Cocktail No 61 - Bloodhound

I nearly didn't make this today as it calls for strawberries and strawberry liqueur and I have neither. Then I remembered the stewed straberries in the freezer from last year and the strawberry spirit produced from strawberry wine. Its possibly sweeter than the original, but as I haven't tasted strawberry liqueur, I can't say.

Its like a slushpuppy with high octane. The complexity of flavours and organoleptic (mouth feel) qualities of the drink are quite extraordinary.

The dash of strawberry spirit dominated the initial taste, but in a great way - none of the harshness that accompanies some Eau de Vie drinks. Immediately next is the strawberry fruit followed by sweetness. Then a warmth boosted with the herbs from the vermouths floods over the roof of the palate. The clean high notes of the Noilly Prat are clearly discernible, but so is the caramel and the earthiness of the Rosso. The Birkdale Gin is not noticible, but binding everything together we presume.

I am not normally one for sweet drinks, but the complexity and the kick of the Strawberry spirit makes this one to try. Will be fantastic on a summer's evening when the strawberry plants are fruiting.

Recipe

4 ice cubes
1 part Birkdale Gin
1 Part Noilly Prat or dry vermouth
1 part rosso vermouth
2-3 dashes Strawberry Liqueur
4 Strawberries.

Crack ice. Put half cracked ice in an electric blender with gin, vermouths, strawberry liqueur and 2 strawberries.

Blend briefly and strain into a cocktail glass. Add remaining cracked ice and decorate with remaining strawberries.

Serve with straw and a spoon.

Cocktail No 23 Chocolate Soldier

Considering this only contains 2 teaspoons of Crème de Cacao, the chocolate taste is surprisingly noticeable.

Its very refreshing, partly because the blending ensures its more chilled than a shaker or mixing glass delivers, but there is more to it. The immediate taste is chocolate, followed by the crispness of the Dry Vermouth, then Brandy flavoured Chocolate replaces this to fill the mouth. You have that feeling of a film around your teeth and the Chocolate continues to repeat.

That is a very pleasant surprise and so completely different to what I imagined it was going to taste like. I think I shall try this again.

Recipe

Add 2 Ice cubes, 1 measure of brandy and 3/4 measure of Dry Vermouth to an electric blender. Add 2 teaspoons of Crème de Cacao and a dash of Orange Bitters. Blend and pour into a shallow goblet (which I don't have so its in a tumbler instead.