WITH Manchester Loves Cocktails in full swing (see our lowdown) it’s time to look forward to the next big spirited event, the The Gin Society Festival at Manchester Cathedral the first weekend in September. It too is a new sip on the block.
To get you in the mood check out El Gato Negro’s Ginaissance event on Thursday, August 11, a MLC event in collaboration with Portobello Road Gin and The American Bar at The Savoy.
Expect gin cocktails inspired by the world famous Savoy Cocktail Book – originally published in 1930 plus some Manchester-themed libations including a hand-crafted Old Tom Gin – created by El Gato head bartender Will Meredith at The Ginstitute, the home of gin in West London. Specially created cocktails for the event include the Nahuatl Snap with avocado oil washed gin and the Fragaria with Manzanilla sherry and strawberry and thyme syrup.
The event at the top floor Black Cat runs from 7pm-10pm. No booking is required, but it’s recommended to arrive early to avoid disappointment. Festival wristbands for £10 are on sale from the official Manchester Loves Cocktails website.
It’s all very educational, of course, just like the eagerly awaited Gin Society Festival at Manchester Cathedral (Fri Sept 2 and Sat Sept 3). Tickets for a warm-up event in Didsburv sold out rapidly and already the Saturday afternoon session is fully booked. to get tickets for the Friday and Saturday evenings (6.30pm-11pm) visit this link.
There will be up to 100 different gins on offer, from the UK and beyond, in the beautiful surroundings of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings. ToM is particularly keen to sample the wares of Manchester’s own new wave distillers – Manchester Gin, Zymurgorium, The Original Manchester Gin and Faith & Sons. We might even take in a gin masterclass.
Friday’s entertainment comes from A Train Swing (vintage tunes and hoofing), while on Saturday night it’s sultry bossa nova from Romeo Velluto and his band.
Tickets for the evening events are just £7.50 plus booking fee. The tickets include a bespoke Gin Society gin goblet to keep as a souvenir, plus a booklet of tasting notes. All gins and tonics with special garnishes are priced at £5. Delicious cocktails, prosecco and a small selection of other drinks will also be available.
Toast-T will be on hand, serving cheese, charcuterie boards and toasted sandwiches to accompany the tasting.
Three Rivers Gin flows
Like brewers, the new wave distillers are now arriving in batches (sic). Welcome then to the newly opened City of Manchester Distillery, home to super premium Three Rivers Gin. Created in a Green Quarter railway arch using a 450litre custom made copper pot still named “Angel” and a raft of botanicals such as cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, almond and oats.
It promises to open its doors as a hands-on cultural visitor attraction, where master distiller Dave Rigby, a former university lecturer, will guide you on how to make your own from a selection of 50 botanicals – and take it home in a bottle! If that sounds a step too far you can purchase Three Rivers from Hanging Ditch and Grape to Grain. Gin experiences can be booked via this link.