Tipple Of The Week

This week's tipple hails from that legendary venue of mixological prowess the Cafe Royal, which very sadly closed it doors  on us tweeded ascetics in 2008 (after 143 years and a nefarious legal war with Oscar Wilde). Ever delusional of the present we the Ataraxians bring you a little something from the past. Possibly encouraged by our recent jaunt to the West country, and Old Tweedy's dangerous fascination for trying to incorporate cider into cocktails (in fact screw cocktails - gin and dry cider now corrodes his frontal cortex) we present..

The Avenue
Ingredients:
28ml Somerset Cider Brandy
28 ml  Four Roses Bourbon
28 ml Passion fruit puree
a dash of Grenadine
a dash of Orange flower water

Method:
Shake well and serve into a chilled cocktail glass

Nearly affordable.. Montgomery art deco cocktail shaker (£130 Ralph Lauren)

This is perhaps not one to attempt at home,given the nature of the ingredients. However,find a well equipped bar and it should be worth the wait.The drink has a distinctive perfume with a haunting obituary. At it's climax the brandy and  passion fruit juice jostle to find sure footing but no clear note is evident, the bourbon is almost totally hidden in the drink simply providing a soft sweet warmth.

This is works to form a rather  ethereal character to the drink. 

Such ghostly touches echo across your tongue leaving you faintly confused, amused and rather eager to have another.

This Weeks Tipple

For those who dined in the nylon halls of The Ataraxian's at Latitude Festival 2010, you may be familiar with the produce of one Fat Cat Brewery, Norwich.It provided the warm, flavoursome beer which was much passed round among the young people by the dwindling fireside (turns out recycling bins only provide so much cardboard).

It is which such whimsical memories in mind that I heartily endorse the Fat Cat's Marmalade Cat ale as this weeks Tipple.

A classic mid-brown coloured strong bitter, with a markedly bitter finish from the generous use of Styrian hops. Flavoursome English pale malt adds balance and a smooth finish, which lasts and lasts. Full-bodied, yet with an ease of drinking which belies its strength.

For those of not in the vicinity of Norwhich Fat Cat beer is currently available by the Firkin (72 Pints) on the Fat Cat Website (Polypins are also available at at cheaper rate) This should at least keep you merry until next week's tipple.

This Weeks Tipple

This week's liquid courage comes courtesy of The Hawksmoor Restaurant, Seven Dials. Well known for serving the best Roast Dinner in London, it also serves a cracking cocktail. The 'Shaky Pete' is a rather masculine concoction of Gin,Ginger and Ale bringing together two of the great staples of British Alcoholism into one finely spiced drink. 

Please enjoy irresponsibly 


Ingredients
35ml Sipsmith's Gin
35ml Ginger Syrup
50ml Lemon Juice
London Pride


Method:
Blend gin, ginger and lemon with ice, strain into half pint mug and top with ale. 

This Weeks Tipple

Whilst being treated to a much appreciated dinner at the excellent Riddle & Finn's, I immensely enjoyed the sublimely light and refreshing Little Creature Pale Ale, brewed on an old crocodile farm in the habour in Freemantle , this great little brewery takes great pains to escape the shadow of Australia's considerable contribution to brewed horseshit.

With high citrus overtones it serves as a perfect morning beer settling you in for the throws of the oncoming day. Excellent with fish. 
Available in the UK (RRP £1.94 - 330ml) here