10 of the best new drinks and pop-up bars to try this summer

With the good weather set to continue (for now), there's never been a better excuse to try out some of these new summer drinks and pop-up bars

Published 10th Jul 2018
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

If you fancy a couple of drinks weekend, then why not try these new creations or head to a pop-up bar?

From refreshing cocktails to seasonal bars and a gin or two, there's something for all tastes in Scotland this summer.

Spritz cocktails at Bar Gumbo

(71-77 Byres Rd, Glasgow G11 5HN)

drinks menu

Picture: Bar Gumbo has introduced a new spritz menu for the summer

Nothing says summer like a spritz cocktail and now you can try a range of these fizzy delights at Glasgow's Bar Gumbo.

From a classic Aperol, to a new pink gin creations, there's something for all tastes - ideal for this sunny weather.

Caorunn’s Summer Gin Garden

(Hotel du Vin, 11 Bristo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ)

drinks

Picture: Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin have launched their Caorunn Summer Garden at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh which will be open throughout the summer, Maverick Photo Agency.

Refreshing gin cocktails, al fresco dining and a chilled retreat from the city heat are all are on the menu at the Caorunn summer garden at the Hotel du Vin, Edinburgh. 

The handcrafted Scottish gin has taken over the Hotel du Vin Courtyard, hidden away on Bristo Place, transforming it into a cool outdoor oasis – complete with a brand new menu of delicious Caorunn Gin cocktails designed for sipping in the warmer weather.

Open from 11am until 11pm every day until mid-September, guests can lounge in the relaxing courtyard space and enjoy drinks from Caorunn’s apple-strewn wooden bar, as well as a menu of sandwiches, grilled dishes and light bites from the Hotel du Vin kitchen.

Caorunn’s classic G&T, made with Fever Tree Tonic and slices of red apple, served over ice, will be available, alongside five summer cocktails created by Hotel du Vin’s head bartender.

These creations include; blossom tree, apple and ginger, violet lemonade and frozen apple blush.

Pride Glasgow cocktails

(The Principal Blythswood Square Hotel, 11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4AD)

drinks

Picture: Enjoy Pride Glasgow cocktails at the Blythswood Square hotel

Celebrate Pride in Glasgow this month with one of five cocktails on offer at the Principal Blythswood Square hotel.

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The limited edition menu offers five cocktails in the colours of the LGBT rainbow flag all named after gay icons - Judy, Pricilla, Divine, Little Eadie and Peach Season.

The cocktails are priced from £9 each, and will be available in The Salon from Friday 13th July to Friday 20th July.

Mackintosh anniversary cocktails

(The Principal Grand Central Hotel, 99 Gordon St, Glasgow G1 3SF)

drinks

Picture: Mackintosh anniversary cocktails

The Principal Grand Central Glasgow is coming up roses thanks to its special cocktail menu celebrating the 150th birthday of one the city’s most famous patrons, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Inspired by the great Glaswegian designer and his rose motif, the hotel has recently unveiled the bespoke Bouquet of Roses cocktail menu in the popular Champagne Central bar.

Each cocktail is named after a different coloured rose, and is infused with a blend of  fragrant ingredients.

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The Pink Rose is a mix of Belvedere vodka, lemon juice, rose liqueur, rose bitters with crushed black pepper and peychauds, while The Yellow Rose is a vodka martini with a rosy twist mixing Belvedere grapefruit vodka, Cocchi Americano, rose liqueur and rose water mist.

A sharing cocktail of Glenmorangie Signet mixed with old fashioned bitters, brown sugar and orange bitters is also available, and served in a Charles Rennie Mackintosh hip flask.

Cocktails at Leith Chill Fest

drinks

Picture: Leith's first ever Chill Fest takes place from August till September

Launching on August 2nd, Leith Chill Fest is a vibrant celebration of EH6’s thriving bar scene.

Throughout the festival month until September 2nd, Leith will become a cocktail community with eighteen of the district’s top bars offering an array of cocktails that capture the true flavour of the suburb, for just £5 each when purchased with a Chill Fest wristband.

Beloved bars including Toast, Woodland Creatures, The Roseleaf, The Lioness of Leith, Finn & Bear and The Lord Nelson have all worked together to create an exciting programme for festival-goers to look forward to.

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From Sofi’s ‘Tropical Leith’ to Malmaison’s ‘Leith’s A Peach’, there’s a colourful cocktail concoction guaranteed to tickle your fancy, whatever your tastes may be.

Sipsmith gin bar

(Glasshouse, 2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA)

If you’d like a refreshing G&T with a view, then head to the Glasshouse hotel, situated in the heart of the city.

Held in the Rooftop Garden, this pop-up is being held in partnership with Sipsmith Gin and will include live music from Ginny and the Tonic, unlimited BBQ food and a picnic selection along with afternoon tea treats.

Refreshments, including an arrival drink, will be from the brand new Sipsmith’s Gin Bar and include G&T’s, prosecco, beer and Bloody Marys’ from a dedicated station.

Summer cocktails with a view

(Fairmont St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8PN)

drinks

Picture: the St Andrews Bar & Grill terrace

St Andrews Bar & Grill is located in the grounds of Fairmont St Andrews overlooking the the ‘Auld Toun’ - an ideal location for a sun-downer drink.

Two new creations which may appeal are the Oban whisky based BBQ Sour and the gin and grapefruit G&G. Cheers!

Wimbledon cocktail

(The Adamson, 127 South St, St Andrews KY16 9UH)

drinks

Picture: the All England Lawn cocktail will celebrate all things Wimbledon

After a fortnight of fierce competition on the courts at Wimbledon, the tournament's top male and female players will go head-to-head in finals on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July.
To celebrate the tennis season, the team at The Adamson have created a new cocktail inspired by the oldest tennis tournament in the world and the nations love of eating Strawberries in the Summer months.
The All England Lawn cocktail is made up of Eden Mill Love Gin, Champagne, strawberry cordial, lemon and garnished with a fresh Fife strawberry. It is priced at £12.95 and available throughout July.

Cocktail Trees

(The Printing Press, 21-25 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PB)

drinks

Picture: Pandora's Jar, the Printing Press

The Printing Press have recently created and launched a new range of fun and enchanting cocktails.

With the introduction of 'The Cocktail Trees', the bar is encouraging groups of friends to meet up and come along to try the drinks, as nine are served at the same time.

Created by Printing Press Bar Manager Paul Connolly, the cocktails have modern-day literature names and can be enjoyed on a Saturday or Sunday while listening to the bar's resident weekend DJ's.

New batch gin

(One Square, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 9SR)

drinks

Picture: One Square Gin's latest batch

From Thursday 26th July, gin fans will be able to enjoy One Square Gin's fourth batch.

The small batch gin was first produced in 2015 and is distilled by Pickering’s Gin at Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh.

The recipe is inspired by the diverse selection of gins stocked by One Square, which features more than 105 varieties, and is created using a combination of 15 botanicals including Scottish heather and Mediterranean liquorice.  

The restaurant, located in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, is hosting a launch party for the gin with tickets available to buy here.

Attendees will be the first to try the new and improved One Square Perfect Serve created in partnership with the recently launched Cushiedoos.

This brand new tonic uses only natural Scottish ingredients, making for a fully Scottish One Square Perfect Serve.

Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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