Cocktail of the week:- St Charles Punch

Our cocktail of the week this week is a St Charles Punch, taken from Jerry Thomas' 1862 book, The Bon Vivant

35mls VS Cognac
35mls Ruby Port
25mls fresh lemon juice
15mls sugar syrup

Method:- Shaken

Glass:- Martini Glass

Garnish:-Lemon zest, squeeze over and discard

Comment:- This is delicious! Taking the popular Irish tipple of Brandy & Port and giving it a cocktail makeover of sorts with the simple addition of fresh lemon and sugar. Definitely try this at home.

For a treat use VSOP Cognac and LBV(late bottled vintage) Port

BOLS FOAMS NOW IN IRELAND

During a training sesison in Dundalk last week I spotted what I thought were quite dinky minitaure bottles of Bols liqueurs only to discover that they were actually Bols Foams.

Available in the following flavours:-

BLUE CURACAO
BANANA
CREME DE CASSIS
AMARETTO
CREME DE MENTHE GREEN
CREME DE CACAO WHITE

You can get them from Barry and Fitzwilliam 021-4320900 or 01-6671755

I used a couple of them and found them easy to use, the foam lasted ages and tasted great. My only drawback would be the selection of flavours avilable. But if they take off, I am sure they will work on other flavours.

Oh and because of the small amount that comes out with each pump, covering the top of a martini cocktail takes a little time.

Keep your drinks in champagne flutes and highballs for now :-)  but definitely worth a trial!!!!!!

KETEL ONE DISTILLERY VISIT

Mixo-logic is just back from the Netherlands, where we, along with a dozen or so of Dublin's finest bartenders, were given a guided tour of Ketel One's new windmill,now the tallest in the world!!!Their cocktail bar is amazing. It was fantastic to get the opportunity to make drinks behind it. A big thank you to Bob Nolet and his staff for their hospitality. Also thanks to Nick and John from Brinkman Beverages for the invite!