Scotch Malt Whisky Society partners with Botanic Garden and renowned mixologist to create floral cocktail menu

THE SIGNATURE COCKTAIL MENU COMBINES THE FRESH FLORAL FLAVOURS OF SUMMER WITH WHISKY IN ITS PUREST FORM

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have teamed up with world-renowned mixologist, Jason Scott, of Bramble and Lucky Liquor Co. and The Royal Botanic Garden to create a limited-edition range of floral cocktails.

In this iconic partnership, mixologist and Edinburgh independent bar owner, Jason Scott, will be working with Dr Greg Kenicer of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Together they have created cocktails that explore the more delicate and floral notes within the Society’s June Outturn whiskies, complementing and contrasting them through edible flowers and exciting mixers.

Jason, who is the owner of Bramble Bar, Lucky Liquor and The Last Word Saloon, is a key figure in the Scottish cocktail industry and has trained some of the best bartenders in the country.

Inspired by the flavours of summer, the signature cocktails will be created using a range of natural mixers, that include lavender, primrose flower, borage flower, fresh mint, and gorse.

Jason Scott, said: “I have long been a fan of the Society and really admire what they do.

“After visiting The Botanics and meeting up with Greg, it’s been a journey of fun and discovery to create these fantastic floral cocktails. I’m confident whisky and flower lovers alike will adore this summer cocktail menu.”

Dr Greg Kenicer of the Royal Botanic Garden, said: “I am delighted to be working with Jason and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society on this exciting and unique project.

“When it comes to enhancing and developing cocktail flavours, there is so much out there for drink makers and bartenders to explore from the botanical Kingdom. Many of these plants can be grown in a garden or even a window box, or you can find them at your local supermarkets.

“Since the Stone Age, botanicals and fresh plants have been used as compounds to enhance the flavour of drinks. It’s really exciting to see mixologists across the world continuing this ancient legacy, and also innovating in so many creative ways.”

The signature cocktails will be available at SMWS Bath Street, Queen Street and Greville Street from tomorrow (Friday 11th June).

Non-members are also welcome to attend Queen Streets’ Kaleidoscope Bar and can visit both Bath Street and Greville Street venues on Tuesday evenings, by booking online or by phone.

To celebrate the signature cocktail menu, the SMWS will also be hosting an event on the 29th of June, at their Queen Street venue.

With the aim of breaking down the perceived barriers of traditional whisky drinking, the cocktails have been designed to encourage whisky enthusiasts to delve deep into the modern use of whisky, by mixing the water of life with fresh ingredients:

Cocktail list:

Queen Street, Edinburgh – Joy & SorrellThe Joy & Sorrell features vibrant fuchsia flowers with a taste of citrus lemon and sweet sorrel syrup.

Bath Street, Glasgow – Melancholy CrushThis refreshing julep combines an elegantly fruity and herbal dram with fresh mint, lemon and Angostura Bitters.

Greville Street, London – Four SeasonsThis London inspired violet Penicillin, features a 2008 Speyside distilled whisky combined with ingredients that include fresh lavender, finished in an old fashioned glass.

Bottled – Flaming Primrose Garnished with a primrose flower, this vibrant blood-red cocktail incorporates infused gorse Campari and Sweet Vermouth with an 8-year-old single scotch oily and coastal whisky.

For more information about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society click here.

Unstopper your Bank Holiday with Buck & Birch’s bottled cocktails

Delicious hand-crafted cocktails, inspired by nature, delivered direct to your door 

Wild foragers, Buck & Birch, are bringing you the epitome in thirst-quenching treats this Bank Holiday weekend

With the pubs back in full-swing and the sun guaranteed to (well, fingers crossed!) make an appearance, you can be sure of one thing – no free seats to be had at your local. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you remove the queues, the lukewarm pints and the sticky tables and instead enjoy one of Buck & Birch’s bottled cocktails, delivered straight to your door.

Each hand-crafted drink is individually bottled and can be ordered online, giving customers a true taste of the wilderness from the comfort (and peace) of their back gardens.

Purchased individually for £8, with 2 servings per bottle, or bought as part of signature gift pack combining all three flavours for £24, there is surely a tempting tipple to tickle your tastebuds. For those ready to completely let go of the last year, there is also the option to purchase an ‘Adventurer Pack’ containing all five cocktails (£40).

All available to buy from their website www.aelderelixir.com  

To start us off, is the incredibly popular Thornstar Martini– a new wild twist on the classic Pornstar martini. The combination of Amarosa, woodruff vodka, hawthorn syrup and sea buckthorn results in a tasty tropical treat. The ingredients may all be from Scotland, but this little number will transport you straight to a Caribbean paradise.

Next up is the The Aelder Sour, known for its rich, dark and fruity flavours. The cocktail combines their award-winning elderberry liqueur and Aelder elixir, with whisky and citrus. Smooth as silk, casually complex and with a gentle whisky glow.

Then we have The Amarosa Old Fashioned which blends aromatic rose-hip rum liqueur with dark rum and wild bitters, creating a delicious twist on this classic cocktail. With hints of juicy green apple, honey, herbs and a spiced vanilla and molasses finish, this is the perfect end of evening drink.

And who could forget the almighty Espresso Martana? This cocktail packs a powerful punch. Sweet, smooth and indulgent, Ana liqueur is combined with the finest birch vodka and coffee resulting in a delightfully sweet espresso martini laced with notes of butter caramel and toasted nuts. 

Then there’s The Atkinson, which has been cleverly crafted from all things rowan. Bitter sweet notes of almond and vanilla combine beautifully with a touch of red currant sharpness for a cocktail perfect as a dessert substitute. Great served with an afternoon tea – the drinkable equivalent to a lovely slice of Battenberg.

Last but certainly not least, we have The Dandy Lion. Perhaps the most fitting for Bank Holiday with its beautifully light and refreshing taste. Dandelion wine, birch caramel vodka, and sweet dandelion jam are combined with apple juice and a touch of citrus for the perfect summer sipper – a drop of golden sunshine in a glass.

To view and purchase the full selection of their bottled cocktails, visit www.aelderelixir.com

The Ivy on the Square Summer of Love installation

The Ivy on the Square has been transformed into a floral paradise, complete with a colourful two-seater love swing, to celebrate Edinburgh’s move to Tier 2 restrictions from today (Monday 17 May).

Embracing 2021 as the Summer of Love, guests will walk through a stunning floral ‘tunnel of love’ to reach the brasserie entrance where they can enjoy bespoke 1960s themed cocktails and new summer dishes, with dining until 10.30pm.

Cocktails include the Electric Kool-Aid (£9.75) which blends Absolut Elyx, Plymouth Gin, Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum, Italicus Bergamot Aperitivo and Blue Curacao with lemon juice and Fever-Tree Lemonade; and the refreshing San Francisco Spritz (£9.95) featuring Plymouth Gin, Lillet Rosé, pink grapefruit juice, Fever-Tree Soda Water and prosecco.

To view the full menu and make a reservation, visit TheIvyEdinburgh.com.

Rediscover your love of dining with the Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square welcomes guests back for a ‘Summer of Love’ with bespoke 1960s themed cocktail menu and new summer dishes

The Ivy on the Square is spreading the love as it celebrates its re-opening with a selection of summertime specials.

Launching ‘The Summer of Love’, evocative of the carefree nature of the 1960s, The Ivy on the Square will be serving refreshing limited-edition mocktails, including Across the Universe (£5.75)  featuring fresh mint, lemon and sugar, shaken and topped with chilled Scavi & Ray non-alcoholic prosecco; Free & Easy Spritz (£6.95) which infuses Lyre’s non-alcoholic Italian spritz with pink grapefruit juice, Fever-Tree soda water and Scavi & Ray non-alcoholic prosecco; and the Mai-Tai-Dye (£6.95) mixing Seedlip Grove 42 with Lyre’s non-alcoholic Amaretti, lime and pineapple juice.

For those looking to indulge in The Ivy on the Square’s renowned menu, there will be plenty of refreshing new summer dishes available, including the Garden Pea Risotto (£13.95) served with goat’s cheese, rocket and a baby shoot salad (top), and Côte de Boeuf (£32.95).

An alcoholic cocktail menu will also be available exclusively for those dining outside on the terrace until 10pm, ahead of Scotland’s scheduled move to Tier 2 on 17 May, when cocktails will be able to be enjoyed indoors as well as al fresco.

Chris Greenan, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square added: “We are very excited to be open again, and to be welcoming back our new and returning guests, who we have greatly missed over the last few months.

“Whether you are looking for lunch with friends or dinner with a loved one, there are plenty of delicious options to help you rediscover your love of dining this summer.”

The Ivy on the Square, Edinburgh is now open Monday to Sunday, from 9am. The last indoor booking will be seated at 6.15pm, for guests to depart by 8pm. The brasserie has limited outdoor seating available which will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Cheers to the Count: celebrating one hundred years of the Negroni cocktail

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Negroni cocktail, CAMPARI – the iconic Italian aperitif – will launch N100: Cheers to the Count – seven dedicated parties across the UK, each championing the impressive cultural impact this iconic cocktail has had over the last 100 years … and one of them is in Edinburgh. Continue reading Cheers to the Count: celebrating one hundred years of the Negroni cocktail