It begins, as all good summer afternoons should, with strawberries and gin. At Azzurra, the acclaimed Italian seafood restaurant on Sloane Street, the terrace has been transformed into a celebration of the season a Wimbledon-meets-Amalfi love letter, courtesy of a new collaboration with Sipsmith Gin.
Launching just in time for the height of summer, the ‘Best of British Summer’ terrace is all raffia glamour, gleaming bottles, and bold flavour. It opens with a Wimbledon inspired installation, complete with Sipsmith’s signature green phone box a playful nod to London tradition that sets the tone for what’s to come.
Step inside and the transformation continues. The interiors are utterly gorgeous all soft textures, sun-washed tones, and Mediterranean ease. For a moment, you forget you’re in London entirely. With the doors thrown open and a breeze rolling through, it could easily be a long lunch in Capri or Positano.
We began with oysters to share cold, briny, and the perfect prelude to what would become a meal that transported us directly to the Italian coast. For mains, I ordered the linguine with clams in lemon, parsley and olive oil, so delicate and perfectly balanced it rivalled the best pasta I’ve ever had in Amalfi. My guest opted for the catch of the day, a beautifully prepared sea bream with potatoes, freshly caught and bright with Mediterranean simplicity.
To finish, a server came to our table and prepared the most exquisite tiramisù, assembled table side with such elegance it felt almost sculptural. Silky, generous, and just the right amount of boozy, it was the kind of dessert that silences a conversation in the best way.
The cocktail menu is as confident as the cooking: four exclusive serves crafted with Sipsmith’s signature finesse. The Strawberry & Basil Smash was summer in a glass, while the Frozen Grapefruit & Mint Cup offered an icy zing perfect for the heat. The Wimbledon Clover Club was soft, citrusy and seductive, and the Sipsmith Spritz, with Orange Zest Gin, rhubarb, and prosecco, was made for golden hour.
As the season progresses, the terrace evolves swapping strawberries and tennis whites for Riviera ease. By August, it becomes a Mediterranean escape: sun-drenched, seafood-led, and joyfully unhurried.
127-128 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9AS
