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A Little Luxury For Me

Spring at The Botanist, Birmingham

April 22, 2018 by Erica Hughes 11 Comments

cocktails at the botanist birmingham

When I think of The Botanist the first thing that springs to mind are the cocktails.  For me it’s part of the whole experience and the plants (or botanicals) play a big role.  I tried the English Mojito and it’s a take on the classic cocktail that brings something of the English summer (often short-lived that summer I know, but in full force the day we visited).   A mix of cucumber and mint, fresh lime juice, sugar syrup and a splash of green apple liqueur, lengthened with apple juice – it was really delicious and slightly zingy. My guest had the eponymous, signature cocktail The Botanist: a classic mix of Ketel One Vodka, rum and elderflower liqueur which was very welcome refreshment on a hot day.

Calamari and Scotch Egg

There’s plenty to choose from on the menu (small point – the menu is in quite a small, light typeface, so if you need reading glasses, be sure to have them with you).  I went for the Crispy Calamari with fajita salt, guacamole, toasted sweetcorn and tomato salsa. The key thing with calamari is to cook it right, so it’s not rubbery and that was certainly done well.  The other ingredients helped compliment the calamari. My companion went for the Cumberland Scotch Egg with homemade piccalilli.  I sneaked a bit off the plate and can confirm it was very tasty.

pork belly hanging kebab

For my main course I decided to go with the dish that is associated with The Botanist: a hanging kebab. I went for the Salt and Pepper Pork Belly served with properly seasoned chips,sopped with sweet chilli and ginger.   For those who haven’t seen these served, you get a little dish of sauce at the top of your hanging kebab holder and this is poured over your kebab to flavour your meat and your chips below.  The meat was meltingly tender and very tasty as you’d expect from pork belly. We both had some tangy Buttermilk Coleslaw on the side which gave the meal some extra texture and welcome vegetable element. My fellow diner opted for the Red Tractor-Assured Half Chicken marinated in smoked cajun spices, served with Scotch bonnet hot sauce and properly seasoned chips.  The chicken was tasty and had a good level of spice without being over-powering.

When it came to dessert, some of the choices seemed a bit heavy for such a hot day (unseasonally warm for spring), so we chose some lighter desserts.  I went for the Bitter Chocolate and
Roasted Pineapple Pot with raspberry sorbet.  I was a little disappointed that the chocolate wasn’t that bitter – I think I was expecting a dark chocolate from the description, but what I was served both looked and tasted like milk chocolate.  The raspberry sorbet was absolutely delicious though. My friend went with the Ice Cream Selection and picked out the same raspberry sorbet as one of the options.  The ice cream was the perfect dessert on a hot day.

The service was prompt and attentive throughout.  We had a helpful waitress and we didn’t have to wait long for our drinks or our food.  The Botanist was pretty busy so it’s good to know they can provide a good level of service even when there are a lot of people eating and drinking.  Towards the end of the meal the live music started which is a great way to end the evening.  Very enjoyable meal and drinks – I think we will be back.

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Filed Under: Drink, Food

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Comments

  1. Linda Hobbis says

    April 22, 2018 at 8:25 pm

    Oh I love the sound of the English Mojito – Elderflower is such a particular taste – very refreshing.

    Reply
  2. Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi says

    April 22, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    I do so love the Botanist too! It’s such a great place to pop in!!

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    April 23, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    Oh wow this place looks great for a meal out, the food looks delicious and I love the name

    Laura x
    Laura recently posted..Cardiff Coffee – 5 Places you need to try this monthMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Kate | Veggie Desserts says

    April 24, 2018 at 4:46 pm

    The Botanist is great – such fab cocktails. Sounds like you had a great experience there! I must try that English mojito.

    Reply
  5. Sabina Green says

    April 24, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Ooh I haven’t heard of the Botanist but reading your posts whilst I’m starving hungry has not helped me one iota, that food looks amazing!!!

    Reply
  6. Mary says

    April 25, 2018 at 12:07 pm

    Those cocktails do look marvellous. I think calamari is a good test of how good a restaurant is and it’s nice to hear that they cooked it well.
    Mary recently posted..Time FliesMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Iris Tilley says

    September 13, 2018 at 10:01 am

    Everything looks really nice

    Reply
  8. Kirsteen Mackay says

    September 23, 2018 at 11:24 pm

    I would love to try English Mojito. It sounds very refreshing. I love the sound of the Botanist.

    Reply
  9. Iris Tilley says

    October 8, 2018 at 10:26 am

    There’s nothing in those photos I don’t like All looks delicious

    Reply
  10. Halal Food Gastro says

    October 22, 2018 at 3:51 pm

    It all looks so good I was wondering if they have a big selection of vegetarian options / non-alcoholic drinks?
    Halal Food Gastro recently posted..Steakout Blackburn – Meat HouseMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Gerri Tennant says

    October 31, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    Wish I had discovered this place when I lived in Birmingham.

    Reply

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I'm Erica Hughes: a keen foodie and amateur cook. I write here about my passions in life including good food, fine wine, plus the little luxuries that make life worthwhile. Read More…

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