Since last months reviews went down so well we thought we’d share where we’ve been this month too. Here’s a little insight into where we visited in April…
Graphic Bar – Soho
This was a team trip to the first round of the Graphic Bar Gin Off. Graphic have a fantastic back bar featuring over 300 different gins but this night was all about 4 very competitive Gin brands: Bols Genever, Whitley Neill, Copper Head and Plymouth Gin.
The following rounds will be held on various dates over the next 6 months. Each night of the gin off, a bartender from each brand creates a signature inventive cocktail to show off their incredible gin. Each cocktail is then judged by everyone at the bar. They served a fascinating array of cocktails served in all different shapes and sizes, but a special congratulations goes to Copper Head for winning round 1 and Whitley Neill for Runner up.
Shrub & Shutter – Max
A last minute decision saw me and my girlfriend head to Brixton to meet friends, unfortunately we missed them but we took the chance while in an area we hadn’t explored to visit a cocktail bar, a quick search and we stumbled across Shrub & Shutter.
We arrived just before 11pm so only had about an hour before we needed to catch the last tube so it was a bit of a flying visit however we had 3 cocktails between us and were very impressed. The cocktails unlike most bars often come with little sides, from my ‘Mouse Trap’ inspired cocktail which was served up with a miniature cheese board featuring cheese, a chutney slice & crackers to a milkybar cocktail which comes served with a chunk of milkybar! We were sad to have to leave before trying others so we will be back.
Bar Américain at Brasserie Zedel – Toby
Max and I visited Bar Américain after the Graphic Bar Gin Off for a little more “research”. The decision to visit this bar rather than the many others in and around Soho, was thanks to BarChick concierge (check it out, it’s a brilliant way to make the tricky decision of where’s the best place to get your next drink)!
We started with a ZL Cobbler No 2 and an Old Fashioned. We then moved on to try a Whisky Sour and Valentino’s Revenge. Valentino’s was probably my favourite drink of the year so far! Like a Scotch whisky Boulevardier, it blends Oban 14yr with Punt e Mes and Aperol, and ties it all together with Caramel and Rhubarb bitters.
I recommend sitting at the bar here to chat to the knowledgeable and friendly guys making the drinks.
Where did you visit?
Have you been to some great bars, in London, or elsewhere? Let us know in the comments, or tag us in your pictures @tastecocktails on instagram and twitter.