posted by Hilary on Feb 9
Oh my I just have to let you know about a fantastic idea for a night out ideal for hen parties or different take on girlie night out.
I was in Bacchanala on Saturday in Manchester, (15-17 Chapel Walks (off King Street) when a gaggle of girls walked in and went straight round the other side of the bar. Not one to miss out I asked the bar man what was going on. He explained they were taking apart in cocktail party. You can spend the afternoon learning to make and shake the cocktails. The staff will talk you through the history of the cocktails demonstrating their flair and showing you what to do - and best of all you get to drink the lot.
You have to book in advance on 0161 819 1997
posted by Hilary on Feb 9
The Ultimate Crush
Now here’s a little romantic special for you as seen on the 8th February show.
- 3-4 chunks canned pineapple
- 1 the juice of a wedge of lime,
- 25ml/1fl oz dark rum
- 25ml/1fl oz cherry brandy
- 2 tsp grenadine
- freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
- freshly squeezed pineapple juice
Put the pineapple chunks and lime juice into the cocktail shaker along with the, rum, cherry brandy and grenadine and shake - you should have a lovely pinkish liquid. Get a ‘babysham’ style glass full of ice and pour over.
Finish off by filling up the rest of to glass with the pink grapefruit juice, and finally the pineapple juice.
Believe me it’s absolutely gorgeous and melt any one’s heart
posted by Hilary on Feb 6
Shaken, not stirred
Did you know that this phase has been round since the 1956. Ian Flemming used the catch phrase in Diamonds are Forever. However, it was not until 1958 in Dr. No that we heard it for the first time. Unbelievably it was the was the villain Dr. Julius that said it first not Sean.
The catch phase Shaken not stirred is used in ever film, with the exception of two
In ‘You Only Live Twice’, the Martini is asked for stirred not shaken.
In Casino Royal Bond replies “Do I look like I give a damn?” Good old Craig!
posted by JD on Feb 5
Ok so you may have a basic idea, but how do you actually shake the perfect cocktail? And yes, there is abit more to it that opening up a bottle and a flick of the wrist!
Shaking a Cocktail is the most basic skill in bartending.
There are two top notch ‘the business’ types of shakers.
Preferred by the pros :-
Boston shakers
These are made up of a tapered, stainless steel can and a smaller tapered
glass
Standard shakers
A large can, a lid that contains a strainer and a tight-fitting cap.
Whichever shaker you use, shaking should be done with, one hand on either end and vigorous enough that the
ingredients whizz round all of the shaker.
posted by Hilary on Feb 4
Classic Cosmopolitan
• 4.0 cl. (2⅔ measures) Vodka Citron
• 1.5 cl. (1 measure) Cointreau
• 1.5 cl. (1 measure) Fresh Lime juice
• 3.0 cl. (2 measures) Cranberry juice
Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake it baby! Strain into large cocktail glass.
Now this may sound very vague as to where the Cosmopolitan was born. It is a little like Chinese whispers widely added to and exaggerated!
To put it simply many a version was floating around in the 1970’s however, it was ‘God Bless American’ Tom (no not cruise) Cecchini, who made the drink as famous to New York as Ms Liberty herself. Whilst working at the Odeon, Tom’s creative juices took over, putting a spin on a less popular version of the early Cosmo’s and tried Cointreau and lime Juice instead. Hey presto the standardized method or Cosmo was born!
posted by Hilary on Feb 4
Classic Margarita
First things first
- 2oz ish tequila
- juice of half lime
- 1oz ish Cointreau or any orange flavor liquor (like those ones people bring you back from there holidays!)
- Lime wedge
- salt
Bung all the liquids in cocktail shaker with loads of ice.
Wipe the rim of the glass with the lime wedge then dip the glass in salt
Pour into a margarita glass
garnish with lime wedge
So where does this marvel in a glass come?
Well there are many tales dating back from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s some even daring to suggest the origin is from Texas… errr hello tequila. Even though I do love the tale of a besotted waiter creating this glory after first seeing the vision of Rita Hayward, the story is quite less glamourous but there is still has a touch of romance. Although there is many a tale, I believe this one is the most believable
It boils down to a Barman “Willie” from Mexico City, 1934. Beautiful Marguerite, from Hemery, was out one night with her girlies destination restaurant ‘Los Dos Republicas’ where the Willie worked. Marguerie knew the owner had best seats and poor old Willie was dumb stuck!! So the legend goes that he composed a special drink for her. Bless
