MOTHER MERCY, NEWCASTLE

Mother Mercy is a Newcastle favourite and a regular fixture in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars. Hidden away beneath street level, it’s an intimate space with low lighting, plush seating, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it just as good for a quiet date night as it is for a catch-up with friends.

This month’s highlight is the Summer Fruit Negroni—a bright, seasonal twist made with gin, our own Asterley Original AperItivo, Chamberyzette Strawberry Aperitif, Pimm’s, and Rhubarb Bitters. It’s crisp, refreshing, and perfect for slow sips in a corner booth, or this month, with your feet up at home. Other standouts on the menu include the smooth, smoky Burnt Honey Old Fashioned and the soft, fruity Peaches & Cream, each crafted with the same balance of flavour and attention to detail that has earned Mother Mercy its reputation.

The Cloth Market bar is part of a wider family of venues, each offering its own take on the Mother Mercy style. Café Mercy brings a lighter, Mediterranean feel with a focus on spritzes and easy-drinking cocktails, while the Fenwick location pairs premium shopping with a refined drinks menu. Together, they showcase a mix of atmospheres, but all share the same commitment to creativity, quality ingredients, and warm hospitality.

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THE DRINK

The Summer Fruit Negroni takes the familiar bittersweet backbone of the classic and brightens it with layers of ripe, juicy flavour. The gin gives it a crisp, clean base while Pimm’s adds gentle spice and herbal depth. Chamberyzette Strawberry Aperitif brings a burst of sweet, jammy fruit, lifted by the tart, tangy edge of rhubarb bitters and the Asterley Original brings the aromatic, bitter sweet finish.

The first sip is refreshing and vibrant, with a smooth, rounded finish that lingers just long enough to invite another taste. It’s balanced, summery, and effortlessly drinkable—ideal for warm evenings or simply bringing a bit of sunshine to your glass.

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TO SERVE YOUR NEGRONI

• Pop the pouch in the freezer for 40 minutes until nicely chilled
• Pour into an ice-filled tumbler or old-fashioned glass
• Garnish with a slice of cucumber
  

DRINK!

THE RECIPE

• 25ml Hepple Gin
• 25ml Asterley Original
• 15ml Chamberyzette Strawberry Aperitif
• 25ml Pimms
• 2 dashes of Rhubarb Bitters

To recreate this delightful Negroni variation, simply follow the instructions below:

• Stir ingredients above in a mixing glass then strain in to a rocks glass with ice

• If you want to prebatch your drinks to serve quickly later, just add another 10ml water to the ingredients above, to ‘pre-dilute’ the blend