Last week I have been invited to the “At Home for Christmas in July”, the annual showcase of Focus PRs clients. Because I was in London that day I gladly accepted the invitation, grabbed my friend Daniela and popped over at the event’s location, in Soho Square. It was a beautiful sunny day and we were greeted by two friendly girls that made us feel very welcome into the beautiful house located at number 2.
Our first stop was at Lavazza’s table, where we got to learn about the new Lavazza A Modo Mio coffee machines. I was very impressed by the Fantasia Plus coffee machine which can make up to 36 different types of coffees, cold or hot. The Lavazza representative told us that this range of coffee machines has been made for the active person who doesn’t have a lot of time in the morning but likes to enjoy a barista-style coffee on his way to work.
We were offered to taste one of the coffees and I chose the Coconut Cappuccino, made with coconut milk (perfect for me, being lactose intolerant). Being a coffee lover, I was curious about the taste of the blend, knowing the coffee that comes from a capsule is not as great as the fresh one. However, I was pleasantly surprised to taste a rich flavorsome coffee, with hints of dark chocolate. You can take a look at the new Lavazza coffee machines here.
Next, we were introduced to Ilan Azouri, the founder of Conscious Water, a natural flower essence water enhancer. It was really nice to be presented the product by the founder himself and find out what inspired him to create it. The purpose of Conscious Water is to remind us to take a moment for ourselves every day and find our balance. It comes into six aspirations, as the packages are called: love, happiness, clarity, rejuvenation, serenity and sweet dreams.
I have tried the happiness aspiration. Mixed into a glass of water, this blend of Purple Magnolia, Nootka Rose and Snowdrops is meant to make you feel and express the joy of living the moment. It tastes very light, with discrete hints of sweetness. If you could transform the aroma of a rose into a drink, this would be it.
Being a traveler, Ilan recommended me to try the Conscious Water while I am on the plane, to feel better on a long flight. You can find and read more about Conscious Water here.
I have to say, I was very skeptic when I approached the Jagermeister bar. A few years back, due to some bad experiences while I was doing social media for a pub, I swore I will never drink a shot of Jagermeister in my life. And I did say this to the bartender, when he offered me a drink. He laughed and explained how actually Jagermeister is a blend of 56 herbs and because of that you have numerous options on how to enhance different flavors of the drink. I gave in and I tried the cocktail. May I say that it tasted like nothing I drank before? It was very refreshing, with strong hints of cinnamon and apple.
Then, I got courageous and tried the hot Hunter’s Tea, made with the new Jagermeister Spice containing extra hints of vanilla and cinnamon. One sip and my imagination flew away to a cold snowy winter’s night, with a Christmas Tree, waiting for Santa. It was delicious! You can find Jagermeister in Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury’s.
Next, we moved to the Courvoisier stand, where a lovely French lady was just starting her presentation, offering us a glass of Courvoisier Champagne Cocktail. Contrary to some opinions, you can mix cognac and it will still taste delicious. In the past, in France, it was a common practice to mix cognac with champagne. There are also different opinions on what temperature should cognac be drank at. And I’ll get to this in a moment.
We were asked if we wanted to try the of Courvoisier VSOP on its own and we said, why not? The French lady poured a little bit of cognac into some tulip glasses and handed it to us. The first thing we did was to swirl the cognac in the glass, observing the oily texture and let it breath for a few moments. Then, we smelled it and I felt the fruity aroma. It is important to use a tulip glass when you are drinking cognac because it captures the aroma while allowing the drink to breath and release the taste. Another reason to use tulip glasses is to warm up your cognac by using your hands.
The final step of the process was the tasting. I have never tried Courvoisier before and I was pleasantly surprised. It was very smooth and tasted nutty. I did like it a lot. You can find Courvoisier in specialized stores, retailers and, if you are planning a special surprise for a loved one, you can buy the Célébration Sensorielle Initiale® Extra gift set at Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Hedonism and Fortnum Mason.
Our last stop at the event was Mr. Stanley’s sweet shop. I could not miss this stand, being the huge sweet lover that I am. Everything in this corner was standing out and it was very well designed, with the products arranged nicely in a huge vintage suitcase. Mr. Stanley’s products reminded me of childhood and their Christmas collection is simply awesome! I believe that every child and every adult should have at least one box of fudge, some chocolate matches, a postbox filled with butter Shortbread biscuits or even a bag of gummy gingerbread men under their Christmas Tree this winter.
I was so happy when I got to taste some of the sweets in front of me. The salted caramel fudge was soft and creamy, it melt in my mouth straight away, leaving a soft salty aftertaste. I have also tried the coconut ice, sweet and crunchy, with a soft middle. If you want to explore a world of sweets you can always visit Mr. Stanley’s online shop here.
There were other great brands present at this event, like Karma Cola, ETT, Lekue, etc.
Disclaimer: Please note that I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, just an invite to the “At Home for Christmas in July” event where I had the chance to sample the products I have wrote about. All comments and opinions in this article are my own.
It seems like a fun event. I would especially like to try the coffee and sweets – preferably together!
I love the idea of the Lavazza coffee machine making cold coffee too, I thinks ok the machines I’ve seen only do hot and I’m very intrigued by Conscious water
Every blend us so interesting. I think I’m definitely going to try the Courvoisier Champagne Cocktail with cognac; this weekend 😉
Lavazza is one of my favorite coffee brands, and I can only imagine that this event was a perfect treat. Amazing coffee, cookies, chocolate and biscuits, all of these sounds perfect and sorry but I need something like this right now, can’t wait until Christmas 🙂
How fabulous are these cocktails. Love that you combined the coffee with the alcohol.
What a fun time. I’d definitely want to try the coconut cappuccino too. It’s nice that you were able to overcome the Jagermeister fear!
Wow! What a way to immerse yourself in different flavors and types of food. I’m sure it was a memorable experience for everyone who attended the event. My favorite part would definitely be the chocolate tasting!
Loving the intimate event and the fact that it involved coffee! I’m a coffee lover so I know how much it bonds other people. It also keeps the vibe professional but laid-back.
What a fun event! Mr. Stanley’s sweet shop would be my favourite for sure 🙂
All of the drinks look absolutely delicious! I love the chocolate part <3 My taste buds would've been giddy and happy with it. Events like these are perfect for coffee lovers.
I honestly envy you… Now I want to try everything you’ve described, but I would probably start from the last one and end with a coffee (just so I can make it home after the event). Everything sounds and looks amazing!
Imagine the impeccable timing. LOL. Glad you had a great time there, of course you did, right? The nice thing is, there is a lesson here that I picked up. You had a bad experience before with Jagermeister, but look at what you experienced now! A complete turnaround! As it is in life, always keep the doors open. 🙂
The coconut cappucino sounds uniquely different. It’s interesting to try the place. I would love to get the chocolate drinks though. Not much of a coffee lover actually
Coffee! I’d do anything to have you. I wish I can go to such events also haha. This must be a lot of fun. I wish I have a machine like that too and invite my friends over for some good coffee.
I am now utterly curiously how the coconut cappuccino tastes like! I am a coffee lover myself but I usually deprive myself from drinking coffee when I’m out the house since coffee usually gives me bathroom runs especially the ones with milk. I love anything coconut so I’m assuming I’m gonna love the coconut capuccino. <3
If you replace the milk in the coffee with coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, dairy free milk, you should be able to enjoy coffee without needing to go to the bathroom afterwards. You might just have lactose intolerance 🙂
I have been drinking LaVazza Coffee after Dinner for a while now, loving it! What an amazing event it seems to have been!!
I’m certified coffee addict and I’m thrilled to know about this coffee machines! Lucky you, I would also definitely enjoy such kind of event 🙂
Wow, I’m really intrigued about all of these. The Hunters tea.. the cocktails.. and coffee. I hope I can try them.
Sure looks like fun! You went on a taste pallet adventure. lol So much diversity and uniqueness I can imagine. I’d love to try out the coffee and Hunter’s Tea. I’m a coffee lover so that definitely sparks a lot of interest for me. I’ve never tried coconut milk mixed with coffee before. Must be pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing this post. Looks like you had a great time. Keep it up! 🙂
Wish they had events like this in Glasgow, coconut cappuccino and a champagne sounds amazing! Great post , I bet you had a ball 🙂
I would love to try those water enhancers! I bet they are great!
Love,
Ivelisse
All these things look really nice! The lavazza coffees looks great. I love to make some nice coffee at home. (Mainly special coffees). I love the cocktails as well. They look tasty! Now I want to have a cocktail hahah.
Even though I’m not a coffee drinker i would like to be able to make different coffee drinks. Fantastic event!
This event sounds really fun. I would like to try the Coconut Cappuccino. I’m not lactose intolerant, but I love coconut. And the Courvoisier and champagne sounds tasty too! I have had Courvoisier in a cocktail but never with champagne.
This does sound like a fun event. It is always so exciting attending events and you get to meet new people. Have been thinking of getting a coffee machine since some time. Will check out this one out.
Christmas in July is such a cray thought! I bet it felt weird to be amongst festive things at this time. Although I can’t see any reason not to try champagne cocktails at any time of year…. 😛
lily kate x
Aw I was invited to go but sadly I was at work, glad you had a good time, the sweets do look delicious.
I legit want that coffee machine, even tho I’m not a big coffee drinker I like to experiment when I do drink it XD
Also, those cocktails look so tempting.
I wish there would be an event like that here….
Each drink gets more interesting as we read on! I’d love to try Conscious Water, sounds like an interesting concept 🙂
Whoah! Cool event to have fun while covering! Best part is trying out their products and stuffs! Yay! ?
So many good drinks! That’s lovely to see 🙂 they look tasty! Great event to have xmas in July!
Wow! What great items! I am definitely going to be looking in Conscious Water. It sounds so interesting!
The sweets looks delicious. Although I am not a coffee nor tea lover, I would love to try these drinks too. It was truly a fun event.
I saw two things that rocked my boat. One is that water additive–right up my alley. The other is the coffee machine, which looks great.
What a fun event! I’m intrigued by that coffee machine! I’m in the market for a new one, I’m going to have to give it a closer look!
It has been a long time dream to have a coffee machone as awesome as you have here though, I’m not a coffee lover I just love its rich aroma. Its my first time to hear coconut cappuccino. I believe it tasted awesome ?
Oh wow…this sounds like something totally up my avenue. I could do this all day! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us
Glad you could make it to the event. You shoud had missed interesting products. The coffee machine interests me most as coffee lover. The different variations of drinks like the Coconut Cappuccino and the one with the taste of dark chocolate are really nice to try.
I was invited too, but i was on holiday, it looks absolutely amazing, I always wanted to try coconut milk in coffee it seems like an interesting addition than the usual milk. x
Coffee lover here! hahaha I want to try the Coconut Cappuccino and the other drinks too <3 The event really sounds fun.
What an amazing event you had! I am a huge fan of coffee, Lavazza is one of my favorite! I’d love to taste the Coconut Cappuccino seems so delicious!
At home Xmas in July? never heard about it but the name is so funny! They’re very great in PR Job. I love A modo Mio by lavazza, and as an Italian I’m quite severe with coffee. You made me curious abou the cocktails too, wanna try!
I love coffee makers, I have three. I would love to play with these and drink coffee
Sounds like a great experience, Joanna. I must confess I’ve never heard of Christmas in July!
I envy you! Looks like you had so much fun out there! Being a caffeine addict, I’d have sat for hours at Lavazza’s table and enjoyed all those flavors!
This is so cool. Maybe I can make my favorite drink at home!
The sweets would have been my favorite spot. I love Christmas in July events. Hoping I can attend one soon.
So much fun in that event, sounds like an amazing experience. Coconut cappucino is something I really have to try.
I am a coffee lover and it is nice to know about this event. I wish I am there too!
Would want to try the peppermint cremes. And coffee is such a great treat, i wonder how that coconut cappuccino tastes.
Coffee for me is my life! I like drinking coffee, whether cold or hot. I would love to go to this kind of event.
What a fun event this seems! I’d like to try all of these drinks so much, they look delicious
Such a cool little event. Since I’m a coffee lover I’m sure I would enjoy tasting different types. There needs to be more events like this, love the idea.
Wow I’m jealous! What a wonderful event. You get to try different coffees and drinks. Yum!
Christmas in July? Whoa I like the idea. It looks like this is going to be fun!
I am so annoyed to be living in Northern Ireland this season, so many Christmas in July invitations which are based in London and too expensive for me to attend!
I liked the sound of the new Jagermeister, will be looking for it in the supermarket!
what an awesome event! i would love to go for this. Christmas in July?
Will look out for those.
I don’t even know where to start… everything looks so amazing! I think my husband would love that coffee machine.
I hate that I missed this. All those tasty drinks looked outstanding. The coconut cappuccino you were talking about has my mouth watering!
What a great event to attend! I love the Christmas in July theme. I also love anything coconut and would love to try those candies
COFFEE!!! COFFEE! Caffeine runs through my veins ever since I started working at home. I badly need this! Thanks for sharing!
What a fun event to attend. Would have love to try some of these goodies. Especially that salted caramel fudge.
Sounds like a wonderful event with lots of fun. I am a crazy coffee lover & that Lavazza coffee machines looks great. The coconut cappuccino sounds amazing & I would really want to try it out!
That coconut cappuccino looks amazing. I love trying new coffees and that sounds like I would love it.
This should be an awesome event to be part of. My heart flutters at the sight of all those awesome drinks! Cheers!
I am eyeing that box of coconut ice. I am not sure what they are but I am always open to try anything sweet 🙂
Great event to be informed about the products you can get for the home, teaching you to make drinks your favorite cafe can (more reasons to be a homebody!) Thanks!
Looks like a great event!! I have always wanted to go to one but there are usually in London ..