posted by Hilary on Feb 24

What with everyone I know at the moment seeming to disappear on Ski-ing adventures, whether it be to a posh resort in the Alps to the chill factor in Manchester, I thought the below recipe was quite appropriate. I also think its bit like a like Pimms for the snow! Preparation time less than 30 mins What you need :

• 60ml/2½fl oz prosecco
• ice cubes
• 25ml/1fl oz vanilla vodka
• 50ml/2fl oz bitters To garnish
• 1 slice orange
• 2 raspberries

What to do

1. Pour the prosecco into a champagne flute until it reaches two thirds of the way up

2. Ice cubes in shaker and pour over the vanilla vodka and bitters.

3. Stir once, and then strain the mixture over the prosecco.

4. Hook the orange slice and raspberries over the side of the glass.

posted by JD on Feb 19

SSSShhhhhh don’t tell anyone but I have two exclusives on the Cocktails that will be served up at the Oscars on Sunday… how glamorous.

The first Oscar goes to…..

The Ultimate Blueberry Martini

• 1 1/2 oz Tequila
• 1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
• 2 oz blackberry juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• fresh blackberry garnish

1. Pour into a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with fresh blackberries skewered on a cocktail pick.

The second Oscar goes to…..

The Patron Gold Cosmopolitan

This is going to be dished up at the pre-show party and at the Governors Ball.

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Orange Liqueur
• 2 oz fresh blueberry juice
• 1 oz fresh mango juice
• blueberries for garnish

1. Pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with fresh blueberries skewered on a cocktail pick.

posted by Hilary on Feb 18

If anyone else tells me we are in the middle of credit crunch, then they would only have to look at my back balance!!!!!! But what is a girl to do an a Friday night? Don’t get me wrong I have discovered that staying in is the new going out and I have had some fab discount vouchers for wines at OddBins and even Asda, however after a stressful week sometimes all you want to do is get on those high heels and hit the town…

A lack of pennies doesn’t have to stop you; there are some fab offers out there. Walrus in the Northern Quarter Manchester are doing a meal and a glass of wine for £9. If you want to posh it up Malmaison is doing a Sunday roast and ½ bottle of wine for 15 notes!!!

Finally for now, I have one more fantastic deal I found yesterday for 50% off the New menu at Velvet, Canal Street, Manchester. Usually with offers like these they are always restricted to the weekend or to silly times of the day.. not no not on this I read the small print and the 50% is on all weekend off the entire menu!

posted by Hilary on Feb 17

Classic Pina Colada

So many would think the origin was down to Del Boy in Only fools and Horses but believe it or not it actually dates back as far as 1914. Despite the drink being seen as the official drink of Puerto Rico, it is said to have been created in Barcelona, Spain by Ricardo Gracia.
So how’s it done?

• 1 shot of white/golden rum
• 2 shots of coconut cream
• 2 shots of pineapple juice
• A slice of pineapple and/or a maraschino cherry or a slice of orange

Add all the ingredients into a blender along with a scoop of crushed ice and blend. Pour into a sours or Collins glass and decorate with the desired garnish.

Lovely Jubbly……..

posted by Arty on Feb 16

Well I have to spread the news about the fab fab fab cocktails that were consumed this weekend at Gaucho in Manchester. Oh my! There was everything on the cocktail menu from a classic Martini through to drinks I have never even heard of before. So you know what, I took the plunge and dived straight in. Well I shook hands with PISCO KID - dark rum, Angostura bitters, freshly squeezed lemon juice but my heart belongs to CARIÑO. This sheer delight consists of Grass Polish vodka (yes I did say grass) shaken with fresh strawberries, sugar syrup and passion fruit my god you just have to try.
Don’t get me started on the wines with over 150 of Argentines finest to choose from.
The atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed yet the décor is decadent and opulent, with low lit private areas….perfect for the romantic or just to get away from the mad weekend crowds.
Now have a little look at their website as I really haven’t done this place justice, I have only commented on the drinks, if I start on about the food I simply won’t be able to stop!!!

Gaucho
2a St Mary’s Street,
Manchester M3 2LB
T 0161 833 4333

posted by Hilary on Feb 16

Mango Margaritta
This little ray of sunshine shown on this week’s show made me dream of the summer weather… despite it being cold and dark outside this Monday morning. Mmmmmm long warm nights by the pool… see I’m off dreaming again!

35ml/1¼fl oz tequila
15ml/½fl oz orange liqueur (cointreau will do if nothing else)
½ lime, juice only
2 tsp mango syrup
25ml/1fl oz mango purée
ice cubes, to taste
1 slice fresh mango, to garnish

What to do?
1. Pour the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, mango syrup and mango purée into cocktail shaker.
2. Add tons of the ice, get your hula skirt on and shake it baby!
3. Strain the mixture into a glass and for fancy finish garnish with the mango slice.

Can you feel the warmth already?

posted by JD on Feb 13

Just a few little numbers to help Valentines go with a swing and rumour has it they are aphrodesiacts!!!!!!

This one is a little different but i like it as it’s made in bulk!

Champagne Punch Drink Recipe
750 ml bottle sparkling wine

325 ml bottle white
3whole cloves
2cinnamon sticks
1/2 lemon
1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
1 cups orange juice
1/2 cup pineapple juice
Ice block

Put white wine, cloves, cinnamon. Squeeze in lemon juice, and then add the rest of the lemon into a pan and bring to the boil. simmer for 10 minutes, strain and cool.
Put ice i bowl, then pour in valentines spice concoction , sparkling wine, and juice.

Simple and sweet lovvvvvvveeeely liqueur

Love Potion Drink
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. amaretto
1 oz. peach liqueur
1 oz. fresh orange
1 oz. cranberry juice
Orange Wedge

Mix vodka, amaretto, peach liqueur, orange juice and cranberry in cocktail shaker with ice, and shake  and pour into a glass Garnish with an orange wedge.

posted by Hilary on Feb 11

Whether it be sitting in a posh swanky wine bar or sitting at home on a bean bag, it doesn’t matter however the glass you drink your beverage from is very important. It’s a scientific fact (well may be in my head) it does make a difference to the pleasure and most importaintly the taste of the drink. I mean can you really imagine a martini drank from a pint glass or a lager drink out of a champagne glass. Call me a girlie girl but i have never drank from  pint glass in my life it just doesn’t seem right!

posted by Arty on Feb 11

Martini Theory no.2
Back in 1870 at Julio Richelieu’s saloon in Martinez, California, a drink was mixed for a miner. Julio put an olive in the glass before handing over Martinez, California continues to claim Martini creation as its own

Martini Theory no.3
This one I find the funniest, very childish, because it has knickers in the description! In 1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel (sorry but I bet your smiling!) in New York the head bartender, called Martini di Arma di Taggia, mixed half and half London Gin, Vermouth and orange bitters. He chilled on ice and strained it a glass. Many visitors to the Knickerbocker asked for variations of the drink and added the olive.

posted by Arty on Feb 10

The History of the Martini
There is many a claim as to who did what and when, as there is to what makes a true Martini. However, the one thing that is clear the recipe created in the 19th Century does not resemble the Martini knocking around today. Even thought there does not seem to be one definitive story, I do find it interesting all the different takes on it… and there does seem a little familiarly in all.
Just to clarify today has recognized taste of a Dry Martini consists of Gin and a varying amount of dry white Vermouth (season to taste). In addition, either an olive, a twist of lime/lemon, or… wait for it a cocktail onion!
Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 green olive or lemon twist for garnish
orange bitters (optional)

What to do:

Pour the ingredients into glass filled with ice cubes.
Stir for 30 seconds.
Strain into glass.
Add a dash of orange bitters if desired
Garnish with the olive or lemon twist.

Martini Theory no.1
The serious HQ boffin’s state it started as a cocktail named the ‘Martinez’ in 1862. Made up of four parts red, sweet Vermouth to 1 part Gin and a little cherry to top it off! Old Tom Gin, very sweet tasting, was the first gin to be used however, this was over time submitted for London Dry giving it the dry taste recognized today.

More Theories to follow………………..