Sometimes there’s nothing better than kicking back in the sunshine after a long day at work and enjoying a long, refreshing cocktail.
And tucked away on Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter is the perfect place to do just that.
Kosmonaut, a New York-styled eatery and bar, is keen to educate drinkers and titillate the tastebuds at the same time with their new craft cocktail list.
The many hundreds of people who pass the bar’s threshold each week now get the chance to sip some overlooked classics as well as trying some new mixes too.
Bar management team member Chris Pollard believes the cocktails chosen for the menu reflect the quality nature of the bar.
He said: “There’s a big move in the industry to the educational side of drinking.
“We want to push new ideas and talk customers through why we’re trying this product and that product.
“We don’t really sell anything that is majorly mainstream – it’s all high quality but ultimately boutique-style.
“It’s all about pushing the customers to try drinks they haven’t had before.”
Chris admitted that Kosmonaut have joined the craze for aperol by adding a classic 1950s drink Aperol Spritz to the menu which has proved to be very popular.
This orange and rhubarb liqueur is topped up with prosseco, and while it initially feels dry it leaves a wonderfully refreshing aftertaste.
Other choices from the new menu include Honolulu Sours – a mixture of pineapple-infused rum, rhubarb and apricot.
The rum’s creamy texture makes it incredibly easy to drink, while the rhubarb and apricot provides a pleasantly sharp aftertaste.
Next up was a strong favourite to quench any cocktail connoisseur’s thirst, the Favela Chic.
Pink and playful in appearance, with a slice of strawberry on the glass for good measure, the Faveloa Chic is very pleasing all round.
The bubbles of prosseco were nicely balanced by strawberry and vanilla, and with Kosmonaut aiming for a seasonal feel to their cocktails, the Favela Chic will certainly prove to be a summer sensation.
Another stand-out option on the menu include Vieux Carre, a pre-prohibition New Orleans concoction of rye whiskey, cognac, Benedictine vermouth and blended bitters.
Some city centre venues may feel at liberty to command high prices for their drinks, but Kosmonaut’s cocktail list ranges from £6 to £8, which for such a popular area is really reasonable.
So next time you’re in the Northern Quarter, you’re looking for somewhere to try delicious cocktails and indulge in a little learning along the way, then Kosmonaut is the place for you.
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