THE tide of gin shows no sign of abating. The upcoming Manchester Food and Drink Festival is awash with the stuff, both at the two-day MFDF Gin Festival in Upper Campfield Market and at the festival-long Double Dutch G&T bar at the Albert Square hub.
To whet your appetite for all those botanical combos check out this weekend’s Gin Society Gin Festival (Friday and Saturday, September 14-15) in Manchester Cathedral, where the Society’s very first festival took place.
There’s even rum, a new pink version by Faith and Sons, plus a new flavoured gin, Manchester Tart along with 120 other juniper-flavoured lovelies from the Uk and beyond, including some fashionable fruit gins. There’s also the chance to try some brand new Prosecco cocktails with a suitable live soundtrack and take part in masterclasses.
Entry price includes a bespoke Gin Society gin goblet to keep plus a booklet of tasting notes. All gins and tonics plus garnishes are priced at £5.
Manchester Cathedral, Victoria St, Manchester M3 1SX. Fri Sept 14, 6.30pm-11pm; Sat 15, 12.30pm-4pm & 6.30pm-11pm. Tickets £8.50 to £10. Book them here.
MFDF Gin Festival Upper Campfield Market, Fri and Sat, Sept 28 and 29. Ticketed. Book here.
The iconic former Victorian market hall plays host to this sophisticated celebration of Britain’s favourite spirit in collaboration with the Gin Lounge. Three days of sampling from dozens of enticing brands plus entry to gin masterclasses and workshops, hosted by master distillers. Gin brands participating include Bathtub Gin, Arbikie Gin, Brighton Gin, Boutique-y-Gin, Cotswolds Gin, Didsbury Gin, Kukoro Gin, Lakes Distillery, Manchester Gin and Tarsier Spirits.
MFDF Double Dutch G&T bar Albert Square Festival Hub. 12pm-11pm daily, Thu Sept 27-Sun Oct 7.
Created by Dutch twin sisters Joyce and Raissa de Haas, Double Dutch’s range of innovative products are developed using flavour pairing techniques to create uniquely-balanced mixers. They use only natural ingredients blended with the highest quality water from the North of England. Plus, the bar will also be serving the more classic variations as well as some hearty ‘Dark and Stormys’ for the rum fans.