Wish we were there...

Pretty sure we are not alone in missing some of our favourite bars and restaurants at the moment. Well a long moment really, like months and months. 

The food and drink industry in Scotland is very important to us; not only as it’s where we belong but being part of an industry like ours that is full of talent, innovation and frankly, just great products makes us really proud. 

The Esker Spirits team.

As a team we try to catch up monthly either all together via Zoom or one-on-one, most calls start and end with all of us talking about the places we miss eating and drinking in. We are fortunate to have some pretty amazing places in and around Aberdeen and even more fortunate to have travelled throughout Scotland to eat and drink in some great places that stock Esker Gin or Vodka. 

A virtual Esker Spirits road trip!

So we wanted to take the chance to give some of them a shoutout and we went round the team asking “where are you most looking forward to visiting again to drink some Esker Spirits?”

To be honest; this sounds like the best road trip ever! 

Ninety-Nine Bar & Kitchen

At Ninety-Nine it’s all about good vibes and good times. Many a fun night has been had by Team Esker here over the years. Our Esker take- over back in 2018 was a particularly special one!

More recently these guys teamed up with the amazing Roots catering and offered one of the best  vegan menus around, as well as some of the tastiest cocktails. Can’t wait to get back, we miss you guys!

Orchid

You know you are in for a special night when you step through those big wooden doors.

Even the pandemic this year hasn’t stopped this award winning team shaking, stirring and mixing through the last ten months as the launch of “Orchid at Home” has brought cocktails to the masses throughout lockdown. We have even seen Esker feature  in a couple of these wonderful creations -which of course we all had to sample once or twice (or was it three times?!).

Orchid is also the home of Charlie, our Esker Cocktail competition winner from 2020.  He wow-ed us this time last year with his Valentines inspired highball “ Poetic Love” a mix of Esker Raspberry Gin, Italicus & Violent liqueurs shaken with lemon and honey.  Maybe he’ll make you one for you next time you are in… We know that’s what we will be ordering.

Tippling House 

What would we do without The Tippling House? THE late night venue in Aberdeen where we all undoubtedly end up at the end of an evening and usually see a familiar face or two at the other end of the bar. The skilled team are always happy to whip up a new Esker creation when we come in to see them and  their top class service is second to none!  Esker is a permanent feature on the beautiful art deco gantry with our other products featuring on the carefully crafted cocktail menu. The guys here are particularly fond of our Valencian Orange gin. 

Recently team Tippling has been collaborating with the wonderful Sushi Box, a  dreamy combination and we can’t wait to be back propping up the bar with a plate of sashimi and an Esker Martini (or two) See you guys soon!

No. 10 Bar & Restaurant

The team at No. 10 have been great Esker supporters over the years. With our full range available in the bar,  choose from a pre - dinner Esker & tonic, a  refreshing Orange and Pomegranate Vodka & Soda or go all out with the Scottish Orchard cocktail, a delicious combination of our Esker Raspberry Gin, apple juice & Maraschino liqueur. Yum!

We miss our Esker Friday Night Socials with you guys, always such a great way to kick off the weekend. Here’s hoping we can do it again soon!

Dusk

Remember The Tiki Cocktail Competition in 2019…?  We do (sort of). Esker took centre stage as one of the sponsors in an evening that saw wonderful and wacky cocktail creations,  including an Esker shot being poured down a mini car racing track straight into the mouths of the judges... You had to see it to believe it.

The ultimate party venue, great cocktails and amazing DJ’s. We can’t wait to get back!

The Craftsman

Go for coffee and pancakes, stay for beer and gin! You can rely on Garry and the team to give a super friendly welcome and they are always happy to experiment with new Esker products that we bring their way... The Esker Orange Hot Chocolate as well as Lisa’s Raspberry Ripple inspired cocktail served with Mackie’s ice cream are two we will never forget.

The food offering here is also fantastic and back in the summer of 2019 the chefs pulled out the stops, creating a special menu for “An Evening with Esker”, pairing each course with a different Esker Gin. What a night! Fingers crossed we can do it all again in the not too distant future.

The Bieldside Inn

A stone’s throw away from the original Esker distillery in Lynne and Steve’s garden shed. This venue has always been about local people and local products and have had Esker on the bar since our London Dry launched back in 2015. 

The perfect family friendly local,  Team Esker can often be found spending a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Bielder and look forward to more times like this when we can.

New Inn, Ellon

We love making a trip out to the New Inn Hotel in Ellon as we know Maria and her friendly team will always have some great new ideas for interesting Esker serves. They are big fans of our flavoured gin range and were one of the first bars to stock these products when they launched. The bar is also now stocking our flavoured vodkas  and we can’t wait to get back out and enjoy one of these, who knows maybe even in out in the beer garden!

The crowd in this lovely local are bags of fun and always keen for a good night out, as we discovered when we spent a wonderful evening together when the hotel hosted a ‘Meet the Maker and cocktail evening back in the Autumn of 2019. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Grape & Grain

Stylish and Sophisticated, a visit to Grape & Grain is always a real treat. Sit by the piano and enjoy a relaxing G&T or why not try an Esker Gold sipped alongside one of their signature cheese boards? A match made in heaven. 

We have had a few wonderful tasting evenings at this beautiful venue over the years and you can always rely on Jeanette and her excellent team to be the perfect hosts!

Wish you were there?

Which great venues where you have drunk Esker Spirits Gin or Vodka that are missing and that you would have added? Let us know! Either email us or send us a message on social media. 

Stay safe, Team Esker.  #EskerSpirits