If you want a work event in London that gives people more to do than stand with a drink, a guided tasting or a cocktail masterclass is a clear fit. I would look at three formats first, and at Asterley Bros each one already runs as a regular masterclass: a vermouth tasting for discussion, a Negroni-making session for hands-on mixing, and an amaro tasting for groups who like to go deeper.
Our pick is Asterley Bros for teams that want a maker-led session with a simple structure, held at a working production space in South London. The vermouth and Negroni sessions are built around our own range, SCHOFIELD'S, ESTATE, DISPENSE and ASTERLEY ORIGINAL, which gives people a clear way into vermouth, amaro and aperitivo without turning the evening into a lecture.
What you need to know at a glance:
- Best for conversation-led groups: Welcome to Vermouth, a tasting of our full range
- Best for team building: The Negroni Session, where everyone makes the drinks
- Best for curious palates: Introduction to Amaro, a guided tasting of six amaro
- Where: our production space in Sydenham, SE26 5AQ, 100m from Lower Sydenham station
- When: Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons
- Price: £59.50 per ticket, with snacks and nibbles and a full bottle to take home
- Groups: email info@asterleybros.com to talk through a booking for your team
A useful detail is the drink style itself. Vermouth and aperitivo sit in the lower-ABV end of drinks service, so the mood is often easier for work groups than a long evening built around stronger pours. For organisers, that can make the night feel more measured and easier to plan.
Quick comparison
| Masterclass | Best for | What guests do | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome to Vermouth | Team socials, discovery, conversation-led groups | Taste our full range, enjoy aperitivo cocktails and nibbles, and see behind the scenes of vermouth production | Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons |
| The Negroni Session | Team building, active groups | Hear the history of the Negroni, taste the range, then make and drink a variety of Negronis | Thursdays, 18:30 to 20:30 |
| Introduction to Amaro | Curious palates, food and drink lovers | Learn the culture and history of amaro, with a guided tasting of six and three amaro cocktails | Saturdays, 15:00 to 17:00 |
If I were booking, I would start with the goal first, then match the session to it. That keeps the event simple and helps you avoid paying for a style of session that does not suit the room.
Corporate session formats: tastings, cocktail masterclasses and amaro
Asterley Bros runs three regular masterclasses, and each one suits a different kind of work group.
Welcome to Vermouth: a guided tasting
Welcome to Vermouth walks guests through our full range, including SCHOFIELD'S, ESTATE, DISPENSE and ASTERLEY ORIGINAL, with aperitivo cocktails and nibbles along the way. It also goes behind the scenes of vermouth production, so the group sees where the drinks are made. It is a good fit for groups that want a shared tasting with enough structure to keep things moving, without making the evening feel too formal. Everyone takes home a bottle of English vermouth (RRP £26.95).
The Negroni Session: hands-on cocktails for teams
The Negroni Session is the most hands-on format. It runs for two hours, from 18:30 to 20:30 on Thursdays. After the history of the drink and a guided tasting of the range behind our favourite Negroni recipes, everyone makes the drinks themselves, tasting four favourites with snacks and nibbles. There is a nice practical rhythm to it: people are not just watching, they are mixing, tasting and comparing as they go. Everyone takes home a bottle of ASTERLEY ORIGINAL.
Introduction to Amaro: for groups who like to go deeper
Introduction to Amaro runs for two hours on Saturday afternoons, from 15:00 to 17:00. It covers the culture and history of the category, with a guided tasting of six of our favourite amaro and three amaro cocktails, served with snacks and nibbles. It suits groups who already enjoy their drinks and want to learn something new together. Everyone takes home a bottle of ASTERLEY ORIGINAL.
Choosing the right format for your team
Matching the format to your purpose
Start with the goal of the event, then choose the session to fit it. Welcome to Vermouth works best for discovery, The Negroni Session suits hands-on participation, and Introduction to Amaro suits a group that wants to dig into one category properly.
| Your goal | Best session |
|---|---|
| Conversation-led discovery | Welcome to Vermouth |
| Hands-on team activity | The Negroni Session |
| A deeper tasting | Introduction to Amaro |
Planning for your group size
Group size changes the feel of the session, so confirm numbers early. Tickets are sold individually, so the simplest route is to book the places you need on one date. For a larger group, or if you have something specific in mind, email info@asterleybros.com before you book.
Booking details: venue, timing, inclusions and pricing
Venue: our South London production space
All three masterclasses take place at our production space: 5 Orchard Business Centre, Kangley Bridge Road, Sydenham, London SE26 5AQ. It is 100m from Lower Sydenham station, about 15 minutes by train from Charing Cross and London Bridge.
Duration, scheduling and what is included
The Negroni Session and Introduction to Amaro each run for two hours. Welcome to Vermouth runs on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
What is included:
- a guided tasting
- cocktails
- snacks and nibbles
- a full bottle to take home
It is also worth collecting dietary requirements before booking, so the session runs smoothly on the day.
Pricing
Tickets are £59.50 per person for each masterclass, and gift vouchers are available if you would rather let people choose their own date. For a group booking, email info@asterleybros.com.
Why Asterley Bros tastings suit London teams
For London organisers booking team building, client entertainment or workplace socials, Asterley Bros makes a strong case. We are independent, we make everything in small batches in South London, and the sessions run where the drinks are made. That gives teams a session that feels well run without turning stiff or overly formal.
These tastings work especially well for groups that want lower-ABV drinks, botanical flavour and a maker-led format. It is structured, but it still feels relaxed, which is often exactly what a work event needs.
Key points for organisers
Confirm numbers early, pick the session that matches the goal of the event, and collect dietary requirements before you book. Every session ends with a full bottle for each guest to take home, which gives people something concrete to take away rather than the evening ending the moment they leave.
FAQs
How many people can join a session?
Masterclasses are sold as individual tickets at £59.50 each, so you can book as many places as are available on your chosen date. For a larger group, email info@asterleybros.com before you book.
Can you run the event at our office?
Our masterclasses take place at our production space in Sydenham, South London, which gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at how the vermouth is made.
If you have something else in mind, email info@asterleybros.com to talk it through.
Are non-drinkers catered for?
The masterclasses are built around tasting our drinks, which contain alcohol, so they suit guests who drink.
If some of your group do not drink, email info@asterleybros.com before booking to talk it through.