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Shaken... not stirred!
I have splashed out on the silk lingerie, invested in bullet-proof mascara, arranged to conquer an army assault course, signed up for a crash course in karate and booked a day in a luxury spa to be buffed and preened to within an inch of my life...
The latest Bond film is about to hit our screens, and I am ready. But there is one thing missing.
The martini.
I didn't know, until researching Web Watch this week, that the dictionary definition of Martini is any cocktail that is made of gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
Apparently, when it comes to cocktails, I know nothing. Well, I know a little. A wasted youth ensures that if, at the end of an evening, you want to reach alcoholic Nirvana, the Slippery Nipple is a short cut! I know the Brandy Alexander because vanity dictates that I should. And last but not least, being a child of the 70s means that I know the Snowball. It was the only alcoholic drink I was allowed to have on Christmas Day.
It's hardly an extensive or exotic knowledge. If someone asked me to make them an Arnold Palmer I would probably book them some golf lessons! But help is at hand.
This web site has the recipe to every conceivable cocktail ever invented. As well as a comprehensive list of cocktails, there's mocktails, shots, shooters and slammers! If that's not enough, there are hot drinks, a range of differnet recipes for punch and, for the connoisseur, the secret of the perfect martini.
With Mr Bond very much in mind, I investigated the irresistibly titled 007, which is made up of 1 part 7-Up, 1 Part Orange Juice and 1 Part Stolichnaya Ohranj Vodka. Simply mix them together in a tall glass over ice. Wince, shudder, repeat and enjoy!
This site even tells you which glass should be used. In the case of the 007 it's Collin's glass but ask his permission first.
And, of course, Christmas is just round the corner so, if you are going to perfect the art of cocktail-making, I strongly recommend you start practising now.
The Christmas menu includes the Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer:
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 oz. Light Rum
- 1 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz. Grenadine
Directions:
- Mix the light rum, lemon juice, and grenadine. Add the ice cubes and fill to your own taste with Cranberry juice. Add a wedge of lemon on your glass and voila! Enjoy!
Glass Type:
Highball Glass
Each of the drinks are rated although this element of the site does not seem to have taken off too well. Many of the drinks are not personally recommended but I think that's hardly surprising as regular visitors to this site probably spend a large proportion of their time under the table!
Other examples include:
- PINK CADILLAC
- 187 URGE
- 357 MAGNUM
- 3-MILE LONG ISLAND ICED TEA
- 3RD STREET PROMANADE
- 3 AMIGOS
- 4TH OF JULY
- 501 BLUES
- 57 CHEVY
- 57 T-BIRD
To name but a few! But if you have more of a traditionalist, you can find out how to make the perfect martini. Shaken, not stirred. Cheers!
Jacqueline Alexander
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