Nine Lives, the neighbourhood bar in London Bridge, founded by three leading industry experts; Allan Gage, Emma Hutchison and Tom Soden, unveil their new cocktail menu with an even greater focus on sustainability and dedication to a reduced carbon footprint. In addition to the new menu, LGBTQ+ artists Trinity Tristan and Tim Whiting will showcase their new public artwork installation as an ODE to liberty, located on the cobbles of Holyrood street, directly in front of Nine Lives.
About the menu:
The Nine Lives garden has been maturing over the past year, a testament to the St Mungo’s homeless charity; an organisation who support people as they move off the streets and back into society. The use of the garden has built on Nine Lives’ resourcefulness with ingredients, resulting in a thoughtfully sourced menu with love and care behind it. Many of the fresh herbs used in the bar are grown right here, in their own garden.
The menu is made up of a collection of signature cocktails, sharers and remixed classics. Signatures are Nine Lives’ favourites, both old and new, which are served alongside two spectacular sharing cocktails that bring a little bit of theatre to the table. Finally, true to their ethos of salvation, they have taken the quintessential classic cocktails from each major spirit category and served them three ways: In their original form; a Nine Lives’ variation; and a third version, created by legendary bartenders from around the world who have worked with Allan, Tom & Emma over the years.
Three of the best:
KELROSS DAIQUIRI – Ron Zacapa, Bramley Apple Juice, Hackney Honey
Rich, fruity and tart
Great for those moments when you want something a little familiar, the Kelross Daiquiri is our low-carbon-footprint twist on a Daiquiri. One of the difficulties with modern cocktails is their reliance upon citrus fruit to provide their acidity. We’ve removed the need for imported limes by using Bramley apples, grown in the back garden of one of the owners (Allan lives in Kelross Road – hence the name). This sour cooking apple contains a high amount of malic acid which replaces the citric acid found within the typical lime juice.
KAFÉ KERNAL – Kuka Cold Brew Coffee, Tonic water, Popcorn
Bold, Rich & zesty
The Kafé Kernal is a great non-alcoholic drink invented by our bartender Ziggy. It’s rather deceptive cocktail as it has the mouth feel of an alcoholic drink. A weird and wonderful concoction of cold brew coffee and tonic water with a little touch of popcorn essence. This drink is a great alternative to alcohol with a light caffeine kick.
EPHEMERAL – Somerset Cider Brandy, Cherry, Hazelnut, Lemon, Parsley
Rich, herbaceous & complex
The parsley that we use within the drink is grown within our herb garden out the back of the bar. We’ve been going on quite the journey with our garden at Nine Lives and now work alongside St Mungo’s to maintain the space. This drink was created by Cosmin our Head Bartender.
About the Artwork:
In addition to the new menu, Nine Lives collaborated with Team London Bridge to bring LGBTQ+ artists Trinity Tristan and Tim Whiting to the cobbles of Holyrood Street, who will unveil ODE, a major new public artwork installation right outside the bar. They take their inspiration from a little know heroine of the Industrial Revolution, Margaret Clap, who opened her home in the 18th Century as a safe haven for London’s persecuted and outlawed gay society. The artwork serves as an ODE to liberty.