ST MARTINS SQUARE, LE1 CELEBRATES WORLD GIN DAY

World Gin Day is used to be a day that meant absolutely nothing to me, nah not for me, nadda! That was until dabbling with Gin. At first it was a difficult but I persevered and started to have this whole new found respect of Gin and Gin cocktails. Now, living with Dr C, who is an avid G & T drinker may have had a little something to do with it but who cares, I’m converted and we can now enjoy the same tipple in great company.

GIN, A SHORT INTRO!

Gin originated in the Middle Ages from a herbal medicine and based on an old Dutch liquor known as Jenever. It became the drink about town, especially in London when William of Orange, leader of the Dutch Republic, occupied the English, Irish and Scottish thrones between 1689 and 1702.

The predominant flavour of Gin comes from Juniper berries and comes in a variety of origins as Juniper-flavoured spirit drinks (pot distillation of grain mash to medium strength, 69% abv and redistilling with botanicals to extract the aromas), Gin (juniper-based spirit made by adding approved natural flavouring substances to a neutral spirit), Distilled Gin (Produced by redistilling ethanol with an initial strength of 96% abv in stills with juniper berries and the taste of juniper is pretty prominent) and London Gin (usually steeped in fresh citrus peel/dried peels before distillation). As they’re usually dry, there’s no added artificial flavourings but only botanical flavours with no sweeteners but liquorice.

ST MARTIN’S GIN TRAIL

In order to mark World Gin Day on Saturday 9^th June, St Martin’s Square were holding a Gin trail in a number of participating bars around the square situated in LE1. The brief was to purchase a wristband priced at £18 which gave you access to sample three Gin cocktails at three of the participating bars of your choice. The wristband was valid for a weekend just in case you wanted to split the Gin drinking but as it was only a stones throw away from home for us, we tried the Gins over two days! We needed one sober day at the weekend!!

THE BOTTLE GARDEN

One of my favourite bars and super instagrammable featuring beautiful plants in the form of green trellises, pretty peonys, relaxed garden style seating! It’s a place where the beautiful hang-out, obvs that means all of Leicester! Take a peruse of The Bottle Garden interiors below…

The Bottle Garden had two Gin options available for the trail and  Dr C and I tried one each. Where the other venues had stipulated their Gin options for the trail, The Bottle Garden was the wildcard! I went for the Ginger and Thyme, which had real pieces of ginger and a sprig of thyme garnishing the cool flavoured beverage. A lovely light flavour combination with the dry gin flavour coming through as a slight hit but not being over powered by the ginger.

Dr C had the Sunblush, which was basically the perfect summer Gin based cocktail. It was fruity and had a good measure of Gin and the addition of a strawberry and orange slice for that hit of summer colour!

The Bottle Garden

12-14 Silver Walk, Leicester LE1 5EW

info@thebottlegarden.co.uk

Bookings are taken strictly through their Facebook page or Email to secure a table.

33 CANK STREET

Another one of my cute little LE1 bevvie hangouts, situated at the entrance of St Martins. It’s quirky, it has teal walls and a pink velvet sofa and sells unbelievable drinks and knocks up some pretty good tapas too! The bar is also super cute and cosy, I’ve spent many a visit sitting at the bar watching the entertaining mixologist!

33 Cank Streets contribution to the Gin trail was Betty Brown (AKA A Gin-dependent woman)! One of my favourite cocktails of the night containing Brockmans Gin, homemade quince cordial, Campari, and Italicus Bergamot liqueur finished off with a twist of a sugar coated confectionery! It was just as described, strong, feminine and silky!

We accompanied our Betty Browns with a selection of boards including warm Pide (Turkish flat bread served with a balsamic and extra virgin olive oil vinaigrette), Cheese Platter (Stilton, Red Leicester and Smoked Chedder (served with crackers, whiskey curd cream cheese, mini pickled onions and droplets of cider jelly) and a Meat Platter (Iberian Chorizo, Jamon Serrano and Venison Jerky served with pickled gherkins, roasted artichokes and peppers).

The bar also donated £1 per drink sold on behalf of Betty Brown for the new Art & Design classroom at Dorothy Goodman School. Nice touch guys!

33 Cank Street Bar

Leicester. LE1 5GX

Tel: 0116 251 9994

Table booking are recommend for weekends from my experience and last 90 minutes but are extendable. 

45 ST. MARTIN’S VINTNERS BAR

(No longer trading & replaced by Tonne Bar)

Part of the 45 group, 45 St Martins is classed as more of a Vintners and class champagne, vino joint where one wouldn’t feel out of place in their cocktail dress in the evening. By day, it’s pretty casual with outdoor seating, grown up slick interiors and a wall of shelved wines.

Our final Gin cocktail for the trail was named Gin refashioned 45. It packed a punch and was one of the most potent I’d had on the trail. I call this the adult Gin. It contained 50ml Burleigh’s Leicester dry, Blue Curacao, passion fruit syrup, Angostura and orange bitters.

45 St Martin’s Vintners & Bar

1-3 St Martin’s. Leicester LE1 5DG

Tel: 0116 262 8248

That folks brings us to a close to World Gin day 2018! I guess another factor why I’ve fallen in love with Gin is that Leicester distills the famous Burleigh’s Gin and that I only live around the corner quite literally to the 45 Gin Distillery school! When it’s on your doorstep, how can you not partake, right?!

Until World Gin Day 2019!!!

I’d love to know if you’re a partial to a Gin or Gin based cocktail and if you had some of the juniper berry tipple in homage to World Gin day? Keep those comments coming in the box below!

À Bientôt…

PIN FOR LATER