DRINK : New 'Tales of the Old Town' cocktail menu at the Marriott Hotel Holyrood Edinburgh
The newly refurbished Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood stands proudly in the heart of Edinburgh's historic old town. Following a £10 million renovation, the hotel now boasts elegantly redesigned guestrooms, a contemporary Great Room, and a rejuvenating spa. Guests can unwind in the 14-meter heated pool, dine in the on-site restaurant, or relax with a drink at the bar. Conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from Waverley Railway Station and Princes Street, it's the perfect base for exploring Edinburgh's rich history and vibrant city life.
And now to make discovering Edinburgh even easier, they have teamed up with Invisible Cities Tours to bring you a cocktail menu inspired by various areas that the walking tours visit across the Old Town. This is how to discover Edinburgh from the comfort of your bar stool or post walking tour!
NEW TALES OF THE OLD TOWN COCKTAIL MENU FROM MARRIOTT HOTEL HOLYROOD EDINBURGH
Who are Invisible Cities?
Invisible Cities is a unique social enterprise that empowers people who have experienced homelessness by training them to become walking tour guides of their own cities. They operate in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Manchester, York, Cardiff, and Liverpool. They offer alternative tours that provide tourists and locals with a fresh perspective on the city’s urban landscape. The tours are led by guides who share their personal insights and stories, making each tour a deeply personal and enriching experience. By focusing on confidence building, public speaking, and customer service, Invisible Cities not only helps individuals rebuild their lives but also fosters a deeper connection between the community and its visitors.
Find out more about Invisible Cities and book a tour here - www.invisible-cities.org/edinburgh-walking-tours/
The Cocktail map spotlights eight signature cocktails, each crafted to celebrate the intriguing tales, legends, and mysteries of Edinburgh's historic Old Town—stories aplenty!
Throughout the evening I sampled four of these delightful drinks, including a non-alcoholic one that was surprisingly delicious. They also offer non-alcoholic versions of all their cocktails, perfect for those who prefer mocktails or don't drink alcohol.
I'm especially fond of how each cocktail is named after a landmark or legend, like "Mary Shelley" inspired by Frankenstein, and "Arthur’s Elevation" named after Arthur’s Seat.
Canongate Kir Royale features St Germain elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and thyme—honouring Canongate Kirk, where poets and kings rest.
Royal Mile Remedy combines Craigallachie 13 peated whisky, lemon, ginger, lemongrass syrup, orange bitters, and candied ginger—a nod to Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
The Mercat Mule mixes Grey Goose Vodka, Lucky Liqueur peach, lemon, peach bitters, fresh raspberries, and ginger beer—paying tribute to Mercat Cross, crowned with Scotland’s national animal, the Unicorn.
Dynamic Earthquake blends Parton Silver tequila, rhubarb liqueur, lemon, orgeat, and rhubarb soda—celebrating Dynamic Earth, opposite the Marriott Hotel.
There’s also The Enchanted Vault with port, Mary Shelley with vodka, Loyal Greyfriars with whisky and Arthur’s Elevation with gin!
The cocktails range in cost between £14-£15 depending on your choice and you can enjoy them in the bar, in the lounge area or the restaurant.
My roundup of the night: Attending this launch night of the new ‘Tales of the Old Town’ cocktail menu was an absolute delight. Surrounded by friends, we sipped on beautifully crafted drinks that each told a story of its own. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as bar staff introduced each creation, sharing the inspirations behind the flavours. Laughter and conversation flowed as easily as the cocktails, making the night feel both sophisticated and laid-back. By the end of the evening, we had tried a variety of unique concoctions, each more impressive than the last. We left with a sense of camaraderie and a few new favourite drinks to talk about for weeks to come.
Slainte!
The Marriott Hotel Holyrood, 81 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AU
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/edimh-edinburgh-marriott-hotel-holyrood