Don Giovanni does gin, with a little help from their friends
GIN? Great. Manchester gin at Don Giovanni’s? Now you’re talking. The independent Italian institution has just teamed up with new locals Three Rivers for a very special, sold-out event, showcasing the city centre distillery’s wares – and DG’s new round-the-world gin offer.
As the bar menu explains, many credit the Dutch (specifically William of Orange) with the development of gin from old-fashioned genever, but Italian monks were already in on the act, flavouring distilled spirits with Italy’s own juniper berries. Oh well, any excuse for an extended gin and tonics list, we say.
Included on said list is the Manchester G&T – mixing the smooth Three Rivers Manchester small batch dry gin with Fever Tree Indian tonic and garnishing with gin-soaked apricots and rosemary. We’re greeted at the door with a goblet each, before finding a seat in the packed-out private dining room, where we learn more about Three Rivers.
Based in the City of Manchester Distillery on the Green Quarter’s Red Bank, Three Rivers is the first and only gin distillery in the heart of the city. Working in a traditionally creative district and in the shadow of Angel Meadow, the Master Distillers call their specially sourced German copper pot still Angel. They ventured into gin-making from a wine background, and some serious consideration went into their selection of botanicals – ingredients include vanilla, cinnamon, almond and oats, plus cherries pricked to release flavour and add a level of sweetness. The result? A real smooth mouth feel.
Our host for the evening is Sarah, who hands out juniper berries for us to taste as she explains a little more about the background of gin – in bygone days, stricter laws were introduced, requiring the use of larger and more expensive stills, with the knock-on effect of ensuring that only the rich could afford to make, sell and buy gin. In 2009, distillers Sipsmith won a legal battle for the right to produce gin in small quantities rather than on an industrial scale, kickstarting the craft gin revolution in the UK. They, of course, are still going strong, but it’s also allowed smaller outfits like Three Rivers – incidentally, named after the Irwell, Irk and Medlock (but you knew that, right?) – to join the party.
Back to our party, and we’re now busy digging into large vegetarian and meaty antipasto platters set out in the middle of the tables alongside Don Giovanni’s freshly baked ciabatta. And as if we didn’t need any more gin, the desserts are Sicilian-inspired cannoli pastry tubes stuffed with lemon and gin-infused cream, gin-soaked apricots and chocolates, plus panna cotta with an apricot gin syrup and beautiful edible flowers. Our goodie bags include recipes to recreate these at home along with Kiehl’s bits and bobs. No gin in those.
Don Giovanni's private room seats up to 50 guests and is available to book for a variety of functions, meetings and events. Fully AV equipped with a range of catering options available. For more information get in touch with their events team at events@dongiovanni.uk.com
Don Giovanni, 1-2 Peter House, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 5AN
