lifestyle

York Filled With Christmas Spirit As Bus Passengers Warmed With Free Hot Gin

First York and York Gin have joined forces to create the First Taste of Christmas to bring extra festive cheer to the centre of York with free hot gin cocktails for passengers to relax while shopping and socialising.

Take a bus into town in the run-up to Christmas - and you’ll get a free winter warming gin treat when you arrive.

Beginning on Thursday 18 November, all you have to do is buy a First York Day ticket on the bus - and you’ll get a voucher to exchange for a free drink at one of six bars in the city centre.

The choice of York Gin-based hot cocktails includes First York Gin Hot Chocolate & Orange, First York Gin Mulled Bramble and First York Gin Roman Hot Toddy.
A selection of hot mocktails is also available.

The offer coincides with the city’s famous St Nicholas Fair which runs from 18 November to 23 December.

York Gin commissioned local artist Elliott Harrison to design a handy map to show the location of six venues.

Harri, Hannah and Ross

These are:
Two pop-up bars in St Sampson’s Square: Herbie's Treehouse and The Barn
The Judge's Lodging on Lendal, with its very own York Gin Winter Wonderland
Kennedy’s on Little Stonegate
The York Gin horsebox on Blake Street near the Visit York office, and a York Gin pop-up bar at the Coppergate Centre near the Jorvik Viking Centre

York Gin Sales Manager Adam Cook said:
“York is one of the most Christmassy cities in the UK, and now we’re making it even more Christmassy!

“There’s definitely something about having a warm boozy drink as you do your Christmas shopping - and we’d like to say a big thank you to First York for spreading so much Christmas cheer.”

This latest activity builds on a partnership between the bus operator and York Gin which started in the summer.

Ross Johnstone, Commercial Manager of First York, said:
“We’re delighted to continue our work with York Gin and support for local independent businesses.
"This is all about helping residents and visitors enjoy the atmosphere of York when they come to go shopping and socialising throughout the festive season.

“This is guaranteed to give every one of our customers a warm welcome when they travel with us.

"We look forward to bringing plenty of people into the city and encouraging those who might normally use their car to leave it at home and try the bus network.

"But if they do have to drive, the Park & Ride provides opportunities to park for free and complete a journey into the city with non-alcoholic cocktails to join in the fun.”