Cook ’ s Notes
Let the evening be gin
Follow our expert advice and mix up some local gin cocktails so good your friends will leave a tip
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Our Cocktail Expert Tom Jukes was trained by one of the best – Lloyd Brown , of the Venner Bar in Bridport . After long nights and plenty of practice , he now works with mentor Lloyd at his new bar consultancy company , Grey Bear Bar Company
www . greybearbarcompany . com .
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If you ’ d told us five years ago that Bournemouth would be responsible for not one but two world class gins , we would have checked what was in your glass at the time . That was before the craft spirits movement started distilling distinct , local flavours into small batches of high quality booze . Who needs the same mass-produced brands in every bar when you can enjoy cocktails made with gins and vodkas and more that are handmade by enthusiasts who put taste and quality before multi-million pound marketing campaigns ?
Judging by the bars you see these two Dorset-made gins – Conker and Pothecary – in there ’ s lots of desire to drink locally produced drinks . Often , of course , it ’ s down to the bartenders and owners who know a good spirit when they sip it and want to support local producers . Bartenders like Tom Jukes . Working in the Venner Bar in Bridport alongside the acclaimed Lloyd Brown , he ’ s never happier than when he ’ s taking local spirits and making delicious drinks with them . Here are some to try at home , plus a professional take on the gins and the equipment you need to start mixing your own cocktails like a pro mixologist
Dorset Dry Gin Conker Spirit www . conkerspirit . co . uk
“ Conker Gin is a Dorsetbased spirit coming out of the back alleys of Bournemouth . It was started by Rupert Holloway from humble beginnings , and has grown into a renowned brand that ’ s handcrafted from start to finish , from foraging to distilling in small batches . With no super-secret recipe , Conker developed with a pure focus on quality and taste . The recipe created a fresh and exciting gin that captures the taste of Dorset botanicals , with subtle notes of elderberry , samphire and gorse flowers all riding a beautifully dry juniper heart . This is a gin to be adored over ice or with your favourite tonic , while making a brilliant base for gin cocktails . A fantastically crisp , dry and floral spirit that ’ s a must-try for any gin drinker .”
Pothecary Gin Soapbox Spirits www . pothecarygin . co . uk
“ Pothecary Gin comes out of Wick Village , Bournemouth and is made by Martin Jennings and Lukasz Dwornik of Soapbox Spirits . Hand distilled through copper pots using hand-foraged botanicals including lavender , mulberries and tilia flowers , the spirit was inspired by Martin ’ s background in wine to create a distinctive and aromatic gin . They distil each of the five botanicals separately to deliver a gin of amazing perfume and flavour . The floral notes fill the nose with beautiful fragrance while the lavender and juniper create a beautiful taste palette . Fantastic sipped over ice , this gin also works great with tonic or more floral cocktails . Pothecary Gin has been awarded ‘ Double Gold ’ at the globally renowned San Francisco World Spirits
Competition 2016 .”
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www . hartsofstur . com