In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics, this years entrants all have a British
connection. The shortlisted cocktails currently being quaffed are....
Click Images to Enlarge
(Clockwise from Top Left)Black Velvet
Invented at the Brooks's club in 1861 and served while the nation mourned the death of Prince Albert. The 50/50 recipe is to half fill a tilted glass with Stout and add Champagne gently to create as little foam as possible.
Jolly Spider's Kiss
Simple. Mix 2 parts Elderflower Champagne that we made earlier in the year and 1 part Midori Melon Liqueur to create the most delightfully ghoulish green glow!
Toffee Apple
An autumnal mix created by drinks guru Nick Strangeway formerly of Fred's Bar and the Atlantic Bar & Grill in London's Piccadilly. 1 shot Boulard Grand Solange Calvados, 2 Shots Giffard Caramel liqueur, 1 Shot pressed apple juice, 1/4 Shot freshly squeezed lime juice, shaken and strained over ice.
Bleeding Vesper
James Bond meets Martha Stewart! A mash up of the classic Bond Martini. Mix 3 parts Gin, 1 part Vodka and half a measure of Lillet Vermouth but here stirred with the addition of Martha's speared baby beetroot.
We may need to revisit several of these creepy concoctions in order to decide our winner.
'Witch' would you choose? Our winning cocktail will be revealed here on October 31st. Hic!
The results of our spooky cocktail competition are as follows
3rd Place - Black Velvet as it was a tad yucky.
2nd Place - Bleeding Vesper because it looked better than it tasted.
Joint 1st place - Jolly Spiders Kiss and Toffee Apple because they were both so delicious we couldn't decide. HIC!
Paul, how to do wish I could be there to test ALL of these drinks - woo hoo!! I love Halloween!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn
Woo hoo too:)
Deletehurry and drink before someone cuts off
ReplyDeleteYOUR HEAD!
chuckles
DeleteI think I'd be up for the Toffee Apple:) Sounds like a tasty drink:)
ReplyDeleteOne Toffee Apple coming up Chris!
DeleteBlack Velvet is the one for me, because... black is my colour and I also love velvet.
ReplyDeleteThe combination of Stout and Champagne sounds intriguing. Do these opposites attract? Champagne and Stout in the same glass? Very bubbly, I should think! It's the one I'd like to try, hoping there's a little Champagne left over for me to sip, at the end, as Champagne is the only fizzy drink I like!
Ciao!
ANNA
Theres always a little Champagne left to cleanse the palate Anna! Salute!
DeleteHmm, this is a hard one, but my vote is for "Toffee Apple" it just sounds like the perfect concoction for Autumn. Hmmm, I may have to make that before dinner tonight....must run to the store now! ;) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe perfect sundowner for sure Liz:)
DeleteI absolutely love elderflower liqueur in anything so I am going to go with your elderflower champagne (wish I could try it) cocktail.
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Phyllis
A great choice Phyllis, I'll have another glass in your absence. Down the hatch!
DeleteThe green glow of the Jolly Spider's Kiss attracts me, mainly because you made the Elderflower champagne yourself, however, Paul, I have never ever seen ghoulish Toile de Jouy fabric before!!!
ReplyDeleteMy ghoulish Toile is one of my favourite fabric finds and makes the perfect tablecloth for a creepy candleight supper!
DeleteThe super fizzy elderflower champagne goes down very well with the Midori Rosemary, those darn bubbles made me quite giddy:)
Hello Paul
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful choice. After much deliberation, I have selected Black Velvet. May I stipulate that it be Guinness stout?
Have a lovely weekend
Helenxx
You may indeed stipulate Guinness Helen. The Irish 'black beer' it is then!
DeleteIn the spirit of Halloween, I would love to try the Jolly Spider's Kiss. First of all, I have never tasted Elderflower champagne before. I would like to try that Elderflower Champagne you made yourself. What will be the prize for the winner? I hope it will be the Winner drinks it all on Halloween's night?!
ReplyDeletePamela you might enjoy St Germain Elderflower Liqueur in a glass of champagne as one would mix a Kir Royale. 1 shot of the Liqueur, then top up with champagne, ooh la la!
DeleteThere is a cocktail called the French 77 which adds a squeeze of lemon to the above but who needs lemons!
I like Kir Royale. I will try your recipe. I also like a dash of lemons on drinks. You are such an expert on many things Is there anything you don't know how to do? Thank you for sharing.
DeleteSans alcool, la fête est plus folle !!!
ReplyDeleteI second Rosemary. The fact that you made the Elderflower champagne just puts it heads over all the others and that green is hypnotic. Then again the stout and champagne combination is very intriguing...and...Oh forget it, it's a four way tie!
ReplyDeleteAfter my second glass of Jolly Spiders Kiss I must admit the effects definitely had a hypnotic edge Amelia!
Deletesounds divine. I'll have the toffee apple please. Im not sure what Calvados is- please tell.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween!
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Calvados is a yummy apple brandy from Lower Normandy Nancy not only perfect for autumn and winter drinks but also lovely to cook sweet and savoury dishes with. Tarte tatin made with calvados is heavenly.
DeleteI didn't know either.....glad Nancy asked :)
DeleteI'll have all 4 every night until Halloween....perhaps then I can select a favorite :) Love the morbid toile.....clever you! Where did you find it?
ReplyDeleteMr. L-O-I
Due to too many toffee apples I'm afraid I can't remember the source of the toile, however I think fabric.com sells it on your side:)
DeleteFour Bleeding Vespers every night Mr L-O-I!
OK next week four hangover cures go head to head.....
As I have a sweet tooth, the toffee apple sounds really good. I would love to taste it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend,
Madelief x
The perfect choice to satisfy a sweet tooth or fang at halloween!
DeleteI like the name 'Bleeding Vesper'. James Bond meets Martha Stewart- love the descriptive...but I have a sweet tooth, so I like the idea of 'Toffee Apple' best. It sounds perfect for the season.
ReplyDeleteA fine choice Jennifer, the Toffee apple seems to be very popular:)
Deletejoli,et j aime bcp la nappe,tres originale ;o)
ReplyDeleteMerci Audrey. Quel plaisir de vous voir!
DeleteI think the Bleeding Vesper would do it for me, sounds LUSH!
ReplyDeleteGood luck - hic.
D
xxxx
Ooo, the Bleeding Vesper is hot on the heels of the Toffee Apple. I think I'll be lush by the end of this Dianne:)....Hic!
DeleteOh the Toffee Apple, I cant resist caramel.
ReplyDeleteDearest Paul,
ReplyDeleteIt has now been an eternity or two since I have made an appearance in lovely blog land, and I see I have missed a lot here... Hm, I do believe I detect a theme for the season. Punk-pimped pumpkins, fright nights and headings that jump out at you with instructions to... wake the dead!!?? Well, I suppose you are right on the mark, given tomorrow's festivities, but I think I will need to hide behind a cushion before reading your next post... possibly written under the influence of a Jolly Spider's Kiss...?
Again, LOVING your verbal virtuosity, your sense of humour and your fab blog posts!
"Witch" drink I would choose? Hm, could I pass on the bubbly and have the fantastic fabric instead? :-)
Wishing you a bewitchingly bubble-filled Wednesday and may the best bubbly win!
Helena, at the moment busy buffing her broom
Ok can I please have 2? One vote is for aesthetics and one for taste. The Bleeding Vesper is for aesthetics and the Jolly Spider Kiss for taste, I LOVE Elderflower and champagne!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Jolly Spider's Kiss, it sounds yummy and it looks perfect for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteKat
Paul-- it's been one heck of a day here--- I could sure go for one of those toffee apple delights!!!
ReplyDeleteVicki