Category Archives: Drink

Drink of the Week #3

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Lemon, Lime & Bitters

This is another cocktail that may be of interest to anyone trying to be good and cut down on the booze at this time of year.  Technically this isn’t an alcohol free drink, as there is alcohol in Angostura bitters.  But you’ll only be using a tiny amount of that ingredient in this drink.

Lemon, Lime & Bitters 

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  • Lemonade
  • Lime cordial
  • Angostura bitters
  • Ice

Take a tall glass and pour in some lime cordial, enough as though you were making just a lime and water drink.  Then add the ice.

Next add the Angostura bitters – just add drop by drop.  Aim for a half to one full teaspoon full of bitters, and play around to see how you like the taste.  The bitters will affect both the taste and colour, so experimentation is key.

Finally, top the glass up with lemonade and stir.

Drink of the Week #2

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Shirley Temple

Are you being good after indulging during Christmas?  Have you sworn off alcohol for a while, maybe even the whole of January?  If you have, but you’re after something more than a cup of tea, this one’s for you.

The Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic cocktail, or mocktail, if you will.  The legend is that it was concocted in a Hollywood hotel for the then child star, and of course is alcohol free.  It’s a great drink to enjoy if you’re staying off the booze – the ritual of mixing a drink makes it seem special.  Plus it’s easy to make.

Shirley Temple IMG_2583

  • Grenadine
  • Sprite or 7Up
  • Ice

Pour a small measure of grenadine syrup into a glass.  Think of it as if you were making a cordial drink: the grenadine is the cordial which you will add to.  Of course you can experiment with the amount of grenadine to achieve the taste you like.  Add ice and pour in the Sprite/7Up.

Don’t forget – you could use diet versions of the Sprite or 7Up if you want a slightly healthier version…

Grenadine is easily available in supermarkets.  It’s not expensive and is a common ingredient in many other cocktails, so useful to have in your cupboard.

Soundtrack: The Aquabats! – “Hi-Five Soup!”

Christmas Drink of the Week

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Chocolate Smarties

Also known as “Chocolate Orange” or “Christmas Smarties”, for some reason this great drink has become linked to the festive season for me.  I can’t remember now how I was first introduced to this tipple (if it was you, and you’re reading this, please remind me); but I’m sure you’ll love it if you try it.

Basically, what we have here is an alcoholic drink that tastes like chocolate orange.  If for some reason that doesn’t entice you, give this a go anyway – you may be pleasantly surprised. IMG_2721

Chocolate Smarties

  • Tia Maria
  • Orange juice
  • Ice

Take a standard tumbler (the glass in the picture is a typical pub half pint glass).  Pour in two measures of Tia Maria.  Add a few ice cubes, then top up with fresh orange juice (the carton type or some good old Britvic).  Enjoy!

Play around with the measure to get a taste you prefer.  You may like a single measure of Tia Maria, you may want more or less orange juice.  Feel free to experiment till you get the desired flavour.

Soundtrack: “Merry Christmas Everybody” – Slade.

Drink of the Week

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I refuse to accept the summer is over.  With some warm weather over the last few days, it’s been quite easy to pretend that summer will go on.  Here’s a drink that’s great for warm evenings, with a melon taste that oozes mellow.  

Midori & leomonade

Midori & lemonade

And what a fantastic colour!

Come on over to the Virtual Hot Tub, take a dip in the virtual water and don’t forget to pick up one of these drinks from the Virtual Tiki Bar.

Midori & Lemonade

  • Midori
  • Lemonade
  • Ice

I don’t really need to tell you how to make this, do I?  Take your glass, add midori, ice and top up with lemonade.  Enjoy.

Soundtrack: “Green Hell” by The Misfits.

Cheeky Vimto

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It’s time for a tipple at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub.  This one’s an old classic – I’m sure you’ve tried it, if not – enjoy!

Cheeky Vimto

  • 1 measure ruby port
  • Blue WKD
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Cheeky Vimto

Really simple to make: pour one measure of port into a large tumbler.  Top up with WKD of the blue variety.

You will create a drink that looks, smells and tastes just like a fizzy Vimto – but with a hidden punch.

Play around with the amount of WKD you add – but the colour should be a dark purple, not translucent at all.

It’s been a long while since I was introduced to the Cheeky Vimto, and it became a favourite for a while.  It was the Vodka/Redbull of it’s day.  I have fond memories of introducing this drink to several weary travellers when we got home from Amsterdam on Baz Coppack’s stag do.

Well worth re-discovering.

Soundtrack: Stereophonics

By the way, I say “W-K-D” (the initials) not “Wicked”.  I hate the word “wicked” when used in that way.  You do not sound cool if you say, “Hey, that’s wicked!”.  You sound like a pretend cockney who thinks they’re a “geezer”.

Say “rad” or “killer” instead and avoid looking like a chimp.

Ultimate Banana Milkshake

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Back in the Virtual Hot Tub with a new drink recipe.  This one’s a non alcoholic concoction that’s quick and easy to put together.  I like to have one of these for breakfast.  It’s a basic but fun milkshake that only requires a blender to make it happen.  No real skill required!

Ultimate Banana Milkshake

  • 700 ml Milk
  • 2 Bananas
  • Sugar
  • Chocolate cream (squirty variety)

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Peel your two bananas and put them in the blender.  Next, add 700ml of the milk and a teaspoon of sugar.  Hit the “blend” button and watch as everything gets mushed up (don’t forget to put the lid on!).  That’s my favourite part.

When ready, pour out a glass of your milkshake, leaving some room at the top.  Take your can of squirty cream and squeeze a large topping of chocolate on top (this last part is optional).

700ml of milk will make a lot of milkshake – you might want to share (or just be greedy like me, and have all of it).

Surf Rider

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Surf Rider cocktail

Surf Rider cocktail

We’re back at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub, following a short break due to technical problems.  And it’s time for another cocktail recipe straight from the Virtual Tiki Bar.  This is one I discovered recently and has become a firm favourite.

Surf Rider

  • 3 measures vodka
  • 1 measure vermouth 
  • Lemon juice 
  • Orange juice
  • Grenadine 
  • Ice

Start with four or five ice cubes in your cocktail shaker.  Add the vodka, then add a liberal dash of lemon juice.  Pour in your grenadine – the recipe recommends 1/2 teaspoon but I would go for more.  Be a devil.  Then top off with fresh orange juice and shake.

The result is a refreshing summer drink, not too dissimilar to a Love on the Rocks, but not as sickly sweet.

Soundtrack: The Ventures, the Beach Boys

Drink responsibly.

Bloody Mary Morning

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Hey there!

Here at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub, soaking in the tub isn’t the only thing we offer.  There’s also our Virtual Tiki Bar, offering drinks of all descriptions to get the party started.  Here’s a recipe for one of our favourites.

Bloody Mary

  • 2 measures vodka
  • Tabasco sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Thick tomato juice
  • Ice cubes

Ideal as an aperitif, the Bloody Mary is an all time classic – and Platinum Al likes ’em spicy.

Start by throwing some ice cubes into your cocktail mixer, and then add lemon juice.  To make this spicy (recommended), add your Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce liberally.  Add salt and pepper – not any kind of specialised cocktail condiments, use the stuff from your kitchen cabinet.  And don’t be shy.  Then it’s vodka time.  Finally top off with as much tomato juice as you can fit in the shaker.

Now you need to give the mixture a good shake.  Pour out into a tall glass, serve with a straw and mixing stick.  An olive will make a nice addition.

Feel free to experiment to your taste (note the lack of recommended amounts for most of the above ingredients).  But again, please note that I recommend this drink nice and spicy.  It’s ideal to start the night off, but I wouldn’t be trying to down Bloody Marys after a full meal.

Be careful out there.

Soundtrack: “Bloody Mary Morning” by Supersuckers