Gin tourism could catch on

    THE LOVEABLE gang of roving gin-soaked gypsies behind the East Imperial Gin Jubilee chose Bangkok for some reason to begin the fifth annual edition. It spreads over five days but, for reasons that should be obvious, we’re only now getting around to reporting it – with two days left to go. There’s still an eventful weekend left, though, starting tonight.
East Imperial, a brand of “artisanal” tonic water, has hosted four successful jubilees in Southeast Asia since 2013, with tens of thousands of gin-and-tonics downed in its name in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Phnom Penh and Singapore.
This year each of the 17 participating Bangkok bars has paired East Imperial Burma Tonic with a partnered gin brand from London, Scotland, Germany, France, Australia or the US and then contrived the rest of the cocktail recipe according to their individual preferences.
    With more than 100 new gin brands having entered the Asian market in the past few years, there’s plenty with which to be creative. The big attraction tonight at the Crying Thaiger on Sukhumvit Soi 51 is a burger of Mediterranean lamb that reportedly goes down wonderfully when paired with a G&T made with Citadelle gin from Cognac, France. Be there anytime from 5 to 11pm to see if it’s true. There’s no cover charge and the cocktails are discounted. Call (097) 052 8861.
    Over at the 80/20 Restaurant & Bar on Charoen Krung Road tonight, Fords Gin hogs the spotlight. It’s a mix of nine botanicals – juniper, coriander, bitter orange, lemon and grapefruit peels, floral elements and the spices angelica and cassia.
This is for washing down the great Thai food. The feast starts at 6. A G&T costs Bt280. Call (087) 593 1936.
    The only dry gin from Scotland’s Isle of Islay, the Botanist is being served at the Bronx Liquid Parlour on Soi Thonglor tonight from 7pm till late. Founding mixologist Hideyuki Satois has his own delectable variation on the gin and tonic and there’ll be a swing jazz band playing. That sounds like the Roaring Twenties, so book in advance, although entry is free. Call (02) 036 6071 or email [email protected].
    On Pan Road off Silom tonight, new place Mikys is serving Botanist Gin and tonic. In fact you can try making your own. Again, the Great Gatsby is in the house with live swing jazz, so reservations are recommended at (02) 637 8369.
If Gatsby is occupied elsewhere, it must be F Scott Fitzgerald pumping up the jazz at Track 17 on Thonglor Soi 17 tonight. The dry gin on offer there comes from London – Sipsmith – and it starts flowing at 8. Arrange a seat at the bar via (081) 250 8580.
A Sipsmith Gin-laced lunch is the order of the day at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’s Bamboo Bar tomorrow from 1 to 3pm. Assistant bar manager Jamie Rhind and executive chef Aurelien Poirot know how to get the afternoon started properly with a three-course luncheon involving G&T cocktails made with homemade syrup and even beer! That will cost you Bt2,500-net. Set it up at [email protected].
    Once the moon is over the yardarm, head to the Cielo Sky Bar at W District near the Phra Khanong BTS station to watch aspiring bartender Fah Beer perform gin miracles, starting at 8. The view is terrific and your G&T is created with Grandma Jinn’s, handmade in Thailand using safflower on a sugarcane base. There’s no admission charge. The booze stays at Bt320 all night. Call (02) 348 9100.
    The jubilee’s grand finale tomorrow – the Gin Lane Street Party – takes place at Quaint Bangkok on Sukhumvit Soi 61 beginning at 6pm. Your by-now-favourite tipple will sell for Bt200 all evening and be accompanied by great tunes, lovely food and some live graffiti fun. Call (02) 714 1998.