Two Evenings to Celebrate the Art of English Mixology

On the occasion of the Venice Cocktail Week, the Nani Mocenigo Palace took part in the event for the first time with two exclusive appointments dedicated to leading names in contemporary British gin: No.3 London Dry Gin and Silent Pool Gin.

In the refined setting of the “G Lounge & Garden Bar”, the five-star hotel in the heart of Dorsoduro invited guests on a sensory journey that intertwined Venetian tradition with London elegance — between culture, art, and taste.

Venice meets London: A No.3 Gin Affair.

The charm of Lord Byron and the art of mixology meet at the “G” Lounge & Garden Bar

The first event, “Venice meets London: A No.3 Gin Affair”, was conceived as a journey connecting two cities that symbolize style and culture. At its center was the award-winning No.3 London Dry Gin, recognized as the World’s Best Gin and created in the heart of London at No. 3 St. James’s Street, the historic home of Berry Bros. & Rudd, the oldest wine and spirit merchant in Great Britain (and, since 1698, an official supplier to the Royal Family). As explained by Gennaro Florio, Bar Manager and Mixologist at the G Lounge & Garden Bar: “The connection between the two cities draws inspiration from the poet Lord Byron, born in London but who lived for a long time in Venice. Legend has it that the poet also frequented the Nani Mocenigo Palace on the Grand Canal, home to one of the most influential Venetian families of the 19th century. From this blend of history and myth comes a tasting journey that reinterprets the romantic and cosmopolitan spirit of the poet through three signature cocktails.”

The cocktail and food pairing was curated by Gennaro Florio together with Chef Raffaele Iasevoli of Ristorante La Bauta, achieving a perfect balance between flavor, texture, and the fresh, intense aroma of No.3 Gin.

Three drinks were presented: Aviation No.3 – a variation of the iconic Aviation cocktail, highlighting the freshness of cherry blossom and the bold character of No.3 Gin. Its pink hue, served in a coupe glass, pays homage to Lord Byron’s eccentricity and melancholic beauty. Paired with a veal croquette and Crusco pepper sauce. The Key – inspired by the key that adorns the No.3 bottle, this refined, citrusy cocktail achieves a perfect balance of intensity and freshness. Served alongside fried prawn with ginger and lime sauce. St. James’s – a tribute to the famous London street where No.3 Gin was born. This Highball combines gin with the UK’s most iconic beverage: tea. Served in a sparkling version, it becomes a refreshing, contemporary long drink — an ideal celebration of the bridge between the two cultures. Paired with sardine in saor on a multigrain crostino.

The English Garden: Aperitivo with Silent Pool Gin

Guest shift with Antonio Franzese at the “G Lounge & Garden Bar”

The second gin-themed evening embraced the scents of the English countryside with “The English Garden – Aperitivo with Silent Pool Gin”, presented by Velier. The event featured Antonio Franzese, Silent Pool Official Brand Ambassador, together with Bar Manager Gennaro Florio, in a convivial atmosphere immersed in Venetian charm.

Born in the heart of the Surrey Hills, Silent Pool Gin is a premium London Dry Gin created in 2015 by Ian McCulloch and a group of friends inspired by the natural beauty of the legendary Silent Pool — a turquoise lake dating back to the Ice Age. Within the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate, ancient farm buildings were transformed into a thriving artisanal distillery. The gin captures the essence of the English countryside through a balance of 24 botanicals, including lavender, chamomile, linden, elderflower, and locally sourced Albury honey, which gives the spirit its signature roundness. The four-stage distillation process and the use of a wood-fired copper still create a complex aromatic profile, with floral notes on the nose, dominant juniper on the palate, and a soft, lingering finish.It was a night devoted to masterful mixology, where the traditions of the Venetian lagoon met those of quintessentially English craft and refinement.