I quite often get invited to blogger events, but if truth be told, I don’t go to that many of them. I probably go to more than some of the bloggers in Manchester, but often they fall on days where I can’t attend, or I worry more often, that the subject of blogger events will bore you, dear reader. And that’s the last thing I want.
It’s an interesting world. I’ve met bloggers who make a living from their blogs, those whose opinion is trusted by household brands across the UK (indeed the world), I’ve met beauty bloggers, parent bloggers, boozy bloggers, photography bloggers, the list is endless. Young, old, tall, short, male, female, there’s a lot of us about.
This particular event, in collaboration with the Copthorne Hotel and Joes Blogger Network had me intrigued. It was a cocktail evening, where the bloggers attending would not only learn to make four cocktails, but also be able to make their own and enter it to win a competition – pitching us against each other.
To be honest, they had me at cocktail.
I was also interested, to be honest, to have a nosey at the Copthorne. Once upon a time, some, oh god, 18 years ago winces dramatically and reaches for the gin, I went for an interview to become a hotel receptionist there. I didn’t get the job, but was curious to see how much it had changed.
I arrived, typically, first. For once I was early, rather than late, but was rewarded with a glass of fizz with raspberry puree and a chat with the chaps setting up. Turns out we knew each other. Manchester is such a small world.
More bloggers began to arrive and collect their own glasses of fizz and sample the delicious nibbles on offer. We chatted, networked, put faces to blog names, and twitter accounts.
Before we knew it, everyone had arrived and after introductions from the staff, we separated into little groups to make cocktails and Robin from In the Spirit guided us through it all.
Now for the fun bit.
Up first was a Kentucky Stormy – effectively a Dark ‘N’ Stormy, but with Bourbon. Danielle had drawn the short straw at going first, and did a great job mixing lime, sugar syrup and bourbon with ice and a ginger beer top. A little on the sweet side for me, I think skipping the sugar syrup would have made it lighter, but lovely nonetheless.
Next up, the Bramble. One of my favourites – and one of the youngest classics I know, it’s younger than me. Lemon, gin, sugar syrup and Creme de Mure, a nice simple treat. Personally, I often omit the sugar syrup, as once the Creme de Mure feathers through the crushed ice, it can often end up a little over sweet for me.
Megan did a fine job and as one of the only non-drivers on our team, this little one was all mine….
With the last ingredients on the table, Kat and I had figured out what was left – and made a deal, which is why when our next cocktail was announced as a the Mojito, it was my turn. Lime, mint and sugar syrup are muddled together, then it’s a good dose of rum and a little soda water top.
Another simple one, but perfect for summer days.
And then it was Kat’s turn for the Cosmopolitan – one of her favourite cocktails, and incidentally we made it with one of our favourite vodkas! Cranberry, lime, tiple sec, and vodka were mixed with a little sugar syrup to make something terribly pretty.
Both Kat and I agreed that we’d probably have left out the sugar syrup as it was too soft on the palate – it needed that tickle of citrus at the end.
Before we knew it, it was time to play with our own recipes. And here’s where I hit a niggle. I’d had an idea for a cocktail and to do it I’d brought something with me. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of checking if I could do this on the day – we’d had no rules in advance.
It wasn’t allowed.
Oh dear.
Still, creativity reigned and I did my idea as best as I could with what I had to hand. But it wasn’t right, too tight, not quite there. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t win and I was much happier with the attempt that Kat and I made instead on a ‘Beejito’ – swapping sugar syrup for honey.
The winner was the lovely Danni -who made her own twist on a Mojito – The Happy Rumdays.
But still. My cocktail recipe remained in my head. And it needs detailing. So, I’ve made it at home, I’ve tried it, it’s not bad. And so, in a nod to my temping days when I worked in a typing pool (yes, I’m that old) and to one of my Caketober recipes, I give you the Manchester Tart:
Ingredients (makes one):
2 handfuls crushed ice
35ml Gin
20ml Lemon juice
15ml Vimto
15ml Vanilla syrup
2 blackberries to garnish
Method:
Fill a tumbler sized glass with crushed ice.
Place the gin, vanilla syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with a little ice shake and strain into the glass.
Top with the Vimto so it feathers down gently and garnish with the blackberries.
Enjoy!
This event was organised by the blogger network and, as such, everything consumed on site was provided free of charge.