Cocktails at Wax Jambu - La Maison Fontaine "Bloody Fairy" and Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur "Coffee and Cigarette"

The Bloody Fairy

This is pure genius! The glass is wrapped in a banana leaf. The Bloody mix is a combination of Wax Jambu's homemade Sangrita and Tomato Juice. Horseradish and Worcestershire Sauce to personal taste.

The syringe is filled with 50/50 Vodka and La Maison Fontaine Absinthe. The idea is the Bloody Mary has oft been cited as a great hangover cure and Absinthe was traditionally a medicine. Put those two ideas together and we get a Bloody Fairy where one self-medicates one's own 'dose' with the syringe on the side.

I'm a big fan of the Bloody Fairy (and Mary) but this is the best I've tried yet. Perhaps it's the syringe action or the complex flavour profile added by the depth of La Maison Fontaine and Wax Jambu's homemade Sangrita - either way, I suggest you hot tail it down there and give it a whirl! Whether you have a hangover or not!

Coffee and Cigarette by Pietro Rizzo

50ml Eldorado 5 year old

20ml Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur

15ml Santa Teresa Araku Coffee Liqueur

Bar spoon Laphroaig

Smoke the glass by lighting a cinnamon stick under it. Add all the ingredients apart from the Perique and stir over ice slowly for dilution. Add the Perique right at the end. Smoke the glass again just before loading and serve on the rocks. The garnish is some cinnamon sticks, broken cigar and three coffee beans.

The drink is rich and lucious with great coffee and smokey notes. It does exactly what it says on the tin - oh, apart from the caffeine and nicotine I guess... :-)

Another chance to attend a Masterclass with T.A. Breaux - Additional London Dates

After our very successful series of Sip Or Mix Masterclasses in March with Master Distiller Ted Breaux we are pleased to announce a few additional dates in April and May. Ted will take us through the History and Mystery of Absinthe while we taste all four Jade Absinthes and La Maison Fontaine. We will then taste the very unique Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur also made by Ted Breaux. This will all be finished off with a tasting of the brand new pimento bitters made by Ted Breaux for Dale DeGroff. If you would like to attend any of the events below please email jenny@sipormix.com or contact the venue directly.  

24th April - 3.30pm -5.30pm Bartender Masterclass,  
Paramount  

25th April - 3.30pm - 5.30pm Bartender Masterclass,
Karpo

26th April - Afternoon - in-store tasting,  
The Whisky Exchange  

30th April - 3-5pm - Bartender Masterclass,  
Nightjar                 

                                  - 7pm onwards - Members Monday, this event is for discerning drinkers who are members of the public and are interested in learning more about their libations. If you would like to sign up for this event please email: 
info@barnightjar.com    

1st May - 3pm, Bartender Masterlcass,  
Wax Jambu  

2nd May - Afternoon - Bartender Masterclass, Brighton  

Evening - Consumer Masterclass, Brighton  

Both of these events are hosted by  
Mixology Group  

If you would like to attend please email

myles@mixologygroup.co.uk                       

3rd May - Afternoon - in-store tasting,  
Gerry's  

Absinthe Masterclass Roadshow with Ted Breaux - U.K. March 2012

We at Sip Or Mix are delighted to have Ted Breaux coming to the U.K. in March 2012. Sip Or Mix has been managing and distributing Jade Liqueurs since Sip Or Mix formed in the summer of 2011. We have been working very hard with both Jade and La Maison Fontaine to educate and re-educate the industry and the general public at large as to the true nature of Absinthe.

During the last year we have noticed a real upsurge of interest in the category and consequently cannot think of a better time to bring you several comprehensive Absinthe Masterclasses.

Ted Breaux lives in the United States so this is a rare opportunity indeed to be presented with the Jade Liqueurs portfolio by the world renowned Master Distiller and Absinthe Historian himself.

Imbibe U.S. 2011

We will take this opportunity to also present to you the other Absinthe in the Sip Or Mix Portfolio - The multi-award-winning, Blanche from Pontarlier, La Maison Fontaine®; two time winner of the much coveted "Golden Spoon" Award of the Absinthiades, IWSC Gold and Best In Class and recent Double Gold Medal winner of The Absinthe Masters.

Ted Breaux is also the man behind Jade Perique

Tobacco Liqueur and we will have some available at each of the events organised with Ted on hand to answer any questions.

If you are interested in attending any of the events below please email the contacts or the venue directly (other than pop by retail events) for further information on the Brands please email:

hello@sipormix.com

Absinthe Masterclass Roadshow with Ted Breaux - U.K. March 2012

5th - Oxford Alcademic's - Raoul's, Oxford - Open Evening Masterclass, info at:

oxford-alcademics and please register with Tim: tim@raoulsbar.com

9th - The Whisky Exchange, Vinopolis - Afternoon Bottle Signing. Just pop by.

12th - The UKBG - Afternoon Masterclass at Paramount, please email Vincenzo at calenzovincenzo@gmail.com

14th - Amathus, Wardour Street, Soho 
Afternoon Masterclass - Trade
Evening Masterclass - Consumer
Please register with tastings@amathusdrinks.com

16th - Gerry's Wines and Spirits - Afternoon Bottle Signing.

Just pop by.

18th - Zetter Townhouse - FBI (Food and Beverage Industry) From 6pm, contact venue to book a table or just turn up.

19th - Zetter Townhouse - Afternoon Bartender Masterclass. Please Register with Kamil at kfoltan@yahoo.co.uk or contact the venue on 020 7324 4567

20th - London Cocktail Society - Evening Masterclass. Please register with info@londoncocktailsociety.co.uk

21st - Reunion Bar @ The Grosvenor Hotel - Open Masterclass - 7pm - 9pm please register with info@reunionlondon.com

24th - Gerry's Wines and Spirits - Afternoon Bottle Signing.

Just pop by.

26th The Whisky Exchange - Consumer Evening. Please register with: tastings@thewhiskyexchange.com

Websites of interest:

Sip Or Mix

Jade Liqueurs

La Maison Fontaine

UKBG

London Cocktail Society

Reunion Bar @ The Grosvenor Hotel

The Zetter Townhouse

Raoul's Bar

The Whisky Exchange

Gerry's Wines and Spirits

Amathus 

Melange A Trois by Merlin Griffiths

It's often the simple drinks that can impress the most. The Melange A Trois was made by Merlin Griffiths of The Priory Tavern on my last visit. Merlin has an incredible palate and as soon as he tasted Jade Liqueurs V.S. 1898 he knew exactly what he wanted to make with it. 

30ml Jade Liqueurs V.S. 1898 Absinthe

30ml White Cacao (Giffard)

30ml Lime Juice

Shake hard over ice, strain into a martini glass and garnish with orange penny zest and sprig of borage if available.

Inspired by the Daiquiri of course but this combination of flavours offers something quite unique. I've since tried this combo with other absinthes and have to admit that Merlin got it exactly right with the V.S. 1898! The herbaceous flavour profile and slight astringency of the V.S. really shines through and gives this drink an incredible complexity and depth of flavour.

For more information on the V.S. 1898 please visit the Jade Liqueurs website:

Jade Liqueurs

If you would like to taste Jade Liqueurs V.S. 1898 or any of the products in the Jade portfolio please email:

hello@sipormix.com

Sip Or Mix

Something Hot to Drink for Valentines?

 Chocolat Chaud Chaud
(Hot Hot Chocolate)

20ml La Maison Fontaine Absinthe

15ml Creme de Chataigne  (Chestnut Liqueur)

Milky Hot Chocolate

Whipped Cream

Tiny Marshmallows and Cocoa Powder

The combination of these ingredients will surely melt anyone's heart! 

Add milky hot chocolate to the La Maison Fontaine and chestnut liqueur (or any nut liqueur) top with squirty whipped cream, marshmallows and dust with cocoa powder.

 The above Hot Hot Chocolate was the genius of Merlin of The Priory Tavern in Kilburn. 

The Priory Tavern

The Priory is a wonderful local pub and it was lovely to bump into so many familiar faces when I visited, even though I don't live local! The cocktail selection is not only comprehensive but they will also mix something up for you on the spot, which is surprising for a pub - but not when we realise it's Merlin Griffiths' bar - and talk about reasonable! only £4.50 Mon - Fri, 4 - 7 pm! Tuesday is Stewsday with homemade stew and chunky bread for a mere £6.50 and I cannot wait to try out their Bloody Mary and Sunday Roast!

The other stroke of genius made by Merlin was this pretty in pink drink that would also look the part for Valentines Day.

Blanche et Noire
(White and Black)

50ml La Maison Fontaine Absinthe
25ml Schweppes Blackcurrant Cordial
100ml Water
Squeeze Fresh Lime

Pile all the ingredients over chunky ice and make sure that it is a healthy squeeze of lime.  We discussed the relative merits of Schweppes Blackcurrant Cordial and agreed that it was probably the best cordial to use because it has just the right sugar content and is usually found in every pub/bar. There is of course nothing new about this wonderfully retro style of drink, it had just never occurred to me to try it with La Maison Fontaine! What a revelation.

Happy Valentines Day!

Absinthe Infusion by Gavin McGowan Madoo of Bar Boulud, London

There's no doubt in my mind of the impact La Maison Fontaine has had on developing interest in the Absinthe category since its launch in the Summer of 2010. The starting point was to create a great brand - La Maison Fontaine is a small batch, artisanal and authentic French Absinthe dressed in a very chic and contemporary package (an inspired fusion of old and new) which also tastes amazing. Next was to educate, educate and educate some more, but this essential education was not just directed at the Drinks Industry but also to the General Public at large. This involved Art Exhibitions, Film Shows, High Profile Parties, Fashion Shows and many retail tastings, all great opportunities to dispel the usual myths about Absinthe. Even with all the right boxes ticked La Maison Fontaine goes the extra mile by furnishing bars with the tools to give their customers a truly authentic Absinthe experience - a traditional Absinthe fountain.

Above is Gavin from Bar Boulud, London about to make his Absinthe Infusion with his four arm LMF fountain, in the background is his two arm LMF fountain he keeps for a perfect serve....

La Maison Fontaine was at the forefront of making infusions in fountains, the 'Fontaine of Youth' is testament to that - check the Art of Imagination on the website: wwwfontaineabsinthe.com

Gavin took the infusion idea and ran with it, he did something that we had never seen before (or would recommend), rather than infusing the iced water in the fountain he replaced the water with alcohol (vodka) and La Maison Fontaine. He placed the zest of two lemons and two limes into the fountain and added a ratio of 1 part vodka to 1.5 part La Maison Fontaine. He lets it macerate for 4-7 days, depending on the quality of the fruit, after which time he removes the fruit so it doesn't over extract. He serves on the rocks with a lemon/lime garnish.

The resulting Absinthe Infusion is an intensly fruity number with big citrus, anise, herb and floral notes. So the next time you are in Knightsbridge do pop in to Bar Boulud (http://danielnyc.com/barboulud_hub.html)
and try Gavin's Absinthe Infusion - we'd love to hear what you think...

"Hurricane Bawbag" Cocktail by Adam Smithson of Graphic Bar

On December 8th 2011 Scotland was battered by the worst gale force winds in over 10 years. As winds got up to 180 miles per hour and electric pylons fell to the ground - Twitter started trending with Hurricane Bawbag. Having lived in Scotland I instantly got the reference and spent the next few hours constantly chuckling at some of the hilarious #bawbag tweets. This particular favourite was retweeted well over 100 times:

#Scotstorm Hurricane Bawbag Update: A plant pot has fallen over in Airdrie. An eye witness retold the horror "it pure went sideways"

Even Wikipedia - the information resource for the 21st Century - has an entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Bawbag

On December 8th I happened to be out and about in London and popped into Graphic Bar in Golden Square in search of a cocktail...
It was Adam from Graphic who first introduced me to the "Monkey Gland" a cocktail using Gin, Absinthe, orange juice and grenadine which was so named after the rather gross and quite bizarre practice of grafting monkey testicle tissue onto human male testicles. Bizarre indeed, although the cocktail, admittedly, is rather tasty.... It became clear that Hurricane Bawbag deserved a cocktail of its' own and of course a 'twisted' Monkey Gland would fit the bill perfectly!

Hurricane Bawbag
by Adam Smithson
8th December 2011

50ml SW4 London Dry Gin
20ml Grenadine
20ml Blue Curacao
Several dashes La Maison Fontaine Absinthe

Shake all the ingredients hard over ice and pour into a coupette. Garnish with a small tuft of hair stuck to the side of the glass. (NB non-edible)

The Hurricane Bawbag understandably has a pinky, bluey hue, but is essentially purple in colour. The overall flavour profile is well rounded with a soft mouthfeel and good length. I would suggest however if you were going to make the Hurricane Bawbag at home or in your bar to use an edible garnish.. perhaps candy floss....