Bath is a city renowned for its elegant architecture, but there is another remnant of the Georgian era that also demands celebrating – gin! During the Georgian era Bath was gripped by the Gin Craze, as thousands of gin palaces sprang up across the country. In recent years gin has experienced a renaissance, with stills once again operating within the city of Bath. Here are some of the best places in Bath to celebrate this spirit over a crisp and refreshing tonic...
Bath Gin Company
Down an unassuming cobbled street in Bath you will find The Canary Gin Bar. This veritable gin palace is home to Bath Gin, a modern and refreshing gin distilled with bitter orange, kaffir leaf and English coriander. Aside from Bath Gin and 200 others to choose from at the bar, Bath Gin Company also offers a Tour and Gin Making Class, a truly spectacular experience for the real gin enthusiast.
With a Bath Gin and Naivasha Tonic in hand the tour begins with an introduction to Bath Gin, a brief history of the spirit and an explanation of the distillation process. With the history lesson complete you will descend the winding staircase to the vaults, where the distillation process takes place. Here you can marvel at Jane, the beautiful copper still, and explore the apothecary cabinet of botanicals.
Having taken the time to smell a range of botanicals you will return upstairs to The Distiller’s Bar. With supervision from a Bath Gin mixologist you will experiment with different flavour distillates to create flavour profiles and pairings that appeal to your palate and create a truly bespoke gin to take home and enjoy.
Gin Afternoon Tea at Circo
Indulge in Gin Afternoon Tea at Circo for a truly elegant Bath experience. You will begin the afternoon with a teapot full of juniper distilled spirit and a range of botanicals to choose from. Fill the teapot with carefully chosen botanicals and leave it to steep as your mixologist guides you through the history of gin.
As you tuck into afternoon tea you will be served three different gins, each accompanied by their own unique story. And once the tastings are over, there is nothing left to do but try your own creation!
The Gainsborough Bath Spa
The Gainsborough Bath Spa has a great gin menu, where each of their specialist gins is paired with carefully selected garnishes to enrich the distinctive botanicals of the gin. Plump for the herbaceous Monkey 47 served with lemon and star anise for a tantalising flavour or Eden Mills Love served with strawberries and lemon for a summery aperitif.
The Abbey Hotel
For a sophisticated drink in quirky surroundings visit ArtBar at the Abbey Hotel where you can choose from 64 gin and tonic combinations whilst admiring the eclectic collection of art on display. It is easy to while away an hour or two (or three) in this sumptuous bar.
Sub 13
For a more unusual tipple be sure to stop by Sub 13 and have the mixologist whip up an inventive gin cocktail. With fruity Brambles and refreshing English Gardens on 2-for-1 until 10pm you will have plenty to quench your thirst whilst you relax on the stylish terrace.
No.15 Great Pulteney
One of the newest venues on the scene is Bar 15 located within the fashionable, boutique hotel No.15 Great Pulteney. Drinks menus can be found on the back of card decks, and if you play your hand right, you’ll be sipping on perfectly mixed gin-based cocktails in no time.
