With Omicron throwing a massive wrench into everyone’s winter travel plans, we’re getting our alpine fix at The Botanist Gin’s new alpine themed winter terrace at The Shangri-La London’s Bar 31.
Located on the ground floor of The Shard, Bar 31 or better yet Hütte 31, has been transformed into a winter wonderland, inspired by the cosy ski chalets of the alps.
Team Coco babe Hannah Tan-Gillies ventured into wintery London bridge, to visit Hütte 31 which is the next best thing to enjoying a mulled wine, après ski, in the slopes. The Winter Terrace is covered in small huts (appropriately so) each one decked out in comfy fur blankets, heaters, and whimsical snow-covered touches. All looking like it could be lifted straight from Verbier.
While you may think that gin and après-ski don’t go hand-in-hand, The Botanist proves otherwise. The Botanist Gin menu at Bar 31 reimagines all your favourite gin cocktails with a wintery twist. The Junipear is a blend of The Botanist, poire Williams and thyme, while the Lady Rossa is a warming blend of The Botanist, ruby port, sweet vermouth and citrus. Both unexpected concoctions, that worked surprisingly well with the Austrian-inspired dishes on offer.
The food is appropriately festive, with plenty of après ski classics like the Chicken Schnitzel Roll, dressed with Lingonberry sauce, lettuce and leritage tomatoes, and the Nürnberger Sausage which is served with sauerkraut in a Kaiser roll. The Pork Bun is also wonderfully delicious and comes with white cabbage salad, mustard and caraway mayonnaise.
The Austrian Charcuterie platter and French fries with truffle and parmesan are excellent starters to pair with The Botanist Gin cocktail, perfectly complementing the menu filled with guilty pleasures. End the evening with a delicious mulled wine – close your eyes and it’s like you’ve been transported to the snow-covered peaks of Switzerland.
So, while we’ve all had to put a collective pause on this year’s ski season, why not pay a visit to Hütte 31, a playful yet authentic take on après ski right at the heart of London Bridge.
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