Bombay Sapphire’s pop-up bar ‘Project Botanicals’ is back for 2015 with a distinctly different twist

In celebration of Australia’s continued love affair with gin and following the success of last year’s event, Bombay Sapphire’s Project Botanials is back in 2015. Launching 24 June, the unique bar and dining experience will be in Melbourne for three weeks only with a new seasonally crafted menu and distinctly different twist to the cocktail list.

Chef Gary Mehigan will again be partnering with Bombay Sapphire brand ambassador Andy Wren to create a refreshed menu of 10 botanically inspired Bombay Sapphire cocktails with 10 matching tapas style dishes that deliver on the art of perfectly pairing gin with food.

While five of the favourite pairings from 2014 will remain, Bombay Sapphire has recruited some of Melbourne’s best bars to create the other five bespoke cocktails to match five new dishes. The teams from Black Pearl, Eau de vie, 1806, Union Electric and Gin Palace have created cocktails that not only push the boundaries in terms of flavour combinations, but match perfectly with the new dishes.

Eau de vie’s ‘Eastern coriander fix’; a mix of Bombay Sapphire, fresh lime and pineapple juice, coriander syrup, fever tree soda water infused with sencha tea and served with a dehydrated orange wedge is just one example of the flair and creativity that these bars have brought to the table. Paired with crispy fried pork belly, chilli caramel and pickled daikon radish, this is set to be one of the bestselling combinations this year. 

On the more decadent side, Gin Palace’s ‘Eve’s cheat day in paradise’; a mix of Bombay Sapphire, vermouth, ginger syrup served warm with chocolate butter, paired with a warm hazelnut and brown butter friand, olorosso ice cream, raisins and black sherry syrup will satisfy sweet teeth.

Project Botanials will also be the first opportunity to try Bombay Sapphire’s new super premium expression - Star of Bombay. Two additional botanicals from Calabria and Ecuador, coupled with unique slow vapour infusion has created our most complex and smooth tasting gin yet. Patrons can enjoy ‘The smooth star & tonic’ – Star of Bombay, fever tree tonic water, served with fresh zested orange peel and cubed ice.

The event space will burst with colour and texture and be brought to life with music from guest DJs, live botanical walls and installations and special effect lighting to satisfy the senses.

When: 24 June – 11 July, 2015, 6pm-1am Wednesday to Saturday evenings

Where: 64 Sutton Street, North Melbourne

Price: tickets are $45 per person (plus booking fee) and include two cocktails and two matched dishes. 

For more info visit www.projectbotanicals.com.au.