The world celebrated World Gin Day a few weeks ago and Bombay Sapphire did it with Drink Up London, in STYLE! They collaborated with bars around Manchester to create new cocktails for the occasion, whilst transporting guests around the bars in tuk tuks.
Real tuk tuks like the ones I jumped in around Bangkok, which was so amazing and transported me right back to Thailand, without the weather unfortunately! Our first stop of the tour was Arcane.
I’ve talked about Arcane several times so it was the perfect start to the night and their drink did not disappoint. Bombay Sapphire with passion fruit cordial, citrus and mint mist. It was much fruitier than I was expecting but the mint added a freshness on the nose and it was definitely an easy drinker.
Into the tuk tuks we went and we were off to The Patron. It was my first time visiting the Northern Quarter bar and it reminded me of the New York neighbourhood bars with the long high tables and open space. Their cocktail was one of my favourites combining Bombay Sapphire with pomegranate and raspberry, topped with soda. The soda lightens up the fruit flavours for a touch of bitterness that is really refreshing. In fact, some of our table ordered another round!
Next was the busiest bar of the night and one of my regular haunts, Cottonopolis. Playing on their Japanese style, their cocktail included Bombay Sapphire, nashi pear, plum, shiso and yuzu tonic. It was the most unusual drink of the night and not a hit with the whole table, although I liked the tangy yet bitter flavours that worked well with the gin.
Our final tuk tuk ride took us to Refuge, where we were served the prettiest drink of the night! Bombay Sapphire, maraschino liqueur, lime, pineapple and butterfly pea syrup for that dazzling colour, is topped with soda for a fruity yet floral drink that finished off our evening in style.
A massive thanks to Bombay Sapphire for an exceptional opening to World Gin Day! How did you spend yours?
