The official launch party of Hendrick's gin had a rather risque theme: a Victorian cocktail soiree with burlesque circus show. Guests were treated to dazzling displays by titty tassler Immodesty Blaize and Lenny, the fire-breathing Dwarf, members of the naughty but nice Whoopee Club, Sophie, the Perilous Contortionist, and Walter the Victorian Gentleman, complete with top hat, tails, fishnet stockings and Dracula teeth, also gave, er, stirling performances.

William Grant was celebrating its cucumber and rosepetal gin in the beautiful Regency style rooms of No. 5 Cavendish, one of London's newest hip bars. Special Hendrick's cocktails were created for the evening - Andres Masso's Jo-Ho Sling (Hendrick's, pear, lemon and apple juice) was a particular favourite. For those with a creative bent there was an "experimental bar" downstairs. Open to all-comers, guests were encouraged to create spontaneous cocktails using a Hendrick's base. The result? Some great, some toxic, but the crowd loved to watch. An unusual do for an unusual gin."