Cocktail Master Class at Balans

What do you need to attend a cocktail master class? A gorilla pod. Even with the help of this useful camera stabiliser, I defy you to take pictures without shaking after the third cocktail.
 
Last week, a group of bloggers were invited to Balans, Westfield center in Stratford, to be instructed by Megan Burroughs, a talented mixologist who has created concoctions for the likes of Kate Moss and the late Amy Winehouse.
 
Did you know that there are 3 types of different cocktail shakers: the Boston shaker which is a three pieces apparatus with the opened top and a separate strainer and the Cobbler much easier to use as the strainer is built in. We were not introduce to the third type which I believe is French and shaped elegantly
 
As we went along, we learnt to rim our glasses. To do so, take  a small plate in which you will have put salt or sugar. Run a wedge of lime around the top of your glass, tilt the glass away from you and roll, all the way or part of the way et voila, one I made earlier
 

 Then there are the decorations and I am not talking about an paper umbrella. Fruits to enhance the beverage or spice, chocolat sprinkled through stencils, the tip here is to be very slow otherwise you get a blob.
 
Last but not least, special cocktails such as the Red Ribbon made in aid of the Elton Joh AIDS Foundation come with a side shot, in this case a Champagne shot.If you have been inspired, here is the recipe for




 

Red Ribbon
Ingredients
  • 25ml Chase Vodka
  • 25ml Vanilla Vodka
  • 50ml Raspberry puree
Rim the glass with vanilla sugar. Shake all ingredients and strain into glass. Serve with side shot of champagne.
 
 
 
 Balans sponsored our visit, they do organise such classes on a regular basis, the chain includes 7 restaurants in the UK, I can't vouch for the food but I would like to thank Balan for organising the event.

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