Get set for a long, ‘sloe’ summer at the Feathers Hotel in Woodstock where the UK’s only dedicated gin bar is now serving speciality gin and tonics based on sloe and grape flower gins.

Bar Manager, Lubos Stevcik has created the two new speciality gin and tonics especially for the long hot summer nights to come. Two contemporary gins, G’Vine Nouaison from France and Bramley and Gage Sweet Sloe Gin from the UK, are mixed with chilled Schweppes Indian tonic water to create exceptionally refreshing summery cocktails bursting with flavour.

“Our house speciality, as you would expect of a dedicated gin bar, is the Ultimate Gin and Tonic,” says The Feathers’ Bar Manager Lubos Stevcik. “For the summer, we decided to play around with this to create the ultimate gin and tonic cocktails for the summer months. The result is our duo of gin cocktails that I have to say are absolutely delicious.”

The two cocktails used in Lubos’ summer G&T’s are:

G’Vine Nouaison Gin, France, 43.9%

A high strength, limited edition gin made in Cognac from grape spirit by G’Vine Gins. Unlike the more usual grain spirits, those made from grape spirit have a smoother, heady body. It has intense and complex aromas of cinnamon bark, baked citrus, and floral juniper with a sensual and silky grape base and a subtle floral note.
It has been described as ‘an evolving gem in the new, less juniper driven style of gin’ (Spirit Journal) and with an aroma akin to ‘how the air smells after a downpour’ (slashfood.com).

Bramley and Gage Sweet Sloe Gin (UK) 26%

Usually drunk neat, Sloe Gin is a traditional countryside tipple – perfect for hip flasks on nippy winter walks. Combined with zesty tonic water, however, its depth of flavour makes it a superb cocktail ingredient. This one is handmade the traditional way in small batches using wild, hedgerow sloes. Juniper, coriander and cardamom lend an intense warm flavour.

The Feathers Hotel reopened this summer after an extensive refurbishment. A highlight of the new look hotel is the ‘Gin Bar’, the UK’s only destination bar dedicated entirely to gin. The bar lists an impressive 50 gins, each with their own fragrance and flavour profile, sourced from all over the world including the USA, England even the Shetlands. Its specialities are ‘The Ultimate Gin and Tonic’ and ‘The Ultimate Martini’.