If you want a work event in London that gives people more to do than stand with a drink, a guided tasting or cocktail session is a clear fit. I would look at three formats first: a guided tasting for discussion, a cocktail masterclass for hands-on mixing, or a hosted social for client events and networking.
Our pick is ASTERLEY BROS for teams that want a maker-led session with a simple structure, a South London base, and the option to run the event at your office or another venue. I reach for SCHOFIELD'S, ESTATE, DISPENSE and ASTERLEY ORIGINAL in this setting because they give people a clear way into vermouth, amaro and aperitivo without turning the evening into a lecture. Other London options exist, of course, but this format suits groups who want taste, context and a bit of participation in 1.5 to 2 hours.
What you need to know at a glance:
- Best for team building: cocktail masterclass
- Best for conversation-led groups: guided tasting
- Best for client hospitality: hosted aperitivo social
- Typical session length: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Venue choices: South London space, your office, or a hired venue
- Core drinks often featured: SCHOFIELD'S, ESTATE, DISPENSE, ASTERLEY ORIGINAL
- Usual inclusions: guided tasting, cocktails, nibbles and a takeaway bottle
- Take-home bottle value: £25.95 RRP on masterclass tickets
- Small-group sweet spot: around 8 guests for a more close-up session
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
| Format | Best for | What guests do | Usual pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided tasting | Team socials, discovery, small-group chat | Taste a flight and talk through styles, botanicals and making methods | Steady and discussion-led |
| Cocktail masterclass | Team building, active groups | Mix 2 to 3 drinks together from start to finish | Hands-on and social |
| Hosted aperitivo social | Clients, networking, milestone events | Start with a welcome drink and short tasting, then move into open conversation | Light structure, then free-flowing |
If I were booking, I would start with the goal first, then match the format, guest count and venue to it. That keeps the event simple and helps you avoid paying for a style of session that does not suit the room.
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Corporate session formats: tastings, cocktail masterclasses and hosted socials
London Corporate Tasting Formats: Which Session Suits Your Team?
Asterley Bros offers three clear formats: guided tastings, hands-on masterclasses and hosted socials.
Guided vermouth and botanical spirits tastings
A guided tasting walks guests through a flight from the core range: ESTATE, SCHOFIELD'S, DISPENSE and ASTERLEY ORIGINAL. The session covers vermouth styles, botanicals and how each spirit is 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.
Food pairing or canapés can be added too, which gives the event an easy, relaxed pace. If the group wants to get more involved rather than stay in tasting mode, the masterclass is the next step.
Hands-on cocktail sessions for teams
The cocktail masterclass is the most hands-on format. It runs for about two hours and takes guests through two or three drinks, with everyone doing the same activity from start to finish. That might mean a Negroni made with ESTATE Sweet Vermouth, a Martini using SCHOFIELD'S Dry Vermouth, and a lighter aperitivo serve.
There is a nice practical rhythm to it. People are not just watching; they are mixing, tasting and comparing as they go. Masterclass tickets also include a full-sized bottle of award-winning English vermouth to take home, with an RRP of £25.95 [1].
Client entertainment and networking evenings
When the brief is networking rather than teaching, a hosted social tends to fit better. For client events or milestone celebrations, it starts with an aperitivo welcome drink, followed by a short guided tasting and light nibbles, before the evening opens up into a social.
That structure works well when you want a bit of focus at the start, then space for people to talk properly once the room has settled.
Choosing the right format for your team
Matching the format to your purpose
Start with the goal of the event, then choose the format to fit it. A guided tasting works best for discovery, a masterclass suits hands-on participation, and a hosted social is the best fit for networking.
If you want a small-group session built around discussion, a guided vermouth tasting does that neatly. It covers vermouth styles, botanicals and how it is made, so guests leave with more than just a drink in hand.
If you want everyone involved, a cocktail masterclass gives each guest a practical role. People learn to make drinks such as Martinis and Negronis, which keeps the session active rather than passive.
For client hospitality or networking, a hosted aperitivo social is the stronger choice. The maker-led setting helps conversation flow without forcing it, which is often half the battle at these events.
| Your goal | Best format |
|---|---|
| Conversation-led discovery | Guided vermouth tasting |
| Hands-on team activity | Cocktail masterclass |
| Client hospitality or networking | Hosted aperitivo social |
How group size affects the experience
Group size changes the feel of the session. Smaller groups of around 8 suit an intimate tasting especially well [2], with enough room for proper discussion and, in bespoke sessions, blending a personalised bottle to take home [2].
For teams of around eight, a founder-led session can also go further into the 31+ botanicals used in English vermouth [2]. Speak directly with Asterley Bros to plan a bespoke session. That is the main detail to confirm before booking the venue and timings.
Booking details: venue, timing, inclusions and pricing
Venue options: South London base, office or hired space
Once you have settled on the format, the next step is simple: sort the venue, timing and what is included.
Asterley Bros operates from 5 Orchard Business Centre, London SE26 5AQ [1]. Corporate sessions can take place at the South London production space, in your office, or at a hired venue. If the event is off-site, pin down who is bringing the glassware, bar tools and ice before you book. It saves a lot of back-and-forth later.
Duration, scheduling and what is included
Most corporate sessions run for 1.5 to 2 hours, so they can usually fit neatly around the working day.
What is included:
- guided tasting
- aperitivo cocktails
- nibbles
- a takeaway bottle
It is also worth collecting dietary requirements before booking, so the session runs smoothly on the day.
With those points agreed, organisers can book a session that suits both the group and the schedule.
Pricing
Corporate sessions are priced by format, group size and venue, so Asterley Bros provides quotes directly for private and bespoke bookings.
Why Asterley Bros corporate tastings suit London teams
Once you’ve settled on the format, the next step is simple: pick a provider that fits the team. For London organisers booking team building, client entertainment or workplace socials, Asterley Bros makes a strong case. It is independent, made in South London, and polished enough for client-facing events [1]. 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
Group size matters, so it is worth confirming numbers early. An intimate session for around eight guests feels quite different from a larger masterclass [2], and that can shape the mood of the event.
Each format - guided tasting, cocktail masterclass or hosted social - includes guided tasting, aperitivo cocktails, nibbles and a take-home bottle of English vermouth (RRP £25.95) [1]. That last part gives guests something concrete to take away, rather than the evening ending the moment they leave. For pricing and booking, contact Asterley Bros directly.
FAQs
How many people can join a session?
Asterley Bros vermouth masterclasses are run as small-group sessions, with up to 8 people in each one.
Can you run the event at our office?
Asterley Bros hosts its immersive Vermouth Masterclasses and private tasting experiences at its dedicated production facility in South London.
These sessions usually take place in the workshop itself, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at how the vermouth is made. If you have something specific in mind, you are welcome to contact them directly to discuss your requirements.
Are non-drinkers catered for?
Yes. The Vermouth Masterclasses are for anyone who enjoys aperitivo culture, not just people who drink alcohol.
The session includes guided tastings, aperitivo cocktails and nibbles, so non-drinkers can still join in and enjoy the full experience.