DRINKING HOTSPOTS WHAT’S NEXT?
Cherry Bakewell at The Cosy Club
Like most things in life, the drinks trade doesn’t stand still, and it seems inevitable that at some point something will come along that will knock gin off the top spot. According to Hayley at The Lansdowne, that thing just might be rum. “It’s been quietly sneaking up on the outside lane for a while,” she says. “There are so many different varieties and the customer is really starting to take an interest.” Jordon from Buffalo though, is putting his money on bitters and amaros. “Italian spirits are growing in popularity and customers’ tastes are evolving. I think people like the complexity these ingredients add. Maybe bitter is the new sweet?” Amber Wood, MD at The Cosy Club is in agreement. “We’re seeing a move to more spritzed drinks, taking the aperol spritz as a starting point and building on it,” she says. “We’re looking forward to launching some exciting recipes this May. Flavour profiles include watermelon, ginger and passionfruit. Customers are also demanding more innovation through cordials and bitters which we’re experimenting with on new menus.” Mark from The Dead Canary however is championing Mexican spirits. “I’d like to see more people drinking well-produced tequilas and mezcal. A well-made tequila is an absolute pleasure to drink and we just need to break the preconceptions.” Jamie from Pennyroyal though is predicting a rise in popularity of fortified wines such as vermouth, sherry, port and madeira, while Jacques Avilés, director at Nest 23, one of the newest additions to Cardiff’s cocktail scene, reckons that grape-based could be the way to go. “Wine and champagne-based cocktails that are easier to pair with meals will gain popularity this year,” he forecasts. “They are ideally suited to foods and are a great way to start a meal.” With such an eclectic mix of drinking dens right on your doorstep, there’s never been a better excuse to get out there and try something new. After all, it’s always five o’clock somewhere, right?
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DRINK Barley and Rye, 2 Greyfriars Road; www.barleyandrye.co.uk What we’re drinking: Whiskey. Straight up.
What we’re drinking: Cherry Bakewell – a sweet little concoction of Amaretto, cherry juice and rum.
Be At One, 60-62 St Mary Street; www.beatone.co.uk What we’re drinking: The Pornstar Martini – a mix of Absolut vanilla vodka, passoa, passionfruit and a shot of prosecco.
The Dead Canary, Barrack Lane; www.thedeadcanary.co.uk What we’re drinking: Black Knight – a mix of Bombay gin, dry sherry, Amaro Montenegro, lemon, nettle and skullcap syrup all topped with a scoop of blackcurrant sorbet
Buffalo, 11 Windsor Place; www.buffalocardiff.co.uk What we’re drinking: The Average Joe – gin, muddled cucumber, passionfruit reduction and crème de mure.
Lab 22, 22 Caroline Street; www.lab22cardiff.com What we’re drinking: Botany – Bombay Sapphire gin, poppy liqueur, mixed with bubbles and served atop a bath of floral meadow mist.
CFELEVEN, 149-151 Cathedral Road; www.cfeleven.com What we’re drinking: A classic French martini.
Laguna Bar, Park Plaza Hotel, Greyfriars Road; www.lagunakitchenandbar.com What we’re drinking: The Razmopolitan – berry vodka, raspberry liqueur, raspberry purée, cranberry and lime juice.
The Cosy Club, Hill Street, St David’s Dewi Sant; www.cosyclub.co.uk
The Lansdowne Pub, 71 Beda Road, Canton What we’re drinking: One of the ever changing selection of craft ales. Nest 23, 23 High Street What we’re drinking: An espresso martini – they’re two for one before 9pm! Octavo’s Book Café and Wine Bar, West Bute Street, Cardiff Bay; www.octavobooks.co.uk What we’re drinking: The literary inspired Margarita Atwood. The Pen & Wig, 1 Park Grove; www.classicinns.co.uk What we’re drinking: A pint of real ale Pennyroyal, 22 High Street; www.pennyroyalcardiff.co.uk What we’re drinking: A Venus. It’s a twist on a gin sour with elements of honey, rose and lemon balm.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 67