GIN AND TEA
WEIRD BUT TASTY Cocktail crisps anyone? Lidl have launched the world’s first negroni-flavoured crisps and they’re pretty tasty. Priced at 99p per bag, the Deluxe with Love Negroni Crisps are formulated from flavours including gin, vermouth rosso and orange. www.lidl.co.uk.
Gin71 first launched in Glasgow’s Renfield Street in 2014 when the team behind the hugely popular Cup tearooms decided to rethink the cocktail bar within the tea lounge and create a new, distinct experience. And, before you could pop away the teabags and slice a lemon, Gin71 was born. The ethos is tearoom by day and gin bar by night, with the tea, coffee and cake disappearing at 6pm to make way for Glasgow’s largest selection of artisan gins, 71 to be exact (get what they did?) along with some seriously good cocktails, the Ginlinis being a particular draw. The team expanded the Gin71 brand by carrying the name to their Merchant City venue, previously known as Virginia, and have now opened in the west end of Edinburgh occupying the former surrounds of La Tasca on 9 South Charlotte Street. Go there for all things gin and a quirky seven course tasting menu think gin cured salmon, venison tartare, a variety of tuiles (hard to pronounce after 71 gins…) and a twist on marmalade and toast for pudding. At £59 per head, it’s a bargain. www.gin71.com.
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