I’ve been wanting to try gin tasting in Brighton (just because its my home town) for a while so I said yes, please, thank you very much when I was offered the chance to give it a go with activity listing site www.fizzbox.com.
There is absolutely no denying that gin has made a huge comeback of late. It’s popularity had been diminishing since the 1950’s with it gaining a rep as a spirit you would find gathering dust in your nans drinks cabinet just a few years ago but like so many things, with an air of nostalgia, old becomes new and now it’s back and suddenly it’s the bang on trend drink, the ‘It’ liquor, the En Vogue tipple, the choice of well, just about everyone. The U.K. Wine and Spirit Trade Association reports that there are at least 100 British Gin brands on the market now, more than double what there were in 2011. Gordons, Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray and Sipsmith being among the most popular choices. There are countless styles and flavours available (brussel sprout flavour gin anyone? I’m not even joking) and bars are popping up everywhere dedicated solely to selling the juniper based spirit.
Sales in 2018/2019 surpassed the £2bn mark for the first time with the market predicted to continue to grow as a huge percentage of people are choosing gin over vodka and other spirits. It’s no wonder then that Revolution, who have always marketed themselves as a vodka bars are cashing in on the ‘Gin Bubble’ by releasing gin tasting in Brighton and lots of other destinations too as an alternative to their hugely popular vodka based cocktail masterclasses.
After a busy Friday at work, I headed down to Revolution in Brighton to be greeted on arrival with a gin and tonic. I’m a gin lover so I couldn’t think of a better way to start an evening if I’m honest. The two guys running our session where great and they were knowledgeable, confident and informative. They knew how to run a gin tasting event and they had a huge amount of info on the history of gin, most of which I didn’t know so I felt like I learned something too. Always a bonus.
The best way I can describe the experience was a 90 minute mix(ology) – Ha! sorry not sorry – of learning to make gin based cocktails, with a splash of gin tasting shaken up with a bit of gin history.
Sat at the bar in a private room, once we’d polished off our G&T’s and we had heard a bit of the gin back story, we were given a shot of Bols. I know right, shotting neat gin doesn’t quite sit right does it but I’m not one to turn down booze so down it went and actually was surprisingly nice. possibly one of the best tasting gins sans tonic.
We were then given 3 of the 14 Fever Tree tonics to try. I’d never really paid too much attention to tonic water until about a year ago to be honest but Fever Tree are concentrating on quality ingredients and flavour and their Mediterranean tonic water is now my favourite. As they say – if 3/4 of your drink is mixer, mix with the best. If you think you don’t like G&T I urge you to try again with a 3:1 ratio and a decent mixer.
The cocktail making followed, in groups of two we made a Tom Collins, a Bramble a Singapore Sling and The Negroni. The Negroni was my fave despite it being pure alcohol. It was designed in Italy and often the drink of choice on warm sunny evenings before dinner but there is something wintery about it in my opinion and would be very enjoyable under a blanket in front of a log fire. Top tip: don’t drink it through a straw. Try it and you’ll see why.
You don’t all get a go at the cocktail making and you don’t get a cocktail each, you are supposed to share them around with your mates so you can all try but don’t worry, there is plenty more alcohol to come with 4 more shot sized measures given to you for the tasting session which included a pink gin and a sloe gin (yum). A taster of Tanqueray no. 10 blew my socks off. Next up you pick any cocktail on their gin cocktail menu to make and share with a pal. We chose a simple Gin ‘N’ Juice, recommended by the bar tender but reminded me of the dark times when you run out of mixer and the end of a party and do crazy things like mix gin with squash. Lastly ‘your perfect pour’ everyone gets their own drink this time. You pick the gin you would like from the selection they put out for you, pick your mixer and you’re away. I went with an orange flavoured gin, and a Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic with lots of ice and a garnish of dried orange. Did you know lots of ice in drinks doesn’t dilute the alcohol or flavour? Lots of ice means it keeps your drink cooler and therefore the ice melts slower so actually is less likely to dilute. To end the class we could each choose a miniature bottle of gin to take home. My choice was a Hendrix, the best non flavoured gin in my humble opinion. I thought this was a really nice touch.
All that Gin left us a little tipsy so a booked buffet after (other food packages available) was much needed. Delightful mini burgers, nachos, sticky chicken, mini ceaser salads and sweet potato fries where hoovered up before more cocktails where drank (not included in the price) and we made our way home. Just FYI – there was not a sobfest in site during the evening but there was slightly ruined mother the following day (me).
The class was 90 minutes of informative fun and I really enjoyed it. I would 100% recommend if your looking for a group activity whatever the occasion. #celebrateeverything
Gin Tasting in Brighton is available available to book through www.Fizzbox.com and is also available in other towns and cities across the Uk. Fizzbox offer a range of expereinces in the UK and Europe for stag, hen and birthday parties, team building and fun days out.
*Gifted Experience