Next month, Bombay Sapphire’s pop-up experience is back for five nights, in its latest iteration, The Botanical Bazaar. Guests will make their way around five bustling market stalls, trying dishes that showcase the flavours of Spain, Italy, Germany, China and Morocco, each matched to some clever cocktails aimed to make you rethink all you know about gin.
The countries have been chosen for the botanicals they provide to Bombay Sapphire's gin. Cocktails have been dreamt up by spirits ambassador Chase Bickerton, while Jamie Johnston, who runs "modern Chinese" pop-up restaurant Judge Bao, is taking care of the food. The menu includes Italian arancini (where juniper is sourced), and while it's served as a dessert, it's only gently sweetened with carrot and orange.
Mozzarella provides the satisfyingly cheesy element and the almond crumb is topped with a dusting of rosemary ash. And what better match than a unique take on an Aperol Spritz, made with a special carrot rosé, as well as soda, rosemary and gin, of course.
Bombay Sapphire uses lemons from Spain, and pictured is Jamie’s version of the ancient Spanish and Portuguese dish migas, which translates to breadcrumbs.
Bread is topped with smoked paprika, tomato, saffron aioli, morcilla, charred capsicums and croutons. The drink component here is a Vestido Tonic: gin and soda that can be flavoured with the likes of lemon, thyme and raspberry or lime, basil and strawberry.
With your ticket you can try two of the five matches, and additional dishes and drinks will be available to purchase, depending on your appetite.
• Fresh Factory, 6 Nikau St, Eden Terrace, November 1-5. Tickets $45 from Botanicalbazaar.co.nz
