The weather has been a bit funky in NYC the past week or so, but luckily for Bombay Sapphire East it was gorgeous for their rooftop launch held at 620 Loft & Garden in Midtown Manhattan on September 19.

Sapphire East is the first gin to be launched by Bombay since Bombay Sapphire was launched 25 years ago.

The new Sapphire East is vapor-infused with Thai lemongrass and Vietnamese black peppercorn, along with the 10 botanicals also found in the original Bombay Sapphire: almonds and lemon peel from Spain, coriander seedsfrom Morocco, juniper berries and orris (iris root) from Italy, liquorice fromChina, cassia bark from Indo-China, cubeb berries from Java, grains ofparadise from West Africa, and angelica root from Germany’s Saxony region. The result is a distinctly peppery, citrus finish.

It’s perfect to mix with ingredients like thyme, basil, and cucumber for exotic, Asian-inspired cocktails. The event featured 5 mixologists from Manhattan restaurants, each serving up their signature Sapphire East cocktail.

This was my favorite cocktail: Lower Eastside

Qi Bangkok Eatery and Pok Pok provided the tasty hors d’oeuvres and desserts, which were a perfect complement to the delicious cocktails.

photo(s) credit: Jamarr Lynch

For more information on Bombay Sapphire East and cocktail recipes: facebook.com/bombaysapphire

kisses, Olisa