There’s nothing more pleasing than when two of your favourite things come together.
So imagine my glee when one of my favourite people (and one of Manchester’s most talented drinks masters) went to work with the cocktail menu in one of my favourite places.
Susie Wong has a way with cocktails. Whether sweet and creamy, savoury and spicy or dry and delicious, there’s no doubting the lady’s talent. Currently delicately with bump, she’s been working hard on the latest incarnation of the cocktail menu at The Violet Hour in Didsbury. And though their cocktail menu has always been exceptional (butcher shop martini anyone?) it’s now truly enthralling.
Of course, ever willing to put my tastebuds to the test before anyone else’s, Keeley and I headed over to sample some of the beauties on the menu and apparently, in very good company.
Now, whilst Keeley and I would have loved to try everything on the menu, given it’s length, we knew that was beyond our ambition and so perused the menu and perused it hard to make our choices.
Even the menus were delightfully retro – one of Susies passions is Ladybird books – you remember the ones. My mum used to buy me them once a month from the shop connected to the Post Office, with abridged versions of classics like Black Beauty and Rapunzel (still one of my favourite fairy tales) to books about trains and tractors (yeah, I was a tomboy).
Susie has added her own artwork to some of these books to create one of a kind menus. You won’t find anything like this anywhere else.
Keeley’s first choice was a Ruby Woo – a very Susie twist on a Woo Woo, this combination of Finlandia Vodka, Blossoms Sour Cherry Syrup, aloe vera, lemon and rose water comes with a cherry pop garnish, guaranteed to put a smile on a girl’s face. And a boy’s too, but Keeley is definitely the former.
I was drawn by the Hey Girl with it’s Cointreau, King’s Ginger, lemon, rosemary and garnish of dehydrated orange wheel and rosemary sprig. It’s no secret I love King’s Ginger Liqueur – I’m still trying to create a cake to put it in, but end up finishing the bottle before I get the opportunity. This was perfect, sweet and sharp, full of citrussy zing. Very me.
Onto our second and the menu received another considering stare. Drawn by the Bourbon, I opted for the Gentleman’s Geisha. Evan Williams Extra Aged Bourbon and plum sake mingle with pear, and Boker’s Bitters, garnished with a pear fan.
Keeley, knowing Susie’s creamy cocktail talents, opted for the Rum and Raisin Nice Dream – Appleton VX Rum, fig, vanilla and cream, lightly dusted with chocolate. It had to be said, the whole table sampled that little beauty. Stunning.
For my final cocktail, The Importance of Being Earnest drew my eye – probably my favourite play ever, it was inevitable. This mixture of Doorly’s Rum, grapefruit, lime, ginger, lemon bitters, and maraschino dust, again ticked all the boxes. Warming and soft, but zesty with the earthy flavour of ginger, I was in heaven. And the grapefruit zested popcorn served with it was fought over by everyone at the table. Much to my annoyance (it was mine dammit).
Keeley’s sweet tooth was drawn again to Tony’s Tipple – Appleton 12yr Rum, Crème de Banane, Frosties rinsed milk. It’s a boozy breakfast in a cute little bottle, mingling your favourite things from childhood with a good adult twist.
And here is where we had to stop. Not only did we both have work in the morning, but despite the gorgeous nibbles circulating, we were starting to feel a little, er, booze fuelled.
Of course, this just gives us an excuse to go back. After all, there’s the second half of the menu to try…. And we don’t like to leave a job half done.
With huge thanks to The Violet Hour for the cocktail samples and to The Vain Photos for some of the images.