My day in cups of tea
WE ASKED SARAH AND FIONA, OF MOTHER’S RUIN GIN VAN, TO TELL US ABOUT THEIR DAY IN GIN… SORRY, TEA
Tell us a bit about your work
We take our mobile gin bar (a 1968 Cheltenham Sable caravan called Nancy) to festivals, weddings and parties. Our morning routine can be anything from taste testing gins to preparing to serve it. But, when children are where they need to be and the dog’s walked, we start with a strong builder’s brew and a peppermint tea.
How early do you (let people) get on the gin?
As early as they like – within reason! Our heads need to be clear though.
When you are taking a break with a cuppa, what do you do to switch off?
We listen to music, plunging into the record collection whenever possible, planning playlists for the bar or reading gin reviews on ginfoundry.com. Sir Edmond Gin has the most beautiful Instagram account, to – we don’t really switch off from gin to be honest!
What’s for lunch?
If we’re at an event, we’ll support our fellow traders, which is a thinly disguised excuse to eat nachos and halloumi fries as often as possible.
Back to work. Does your afternoon work differ to what you do in the morning?
Yes, the pace is cranked up in the afternoon. We start dressing the van, stocking the bar, chopping fruit and herbs to match back to our gins and getting ourselves ready for action. It can be very frantic so we need to be as prepped as possible.
Sounds full on! Might some tea help?
Absolutely. The pause in events to make a cuppa is often what’s needed to recalibrate and review a situation.
And should we wake up a bit fuzzy headed, what do you recommend?
More gin! A Red Snapper, like a Bloody Mary but with gin, it’s guaranteed to sort anyone out.