. & Rudd in St James’s before touring through London and concluding in Mayfair. Tickets are priced at £85 per person and include the full experience, from welcome drink to final Martini.
Book here.
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