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Archive for the Category "Cocktails"

The Trailer threw out all of the Trash Apr 29

While some of my fellow Rum Blogger’s headed off to the sunshine and parties of Miami this week, for the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, I had the pleasure of heading to last night’s reopening party of Trailer Happiness, in London’s Notting Hill.

While the decor may have changed for the better, what hasn’t changed is the quality Tiki cocktails or relaxed atmosphere of one of London’s best hangouts. For those who haven’t as yet discovered Happiness at the Trailer, head to 177 Portobello Road and sample some of the best cocktails in London.

Trailer Happiness describes itself as a “Cosmopolitan Kitsch Tiki Bar in Notting Hill.” Authentic Tiki cocktails are their speciality and along with Trader Vic’s they certainly know how to make a proper Mai Tai. Other notable cocktails sampled last night include the Atomic Punch, Cotton Mouth Killer and a flaming Mexican Head Hunter.

For those that maybe prefer their spirits less diluted, you will find one of the better selections of rums in London town, along with the usual suspects of tequila, vodka, gin and other fine spirits. This isn’t surprising as Trailer Happiness has been the home of London’s Rum Club for several years now and is often frequented by several notable experts in the rum industry.

Of course it wouldn’t be good to drink on an empty stomach and the Trailer’s kitchen ensures that this isn’t the case. Delicious nibbles and finger food are found aplenty and I can highly recommend the aubergine tempura, the mini burgers and the prawns.

Of course, no bar – no matter how Kitsch, would be complete without a good atmosphere. So if it isn’t the laid back tunes, the chances are it’ll be the friendly bar staff ensuring that you and your friends leave at the end of the night happier than you started the day.

So the next time you’re out and about in west London, don’t just take my word for it but make sure you soak up the atmosphere and cocktails at Trailer Happiness. For more information, please visit www.trailerhappiness.com.

Category: Bars, Cocktails, Rum, Rum Club  | Tags: , , , , , ,  | 
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New Cocktail: Hans on Deck Aug 02

Named in honour of one the hosts of a most agreeable garden party held last Saturday (25th July 2009), the hour was late, the choice of mixers as diminished as the available liquors and this particular amateur mixologist was certainly 3 sheets to the wind and yet my friends wanted yet another jug of cocktail.

Having been given access to the bar earlier in the evening, I’d spent the rest of the evening make June Bugs for most of the table. Initially this was by the shaker, but it became clear it was going to be easier to make them by the jug full.

At some time after 3am we ran out of pineapple juice and Midori. After much deliberation on my part as to what would go together from the selection in front of me, I started with Ice followed by a large measure of Malibu. To this I added Crème de Cassis and Grenadine, topped up with Orange Juice. Although not bad, I felt this to be a tad to sweet, so looking around I spied a bottle of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum and added this to spice things up a bit.

The resultant drink was met by great enjoyment and yet more merriment. As such I felt it worthy of a name related to the party itself and picking up on both the Sailor Jerry rum and cheeky Navy connotations related to our hosts James and Hans’ sexuality I settled with a play on words with Hans on Deck.

The recipe has since been refined by actually making it with an understanding of exactly how much of each ingredient goes into it and is as follows:

Ingredients

  • 2 Measure of Malibu
  • 1 Measure of Crème de Cassis
  • 1/2 Measure of Grenadine
  • 1 Measure of Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
  • 3 Measures of Orange Juice
  • Ice
  • Orange Slice to Garnish
Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Highball Glass
  • Tall Drinking Straw

Half fill the Cocktail Shaker with Ice and add the Malibu, Crème de Cassis, Grenadine and Orange Juice. Shake well until a layer of ice forms on the cocktail shaker.

Half fill the Highball Glass with fresh Ice and strain the shaken mix into the glass. Float the Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum on top and garnish with an Orange Slice and straw before serving.

This recipe and others can also be found in the Recipes section of www.charlosa.com