A couple of weeks back I was invited along to sample the new cocktail menu at Grand Union. I Unfamiliar with the London based group of eight bars (and possibly growing) but intrigued when I took a quick look at the drinks I would be offered to try. I’m happy to report I was not disappointed and found GU’s Farringdon bar to be a smart and cosy spot to keep in mind the next time I’m out and about and hankering a drink.
Highlights from the tasting included the Key Lime Pie Martini (Licor 43 and Amarula blended with milk, £8). It’s apparently now the most ordered drink at all Grand Union bars. I could understand why. It was creamy and quenching. Besides, who doesn’t like key lime pie?
I also enjoyed the Fire-ita (£8), a “spiced up” margarita with “a hint of pickle juice and Cajun rim”. And I very much approved of the Bottled Fennel Sazerac (£8) and would happily ask for this “home bottled twist on the classic Sazerac:
Rather than rinsing the glass with absinthe, we bottle and marinade our Jim Beam in the aniseed-rooted goodness of fennel.
Other treats tasted were the Peanut Butter Punch and the Cinnamon Sour (both £8 each). And the drink that really impressed was The Bleating Heart (serves about four people, £25):
Stoli Karamel is added to our house blend of lemongrass, sweet chilli pepper and lime. A dash of grenadine finishes off this “Thai-piroska” style sharer served on a bed of drift wood
accompanied by a ram’s skull.
Yeah, you read that last bit correctly. It’s served on a bed of drift wood and accompanied by a rams skull. More style over substance (the actual drink was just okay) but what style! And it certainly turned heads as it was brought out from the bar.
By the way, there’s a new food menu at Grand Union too which includes some right tasty Aberdeen Angus burgers (from £5), tasting platters and more.
Grand Union Farringdon is located at 55 Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HA with outlets in Brixton, Camberwell, Camden, Chancery Lane, Kennington, Paddington and Wandsworth as well. A great time to visit any of them might be during happy hour which stretches from 4pm to 8pm everyday (all day Sunday) with a range of cocktail available for £5.
Find out more at grandunionbars.com.
This sounds awesome especially for £5 happy hour I have to go! x
Yeah, I really liked the drinks mentioned in my piece and there were plenty more that I either didn’t get around to tasting or were good but just not for me.
Thanks!
C