*** I was an invited guest of The Ivy***
I always leap at any chance to go to The Ivy. That’s probably why it’s where Lindsay and I went for my post-UK Citizenship ceremony drinks. So I was absolutely thrilled to be invited round to try out their latest summer cocktail offerings.
If you missed it last summer, a pop-up replica of Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre was built in York and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and ‘Richard III’ were all met with rousing success. So much so that this potential one-off has returned to York for another summer season. This year you can catch ‘The Tempest’, ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘Hamlet’ or ‘Henry V’ (all on until 1 September).
In honour of the Shakespearean summer, The Ivy has crafted a cocktail per play for their York location.
Sam tried the drink that was the homage to ‘The Tempest’. It was called “Prospero’s Masque”(£9.50) and consisted of Crabbie’s single malt whiskey, ginger juice, lime and Fever Tree ginger ale. It was almost like a refreshing, zingy taste on a scotch and soda. Whilst it wasn’t the most visually appealing of all the drinks it was definitely very easily drinkable and delicious. Perfect for a hot day.
I opted for the drink that goes along with ‘Twelfth Night’; “Malvolio’s Folly” (£10.50) which consisted of Marylebone orange and geranium gin, Cointreau blood orange, cranberry and lime. Mine was garnished with a little edible flower and served in a coupe and I loved it. It was just the kind of tart and lightly sweet cocktail that I would order at a summer garden party.
We had the same nibbles that we’ve had in the past: the truffle arancini (£5.95) and zucchini fritters (£5.95). I feel like this was the best the zucchini fritters have ever been. The portions are wonderful and they got the batter/fried balance perfectly on point this time. Sam absolutely adores the lemon, chili and mint yogurt sauce that goes with the fritters, whilst I can’t get enough of the arancini.
All in all it was an absolutely brilliant afternoon, and I would definitely recommend stopping by for these Shakespearean beverages before they go away. In fact, I am planning a return visit to try the other two drinks.
There’s the “Outrageous Fortune” for ‘Hamlet’ with vodka, Lillet Blanc and pine liqueur. And the “We Happy Few” for ‘Henry V’ with quince gin, grapefruit juice, sugar and lemon tonic. (The “We Happy Few” sounds particularly up my alley.)
Which Rose Theatre programme inspired drink would you have opted for?
The Ivy is located at 2 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QP
*** I was a guest of The Ivy, but all thoughts and opinions are forever my own.***
Have you visited one of The Ivy locations before? What was the best thing that you ate or drank?
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