Manchester’s newest speakeasy opened in December and I was lucky enough to visit thanks to Vintage Manchester. The Fitzgerald is situated above the gorgeous Rosylee Tea Rooms in the Northern Quarter. It’s a place to lose time, revisit style and enjoy a fabulous cocktail or two.
A couple of months on and I had yet another reason to visit (as if I needed a reason, really).
The chaps from Mullen Bartending had arranged for a night of cocktails and vintage – two of my favourite things in one. With some delicious brands on offer, I donned a particularly special 1970s maxi dress and some lashes and went to sample the drinks on offer.
Now here I have to admit, that Keeley and I might have started the evening in Bakerie and so we missed the canapes (though we did enjoy some excellent bread and wine). Of course this wine might have led to some inebriation later on.
Ok, it did. It turns out (through thorough investigation I may add and some extensive experimentation), that I have a small sugar intolerance that means wine plus bread equals drunky me. Lesson learned.
However, we were in time to hit the cocktails. Phew. First up was a personal favourite and appropriately and 1920s classic, a negroni, made with Hunters Gin. This was utterly lovely – and the chaps from Hunters were also there to taste test for themselves.
This was obviously going to be a night of favourites, as next up was Buffalo Trace in a Brown Derby – again perfectly appropriate for a speakeasy as it dates from the 1930s. A real sweet and sour cocktail, the bourbon gives a certain element of richness to the drink.
We moved into the 1940s with the Margarita – this one with our old friend Excellia Tequila. I have to admit, I missed the salt rim on this drink a little. For me there’s always an element of pleasure to be gained from the sting of salt and lime on your lips.
And then onto a new rum to my palate, Ron Cubay. This is a beautifully rich rum, and we had both the 3 and 7 year agings in this glorious little Daiquiri – perhaps the most historic of our cocktails, with it’s origins dating back to 1902. Rich, sweet, sour, gorgeous.
Finally, I have to admit, the star of the night. A Martini made with Reyka Vodka and Icelandic bitters. The softness of this vodka was apparent from the first sip of the cocktail – and this with the slight sweetness on the tongue made for a very light, very lovely cocktail. I normally prefer a gin Martini, but this was perfect. Well done gentlemen.
If this wasn’t enough, the incredibly generous Mullen and Ron Cubay have given me two bottles of rum to give to the person who sponsors me the most for my London Marathon. As it stands, two sponsors who have donated £20 will be getting a bottle each, so there’s plenty of opportunity for a bargain…
The next cocktail collaboration between the Fitzgerald and Mullen takes place on 4th March and is a toast to the USA. Americana promises to be a great night with another mix of brands, 5 cocktails for the the bargain basement price of £15.
It’s also my last bit of cocktail fun before London. So I’ll see you there?
With thanks to Jamie Stephenson Photography for the stunning images.