THE food will be fast but the drink will be sloe, at a relaunched cafe in York.

The Attic in King's Square has already won national awards for its coffee and now hopes for similar success, having diversified into gin.

Expert Khaled Abdulgani has amassed a wide range of gins from around the world, as well as a selection of tonics and garnishes, and hopes to be able to create the perfect customised gin and tonic to suit any taste.

The venue will now open later in the night on Fridays and Saturdays, serving burgers and hot-dogs to accompany the drinks. As well as gin and coffee, The Attic also now has keg beer on tap, to add to its bottled range.

Mr Abdulgani, who previously worked at Pivní in Patrick Pool, said: "Our whole philosophy is simple - we about work with selected real quality ingredients, so the customers experience something unique."

The range includes gins from England, Germany and the United States.

The Attic is open until 6pm on Thursdays but 10.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Throughout October it is also running an Oktoberfest with a wide range of German beers.

 

Are the new brands just as gin-uine? Gin fan Jo Kelly tries the range:

WE BRITISH all have our own ideas about what makes a great gin and tonic, but whether it’s Gordon’s with a slice of lemon or Beefeater with a wedge of lime, we are currently awash (not in the staggering around the streets with a bottle in a brown bag way) and new brands of premium gin are everywhere.

Here are a few we tasted from the range of 20 or so at The Attic.

Billed as an organic gin from Sweden, Spirit of Hven is a great gin for the summer. The juniper is not as strong and it is light and peppery. Great mixed with Fever Tree tonic, although a little water would suffice, and it’s a good alternative for gin lovers.

The Origin range breaks new ground. Each batch is distilled using juniper alone and the juniper that goes into each batch comes from just one location, from an Italian hillside to the Netherlands and from Croatia to Albania. All are very different – a smooth taste comes from Italy and a more robust and bitter flavour from the Low Countries, which makes a good gin for a cold winter night.

US brand Few had a malty, warm, whisky-like base, with almost a hint of tequila – there is a little bit of citrus, but with a warm spicy quality. Another winter warmer and one that needs a bitter tonic.

Of all the gin joints in town, this is one to stop in.