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In my eyes every good man (and woman) should know how to make a few key cocktails, These do not have to be "classics" but you should know how to make a cocktail you enjoy. This is what this thread is for. These short (and long) drinks have a great history across the world, but Britain has played a huge part in them, and as well as being delicious, open up a huge range of flavors to enjoy. I won't dwell to much on the history, there is much written on them out there, books, blogs and more, go explore and at some point I shall write a little on them.
Equipment
Cocktails do not require a whole bar full of bottles nor an array of kit and glassware, though it doesn't hurt. Below is a list I have previously posted that is about all the home cocktailer will require. All are easily found through Google and Amazon has a good starter kit. As ever, the best thing to do is buy what your favorite drinks require and build from there.
A shaker (a boston shaker is my preference, a tin and glass that stick together and are paired with a hawthorne strainer), bar spoon, measures (a 25/50ml jigger is good), muddler, waiters friend, peeler, cocktail sticks, mexican elbow squeezer and julep and hawthorne strainers. A cloth and knife but these are a given most anywhere. Perhaps a microplane grater.
Rocks, high ball and cocktail glasses (coupe or martini is your choice). Beer, wine and champagne glasses dependent on preference.
Ice, good ice. Large cubes are the best, they can be cracked down if required and are an essential in my book.
Simple/gomme syrup (essentially sugar dissolved in water), lemons, limes, oranges, glace cherries, eggs, soda + tonic water, orange juice, grenadine, lime cordial (who doesn't love a gimlet!) as well as olives and silver skin onions (for a martini and gibson respectively).
http://12bottlebar.com/bottles/ is a good starter list on the drinks front (read their reasoning about what did and didn't make the cut), I personally would add a bottle of cachaça as I like a caipirinha, campari for a negroni, perhaps a couple of bottles of single malt and a añejo tequila for having neat. What bottles you add are entirely up to your drinking preference. I always have multiple gins (currently Gordons green and yellow label, Beefeater, Sipsmith and Blackwoods Limited Edition), sweet and dry vermouth (Punt e Mes and Noilly Prat respectively), campari, cointreau, rye, irish and single malt whiskey's and angostura bitters
Negroni
One of my favorite cocktails is the Negroni, its simple to make, short, refreshing and bitter, I urge you to try it, not all will like it but its an experience. It works well from lunch to pre dinner, especially when the sun is out. The story goes that it was made after Count Camillo Negroni asked a Florence bartender in 1919 to make him a strong Americano (sweet vermouth, Campari and soda), so the soda was exchanged for gin and the rest is history.
1 part (25ml is my measure) Gin (Beefeater is my preference)
1 part Sweet Vermouth (currently using Punt e Mes but Martini Rouge will make a good drink)
1 part Campari
Build in a chilled rocks glass over large ice cubes, stir well and garnish with a large piece of orange peel. Can be shaken and strained in to a chilled cocktail glass then garnished if your feeling fancy.
Bars
Below is a list of what I feel are some of London's best bars, mostly because of the drinks but they all have a special feel.
Nightjar 20's speakeasy, utter perfection.
Purl I wasn't a huge fan, but I only went for a quiet drink early on a Wednesday so mileage may vary. Cool drinks with dry ice.
Mark's Bar good cocktails, excellent bar snacks and the oyster ale is to die for.
Claridges Bar the best service in town, an utter institution and all are made to feel welcome.
Dukes Bar ignore the new, crap website, it has the best martinis in town by a long way.
The American Bar felt a little impersonal but great cocktails and a London classic.
Rules Bar great wood panelled room, the doorman will let you in, just ask.
The Coburg Bar
Full of Mayfair suits but good cocktails and a nice atmosphere make it a good place for after work drinks
Paramount The viewing gallery on the 33rd floor of the Centre Point tower perhaps has London's best view. If you are ever in town skip the Eye and head here, you can linger for as long as you want, drinking and nibbling plus there is a 360 degree view, and with it being just a corridor around the building it feels very calm.
The Lonsdale been ages since I have been, but I have a vague recollection of good vesper's and a cool crowd.
Time Out has a good list, here.I think the Nightjar is the best for a night out but have a real soft spot for Claridges, even if it is expensive!
So good people, what are your favorite drinks, best bars and cocktailing stories?
Equipment
Cocktails do not require a whole bar full of bottles nor an array of kit and glassware, though it doesn't hurt. Below is a list I have previously posted that is about all the home cocktailer will require. All are easily found through Google and Amazon has a good starter kit. As ever, the best thing to do is buy what your favorite drinks require and build from there.
A shaker (a boston shaker is my preference, a tin and glass that stick together and are paired with a hawthorne strainer), bar spoon, measures (a 25/50ml jigger is good), muddler, waiters friend, peeler, cocktail sticks, mexican elbow squeezer and julep and hawthorne strainers. A cloth and knife but these are a given most anywhere. Perhaps a microplane grater.
Rocks, high ball and cocktail glasses (coupe or martini is your choice). Beer, wine and champagne glasses dependent on preference.
Ice, good ice. Large cubes are the best, they can be cracked down if required and are an essential in my book.
Simple/gomme syrup (essentially sugar dissolved in water), lemons, limes, oranges, glace cherries, eggs, soda + tonic water, orange juice, grenadine, lime cordial (who doesn't love a gimlet!) as well as olives and silver skin onions (for a martini and gibson respectively).
http://12bottlebar.com/bottles/ is a good starter list on the drinks front (read their reasoning about what did and didn't make the cut), I personally would add a bottle of cachaça as I like a caipirinha, campari for a negroni, perhaps a couple of bottles of single malt and a añejo tequila for having neat. What bottles you add are entirely up to your drinking preference. I always have multiple gins (currently Gordons green and yellow label, Beefeater, Sipsmith and Blackwoods Limited Edition), sweet and dry vermouth (Punt e Mes and Noilly Prat respectively), campari, cointreau, rye, irish and single malt whiskey's and angostura bitters
Negroni
One of my favorite cocktails is the Negroni, its simple to make, short, refreshing and bitter, I urge you to try it, not all will like it but its an experience. It works well from lunch to pre dinner, especially when the sun is out. The story goes that it was made after Count Camillo Negroni asked a Florence bartender in 1919 to make him a strong Americano (sweet vermouth, Campari and soda), so the soda was exchanged for gin and the rest is history.
1 part (25ml is my measure) Gin (Beefeater is my preference)
1 part Sweet Vermouth (currently using Punt e Mes but Martini Rouge will make a good drink)
1 part Campari
Build in a chilled rocks glass over large ice cubes, stir well and garnish with a large piece of orange peel. Can be shaken and strained in to a chilled cocktail glass then garnished if your feeling fancy.
Bars
Below is a list of what I feel are some of London's best bars, mostly because of the drinks but they all have a special feel.
Nightjar 20's speakeasy, utter perfection.
Purl I wasn't a huge fan, but I only went for a quiet drink early on a Wednesday so mileage may vary. Cool drinks with dry ice.
Mark's Bar good cocktails, excellent bar snacks and the oyster ale is to die for.
Claridges Bar the best service in town, an utter institution and all are made to feel welcome.
Dukes Bar ignore the new, crap website, it has the best martinis in town by a long way.
The American Bar felt a little impersonal but great cocktails and a London classic.
Rules Bar great wood panelled room, the doorman will let you in, just ask.
The Coburg Bar
Full of Mayfair suits but good cocktails and a nice atmosphere make it a good place for after work drinks
Paramount The viewing gallery on the 33rd floor of the Centre Point tower perhaps has London's best view. If you are ever in town skip the Eye and head here, you can linger for as long as you want, drinking and nibbling plus there is a 360 degree view, and with it being just a corridor around the building it feels very calm.
The Lonsdale been ages since I have been, but I have a vague recollection of good vesper's and a cool crowd.
Time Out has a good list, here.I think the Nightjar is the best for a night out but have a real soft spot for Claridges, even if it is expensive!
So good people, what are your favorite drinks, best bars and cocktailing stories?
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