FOOD EDITION
MIXED BLESSINGS Whether you want an evening of creative mixology or a relaxed night with classic cocktails, Cambridge has a diverse scene to explore. We asked some of the city’s leading mixologists what to order F rom James Bond to Del Boy Trotter, Carrie Bradshaw to Margo Leadbetter, cocktails have long been celebrated in pop culture. smoking a dozen peaches to concoct a new winter drink. Last year I created one that I called Gold!, inspired by the San Francisco gold rush and made from our own moonshine (brewed in-house), paired with sweet potato, toffee apple and a corn liqueur grown and distilled in the US, so it has a fair bit of backstory. “I wouldn’t say we have a signature
Where to go LA RAZA 4-6 Rose Crescent Vibe: Underground bar with a laid- back, cosy atmosphere, known for its eclectic cocktail menu and live music. The combination of tapas, live DJ sets and great cocktails makes it a go-to for nightlife. THE LAB 90 Regent Street Vibe: Science-themed cocktail bar with experimental drinks. HIDDEN ROOMS 7B Jesus Lane Vibe: A sophisticated, speakeasy-style venue. CAMBRIDGE GIN LABORATORY 10 Green Street Vibe: Interactive retail space offering classes in gin mixology. THIRSTY CAMBRIDGE 46 Chesterton Road Vibe: Relaxed and quirky bar that often collaborates with food trucks. NOVI 12 Regent Street Vibe: Roof terrace cocktail bar with a botanical theme. GARDEN BAR Graduate by Hilton Cambridge, Granta Place, Mill Lane Vibe: Historic, elegant bar located in a boutique hotel. DUTCH Turing Lock Cambridge, 47 Eddington Avenue Vibe: Sleek cafe-bar with a stylish, Scandinavian-inspired interior. 2648 CAMBRIDGE 14A Trinity Street Vibe: A subterranean bar with an industrial-chic vibe and a party atmosphere. PARKER’S TAVERN University Arms, Regent Street Vibe: Stylish, elegant and relaxed, overlooking Parker’s Piece.
They’re enjoying something of a moment now: an elevated way to enjoy a night out on the town, cocktails offer a sweet, sour, fruity or creamy alternative to your usual go-to pint or glass of dry white wine. Mixology is now a familiar part of our social vocabulary: the science and art of blending techniques, flavours and ingredients to create drinks that are balanced and innovative. “Mixology has really taken off in the last ten to 15 years,” says Darren Brooks. Owner of Bar 196 on Mill Road, Cambridge and Dutch in Turing Locke Cambridge, Eddington, Brooks has been in the business for 37 years. “Coming up with new cocktails can take weeks,” he says. “If I’m charging £11 or £12 for them, they need to be the best they can be. I get fully immersed in it – for instance, I’ve just spent the last few days
style – each cocktail has its own unique character. We try not to use the same ingredients too much, but we do use a lot of Mexican ones like tequila, mezcal and raicilla, which are distilled from agave, and sotol. They used to be very hard to come by this side of the pond, but they’re more readily available now. “Cocktail making is not rocket science but you have to pay attention to detail. The secret to a great cocktail is in the balance of flavours, which comes with experience.
SATISFIED CUSTOMERS People visit bars like The Lab for a singular experience on their night out
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