There is an increasing number of gin bars in Scotland which carry a spectacularly wide range of gins and make innovative drinks using them. As keen gin hounds, the 5pm Dining blog welcomes them all.

However, for this blogger, Edinburgh’s One Square has always stood out from the pack. Not only have they worked with Pickering’s to produce their own house gin but they have also been imaginative when it comes to working gin into their food offer.

Unique mix of botanicals

Their seasonal program of afternoon teas is perhaps the best demonstration of this.

Now that summer is officially under way, One Square’s pastry team has pulled out all the stops for this summer’s afternoon tea.

Starting with the unique mix of botanicals and fruits used to flavour No. 3 Gin, the chefs have weaved those ingredients through their new afternoon tea. The botanicals used in the gin include juniper berries, coriander seed, orange and grapefruit.

These have been incorporated into afternoon tea items such as the red onion and coriander pakora; the pink grapefruit and white chocolate délice plus the orange and lemon Battenberg cake.

The pièce de résistance has to be the show-stopping raspberry and Chantilly cream meringue swan that is gracefully positioned atop the afternoon tea stand.

Gin Concierge

The overall experience is completed with a refreshing No. 3 Gin Cocktail made with cardamom and coriander syrup, orange bitters and fresh pink grapefruit juice – all handcrafted by the Gin Concierge at One Square.

The No. 3 Gin Afternoon Tea is served, daily, in One Square from 01 June to 31 August 2016, between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

This costs £27 per person which includes a No. 3 Gin Cocktail or a choice of enveloped or loose leaf tea, traditionally prepared at the table.

You can see the full afternoon tea menu and book in via One Square’s 5pm page.

5pm Dining has a wide range of afternoon tea offers in Glasgow and Edinburgh.