Gin Temple popped up on my social media and I was instantly intrigued, I’d noticed they offered Gin tasting experiences and Gin cruises from Wroxham. But then there was this mention of a Gin Temple bar opening in Norwich – – –
Through ‘Love Norwich Food’ I promote local business via my free directory, advertise foodie events, blog food, offer the Norwich foodie walking tours and on a separate note – – eat & drink quite a lot of local flavours. So I had to find out more – – –
I sent a message assuming the owner was male!!! And Teresa Gizzi contacted me back professing she was all female, ‘me too’ I typed back still not knowing her name but opting for Mrs Gin instead. It’s a suiting title as not only does she have five children (and she’s under 40) but she motherly nurtures and promotes Norfolk Gins – – – and we have quite a few amazing gins in this amazing county.
Teresa comes from Middlesex but moved here eight years ago for corporate work, with her five children and hubby. A teen mum she blasted life like a whirlwind, working hard, juggling hard and achieving plenty.
A few years ago, she discovered the best of local Gins and soon made a collection for herself, sharing with friends and family. That progressed to a local Gin tasting in her local village of Bawdeswell, which in turn ended up turning in to The Gin Temple, offering Gin tasting including a taste of Norfolk, the Gin Temple Gin Bar for events and cruises on the broads. There’s 3 boats running this summer and they get booked out pretty quickly.
Then came the offer for the space above Rabbit (formerly ‘Roots’, formally ‘Baggleys’ Cathy Dennis’s parents place. (‘who’s Cathy Dennis!!! – for anyone under 40 she was an 80’s pop singer, she’s a song writer now writing for the likes of Kylie – Can’t get you out of my head, Katy Perry – I kissed a Girl and Britney – Toxic).
The Gin Temple Bar is on Pottergate, opposite the Belgium Monk and above Rabbit (the entrance doors left of Rabbit). It’s a great space with a cool vibe and three different spaces to chill. I like the back area with a bath tub as a sofa, big open windows looking out on to a Victorian Yard. There’s even a herb garden to help yourself to – infuse your Gin.
The bars’ fabulous with lovely lighting and plenty of bar stools to prop yourself on or lounge in the big front room. I love all the décor and quirky additions, like the Norfolk Gin cushions and the bespoke Gin inspired art work on the walls.
(Please note – – – they don’t just sell Gin!)
The gin temple officially opens from Friday 3rdAugust –
Offering a wide selection of Norfolk gins and other drinkable goodies from beers to stills.
Teresa plans on offering local flavours in food too – like a Norfolk Deli sharing platter with home-made bread and chutney, a Gin inspired afternoon tea and cocktails using house made syrups.
And if you’re in to tonics Mrs Gin can recommend a whole host of stock flavours including ‘Lixir’ a local-ish tonic which is less acidic, slightly sweeter and less bubby that regular tonic, I love the stuff and can’t wait to try the ‘blood orange and cinnamon’ flavour (Check em out http://lixirtonic.co.uk)
Some of the Norfolk Gins to try at Temple –
Archangel – from dunton & Walsingham, notes of sea buck-thorn, orange & vebena.
Artisifa (Coming soon) –
Boadicea – from Beachamwell, notes of nettle & juniper
Bullards – from Norwich,notes of citrus, tonka & cinnamon
St Giles–from Norwich, notes of rose & lemongrass.
Norfolk Gin – from Norwich, herbal, spice & floral.
Twelve Keys – from Norwich, notes of wild honey, quince & apricot.
Whatahoot – from Flitchum, notes of samphire, citrus & lavender.
Peacheys – from Alburgh, notes of citrus, cardamom & vanilla
Pell & Co – from Hopton – notes of floral & citrus, coriander, nut and orange.
Oak Villa Vryheid– from Norwich, Wynmondham – notes of poppy, lemon, honey and pepper.
You see GIN is so much more, the botanicals make them gastronomic. A feast for the taste buds.
Mrs Gin also wants to encourage corporate gatherings, including friend groups to come in for an experience – it’s all to come and with Teresa’s drive and passion its sure to be amazing with a great atmosphere. It’s cool in summer with the big open windows but I imagine its wonderfully cosy in winter.
Me and my hubby got invited to the soft friends and family launch this weekend. I got to meet nearly all of her brood – a lovely warm friendly family. Her mum in the kitchen knocking out some really tasty nibbles, her daughters running around helping too and her hubby playing host with Mrs Gin all over the shop being the perfect friendly owner.
I think The Gin Temples going to be like a local, but the coolest local around. A place you can simply kick back and relax, a place like home, informal, friendly and delicious.
I’m looking forward to watching it all develop, it’s in more than capable hands and I’m convinced it will grow from strength to strength because some women are unstoppable. I’m certainly going to be the first booked in for afternoon tea with Gin infused Salmon & a G&T on the side, as long as I get tea as well!
Good Luck Gin Temple –
Get yourself there, support local businesses, drink local, eat local and be local.
Gin Temple contact / social media details
enquiries@gintemple.co.ukTel : 07841977034
https://www.facebook.com/gintempleno1/
https://twitter.com/Gin_temple
https://www.instagram.com/gintemple/
By Zena Leech-Calton ©
www.lovenorwichfood.co.uk