Fairy Tale Cocktails at St James Bar

09-03-2018 Local Black Bookbar, cocktails, London, St James Bar, The Balcon1 Comment

Once upon a time, in the heart of London, there was a magical cocktail bar called St James Bar.

Inspired by Coco Chanel’s 1920’s Paris appartment, it was aluxurious and elegant place, with a dark marble bar, velvet seats and painted paneling.

The bar itself was a bit of an alchemist’s den and hosted a myriad of little vials.

Bitters, shrubs, syrups and liquors lined up on mirror shelves, each a key component for the fairy tale cocktails concocted by the gifted team of bartenders.

The cocktail menu, taking inspiration from classic tales, read like a fables’ book and making a choice was no easy fate.

Should I follow Peter to Neverland or Pinocchio in his mischievious adventures?

Should I watch in awe as Belle’s & the Beast’s love unfold before my eye or join Alice in her race with the White Rabbit?

But in the end, diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so it had to be the Satine’s Dilemna.

Fairy Tale Cocktails at St James Bar, London / Cake + Whisky

Combining sweet and sour flavours, this subtly floral cocktail arrived topped with red rose petals and an edible diamond.

Just like it’s namesake, it’s entrance definitely made an impression!

Fairy Tale Cocktails at St James Bar, London / Cake + Whisky

A heavenly mix of Botanist gin, rose syrup, plum bitters, lemon juice, homemade grape shrub and bitter foam.

And just like Satine’s aspirations, it’s perfectly balanced.

My second choice was a bit wilder – but that’s just how life is when you’re a Lost ~~Boy~~ Girl!

A playful take on the classic Negroni, the Fear O’ Clock is a great representation of the story of the boy who doesn’t want to grow up.

And on that note, tick-tock, time’s up!

Race you to St James Bar for Friday celebratory cocktails?

St James Bar at Sofitel London St James, 6 Waterloo Pl, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4AN

More on cocktails

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Mulled Wine Inspired Christmas Martini

08-12-2017 Local Black BookBlogmas, Christmas, cinnamon, cocktail, cocktails, cointreau, Cosmopolitan, cranberry, drink, drinks, festive, mulled wine, orange, vermouthLeave a comment

‘Tis the season for Christmas parties & a little festive tipple!

And in that field, things don’t get any better than a tangy Christmas Martini.

I first tried them at the Borough Kitchen Christmas press do, and they immediately became a seasonal staple.

They are a modern take on traditional mulled wine and a real Christmas cracker of a drinks recipe!

Super easy, quick and completely delicious, I have it on good authority that Mr & Mrs Claus enjoy a few of these on the run up to Christmas eve.

Just make sure you drink them responsibly… ‘elf & safety first, promise?!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:48]

More festive inspiration & recipes

The A to Z of Christmas in London

Cranberry & turkey sausage rolls

Christmas orange salad (VE)

DIY Christmas bingo cards

A British cocktail masterclass at Hixter Bankside

24-10-2017 Local Black Bookcocktails, Hixter, London, masterclass, recommendation, Restaurant, review2 Comments

Bankside is one of my favourite parts of London.

Home to the fantastic Borough Market and some of my favourite restaurants in the city, Bankside is a fantastic destination for dinner and weekend meanderings alike.

And in October, things are getting even more exciting along the Lowline with the launch of the Bankside School of Food and Wine!

To celebrate Bankside’s emerging food scene, various venues are holding a range of food and drink workshops.

From doughnut making to butchery classes, chocolate workshops and mixology lessons, there’s a lot to choose from.

But you know me, I’m never one to say no to a good cocktail!

Which is how I found myself in Mark’s Bar at Hixter Bankside for a hands-on British cocktail masterclass.

After a Hix Fix (a delicious mix of cherry liquor and English sparkling wine and the best selling cocktail across all Hix restaurants) on arrival, it was time to get down to cocktail-mixing business!

First things first – a quick refresher on the history of cocktails, must-know techniques used in cocktail making and of course, the provenance of the spirits!

Much like for the food, the approach to cocktail making focuses on local, seasonal ingredients such as Black Cow vodka – the world’s only Pure Milk Vodka™.

Made entirely from the milk of grass grazed cows in West Dorset, it makes for an exceptionally smooth vodka with a unique creamy character.

After eagerly tucking into delicious bar snax (the signature Yorkshire pudding with whipped chicken livers is an absolute must-order!), it was time to recreate some of Mark’s Bar’s renowned cocktails.

First up on the cocktail menu – the Dorset Donkey (a British take on the classic Moscow Mule).

Made with the freshest seasonal produce (blueberries in the summer, blackberries in fall and preserved Morello cherries in the colder months), it’s a great drink to mix for impromptu guests any time of the year.

All you have to do is crush a couple of Morello cherries and sage leaves at the bottom of a highball glass.

Top with 20ml lime juice, 50ml Black Cow vodka, 10ml cherry brandy and 15ml honey or sugar syrup.

Fill the highball glass with ice cubes.

Top with ginger ale.

Garnish with a Morello cherry and 2 sage leaves and you’re all done!

Substitute the sage for orange peel, add a cinnamon stick and you’ll have yourself a smashing Christmas cocktail.

The perfect way to get into the holiday spirits!

Unless of course you’re more of an Espresso martini kind of gal/guy!

I have it on good authority that Mark’s Bar serves one of the best in London.

So might as well learnt from the masters!

It’s actually not that difficult either.

For 1 glass, you’ll need:

50ml Black Cow vodka
50ml fresh ground coffee or a double espresso
35ml honey or sugar syrup
coffee beans to garnish

Pour all the ingredients into the smaller half of a shaker, add cubed ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.

Strain into a champagne coupe and garnish with three coffee beans.

A British cocktail masterclass at Hixter Bankside ● Cake + Whisky

A brew-tiful drink indeed and one well worth learning for yourself!

A inspirational gift or a unique way to celebrate Christmas with colleagues (beats the canapé buffet anyday!), Hixter’s British Cocktail Masterclass will whisky any cocktail lover away! (just remember to book ahead!)

Mark’s Bar at Hixter Bankside, 16 Great Guildford St, London SE1 0HS

*I attended the Hixter cocktail masterclass as a guest of the restaurant and Better Bankside. All words, pictures and love of eau de vie marinated cherries my own.

Autumn cocktails at TwoRuba

20-10-2017 Local Black Bookbar, cocktail bar, cocktails, Hilton London Tower Bride, London, Restaurant, Tower Bridge, TwoRuba2 Comments

It’s getting cold and crisp outside, and the weekend’s almost there…

You know what that mean – time’s just right for some Autumn cocktails.

Luckily, I know just the place.

Nestled inside the Hilton London Tower Bridge hotel, TwoRuba’s has quite the reputation for serving the best crafted cocktails in the area.

Their new autumn menu definitely holds up to that reputation.

Filled with expertly crafted seasonal creations and twists on the classics, it’s filled with perfectly balanced and innovative concoctions.

And when it comes to naming their creative elixirs, the team doesn’t shy away from a good pun – just the way to my heart!

So what will it be?

Scary Mary? Autumn Lady (a gin sour with a ginger kick) ? Or the ever elusive, unicorn-worthy Rainbow cocktail?

Orange juice, grenadine, vodka and curaçao, beautifully layered into a tall glass.

And garnished with delicate flowers to create the most ranunculus-ly gorgeous drink I’ve ever seen.

Having tried my hands at recreating the above wonder, I can confirm it’s not quite as easy as the pros make it seem.

So better leave it to TwoRuba’s to make your fall Fridays rainbow and unicorns kind of days!

TwoRuba, Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 Tooley St, London SE1 2BY

More things to do by the River

A walk along the Thames

Exploring London’s Bankside

Padella

Shopping at the Borough Market

Cocktails and Magic at Mr Fogg’s

07-09-2017 Local Black Bookcocktails, drinks, Mr Fogg's, Mr Gladstone Curious EmporiumLeave a comment

We all like to pretend that adulting is all glam n’ brunch – but the truth is, it’s more, as the French say, metro-boulot-dodo.

But when the daily routine gets too much, I know the perfect spot to escape it all…

Welcome to Mr Fogg’s, the Mayfair home of the fictional Victorian explorer of the name.

Stuffed to the gunnels with stuffed animals, hunting rifles, flags, maps and all sorts of bits and pieces Phileas alledgedly collected on his travels.

As it so happens, Mr Fogg’s is also home to some of the most creative cocktail masters in London – and quite the selection of spirits!

The latest addition to that impressive collection: the brand new, retro confectionary inspired Mr. Gladstone’s Curious Emporium fusion beverage range.

Think Rhubarb & Custard, Pear Drop, Pineapple Cube and Strawberry Bon Bon meet wine.

Playful and quirky, the new range is right at home at Mr Fogg’s!

If you have quite the sweet tooth, you’ll love them simply poured over ice.

If you like your drinks to be bit more tart, mix them with soda or tonic water.

You can also take it one step further and add a few secret ingredients to create your own extraordinary concoctions!

My favourite?

The Lushington Bazoo – a dangerous yet delicious combination of Russian standard Platinum vodka, raspberry puree & fresh lemon juice, topped up with Mr Gladstone’s Curious Emporium Rhubarb & Custard.

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Berry nice indeed… and even better served with a side of magic tricks!

Traveling cards, disappearing foam balls… this guy just aced it all!

Curious cocktails, great company and a bit of (non-compulsory) magic… the perfect way to shake up your daily routine!

A Taste of Summer – The perfect G&T

30-05-2017 Local Black Bookcocktails, Drake & Morgan, event, G&T, gin and tonic, London, masterclass, recipe1 Comment

When life gives you Summer, you better have G&Ts at the ready!

Introduced by the army of the British East India Company in India, Gin & Tonic is the perfect drink for when the weather’s hot and the sun is shining.

Zesty, refreshing and -most importantly- super easy to make, which is just as well, because in that heat, the least there is between you and a cold drink, the better.

G&Ts are the ultimate no-sweat cocktail -1 part gin to 3 parts tonic (better measure to taste), with a squeeze of lime for good measure (and extra freshness).

It’s the perfect drink to make for one or a crowd – just make it in a pitcher, pour over ice and go wild with the garnishes.

From the classic citrus twists and wedges, to delicate edible flowers, cucumber ribbons ‘a la Hendrick’s’, fresh herbs a little sprinkle of cracked black pepper…

That’s where the magic of the humble G&T truly is – it’s so simple, yet there are so many possibilities.

That said, I can’t ima-gin any better version than the pink gin and tonic below!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:13]

Want to brush up on your botanicals? Besides its limited-edition Taste of Summer cocktail menu (including the above Pink Gin and Tonic recipe under the lovely name of ‘Lavender Vida Loca’) , Drake & Morgan is offering a series of complimentary mixology masterclasses at selected bars & restaurants across London.

The ultimate chance to learn the tricks of the trade whilst sipping on classic and contemporary creations!

Masterclasses will run from 6-8pm according to the following calendar:

31st May – The Happenstance – Ocho Tequila with Jesse Estes

7th June – C&B devonshire Terrace – Gobernador Pisco with Chris Dennis

14th June – The Otherist – QuiQuiRiQui Mescal with Melanie Symonds

21st June – C&B Lime Street – Gin Mare with Sarah Moorhead

28th June – The Refinery CityPoint – Capucana Cachaca with Tom Blay

5th July – The Happennstance – Ocho Tequila & QuiQuiRiQui Mescal with Tom Blay

19th July – C&B Devonshire Terrace – Campari with Joseph St Clair Ford

To book your place, please email stuart.cambell@drake-morgan.co.uk & let the good time be-gin!

London’s Dry Martini Bar

26-11-2016 Local Black Bookbar, cocktail bar, cocktails, Dry Martini Bar, London, martini, recommendation, Restaurant, review2 Comments

Hidden at the heart of the rather unassuming Mélia White House Hotel, London’s Dry Martini Bar is a cocktail bar like no other and a must visit for Bond-wannabes and true martini lovers alike.

The first of its name in the UK, this unique bar pulls together the sophistication of the marble-clad hotel and the traditions and heritage the Dry Martini Bar trademark is built upon.

The Meliá White House was built in 1936 and was originally launched as The White House luxury apartments. The hotel’s building still preserves its architectural value as a prime example of late 1930s architecture.

Mélia White House boasts an eclectic style, where contemporary design meets classic.

The area hosting London’s Dry Martini Bar, with its resolutely modern Spanish surrealist art selection, art deco stylings and blues and rock soundtrack, illustrates this perfectly.

But the true gem in the room is the bar itself.

Inspired by the glamourous 1920s, with its leather chairs and polished brass details, it’s a jewel in its own right.

And a really well stocked one at that!

Dozens of whiskies, about as many rum varieties…

And enough bottles of gin & vodka to make any martini lover’s head spin with the endless possibilities opening to them…

The perfect spot for the ultimate Martini-mixing lesson*!

Under the watchful eye of bar manager and expert mixologist Diego Cruz, we take turn behind the bar to stir the perfect classic Martini.

Which is much more work that the simple-looking cocktail might let you think.

First, fill a cocktail mixing glass with ice. Use a bar spoon to swirl it around a few times to cool it down.

Remove the excess water.

Pour in a double measure of your poison of choice (this would be mine, in case you were wondering)…

Add a few drops of sweet vermouth and stir carefully with a bar spoon.

Make sure not to bang the ice to much as this would result in a more diluted Martini, miles away from the potent, botanical-heavy beast a proper dry martini is.

Strain through a Hawthorne strainer into a clean, chilled martini glass.

Up to the very last drop!

Twist some lemon peel over the glass to express oils, then rub around rim of glass.

Garnish with the lemon peel or an olive.

Actually, if you’re mixing one for me, make it two olives.

HotJoint launch at Dry Martini Bar London

I like my Martini like I like my men: with a pinch of salt, slightly dirty and concerned about preserving the environment, if only to make sure there’ll always be enough ice to mix a proper Martini whenever one’s necessary.

Dry Martini Bar London, Meliá White House, Albany St, London NW1 3UP

*I was invited to attend a Martini masterclass at London’s Dry Martini Bar by HotJoint, London’s latest food website, aiming at bringing together the capital’s foodies to tell the stories of the city’s best eating and drinking venues. A little bird tells me they’re planning many more fun events of that kind in the new year, so make sure you subscribe to their newsletter to know what’s cooking!

Halloween Cocktail – Bloody Ghoul’s Goblet

24-10-2016 Local Black Bookcocktail, cocktails, drinks, ghoul's goblet, gin, ginger ale, halloween, halloween cocktail, halloween cocktails, recipe, tanqueray1 Comment

Bonfires burning & bright pumpkin faces in the night…

Witches, ghosts, vampires & zombies gathering in the shadows…

It’s definitely time to get ready for the most frightful night of the year!

Line up the candy apples, befriend a few spiders, get working on the pumpkin carving & dust the old potion book…

… For there’s no Halloween party without a spooky (witches’) brew of a Halloween cocktail!

Bloody Ghoul's Goblet Halloween Cocktail | Cake + Whisky

My elixir of choice? How about a Bloody Ghoul’s Goblet*?!

The perfect mix of sweet & sour, this spooky serve, inspired by thebar.com Smirnoff Ghoul’s Goblet, is sure to cast a spell on your guests!

Just don’t be alarmed when you see some creepy creatures at the bottom of your glass, for if you don’t garnish drinks with worms & tarantula brains on Halloween, then when?

Bloody Ghoul's Goblet Halloween Cocktail | Cake + Whisky

Bloody Ghoul’s Goblet (serves 1)

Ingredients:

35ml Tanqueray gin
150ml ginger ale
2 slices blood orange + juice of 1/4
a few drops red food colouring
Gummy worm sweets, mini plastic spiders, pomegranate seeds & small blackberries

1. Fill an ice tray with gummy worms sweets, plastic spiders & small blackberries (a few to each square) and add water. Add a few drops of food colouring, then freeze.

2. Add 2–3 gummy worm sweet ice cubes to a tumbler glass.

3. Pour Tanqueray gin into the tumbler, add the blood orange juice and top with ginger ale.

4. Garnish with blood orange slices and pomegranate seeds & serve immediately.

PIN FOR LATER:

* This post was sponsored by thebar.com and the featured recipe was inspired by their Smirnoff Ghoul’s Goblet but all text, pictures and Halloween cocktail excitement my own.

Absurd Bird, Soho

20-10-2016 Local Black BookAbsurd Bird, American, bar, chicken, chicken wings, cocktails, Deep South, fried chicken, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Soho2 Comments

I first fell in love with Deep South American classics when we visited New Orleans a bit over a year ago.

The weather this past few day had me reminissing about that trip, craving the heat, the Bourbon Street atmosphere, the music, and most of all, the food!

Luckily, there’s no food you can’t find in London, and if you’re after some soul-warming American South comfort food, I know just the place!

Nestled at the heart of always bubbly Soho, Absurd Bird feels like a little slice of the Deep South, with all the contradictions it involves.

Nostalgic and modern, humble and sophisticated, comfortable and innovative…

Upstairs is all about the open kitchen and Absurd Bird’s signature Moonshine lampshades, but downstairs is the true hidden gem.

An inviting basement den, complete with an intimate hideaway bar and cosy dining space, all absolutely NOLA-worthy…

The cocktails truly live up to the expectations as well.

Moonshine’s Mary

A fiery take on the bloody classic made with the restaurant own distilled Absurd Moonshine.

Hillbilly Iced Tea (Monshine, Lipton peach iced tea, syrup, lemon juice)

A light & refereshing drink that’s perfect to accompany all the spicy, crispy deliciousness to come.

Starting with an all-round favourite: the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, served with giant fried tortilla chips.

Creamy & zingy, this classic American dip is absolutely addictive and perfect for sharing!

Jalapeno Cheese Biscuits with apple butter

Crumbly, cheesy and spicy, they’re an absolute triumph.

Not that it takes away from the star of the show at Absurd Bird.

The chicken.

Superstar, free-range chicken from Fosse Meadows farm, all marinated in Absurd Bird’s secret sauces and cooked in a variety of ways, each more delicious than the next.

The wings come in 5 different flavours, ranging from the classic Crispy fried buttermilk version to the more unexpected Smoked garlic, parmesan & lemon one and seriously fiery Buffalo wings.

All are finger-licking good, the perfect balance of super moist chicken, crispy batter & amazing sauces.

The kind of thing you can’t just wing!

Big Mama’s Favourite

A generous helping of perfectly-cooked, Southern style smoked chicken served with sweet gravy

Dirty Buns (fried chicken, spicy mayo and pickle served in sweet milk buns)

Chicken and Waffles with smoked sweet gravy & maple syrup

Absurd Bird, Soho

Popcorn chicken waffle cone.

A quirky, genius take on the chicken wrap, complete with fresh tomato, salad and a generous drizzle of spicy mayo.

Fried Chicken Sliders (with bacon jam, pimento cheese, potato bun).

An obvious winner.

Especially when served alongside some irresistible sides…

French fries and Spicy sweet potato fries

The kind that’d give the old ‘Fries before guys’ thing a whole lot of sense!

Jalapeno Mac & Cheese

Almost an exact twin to my own recipe and an absolute must-order.

…and the divisive Sweet potato bake with toasted marshmallows (not really my thing, but if you’re into that sort of things, go for it!)

All topped off with insanely good, home-baked desserts, including Crack Pie (just as addictive as the name suggests), a rich & indulgent Peanut Butter Cheese Cake (perfect for sharing) and impossible-to-resist warm Choc Chip Cookies, served with the cutest mini milk bottle.

The (Deep South) American dream, in dessert form and definitely one of the many, many reasons to chicken Absurd Bird menu!

I’m sure you won’t have too much difficulty finding friends to come along, the place’s an absolute chick magnet, but if you do go with a big(ish) group, make sure you book ahead!

Absurd Bird, 5 Peter Street, London W1F 0AH

Asian Small Plates at Tootoomoo

05-10-2016 Local Black BookAsian, cocktail, cocktails, dumplings, gyoza, highbury, Islington, London, pan-asian, recommendation, Restaurant, review, salad, tempura, tootoomoo, wontonLeave a comment

It’s only been about a month since my last holiday.

Until last Monday, all was going well. Then the travel bug struck again and before I knew it I was browsing Pinterest and day-dreaming of road trips across Asia.

Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen any time soon, so instead of plane-hoping, I went for the ‘travel with your taste buds’ alternative.

Serving an ‘Asian tapas’ menu inspired by the street market flavours of Japan, China and Southeast Asia, Tootoomoo brings the tastes and atmosphere of an Asian shophouse to London, and was therefore the perfect destination to satiate my hunger (both literally and figuratively).

The restaurant itself feels like something you could discover on holiday.

Colourful furniture, filament lightbulbs, cracked-paint effect, low lighting… it has that charming beach-shack-at-sunset vibe that’ll make cocktails an absolute necessity.

Of course we obliged with a couple of Cinderella mocktails (because, well, Monday).

Absolutely no regret whatsoever though, as the combination of orange, pinneaple, cranberry, grenadine & soda water was absolutely spot on!

Quickly followed by a smorgasboard of small plates crafted to invoke a tour of the best of Asia.

We started our journey in China with a steaming bowl of Wanton Soup.

Our culinary journey then took use to Japan for a plateful of plump & crispy Chicken Gyoza with black rice vinaigrette.

Followed by the most succulent Tiger Prawn Tempura. Sprinkled with nori dust & served with fiery spicy mayo on the side, it was a refreshing twist on the classic and a really good one indeed!

We liked it so much we decided to stay around for a little longer… Just enough time for a taste of the sashimi-inspired Salmon salad with yuzu vinaigrette & Kizami wasabi!

Then, back to China for a modern take on the traditional aromatic duck.

Tootoomoo does serve the original, complete with hoisin sauce and pancakes, but we went for the salad version instead. Served with watermelon, cashew & hoisin.

Pan Asian tapas at Tootoomoo | Cake + Whisky

It was definitely quite different from the original, but really ducking good!

Last stop: Thailand for Pad Thai (of course).

If you didn’t see that one coming, you udon know me very well! #PastaLover

There’s much more on the menu to discover, including sushi, Thai curries, noodles, Rendang… So book a table here and go on your own little foodie adventure!

And no matter what you’ll choose, I think you’ll agree: Tootoomoo is tootoogood!

Tootoomoo Islington, 278 St Paul’s Rd, Islington N1 2LH

*I dined at Tootoomoo as a guest, but all opinions, pictures and wanderlust my own.

Cake and Whisky

Life in London and other almost-grown-up tales

Menu

cocktails

Fairy Tale Cocktails at St James Bar

More on cocktails

Mulled Wine Inspired Christmas Martini

More festive inspiration & recipes

A British cocktail masterclass at Hixter Bankside

Mark’s Bar at Hixter Bankside, 16 Great Guildford St, London SE1 0HS

Autumn cocktails at TwoRuba

TwoRuba, Hilton London Tower Bridge, 5 Tooley St, London SE1 2BY

More things to do by the River

Cocktails and Magic at Mr Fogg’s

A Taste of Summer – The perfect G&T

Masterclasses will run from 6-8pm according to the following calendar:

31st May – The Happenstance – Ocho Tequila with Jesse Estes

7th June – C&B devonshire Terrace – Gobernador Pisco with Chris Dennis

14th June – The Otherist – QuiQuiRiQui Mescal with Melanie Symonds

21st June – C&B Lime Street – Gin Mare with Sarah Moorhead

28th June – The Refinery CityPoint – Capucana Cachaca with Tom Blay

5th July – The Happennstance – Ocho Tequila & QuiQuiRiQui Mescal with Tom Blay

19th July – C&B Devonshire Terrace – Campari with Joseph St Clair Ford

London’s Dry Martini Bar

Dry Martini Bar London, Meliá White House, Albany St, London NW1 3UP

Halloween Cocktail – Bloody Ghoul’s Goblet

Absurd Bird, Soho

Asian Small Plates at Tootoomoo