Mr Fogg’s to open distillery in heart of London

The Inception Group, founders of the popular Mr Fogg’s themed bars, is to open a gin distillery in the City of London inspired by Phileas Fogg’s Indian wife, Aouda.

Mrs Fogg’s Maritime Club & Distillery in Broadgate Circle will boast a gin distillery where guests can make their own samples to take home.

The brainchild of Inception Group founders Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, the distillery is inspired by the character of Aouda, explorer Phileas Fogg’s wife in Jules Verne’s adventure novel Around The World in 80 Days.

“We are delighted that Mr Fogg has found his perfect partner and look forward to introducing Mrs Fogg to Londoners very soon,” Gilkes said.

Decked out to look like a vintage Rangoon steamer ship in a nod to Bombay-born Aouda’s seafaring adventures, the site, set across two floors, will serve exotic cocktails made with Indian spices.

The tiffin tea experience at the bar will include food served in traditional dabbawala tins

Among the libations being shaken up will be Ta-Ta’s Margarita, a twist on the Mexican classic with turmeric-infused Cabrito Blanco Tequila, chili-infused honey, lime, star fruit and grapefruit tonic.

Also on pour will be the Mumbai Donkey, a twist on a Moscow Mule marrying cardamom-infused Russian Standard vodka with pear, parsley and ginger beer.

The large central bar on the ground floor will be festooned with foliage and nautical trinkets, while the engine room in the basement will be filled with cargo, crates and a custom-designed rickshaw.

Modelled on the underground distilleries of the Victorian era, Mrs Fogg’s will boast its own house gin and will host regular gin-making masterclasses.

Inspired by Aouda’s memories of home, the menu at Mrs Fogg’s will feature Indian flavours with a contemporary twist, such as Keralan fried chicken, mango salads, sweet potato pani puri and jackfruit biryani served in traditional tiffin boxes.

On Saturday afternoons guests can swing by for a tiffin tea experience featuring sweet and savoury bites served in dabbawala tins, live entertainment, and cocktails.

Staff at Mr’s Fogg’s Maritime Club & Distillery, which includes a foliage filled outdoor terrace, will sport nautical but nice naval attire.