This Sunday 24th March 2019, it's National Cocktail Day…… yes really, it’s a thing!
To celebrate this momentous occasion, our in-house mixologists have worked their magic and have developed five new cocktails picking up on the very latest trends from the bar scene.
According to renowned trends website Forbes, cocktail drinkers have much to look forward to in 2019, with savoury flavours predicted to be a big trend alongside unique food pairings (gin and oysters anyone?) Cocktails with intense colours have long been popular and they show no signs of slowing in popularity in 2019.
One Michelin starred restaurant leading the way in combining savoury flavours with classic drinks is The Man Behind The Curtain based in Leeds. We partnered with them to create the most luxurious and unique tasting spirit which is now available exclusively at the restaurant as a house pour, and those who enjoy it can purchase a bottle too. Using our classic award-winning London Dry base, we’ve masterfully infused with Plankton and Exmoor Caviar to create a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel with unique and refreshing savoury notes and luxurious minerality.
For us here at Spirit of Harrogate, it’s also set to be a big year as we launch the long-anticipated Slingsby Gooseberry Gin which has been successfully trialled at our Harrogate store and is now available to buy online. Customers love the sharp tang with an after taste of sweetness and we are even getting compliments for our green bottle which looks very elegant in any discerning drinks cabinet.
So dust off the drinks shaker, gather your friends and try out our handpicked menu to celebrate National Cocktail Day on Sunday 24 March (yes it IS a thing!).
Ruby Spritz Pantone Cocktail
25ml Made in honour of the 2019 Pantone Colour of the Year, Living Coral (for those colour nerds among you the official Pantone Colour Code is 16-1546.
For 20 years Pantone's Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in fashion, home furnishings, food and drink, as well as product, packaging and graphic design.
This year's colour was chosen because of the engaging nature of Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolising our innate need for optimism and joy, Pantone Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression.
30ml Slingsby Rhubarb gin
25ml Fresh pink grapefruit juice
20ml Lemon juice
12.5 Simple syrup
Soda/prosecco top
Built in a wine glass filled with cubed ice
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge
Method: Build all ingredients in a wine glass filled with ice. Stir and top with prosecco or soda.
Tasting Notes: Crisp citrus notes amplified by sparkling fizz provides a refreshing bitter-sweet beverage to see you through afternoons in the sun.
Yorkshire 75
25ml Slingsby Rhubarb Gin
25ml Pink Grapefruit juice
7.5ml Lemon juice
10ml Sugar syrup
Shake all ingredients and double strain into a champagne saucer rimmed with powdered sugar. Top up with Nyetimber English Sparkling wine. Garnished with a lemon twist
Taste notes: Sherbet Lemons meet Rhubarb and Custard sweets with a grown-up twist, the initial sweetness of the rhubarb followed by a sherbety citrus flavour, finished with a classic dryness leaving the palate lingering for more. A nod to our Yorkshire roots by changing the classic London Dry found in a French 75 to our Yorkshire Rhubarb Gin.
Mother Shipton’s Elixir
35ml Slingsby Old Tom
35ml Cocchi Torrino
1 Dash Orange Bitters
2 Dash Peychaud Bitters
Orange Zest (Discarded)
Luxardo Cherry Garnish
Method: Add all ingredients to a stirring glass with ice and stir for approximately 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass, zest with the orange peel and wipe around the rim of the glass. Discard and garnish with a luxardo cherry.
Taste Notes: Sweet yet punchy, the sweeter, rounded flavour works well with the vermouth with orange and gentian notes accentuated by the bitters. Twist on the original martini on the sweeter rather than drier side.
Balsamic Collins
40ml London Dry Gin
20ml Strawberry Pureé
15ml Lime Juice
5ml Roses Lime Cordial
5ml Sugar
Bar Spoon Balsamic vinegar
Build in a tall glass with cubed ice
Topped with soda water
Garnished with a mint leaf garnish and dusted with icing sugar
Method: Shake ingredients together and strain into a glass over cubed ice. Garnish with bruised mint and icing sugar.
Taste Notes: Nice twist on a Tom Collins; refreshing summer flavours with a nice tart tang provided by the balsamic and enhancing some of those bold strawberry notes.
Doctors Orders
45ml Gooseberry Gin
30ml apple juice
10ml Lemon juice
15 Simple
Pinch of Turmeric
Muddled Mint
Serve in a tall glass with crushed ice
Top with Med Tonic
Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker, shake and strain over crushed ice and garnish with mint.
Taste Notes: Fresh and fruity with orchard fruit hints. Nice and refreshing for summer and warm days in the sun.Enjoy National Cocktail Day on the 24th March and we look forward to hearing your reviews of our cocktails on our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.