As the saying goes, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, but when it’s 5 o’clock in Manchester and the gentle chime of bottles start calling, we suggest you make your way towards the bar at Rosso. They have created a perfect place to spend that cushion of time between the end of the working day and ‘Netflix and chill’ back at home, by introducing a range of cocktails inspired by popular television box sets.
This drink smells of oranges and tastes of cherries, so if you prefer your badabooze fruity and strong, this one’s for you
‘The Box Sets Collection’ is a set of 5 cocktails, at only £5 each, available between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Friday. (It’s also no coincidence that no. 5 was owner Rio Ferdinand’s shirt number.) As part of our selfless devotion to our readers, we went along and tested them all:
Cocktail name: #Episode 1, Don Collins
TV Box Set Inspiration: Mad Men
What they say about it: ‘Picture the scene: 1960’s Madison Avenue, the smell of the chesterfields, the smoke from the Marlboros and sharp-suited Don Draper sipping on his Old-Fashioneds propping up the bar... THIS DRINK IS THAT! A fusion of Don’s tipple, Roger Sterling’s lunchtime martinis and the classic Manhattan under the simple guise of a very cool John Collins...enter the Don Collins.’
What’s In It?: Bulleit Bourbon, Antica Formula, San Pellegrino limonata, Oak Smoked droplets
Verdict: This is pretty much ‘essence of Don Draper’ over crushed ice with the lingering aftertaste of whisky, cigarettes and the mere suggestion of trouble ahead. I usually prefer my Bourbon in biscuit form but any sour characteristics were evened out by the sweet citrus sparkle of the lemonade. A satisfyingly long drink that I’d order again and maybe even again again.
Cocktail name: #Episode 2, Glamorous
TV Box Set Inspiration: Gossip Girl
What they say about it: ‘Join the world of the Upper East Side, martini sipping, champagne quaffing excess, luxury and social glitterati with just one sip. Take another Italian classic with the Sgropino, make it a little more New York and then add some truly Upper East Side glitz and glamour and you have this drink. This will have you sitting back thinking to your summer house in the Hamptons.’
What’s In It?: Tanqueray Gin, Briottet Manzana Verde Liqueur (green apple), Lemon Sorbet, Champagne
Verdict: This polite looking, tall, slim and elegant drink with its own fanned apple fascinator took me by surprise, and ended up being my favourite of the collection. It was like the liquid personification of how I imagine the perfect woman to be. As cool and crisp as it looked on the surface, it certainly delivered a punch when it needed to.
Cocktail name: #Episode 3, Cardinal Sin
TV Box Set Inspiration: The Sopranos
What they say about it: You’re definitely not going to ‘fuhgeddaboudit’ here...Actually we can’t believe it’s taken us this long to give the Negroni the 5@5 treatment, maybe we forgot about this classic. You could imagine this being sipped by Tony and the crew. Tweaking the original Italian favourite with rich cherry dessert wine and washing it with the fine Cocchi vermouth di Torino this is a new Italian-American pre-Parmigiana treat.’
What’s In It?: Haig Club Grain Whisky, Viscolata del Cardinale Cherry Dessert Wine, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Maraschino Cherry
Verdict: Recommended as a pre-dinner apéritif, this is the shortest of all the 5@5 cocktails. Although it contains as much booze as the others, it might take longer to read the list of premium ingredients than it does to sip it. This drink smells of oranges and tastes of cherries, so if you prefer your badabooze fruity and strong, this one’s for you.
Cocktail name: #Episode 4, Manolo Blanique
TV Box Set Inspiration: Sex and the City
What they say about it: ‘Possibly the only thing Carrie and the girls love more than their Cosmos is a good pair of Manolos. Someone here had the brilliant idea of combining the two. The classic Cosmo gets a little icy makeover inspired by Carrie’s most loved blue satin numbers. This cocktail is definitely one for the girls to get their glam on.’
What’s In It?: Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur, Mandarin, Lime, Cranberry.
Verdict: This is a pretty and grown up version of a slushy complete with a satin bow on the stem. The gorgeously pink Turkish Delight qualities of the Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur are a little overwhelmed by the sharp fruity flavours, but it this is definitely the kind of thing that springs to mind for me when someone says the word ‘cocktail’.
Cocktail name: #Episode 5, The One With...
TV Box Set Inspiration: Friends
What they say about it: ‘The one where you eat (well drink really) all of the New York cheesecake at Central Perk...Think an expresso martini meets vanilla cheesecake. Mascarpone, vanilla, butterscotch and luxurious cold press coffee...
So good Rachel and Chandler would be fighting over this one too.’
What’s In It?: Mascarpone washed Ketel One Vodka, Mr. Black cold press coffee liqueur, vanilla, espresso, grated biscotti.
Verdict: I see what they did there, a coffee based cocktail. Perhaps Monica would enjoy one of these sitting in Central Perk, instead of working the double shift she’s supposed to be on, BEING A CHEF. Somewhere between a dessert and a drink, I’m not sure she’d be up for too many of these creamy calorific concoctions. Chandler might though. If you’re someone who prefers to skip dessert and get to the drinking, this one will be there for you.
It’s worth noting that Rosso’s set menu of two courses for £14.95 runs until 6pm on Monday-Thursday, so for most of the week you can pop in for an early dinner as well as a 5@5 cocktail for less than £20 before getting into your pyjamas and settling down with the remote control. Alternatively, you could give the box sets at home a miss and just stick with Rosso’s clever liquid version.
Rosso - 5 @ 5 Boxset Cocktails - The One With... from Manchester Confidential on Vimeo.
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