Botanical themed bar, The Botanist, have released a new cocktail menu inspired by the lifecycle of plants.
With summer on the horizon, we are all on the lookout for that perfect tipple to enjoy as we relax into those dreamy long summer evenings. And luckily for us, The Botanist's new cocktail menu is everything we'd hoped for and more.
Known for their innovative and imaginative creations, the venue has delved deeper into the art of botany for their most recent range. Think weird and wonderful ingredients mixed together to make curious cocktails and perfect pairings.
The new menu is split into three different sections to allow the customer to sample the full lifecycle of a plant.
First up we have the 'Roots and Shoots' cocktails; herby, aromatic and infused with the flavourings found in leaves and roots.
For this we sampled the Passionfruit and Basil, made with Amaretto, Drambuie, yuzu liqueur and muddled together with passionfruit syrup, orange juice and basil leaves. A refreshing tall drink with a herby hit of basil which balanced the sharp citrus flavours perfectly.
Image: The Botanist
Next are the 'Flowers', a range of light and refreshing cocktails which are perfect for a hot summer's day. The Poppy and Berry punch was just as beautiful as it was delicious, served with an edible flower and radiating a romantic, crimson hue. Made with Beefeater pink gin, poppy liqueur and fresh raspberries, we could definitely see ourselves drinking a few of these to cool off in the sun.
Last but certainly not least are the 'Fruits', a list of concoctions that are zesty, vibrant and celebrating the freshest fruits of the season.
We went with the bartender's recommended Hawaiian Rum Punch which is made with spiced and dark rum, passionfruit syrup, pineapple liqueur and pineapple juice. One sip of this and you'll be transported to a tropical beach and you'll definitely be back for more.
Image: The Botanist
All this and we only just scratched the surface. There's a huge selection of exciting drinks to try including a massive non-alcoholic range which still boasts incredible flavours so that you won't feel like you're missing out.
Kelly Harrison, Head of Bars at The Botanist commented "Our non-alcoholic offering has been designed and created to showcase all the flavours of the liquid without any alcohol. Rather than creating great cocktails and subsequently trying to remove the alcohol and maintain the flavour profile, which can be a big challenge, we start with a strong recipe for an alcohol-free drink then find the perfect alcohol to enhance the existing flavours."
Image: The Botanist
With a fantastic outdoor area as well as a beautiful interior covered with potted plants and twinkling lights, The Botanist on Boar Lane is the place to be this summer for a delicious drink or two.
Howard Assembly Room to launch new bar with permanent kitchen from Yuzu Street Food.
HAR bar, the intimate Grade II-listed space beneath Leeds City Centre's multi-disciplinary venue, the Howard Assembly Room,will now open five days a week with a brand new permanent food partner.
If you're not familiar York’s Yuzu Street Food, then allow us to fill you in.
First established in York following an enlightening culinary trip to Asia in 2019, Yuzu Street Food is now recognised as one of the north’s finest street food vendors.
Image: Supplied
Serving up contemporary takes on bao buns, fried chicken, ramen, katsu curry and much more; Yuzu are set to be the perfect addition to the Howard Assembly Room and its new bar HAR.
First launched in February, a programme of improvements saw the space previously occupied by the restaurant Kino transformed into the HAR bar.
An intimate venue in the cultural heart of the city, HAR bar guests can now enjoy fresh coffee, quality cocktails and a rotation of beers from breweries including Leeds institution Kirkstall Brewery throughout the week.
Image: Supplied Image: The Hoot Leeds
Yuzu Street Food will open at HAR on Friday 15 May.
Michael Wilkinson, Director of Strategy and Commercial, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Yuzu to HAR bar, with their Asian-inspired street food providing the perfect accompaniment to our range of drinks and firmly establishing HAR bar as one of Leeds’ leading spots to meet and eat.
"We want everyone in the city to feel that this is their space, where great music, a welcoming atmosphere and exceptional service combine to create a truly special place that embodies the city’s creativity while also supporting Opera North’s outreach work across the north.
Chris Hargroves, Yuzu Founder & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to be back in Leeds city centre! Leeds has always shown us incredible support and energy and returning really feels like coming home. We’re excited to reconnect with the community, welcome familiar faces and introduce our new menu items to the new ones. Working with such a prestigious venue as the Howard Assembly Room is something we’re absolutely buzzing about and we can’t wait to fire up the woks!”
Popular beer festival showcasing over 35 indie breweries is returning to Leeds this month
Clementine Hall
Hop City, the long-running beer festival from award-winning Leeds-based brewery Northern Monk, returns this month for its ninth year.
Beer lovers, this one's for you.
Bringing over 35 of the best independent breweries from the UK, Europe and North America together to The Old Flax Store, Hop City will have approximately 250 different world-class beers for guests to try across one weekend of festivities.
The best part? Every pour across the weekend is included in the price of the ticket alongside a Hop City branded glass to enjoy them in, so don't worry about having to continuously reach for your wallet.
Images: Supplied
Joining Northern Monk this year are UK breweries including Brighton’s Beak, Deya from Cheltenham, Manchester-based Track and Edinburgh’s Newbarns who will be pouring next to the likes of US breweries Trillium, Root + Branch, Finback and everywhere; Canadian’s Messorem and Third Moon, and a selection of Europe’s finest indie brewers.
Seriously, this is a beer lover's paradise.
And it's not just about the booze, as joining Hop City 2026 will be joined by Leeds’ own Bundobust who will be bringing their Indian street food alongside Bonehead Fried Chicken and Hermanos Caliente, courtesy of Niko’s Comfort Kitchen.
Images: Supplied
Not a beer fan? Don't fret as natural wine bar Rinse will be pouring all weekend whilst Below Stairs will be providing the cocktails.
Russell Bisset, Founder of Northern Monk, said: “What started out as an idea to host some of our favourite breweries in Leeds has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined. From the beginning, the ambition was clear - to champion the best hop-forward breweries in the world and to create the first beer festival in Europe dedicated to celebrating hoppy beers and IPAs.
"Today, it’s about bringing some of the greatest breweries from across the globe together under one roof, creating something genuinely special for people who love beer as much as we do. Heading into our ninth year with a line-up of this calibre is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s not just about the beer, but the community, collaboration, and spirit behind it.”
Hop City 2026 will take place from Friday 15 to Saturday 16 of May, and you can buy your tickets here.
Clementine Hall -
1st June 2022 
