Toast the festive season with Edinburgh’s new Cocktail Trail
28 November 2006
To celebrate the festive season in Edinburgh, VisitScotland has created a Cocktail Trail, featuring 15 drinks made with the best in Scottish whiskies, gins, liquors and juices.
To mark the occasion, VisitScotland has asked Ben Carlotto, head mixologist and manager at trendy basement club Lulu, to design a bespoke cocktail – the Edinburgh Vibe.
A blend of Glenmorangie whisky, apricot liquor and cranberry juice, the cocktail will be available to customers at Lulu, and its upstairs sister venue Tigerlily, throughout the festive period.
2006 has been an exciting year for George Street with the opening of two fantastic new hotels – Tigerlily and Le Monde and the refurbishment of one of Edinburgh’s favourite hotels The George. What better way to celebrate one of the UK’s most happening streets becoming even more glamorous, than to book a weekend break and hit the trail!
The Cocktail Trail has five key bars scattered from end to end on George Street, offering a delicious choice of over a hundred cocktails, many of which containing the best of Scottish ingredients…
THE TRAIL
Forth Floor Bar, Harvey Nichols
Start the trail in St Andrew Square, at the east end of George Street, near Waverley Station. Here, you’ll find Scotland’s only branch of designer emporium Harvey Nichols, which on its fourth floor boasts a brasserie, restaurant and bar.
In the stylish surroundings of the Forth Floor Bar, you’ll be able to enjoy a selection of sleek winter themed cocktails and stunning views of Edinburgh’s rooftops.
Cocktails include the Jasmine and Vanilla Martini, made with Solas Blaeberry Liquor from Perthshire, jasmine tea and Stolichnaya vodka.
Push the boat out with a Miss Promiscuous in Winter, which uses a base of Hendrick’s gin from Ayrshire, with redcurrents, lavender sugar and Champagne.
The Forth Floor bars also has an enticing choice of non-alcoholic cocktails on its menu, such as the Pret A Porter, made with raspberries and passion fruit purée, and the Ree-Fresh, with kiwis, strawberries, apple and vanilla.
After your cocktail: head downstairs to the shop floor for a look at this year’s Autumn and Winter collections, from designers such as Prada, Gucci and Chloe. For those feeling flush, there’s a personal shopping service on the second floor, which should make choosing that all important party frock easier.
Tempus, The George Hotel
The George, at 19-21 George Street, has been an Edinburgh institution for over 100 years, but has recently been transformed by a £12 million refurbishment which has introduced sleek, stylish interiors and a laidback feel, allowing guests to relax in comfort.
The hotel’s swish new bar, Tempus, is open to non-residents, and is the perfect place to sink into a velvet sofa and enjoy one of the treats from its extensive cocktail list.
Why not try a Crimson Crush, which is a blend of whisky, fresh raspberries and honey, or a warming Brandy Alexander, with Remy v.s.o.p, double cream and sprinkling of nutmeg.
From the non-alcoholic menu, plump for an Orange Velvet, a yummy combination of orange, pineapple and cream, or a Cardinal Punch: a revitalising mix of cranberry and orange juice, topped with ginger ale.
After your cocktail: you’ve warmed up your inner self, but don’t forget about the rest of you. Head further down George Street, then right into Hanover Street.
At Number 102 Hanover Street, you’ll find Neal’s Yard Remedies, which in winter is offering a number of pampering treatments, including head and hand massages with warming salves, and teas made with ingredients such as ginger and nutmeg.
Rick’s, Frederick Street
From Hanover Street, go back to George Street, until you hit Frederick Street. Turn right, and you’ll soon reach Rick’s at number 55a – one of the coolest hang-outs in Edinburgh.
Cocktails have always been their strength, and their award-winning mixologists are among the best in town. So why not settle into one of the cosy, warmly-lit alcoves that line the walls, and enjoy one of the cocktails from Rick’s Christmas menu.
On the menu, you’ll find gorgeous cocktails such as the Old Fashioned Winter, with Auchentoshan whisky and Drambuie, and the yummy Christmas Pudding Batida: a combination of Sagatiba Vehla, lime and Christmas pud itself.
After your cocktail: head around the corner to the National Portrait Gallery on nearby Queen Street, and take in the ‘Harry Benson: 50 Years of Photojournalism’ exhibition, which has been a big hit this year, with shots of Kate Moss and the Beatles among the highlights.
The Glasgow-born photographer made his name capturing the great moments of 20th century history, and snapping the icons of the day, and well as its most exciting news stories. The exhibition runs until 7 January.
Tigerlily, George Street
Head back to George Street, and continue down until you reach number 125, and the discreet front entrance of Tigerlily.
A leading light in Edinburgh’s constellation of bars, Tigerlily is hotel, bar and restaurant all rolled into one gorgeous, glittering package. It also boasts a new basement club and bar, Lulu, which with its black and red décor, has more than a hint of divine decadence.
Back upstairs in Tigerlily, relax on the sofas in front of a roaring fire and beneath a huge revolving glitterball, as you enjoy a cocktail or two from its menu.
In addition to VisitScotland’s Edinburgh Vibe, you can also kick back and enjoy The Whisky Lover, which is a blend of Bruichladdich 10-year-old Islay Single Malt Whisky, ginger, cloves and lemon, while signature cocktail the Tigerlily has rich plum tones, combined with Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Whisky and rose petal liquor.
After your cocktail: George Street the most stylish shopping street in Edinburgh, so take this opportunity to stock up on Christmas gifts, and perhaps even a couple glamorous treats for yourself! Head across the road to Cruise at 80 George Street – Edinburgh’s very own designer emporium stocking everything from Prada to Gucci to Dior. George Street is also home to great shops such as Jo Malone, Whistles and Lime Blue.
The Hudson, Hope Street
For the last stop on the Christmas Cocktail Trail, head to the farthest end of George Street, then across Charlotte Square – the jewel in the New Town’s architectural crown – to Hope Street.
Housed in what used to be a post office, this elegant building is now a sleek bar and restaurant that boasts a cosmopolitan vibe and design straight from a New York loft apartment.
The bar also serves a selection of Christmas cocktails that are also big on personality, and will round off your experience of the Christmas Cocktail Trail in style.
You can choose from a Winter Martini, with cognac, apple liquor and honey, or a Verry Berry Christmas, with vodka, lime, raspberry liquor and a dash of ginger beer.
For more information about the Cocktail Trail and other stylish activities in Edinburgh, go to visitscotland.com/citybreaks, and to find out what’s on this Christmas, log on to edinburghschristmas.com.
