Cocktail Time: Vodka & Cranberry Juice

Posted on July 3, 2025 by platinumal

Apparently, this particular drink has been named a “Cape Cod” by cocktail afficionados – I have no idea why! Whatever the name, this is a simple and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed at any time, whatever the season.

I had my first vodka and cranberry juice drink in New York City, I believe it was the Broom Street Bar. The drink became a favourite as it makes a refreshing change from the usual, and is really simple to make at home. Here’s how:

Vodka & Cranberry Juice

Vodka
Cranberry juice
Ice

You can mix this drink to your own preference, but I usually have a double measure of vodka. Add ice cubes to a standard tall glass, pour in the double vodka, then top up with cranberry juice. Easy

This should be fairly low calorie drink, especially if you use low sugar cranberry juice. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy.

Soundtrack: “(Theme from) New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.

Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub urges you to drink responsibly.

Rock’n’Roll Drink Time: Jack Daniel’s

Posted on December 30, 2024 by platinumal

That’s right, it’s not Cocktail Time at the Virtual Hot Tub this week. Instead, it’s just a straight forward tribute to an all time classic, the legendary Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It’s party time right now, so let’s keep this blog short and sweet to commemorate a true favourite.

You know the name, you recognise the brand style, I’m sure you’ve tried the drink. Jack Daniel’s is most commonly mixed with some kind of cola: Tad sang about it with Pepsi, my good buddy Lemmy drank his with Coke (I can verify this from first hand experience).

Also enjoyed straight, over ice or with any number of other mixers, Jack Daniel’s whiskey is a true classic and a must have for any liquor cabinet.

Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub urges you to drink responsibly.

Soundtrack: “Jack Pepsi” by Tad of any Motorhead track.

Cocktail Time: The Steamboat

Posted on December 17, 2024 by platinumal

Party season is in full swing – and if you need a refreshing alcoholic beverage to sip on your night out, don’t worry: Platinum Al’s got you covered! The Steamboat is a mix of sweet and tangy citrus flavours, you can’t go wrong.

I’ve seen some recipes for a Steamboat cocktail use whiskey, but at the Virtual Tiki Bar, we make this drink using Southern Comfort, lime juice and lemonade. Here’s the info:

Steamboat

Southern Comfort
Lime juice
Lemonade
Ice

Simply add a small amount of lime juice to the glass (I use a lime cordial) and carefully add some ice. Pour in two measures of Southern Comfort, then top up with lemonade (full fat works best). Garnish however you feel, a slice of lime works well.

There you go: a classic drink I never get bored of.

Again, I’m not on commission for this drink, I just want to share the appreciation with my discerning readers. Enjoy and drink responsibly.

Soundtrack: Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Cocktail Time: Kraken Rum

Posted on December 7, 2024 by platinumal

Many a weary old seadog has told a tale of the fearsome sea monster, the Kraken. A huge, tentacled beast, legends say it can tear a ship apart and drag sailors to a watery doom. Only occasionally venturing from the deepest of ocean depths, the Kraken is never the less dreaded by seafarers – the legend of this behemoth is ancient and terrible.

Also, Kraken is brand of spiced rum that’s actually really nice! I haven’t composed one of these drink based blogs for a long while, so with party season upon us, let’s celebrate this enjoyable spirit.

Release the Kraken!

Kraken is a spiced rum and can be mixed many ways, my favourite being with coke (full fat, of course). Ginger beer is also a god option. Kraken has a taste reminiscent of vanilla and caramel, mixed with cola it has a sweet but deep taste that’s a refreshing variation on the typical rum and coke. There are many other recipe suggestions on the Kraken website – check it out here.

I’m not on commission for this, sadly. Hope you enjoy, and drink responsibly.

Soundtrack: anything by King Kraken.

Cocktail time: Captain Morgan Tiki

Posted on December 30, 2023 by platinumal

I’ve got just enough time left in 2023 to update you on another favourite drink of mine. This is a drink I took a gamble on a while ago, and have thoroughly enjoyed.

Captain Morgan Tiki is a variation on the famous rum brand, incorporating pineapple and mango flavours. It even comes in a cool looking glass bottle that’s shaped like a Tiki statue at the bottom.

No need for any real recipe advice with this drink, just serve with ice and add lemonade for a refreshing, summery drink.

Once piece of advice I will divulge: when you’ve finished the bottle (it won’t take long), wash it out and when dry, pop in some lights – a chain of small LED style lights will do. The groovy bottle shape makes an interesting outdoor light feature. Then go and buy another bottle.

Cocktail Time: Absinthe

Posted on December 16, 2021 by platinumal

Over the years of my adventures as a bounder and general ne’er-do-well, I have occasionally been known to frequent the more bohemian and hedonistic establishments to be found in town and city. Relaxing in the company of poets, artists and dancing girls, one finds the nerves relaxed and the mind expanded – particularly when imbibing the Green Fairy, la fée verte: absinthe.

Absinthe has a formidable reputation. It’s been made illegal in many countries in the past and has been blamed for murder and madness. But if we take things carefully, I’m sure we’ll be OK. Though potent, it’s not as intimidating as considered – and is very enjoyable when prepared correctly.

Preparing absinthe is in itself a ritual, and requires certain specifically designed items. The glass is usually ornate and stemmed, sometimes with a small reservoir at the bottom. The spoon is perforated or slotted.

I’m no expert, but the following steps explain the method I’ve found to prepare and enjoy this drink.

Pour approx 1 ounce of absinthe into the glass; some guides recommend turning the glass to allow the liquid to coat the lower area.
Place the absinthe spoon across the top of the glass (mine has a small ridge to keep it in place).
Place an ice cube on the spoon.
Slowly pour ice cold water over the ice cube so it flows into the glass, dissolving the ice cube – 4 to 5 ounces is recommended, but experiment to find your preferred taste (maybe not too much in one sitting, though).
Mix any ice cube into the liquid, it should turn cloudy (which is known as louche). You’re then ready to drink.

The liquorice taste of absinthe (or other similar spirits) is not something I wasn’t a fan of originally, but I’ve learned to like. The ritual of preparation – and the paraphernalia – as well as the history, adds a lot to the experience.

Absinthe is now widely available in the UK. The version in the photos is from Andorra, and slightly higher percentage than found on these shores at 85%…

Enjoy your drink, friends – but please treat absinthe with the respect it deserves and drink responsibly!

Cocktail Time: Blue Hawaiian

Posted on February 20, 2016 by platinumal

It’s that time again! Time to chill in the Virtual Hot Tub with a refreshing cocktail, letting the week’s stresses flow away. And what a great cocktail I have to share with you this time!

The Blue Hawaiian is a classic cocktail, simply delicious and full of summer excitement. There’s plenty of time till summer, so get your kit together and practice making this tipple ready for those warm evenings. I highly recommend a blender is used for this recipe, rather than just shaking.

Blue Hawaiian

White rum
Blue curacao
Coconut cream
Pineapple juice
Ice

First of all, get that blender prepped and ready. Pour in 2 measures of the white rum and one measure of the blue curacao (for one person). Add 3 tablespoons of the coconut milk and a few ice cubes. Give the mixture a quick 30 second mix in the blender, to get the colour even.

Then pour in the pineapple juice. The recommended amount is 3 tablespoons, but I would experiment here and add a more if required. Now give the mixture a full blitz in the blender until it’s frothy, man.

Now you can pour the mixture into your glass, and garnish the hell out of it. Umbrellas, straws, slices of pineapple – go for it with whatever you can find.

The result is a beautifully fruity cocktail that is ideal to sip and chill out with. I highly recommend some Hawaiian music (on wax, of course) to complete the mood.

Enjoy!

Soundtrack: Hawaiian tunes (see photo); Arthur Lyman’s “Hawaiian Nights”; Les Baxter; Martin Denny; Elvis.

Disclaimer

Posted on August 18, 2015 by platinumal

It’s about time I covered a few items, in order to explain how this blog works. I know this isn’t much fun, but it needs to be done. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; I may amend or add to this list at any time that suits me.

The points below refer to my WordPress blog, “Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub” (“Virtual Hot Tub” or “blog”):

All views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own and do not represent the views and opinions of my employer or previous employers. I do not refer to my employer by name on this blog for this reason. Please do not mention the name of my employer (current or previous) in any correspondence.
Photographs of subjects are taken with the person’s verbal consent only. If you object to your image being used on this website, please let me know and I will remove it. Proof of identity may be requested for any removal.
Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub is not responsible for any injuries you may receive, or loss of any kind (including financial) whilst participating in any of our featured activities.
Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub receives no remuneration/compensation from featured venues or events.
Platinum Al’s Virtual Hot Tub and Platinum Al’s Virtual Tiki Bar are “virtual” locations and do not exist in real time or space.

Hope that’s cleared a few things up.

Seasonal drink: Snowball

Posted on December 30, 2014 by platinumal

If you’re still in a party mood – and who isn’t, with New Year’s Eve on the way? – here’s a recipe for a seasonal cocktail that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. The festive season may be coming to an end, but this tipple is still a top recommendation.

The Snowball is well known, and can be made to your particular taste. You may know the ingredients already, so consider this a reminder of a winter classic.

Why not pull up a chair at the Virtual Tiki Bar and ask Veronica, our Virtual Bar Attendant, to concoct one of these for you? Made just how you like it.

Snowball

Advocaat
Vodka
Lime juice (cordial)
Lemonade
Ice

The amounts required for this drink depend on the drinker’s taste, and the size of glass used. Experiment and adjust to your preference.

Add ice at first, then pour a small amount of lime cordial. Throw in a shot of vodka – this can be substituted by brandy, if desired.

Pour in a big old dose of the Advocaat, then top up with lemonade. Veronica was a bit sketchy on the measures, so just play around. Mix with a stirrer and enjoy.

Drink responsibly!

Soundtrack: Christmas with the Rat Pack, or Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails (Vol I and II).

Drink of the Week: Monkey Wrench

Posted on August 21, 2014 by platinumal

Better hurry and mix this drink while you can – it’s an ideal summer refresher and there ain’t much summer left…

The Monkey Wrench is a popular warm weather tipple here at the Virtual Hot Tub. Ask Veronica, the Virtual Barmaid, to throw one of these together for you – and join me in the tub for a soak.

Monkey Wrench

White rum
Grapefruit juice
Lemonade
Ice

Crush the ice and add to a tall glass. Add two measures of white rum, then pour in the grapefruit juice. Finally top up with lemonade and give it a stir.

Grapefruit juice can be a little sharp, but don’t worry if you’re not a fan – the lemonade can take the edge off. Experiment with the quantities to achieve a taste you like.