An Edinburgh Hotel has launched its anniversary celebrations with a nod to World Gin Day, unveiling a bespoke blend of botanicals in homage to the hotel building’s long standing place in Edinburgh’s skyline.
Staff at Apex Waterloo Place Hotel raised a glass of its new gin, ‘The 1819’, to celebrate the hotel’s 200th anniversary and upcoming World Gin Day on 8th June.
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They also showcased five signature cocktails incorporating the newly distilled gin, created in collaboration with Eden Mill.
The new tipple, which takes its name from the property’s date of completion, draws inspiration from one of the hotel’s famous guests – world renowned botanist Asa Gray, who counted Charles Darwin as a close friend, and who frequented the hotel in the 1800s.
The bespoke spirit has the hotel at its heart, created by seven staff members across its bar and restaurant, as well as general manager Alan Harbisher.
Alan, who has been general manager for ten years, said: “Waterloo Place Hotel has seen a rich history throughout its 200 years here in Edinburgh. Many famous faces have resided in the property, from royalty to film stars and everyone in between. Our new gin, ‘The 1819’, seemed a fitting way to not only celebrate its anniversary, but give a nod to one famous guest in particular – botanist Asa Gray – whilst marking the day of one of the world’s trendiest tipples.
“The bespoke spirit was a real team effort and I’m sure our customers and guests will taste the labour of love that went into getting the combination of botanicals just right. The cocktails that our talented bar staff have created, to release the full potential out of the gin, will certainly be a hit. What better way of celebrating 200 years on Waterloo Place than by raising a glass of the good stuff.”
Created at the Eden Mill Blendworks in St Andrews, the floral gin combines a number of key ingredients including the citrus notes of juniper berry, the aromatic taste of rosemary and is rounded off with smoky hints from allspice.
