Gin Mill Anniversary
Gin Mill is still a little underrated gem in the bar landscape of Kraków, Poland and Central Europe. It is almost hard to believe how they have already managed to consistently create exciting seasonal menus and Gin focused experiences for 4 years.
If you want to read about the place itself, its atmosphere and regular cocktail menus, please go to the article. For the recent anniversary, Gin Mill took advantage of a cooperation with Gunpowder Irish Gin and three of its bottlings.
No matter if you are more interested in a classic Gin and Tonic as a base or the creative flavorful concepts that I personally love the most at Gin Mill, the anniversary menu had both. Four drinks are modern Gin Cocktails, while the other three are GnTs.
Menu (click to enlarge)
Lemon Meringue:
| Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin with Sardinian Citrus
| Limoncello
| Lemon Curd
| Lemon
| Lemon Meringue Foam
My favorite out of all of them was the Lemon Meringue, with its zesty, fresh core and creamy, marshmallowy top. If the list of ingredients did not already give it away, this drink features a lot of lemon, but in the way it is made all the different elements play an important part of textures and taste.
Lemon Meringue
Lacto Gimlet:
| Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin
| Lacto-Fermented Lime
| Sugar
Very similar, yet distinct, is the also citrusy Lacto Gimlet, which beautifully blends the lime with subtle fermented notes. The sweet and sour balance is kept by milky fermentation, instead of going for the creamy sweetness of the Meringue. It also leaves just enough space for the Gin to show off some of its herbal and tea-like notes.
Lacto Gimlet
Gunpowder Martini:
| Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin
| Dry Vermouth
| Gunpowder Tea concentrate
The Gunpowder Martini, which is enhanced by a Gin based tea concentrate, was the most subtle out of the three. Very much in line with Martinis generally at Gin Mill, it needs time to breathe and is best enjoyed as the first drink. Much like a very dry Martini, it does not go well after sour-style cocktails, but for people wanting to really dive into the essence of this particular Gin with the necessary time and patience it might be perfect.
Gunpowder Martini
The anniversary event was a wonderful occasion to not only celebrate the achievements of Gin Mill and the team there, but also to summarize and present the balancing act they perform. Both lovers of Gin and those just starting with the spirit need to feel welcomed, and the anniversary menu represents that skillfully.
Cheers
/jf
