Take one bar in the Northern Quarter.
Add some Ketel One vodka.
Mix in some cocktail enthusiasts and one or two Martini glasses.
Sprinkle with glass paint and paintbrushes.
Apply cocktails.
What could go wrong?
Actually, nothing. What you get is m-Art-ini a mix of two of my loves – craft and cocktails – into an evening of fun that raises money for charity.
The idea was simple, stop by, try some Ketel One vodka cocktails and paint a Martini glass in a design of your choice – those that managed to have a Ketel One theme would receive bonus points.
So Keeley and I got our craft on. Kind of. I’ve never painted glass before and while I had in my head something like this, reality was very different.
Fuelled by a deliciously light white chocolate and violet Martini, I proceeded to paint olives on cocktail sticks Keeley, similarly fuelled by a soft and fruity strawberry blonde, proceeded to paint a tulip – well Ketel One is a Dutch company after all.
Following Keeley’s lead, I went for the blatant, and painted (a version of) the Ketel One logo on the side of my glass. As I waited for paint to dry, it was time for a Cosmpolitan to keep me occupied while Keeley opted for a cherry Capirovska – a vodka twist on the Caiprinha cocktail.
Distracted and by now, despite the nibbles, somewhat alcohol fuelled, I reached for another glass (no, not a drink, another one to paint) and began to paint again – an olive holding a Martini glass, before I went for a second coat of the logo on my first glass. Undaunted, Keeley continued with her blog name on the glass and coloured in the tulip.
Satisfied, we placed our offerings on the shelf to be judged. And spotted the competition.
My face fell. I was outdone by the flag, burned by the flames, disheartened by the red glass.
By comparison, my glass was a cliche.
But all is not lost. While we await the firing of the glasses to fix the paint and the winners to be judged, I’m pinning my hopes on my olive man…
I think he likes a Martini as much as I do.