Inside Fords Gin’s Chic New Cocktail Bar in London

The negronis are on tap at this Southwark watering hole.

London and gin go together like, well, tonic…and gin.

Indeed, the juniper-forward style of spirit we know and love was birthed in the British capital more than 300 years ago. Their respective histories have been intricately intertwined ever since. But it’s time for a new chapter in that ongoing love affair as Fords Gin — among the most popular craft labels on shelves today — announces the opening of a new bar and brand home in the London borough of Southwark.

We scored a sneak peek inside those sleek digs, and now we’re calling all cocktail enthusiasts visiting the city in the near future: forget the London Eye; Big Ben is overrated. This is where your sightseeing ought to start.

Related: Understanding the 4 Main Types of Gin, According to Experts

What makes it a Mecca for mixology? Well, that has everything to do with the notable personalities behind its creation. The gin’s eponymous founder, Simon Ford, launched the brand back in 2013 as an ode to bartenders. A devoted historian and accomplished bartender in his own right, Ford was acutely aware of the integral role gin played in some of the most iconic serves of all time.

“Fords Gin was developed by mapping the key ingredients of classic cocktails and matching them to a unique blend of nine botanicals,” he recalls of the two-year-long process. “Bartenders were consulted in every step of the liquid’s creation process, from tasting its different distillations and testing them in cocktails for us as we developed the recipe.”

Ultimately, this ongoing consulting led to a unique recipe rounded out by the presence of Jasmine flower and grapefruit. These elements brought a bright balance to the final liquid, in stark contrast to some of the more astringent London Dry gins dominating the market at the time. It should hardly come as a surprise. After all, bartenders are experts in the fine art of equilibrium.

Related: 5 Best Tonics for a Gin and Tonic

For the design of his new bar and tasting room, Ford again turned to celebrated colleagues from the trade. It was largely the brainchild of award-winning mixologist Leo Robitschek, who formerly ran the beverage program at Eleven Madison Park and currently serves as bar director for The NoMad Hotel.

His marble-slabbed bar was conceived with the drink maker in mind. It’s butterflied with two cocktail stations arranged around a central well area that houses custom bitters and modifiers. They are all assembled in a sizable experimental kitchen, which views more like a science lab, equipped with Japanese ice machines in addition to the technology to make bitters, syrups, and other flavor components.

“The guest area of the bar embraces elements from my all-time favorite cocktail bars in its aesthetics and I love the subtle nods to the brand,” says Ford of the space, which is enveloped in the brand’s signature soft green color palette. “We have custom-designed brass handles and integrated drip trays featuring our trademark elephant. There are also umbrella-shaped taps on the back bar, which will serve pre-batched cocktails.”

Upon opening, Ford plans to have a few signature serves available on that tap system. Expect a Negroni, a Bee’s Knees, and a citrusy, spirit-forward London Calling to all play recurring roles. “But we will make drink menus to accommodate the groups we invite accordingly, depending on their needs and how we intend to showcase Fords Gin, based on the group and occasion,” Ford adds.

Related: Is Barrel Aging Spirits Like Gin, Shochu, and Vodka Really Necessary?

And though the facility flaunts that unmistakable new-bar smell, it’s still steeped in history. Hundreds of years worth of it, in fact. The site doubles as a working distillery: the official home of Thames Distillers, which produces Fords Gin and was founded by the UK’s oldest gin-making family. Tenth-generation master distiller Charles Maxwell — often regarded as the godfather of the modern craft gin renaissance — can be found back here diligently manning the dual 500-liter workhorse stills, alongside his son George, and Ockju Lee.

"London is gin's spiritual home, and it will remain a place where the best London dry gins are made,” according to Ford. “It will continue to be a cultural melting pot of bartending talent where famous gin drinks will emerge — as they have since the style's creation. Now that the [new] distillery is open we plan on working on some ideas early next year, so please watch this space.”

His namesake bar will look to become more widely accessible in the ensuing months, as well. In the meantime, it’s now open to bar trade for events, tours, and scheduled activities. For the general public, Fors will be announcing booking procedures later in the year.

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.