Promotion
MASSIMO Zitti represented UK in the World Class Diageo bartending championships. It follows, then, that Black Dog’s new cocktail masterclasses - produced in collaboration with the award-winning mixologist - are a belter. With three fun themes to choose from, they make the perfect celebration; whether it’s a birthday, stag do, hen do or even just an alternative get-together with friends.
The Poco Loco beach theme is characterised by sombreros, mariachi music and sunny drinks
Confidential popped in after work one evening and, because we’re greedy, decided to sample all three themes and see what each had to offer. After being greeted with a Zombie - thankfully not the undead version but a delicious cocktail made with five different Caribbean rums - we sat down and listened to our bartender briefly describe each of the colourfully-named utensils, from muddlers to jiggers to cobbler shakers.
After that it was time to get mixing, and first up was Studio 54. Named after the world’s most famous New York nightclub, this theme promises classic disco tunes and bartenders attired in black and gold. Drinks, meanwhile, are American classics: New York Sour, Cosmo, Manhattan, Long Island Iced Tea, Moscow Mule and Espresso Martini, which Helen had a go at making. As with every cocktail, our friendly barman first demonstrated how to make one (the resulting drink we happily got to keep for ourselves) and told us an interesting potted history.
Espresso Martini was apparently first invented by London bartender Dick Bradsell for Kate Moss, when she requested something extra energising. The result? Vodka, Kahlua, chilled espresso and gomme syrup - garnished with roasted coffee beans for good measure. Having once worked at Las Iguanas behind the bar, Helen was a natural and whipped up her martini without the slightest flapping (unlike me, who - funnily enough - lasted two shifts at another Las Iguanas before deciding I was a lot better at drinking cocktails than making them).
Whilst each theme has a typical repertoire, drinks can be flexible: when our bartender heard about Lucy’s preference for French Martinis, therefore, next up was this alluring concoction of vodka, Chambord and fresh pineapple juice.
Onto the next theme and Boardwalk, centred on American’s probation era. Expect suspenders, black caps and drinks such as: Bloody Mary, Sazerac, Gin & Juice, Mary Pickford and Bellini - along with Olivia’s tasked cocktail, the White Lady. Combining gin, lemon juice, triple sec and egg white, this may share its name with a tragic ghost but is anything but sad as a cocktail.
Last but certainly not least was Poco Loco, a beach theme characterised by sombreros, mariachi music and sunny drinks like: Hurricane, Flamin’ Tequila Sunrise, Beach Tea, Mint Lemonade Mojito and Banana Cow. Margarita is another refreshing favourite and I was given a choice of making the original version or its ‘dirty’ alternative Tommy’s, which replaces triple sec with agave nectar. I chose Tommy’s, prompting inevitable innuendos from my colleagues - even more so when I mixed up my jiggers and got syrup everywhere - but at least got a tasty drink at the end of it.
Alana and Olivia then had a Pornstar Martini-making competition, drawing more laughs, and our barman further spiced up proceedings with some interesting titbits: like how the Americans started the mixology trend due to the lack of quality spirits. Add in some shots, various games and impromptu questions to test our cocktail knowledge and you have the perfect ingredients for a fantastically tipsy time.
Cocktail masterclasses are available at the Black Dog Ballroom Northern Quarter and New Wakefield Street venues, and cost £25 per person. Visit Black Dog Ballroom for more info and to book.
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