Food and Drink Matching Experience Project Botanicals is Back

After a string of sell-out events last year, the food and drink matching experience that pioneered the term 'ginstronomy' will return to Auckland. Led by gin brand Bombay Sapphire, Project Botanicals is a pop-up bar and restaurant that aims to showcase the aromatic flavours of the spirit in ways other than commonplace unions like tonic and juice.

Taking inspiration from the ten exotic botanicals found within Bombay Sapphire — juniper berries, coriander seeds, liquorice, almonds and cassia bark — bartender and Bombay Sapphire ambassador Chase Bickerton and fine dining chef Michael Meredith have teamed up to create a menu of ten cocktails and equally mouthwatering dishes.

This year's pairings include an inventive take on the classic French 75 cocktail featuring lemon, violet liqueur, rosemary infusion and prosecco, joining a dish of scallop tartare wrapped in raspberry leather; a drink called 'Auckland Colour' will be paired with compressed melon in jam on broth with cashew cream and walnuts; and a milk punch will show off the angelica botanical. Made up of goodness from the blue bottle with Martini Bianco, milk, cinnamon, black pepper, earl grey, rhubarb, star anise, raspberries and overnight-infused apple juice, the eclectic drink will be paired with kingfish on black garlic puree with woodear mushrooms and soy marshmallow. Woah.

Running from November 9 - 20, the two week event will take place at the headquarters of Merediths' buy-one, give-one initiative Eat My Lunch at 5 Galatos Street. The ticket price includes two cocktails and two matched dishes.