Poolside cocktails in the sun: it's what dreams of a European summer are made of.
But this summer, you don't have to leave Gloucestershire to experience it, thanks to Cowley Manor — the first spa hotel in the Cotswolds to open a poolside cocktail bar.
This summer, visitors to Cowley's award-winning C-Side Spa can sip cocktails on sun loungers around its outdoor pool, soaking up the sun or shielding under its stylish, scallop-edged parasols.
Sponsored by Citadelle Gin, the bar serves a selection of gin-based cocktails including the Cowley Cup — gin infused with tart berries, mixed with Italian bitters, strawberry balsamic shrub and ginger ale — and the Citadelle Sour, which combines classic Citadelle gin with nutty Amontillado, punchy absinthe, honey, lemon and bitters.
Rum-based cocktails include the C-Side Daiquiri, an enticing blend of Planteray silver rum, campari, passionfruit and sour Supasawa mixer; and the Rum Paloma, which is made from the same silver rum, bitter orange aperitif, pink grapefruit soda and lime.
Refreshing G&Ts, from classic lemon to fresh pomegranate and basil, are also on the menu, with a wine list of sparkling, white, red and rose too.
Poolside snacks include tapas-style padron peppers drizzled with Cowley Manor's homemade honey, putting a Cotswoldian twist on a Mediterranean staple; as well as crudites with cod's roe, hot dogs and — for the ultimate holiday vibes — ice cream.
Choose from house-churned vanilla, malted milk flavour and silky-smooth dark chocolate sorbet — you can even go for an ice cream sandwich!
Cowley Manor's poolside bar is open every day but is only accessible to people with a booking at the C-Side Spa.
But it's also hosting some exclusive poolside parties to celebrate the opening of the bar this summer, which are open to everyone — see Cotswold pool parties make a splash at Cowley Manor for all the dates and details.
