Questions #6: The Ultimate Burger

We’ve just installed a new burger grill at Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub.  Here’s the deal: you get one super supreme grilled burger, inside a quality bun.  You can have four toppings of your choice on your burger – anything you like, but only FOUR.

Now we’ve got lots of toppings to choose from.  The obvious to the obscure.  What would you choose?

The only freebie you get is sauce – whatever sauce you want, it’s not one of the four toppings.

Q: Which four toppings would you like on your Ultimate Burger?

Jon

  1. Smoked bacon
  2. Goats cheese
  3. Jalapenos
  4. Chorizo

Terry

  1. Extra burger (!)
  2. Lettuce (!!)
  3. Onions
  4. Tomatoes

Jamie

  1. Chorizo
  2. Cheese
  3. Bacon
  4. Onion rings

Sian

  1. Cheese
  2. Onions

Matthew

  1. Extra burger
  2. Bacon
  3. Cheese
  4. Gherkin

Sam

  1. Bacon
  2. Cheese
  3. Chicken nuggets
  4. Chicken noodles

Nathan

  1. Chilli con carne
  2. Cheese
  3. Onions
  4. Chorizo

Iaian

  1. Cheese
  2. Chorizo
  3. Chicken breast
  4. Jalapenos

Me

  1. Cheese
  2. Chilli con carne
  3. Tortilla chips
  4. Chorizo

There you go – just a few ideas for you.

The burger grill is on.  When you’ve had a couple of virtual drinks and a soak in the virtual hot tub, slink on out and head over for a virtual burger.  Your Ultimate Burger, your way.

Let me know what four toppings you would choose – leave a comment below.

* All burgers, drinks and hot tub are purely virtual…

Drink of the Week

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

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
IMG_2003

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

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)

IMG_1992

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

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

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