Dave Cartwright from Manic Chord Theatre Company gets a bit wobbly at an Epernay Cocktail tasting …
Epernay has to be one of the coolest bars in town – excluding their wobbley table but by the end of the evening I was just as wobbley so it fitted right in – idyllic in the courtyard of The Electric Press. Its comfy indoor/outdoor feel coupled with its vast wall of spirits makes it a perfect hideout even when the weather turns for the worst.
However, with an ever growing cocktail landscape in the city and with events like Cocktail in the City and Leeds Loves Cocktails displaying the advancement in style, taste, ingredients and presentation the bartenders of Leeds are experimenting with, the launch of a new cocktail menu must seem an extremely daunting venture to any bar manager.
Epernay, however, did not seem fazed. Their menu is extensive and clear, boasting, as one would expect from a bar named after a northern French commune, a marvellous selection of sparkling cocktails. I ventured for the Ritz Fizz, a mixture of Amaretto, Blue Curacao and Châteaux Langlois. Although I was once told ‘never drink anything that is luminous,’ this, I made an exception for and was glad I did. The almond of the Amaretto coupled with the orange of the curacao gave an almost chocolatey flavour which fizzed with every sip.
The White Russian on the menu, re-named ‘The Dude,’ no doubt a Big Lebowski reference, attracted my friend and although a little over-creamy, was a delight towards the lower half of the tumbler.
The drinks were served alongside a delectable array of canapés. Particular attention should be drawn to the chicken liver and mackerel pâté’s (separate not together) which tasted amazing although I became very conscious that I stank of fish for the rest of the evening. Again, worth the risk.
My only qualm with the cocktail menu was, in the least snobby way possible, the lower priced cocktails. I felt the menu was very well priced for the recipes being used, however with the £6.00 cocktails, I felt there was more ice than substance, leaving the two I tried a little watery. Perhaps I was just chatting too long, but maybe it’s for others to try out and see if it was just me.
Overall, the atmosphere was delightful and the staff took great care of us. The menu stands strong, with some exciting flavours and clever inventions. Perhaps a specials board with a bit of chemistry may attract a different audience but nevertheless I will certainly be adding Epernay to my cocktail crawl and spending many an evening relaxing in their courtyard getting even wobblier than that table. I suggest you do too!