Shaken, Not Stirred

Goldbrick House Cocktail Training/Tasting

I'd been smugly sitting on the 'wagon' for almost two weeks when I decided to go along to a cocktail making class....clever girl. It was held at Goldbrick House in their Champagne & Cocktail Bar. I had visited this bar several times, a little dubious about the high price tags on some of their tipples. I've always been respectful of Mixology as a career but parting with seven of my shiny pounds for a drink seemed a bit frivolous to me. Having spent a couple of hours at a gin themed cocktail class I'm now converted and that's not the gin talking.

The lesson began in the year 1100, leaving me feeling a little edgy at having to stand for 911 years. It went through the ages swiftly, pausing for a few concoctions along the way. The first stop on the cocktail train was the Tom Collins, a classic drink made originally from Old Tom Gin. I'd heard of the Tom Collins before and, for no reason whatsoever, associated it with 1970s style parties in lounges decorated with orange and brown colour palettes, it always seemed a bit dated to me. However it was very refreshing and will be a welcome addition to my sunny summer garden drinkies. Tom was followed by a number of other gintastic potions including potent Martinez, a dessert like Ramos Gin Fizz & a rather butch sounding but feminine looking French 75 which is named after the Howitzer 75mm Field Gun, the first non recoiling gun, as it is said that the drink is fizzy but without a kick. A girly drink with a butch name, I like.

The history lesson finished up, terminating at 2009 with the revivals of Old Tom Gin cocktails and we were each invited behind the bar to mix a drink of our choice. Being a fan of sour cocktails I requested something to suit my personality - dry and sour ;) The bartender suggested a Ladies Tea Fix, a blend of Plymouth Gin, the bar's own infusion of elderflower and Lady Grey Tea, bitters, fresh mint & egg white over crushed ice and garnished with a sprig of mint, ooh la la. I was given the important job of shaking, boy is that a tough job if you're doing it for each and every punter in the gaff. Separating the glass from the shaker was another bloomin' struggle. I need to up the Body Pump classes, even the teeny giggly girl in the corner was able to give it a fair whack. I fear I may be muscularly challenged (yes, it's an affliction, look it up!).

The cocktail bar at Goldbrick has soared up in my estimation. The bar staff sure know their stuff and the prep that goes into their menu is pretty impressive. While we were learning about William of Orange's blockade of French & Spanish imports our learned tutor's colleague was busily infusing ingredients - the aforementioned Lady Grey & Elderflower mix and a Tasmanian Letherwood Honey & Camomile Syrup. Needless to say I lowered myself from the 'wagon' temporarily to enjoy my tea fix. Tea is good for you, it's got antioxidants. Guilt dissolved.

http://www.goldbrickhouse.co.uk/events-and-offers/large-group-cocktail-training-tasting