Panda & Sons, Edinburgh Review - King of Cocktail Concoctions

Remember when I was up in Edinburgh for the TGI Burger Night?  Well once we had guzzled up our burgers we went up and around the corner to Queen Street to visit Panda & Sons.  

I really enjoyed my cheeky cocktail at Panda & Sons so I thought I would write a little post about it, it's not sponsored or anything.  I just thought I would share a great place in Edinburgh!  

Going out in Edinburgh is always tricky because there are so many choices, it's a bit ridiculous really!  These days a few of them have went down the speakeasy theme as well, but I think Panda & Sons have done it really well! 

You enter at ground level in, which is decorated as a Barbers shop (the theme continues throughout the bar) and you go down some stairs to see a door disguised as a bookshelf.  Use the magic book to open up the door and bam- you're inside!  

Inside it feels really classy- low lights, comfy chairs and helpful waiting staff with bow ties who bring you bowl after bowl of free popcorn.  Free food is always a winner in my book!

If you come to Panda & Sons you have to get a cocktail!  They've spend a lot of time dreaming up cocktails on their speakeasy, old style theme and making a real spectacle and performance out of them which makes them really special. 

I ordered a Wild Horse Canyon, which was fruity but sour and quite dry.  It was so nice!  Apparently it contains: Gentleman Jack, Plum and Basil Compote, Angostura Bitters, Peychauds Bitters, Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice and a subtle Absinthe aroma. 

My palate is not quite sophisticated to pick all of them out but I enjoyed it!  The great thing about Panda & Sons is that every little detail is thought out - the choice of glasses, the paper striped straws etc. 

However the show stopper of the night was the Birdcage.  This concoction was: Johnnie Walker Gold Reserve, Rhubarb and Lemongrass Shrub, 
Aperol, Angostura Bitters and came in a glass "bird cage" with cinnamon and colve smoke.  

It was quite dramatic, the cage was lifted and smoke flew out!  Leaving the drink underneath- it was a bit of an acquired taste as tasted quite boozey, but fitted in with the old school style perfectly! 

I would definitely recommend checking out Panda & Sons, it is definitely a special experience!