Cocktail No 71 Gin Oyster

Its 30 years since I had one of these beauties. Volume control is important otherwise you can't swallow it all down in one.

The raw egg yolk is the Oyster, nestling in luscious tomato juice, gin, worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg and tobasco provide the spice and fire.

Unless you are taking it as a hangover cure, its more for the ceremony than the taste - its over so quickly that there isn't much sensation to it, but it is fun.

The yolk goes down very easily and then a brief taste of tomato & gin, before the spices and heat kick in.

Everyone should try it once in their life!

Recipe

1 teaspoon Birkdale gin
1 raw egg yolk
2 teaspoons tomato juice
1 dash worcestershire sauce
1 dash lemon juice
1 dash tabasco
salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg.

Slide egg yolk into shallow glass making sure it does not break. Add Birkdale Gin and the other liquids. Sprinkle with salt, pepper & paprika. Grate over a little nutmeg.

Do not stir this drink, but swallow it down in one.

Cocktail No 52 - Butterfly Flip

A festive twist for the approaching season of goodwill.

This is essentially an enriched and sweetened Brandy Alexander and quite delicious. Well I omitted the sugar by mistake, so mine was closer to the Alexander.

Brandy with Crème de Cacao and cream is always a good combination. Add an egg yolk plus sugar and spice it up with nutmeg. If  you like Bailey's then throw your bottle in the bin and taste what its really meant to be like. Decadently thick on the tongue with a chocolat blast followed by the warmth of brandy coming through as it slips down the throat.  It always reminds me of the scene in Bridehead Revisited when Anthony Blanche drinks 4 Alexanders is quick succession to the outrage of the Oxford matrons doing lunch.

It needs really good shaking to mix in the cream, egg yolk and dissolve the sugar.

Recipe

Add equal measures of Brandy, Crème de Cacao and cream to a shaker. Add 1 egg yolk and a tablespoon of caster sugar. Shake very well to mix everything together and strain into cocktail glass. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg and enjoy!