ON THE GRAPEVINE
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... THE ALCHEMIST’S COCKTAIL SECRETS
ASPIRE to making memorable drinks at home, using extraordinary techniques? The Alchemist Cocktail Book: Master The dark Arts Of Mixology is all about creating magic in a glass.
“I heard a definition of an alchemist the other day, someone who changes things for the better,” says Holly Tudor, co-author and cocktail development specialist for The Alchemist.
“I suppose it’s turning things into gold, but for us it’s more about the theatre. We see ourselves as more than just bartenders, it’s like dinner with a show. We’re trying to create an experience rather than just a cocktail.”
With 100 ‘spell-binding’ recipes, Holly says there’s a bit of everything – some more complicated than others, “which are obviously the molecular gastronomy type cocktails, along with simple classics, so hopefully everyone will find a good amount of drinks they can make, no matter the skill level.”
Here’s how to bring the alchemist home...
PARADISE LOST
A cleantasting, coconutspiked cooler. Our version of the classic chocolate bar, the Bounty, the drink calls on a gorgeous coconut rum and chocolate liqueur as the base, then weaves them into the simple flavours of coconut water, sugar syrup and lime. Top with a splash of soda water to finish.
Ingredients: 1 lime wedge, 2tsp desiccated coconut, 85ml coconut water, 30ml coconut rum, 25ml creme de cacao blanc (white chocolate) liqueur, 15ml sugar syrup, 10ml fresh lime juice, 25ml soda water.
Method: Glide the lime wedge around the rim of a collins glass. Spread out the desiccated coconut on a saucer and dip the edge of the glass into the coconut to coat the rim. Half fill a Boston shaker with ice. Add the coconut water, coconut rum, creme de cacao blanc, sugar syrup, lime juice and shake. Place some ice cubes in the prepared collins glass and strain the mix over the ice. Top with soda water and serve.