Ginporium Mobile Gin Bar
We are in the midst of a gin revolution with craft distilleries popping up across Britain, and discerning drinkers showcasing an unquenchable thirst for this distinct juniper-based spirit.
Terry Horsfield is a veritable oracle on gin, and has channelled his love of the artisan spirit into mobile gin bar Ginporium. Housed in a refurbished caravan with a vintage, steampunk vibe, Ginporium ‘bring the distillery to you’.
The bar is stocked with various small batch gins, all sourced from UK-based distilleries, and around half locally produced. These include Ginporium’s own blend, distilled at family-run Saragusta Spirits in Buckden.
Gin cocktails are Terry’s speciality, with signatures including the Ginporium Bramble – a refreshing fusion of bramble jam, raspberry gin, lime juice, lime tonic and Crème de Cassis. Also onboard are small-batch vodkas and rums, tequilas, beers from Harston-based BrewBoard and soft drinks.
Ginporium launched in 2020 as Terry – a dad of one and landscape gardener – was struggling with mental health issues, which made it difficult to leave home. His then business partner was also suffering with anxiety and depression so the friends decided that Ginporium would help to thrust them into the public domain.
Their first booking was a three-day gin festival in Saffron Walden and was a resounding success. Since then, Terry – who is now business partners with Cambridge entrepreneur Charlie Stepney, and Ben Griggs of Newham indie Bean Theory – has catered for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and the BBC’s Gardeners’ World Live festivals. As hoped, interacting with the public has proved ‘the best therapy’ for Terry, and the future looks bright with plans for pop-up gin tastings and cocktail-making at Bean Theory as well as a bricks and mortar aperitif bar in Cambridge.
Though traditionally branded ‘mother’s ruin’ it seems that gin may well have been this father’s saviour.