ESP Drinks Review: Blind Tiger

In the winter issue of ESP Magazine we've compiled a list of great places to drink and dine in the run up to Christmas. Our food and drink reporter Kelly Jackson popped into Blind Tiger to try the cocktails and as the team from the city bar have announced it's to close on Christmas Eve so that they can fully focus on the new taproom and kitchen at Nene Park, we recommend you give it a try while you can. There's still time for a cocktail or two...

Swing seats and seasonal sips...

Although Blind Tiger on Cowgate is renowned for its selection of 28 craft beers, this quirky city centre bar also has an extensive wine list and an array of cocktails.

In ESP’s quest to try out the best city centre venues for festive drinks and food, we popped into Blind Tiger one evening for a complimentary cocktail from its winter cocktail menu.

We had trouble deciding which cocktail to go for as several took our fancy, but in the end we opted for a ‘Fancy Tiger’ and an ‘Espresso Martini’. Popular among many a cocktail drinker, the latter goes without saying, but you can mix it up a bit by opting for a salted caramel or flat white variety. I’m not a fan of coffee generally but a small sip of the Espresso Martini went down a treat.

The Fancy Tiger is one of the venue’s house cocktails, made using pink gin, prosecco and grenadine. As a lover of both gin and prosecco, this was the most obvious choice for me on the menu (and it was blooming fantastic). Other cocktails include the ‘Love Struck Tiger’ (vodka, passoa, cranberry, simple syrup, sweet and sour mix), and the ‘Jaded Tiger’ (Passoa, malibu, orange juice, simply syrup), alongside recognisable names such as ‘Bloody Mary’, ‘Sex on the Beach’, and ‘Margarita’.

What I've always loved most about Blind Tiger is the characterful interior, especially the swing seats and décor at the back. It provides the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine or beer worthy of an Instagram selfie so make sure you grab one while you can.

The current selection of cocktails will be available throughout the festive season, up until they sadly close this city centre venue on on December 24.

Then if you haven't already been it'll be time to head out of town and over to the venue in Nene Park (near Notcutts) where they are growing the selection of craft cans and bottles to create the largest choice in the region, and continue working with the best brewers and suppliers. It's equally well worth a visit.

Visit https://www.blindtigerbar.co.uk/ or check them out on Facebook.

Kelly Jackson