Event: Trust Your Senses at The Botanist Birmingham

The Botanist Birmingham is well known for food and cocktails in the city, and is a top tip for food and drinks with friends and family for anyone in the area.

I was recently invited to try something a little different at The Botanist; an evening called #TrustYour Senses. Intrigued, I made my way down to The Plant Rooms below the main bar and restaurant to find out more.

A twist on the traditional cocktail masterclass, instead of simply making cocktails, we were first asked to blind taste test a number of cocktails from the new menu.

We had The Plant Rooms to ourselves, and this underground space is usually used for events and private hire, with separate rooms available for large groups.

Huddling around the downstairs bar, we watched as our bartender expertly mixed, shook and poured a number of cocktails that showed off just how innovative The Botanist's cocktail menu really is.

Pear and Kiwi Cup

Once the cocktails were ready, complete with smoke to boot, we set onto the cocktails with our straws and tried to guess the ingredients in each.

I'd like to say that after years of expertly sipping numerous cocktails across the country and beyond that we had this down to a t, but sadly this wasn't the case and the task was surprising difficult!

Raspberry Disaronno Sour 

We taste tested the Raspberry Disaronno Sour, Velvet Green Martini, Cinnamon Oregano Old Fashioned, Rhubarb and Gin Old Fashioned, Pear and Kiwi Cup and Grapefruit and Rum Punch.

Rhubarb and Gin Old Fashioned

Now, it was time for us to try our hand at making our cocktails, with the help of the experts of course. Everyone took it in turns to come up with their very own cocktail, and I created a Peary-Good which included muddled pear and hints of cherry.

I enjoyed my drink so much, it was gone in a flash! But thankfully I managed to take a picture first. We also voted for our favourites and mine won! If only I could remember exactly what I put in it, I'd make it again but alas, I forget.

By now it was home time and full of botanical cocktails, we said our goodbyes. Bespoke cocktail making and blind tasting turned out to be a whole heap of fun, and I'd recommend a cocktail masterclass for anyone looking for an alternative way to celebrate a birthday or event.

*A big thank you to The Botanist for inviting us and for our complimentary cocktails.

Event: Botanist Birmingham Cocktail Masterclass

The Botanist Birmingham opened it's doors in April this year, following a £1.2m refurbishment of its Temple Street location.

Well known to anyone in the Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle areas, we Brummies had to wait a little while to get The Botanist experience. 

With an interior that brings the outdoors in thanks to wrought iron features, a potting shed feel and plenty of wooden features and a botanical inspired cocktail menu, the venue has been a popular choice for food and drinks since opening its doors. 

I was lucky enough to attend a cocktail masterclass and went behind the bar for the first time ever!

Taking a pew at the end of the bar, we were greeted with a welcome cocktail (a passionfruit mojito for me!) before settling in on our stools.

Jacob introduced himself as our teacher for the evening and we paired up for the cocktail challenge. Emma from BrummyMummyof2 and her friend Rachel, Helen from Positive Fridays and Ed made another and myself and Ahmed from DineBirmingham completed the teams!

Jacob demonstrated the correct way to make each cocktail first before each team took it in turns to make three cocktails, an English Mojito, Rose Mai Tai and Cherry Blossom, with Jacob declaring the winner out of each team as we went along (pretty sure it was a tie between myself and Ahmed!) Along the way we got to learn a little about the techniques we were using such as the gin pour and drop pour.

My favourites were the English Mojito, which tasted like a traditional mojito and a gin and tonic and the stunning Rose Mai Tai, a very sweet and photogenic rose flavoured drink.

Jacob also made a final drink for us to try, the signature Botanist cocktail made of vodka, rum, elderflower liqueur, red amaranth, jasmine syrup, lime juice ane lemonade.

I can safely speak for us all when I say that the whole experience was heaps of fun! Working in teams, competing to win the crown for best cocktail and of course trying out our creations and comparing cocktails all made for a fun evening that would be great for friends, workmates or even for hen-dos! Cocktail Masterclasses are available from £25 per person, for more information click here.

*I was invited to this event as a guest of The Botanist in exchange for an honest review

Event: Pure Gin'ious at the Jekyll and Hyde presented by Brumderland

The Jekyll and Hyde is one of Birmingham's gems, a Victorian themed pub downstairs with an even more wonderous Gin Parlour upstairs. Mysterious.

Whilst downstairs at The Jekyll and Hyde is inspired by Mr Hyde, upstairs is Dr Jekyll's gin parlour.

Head up the stairs for a carcophony of collections and wonderous artefacts in the Gin Parlour.

And why have I been to the Gin Parlour lately? For Gin Tasting.

Vicky from Brumderland and the team at Bitters n Twisted, the guys behind some of Birmingham's most loved venues such as The Victoria, Island and Rose Villa Tavern are hosting a series of events themed around the seven deadly sins, and this sin right here was Greed.

With over 90 different types of gin, a gin inspired menu and gin flights on offer, I was lucky enough to try out the gins, experience a Gin masterclass and also dine on gin infused fare.

First off, we sat down to share Madam Genever's Bathwater. A pretty drink served in a very Victorian mini bath, this is one way to get to know your neighbours! No glasses allowed, we dipped our mini trunkards into the bathwater and supped away.

Onto the food, we were treated to dishes from the Gin and Food menu, namely the Red Snapper (£14.50) and Wild Mushroom Risotto (£11.50). Not your thing? Don't worry, the menu changes every month in keeping with what's seasonal.

Pan fried Red Snapper with Moroccan and Roasted Vegetable Cous Cous

Wild Mushroom Risotto- Creamy Wild Mushroom and White Wine Risotto, topped with Stuffed Artichoke Crusted Mushroom

As you can see, the presentation of these dishes was fantastic. From ribbons of carrot and cabbage to shavings of parmesan, the presentation and overall balance of each dish was grown up and precise.

The fun didn't stop there!

We also got to experience a full on whirlwind lesson in gin presented by Simon attired in waistcoat and mad hatters hat.

I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for any of you who are already booked onto a class, but it started off at Genever, a precursor to gin and went right through the history of gin in England, how it was made and even included some fun tales!

We also tried the Tom Collins (pictured), a gin and lemon mixture from the 1800's as well as the Gimlet, a drink created for the Navy and made with Lime Cordial and gin. 

There was even a chance to win prizes along the way in the pop quiz! Needless to say, my knowledge is below par so I think I should get back down for a masterclass soon!

The Gin Infused menu is served upstairs in the Gin Parlour from Thursday-Saturday 5.30-9.30pm. Further details on the masterclasses and dining upstairs are available here.

*I was invited to dine as a guest of The Jekyll & Hyde in exchange for an honest review