Drill Sergeant and Monkey Shoulder Ambassador, Dean CallanHear the word “Bootcamp” and our minds conjure up images of ridiculously over the top physical activity, muddy assault courses and very loud drill sergeants barking out orders. However, precede it with the word “Cocktail” and we sit up and take notice. In this instance we did even more than just sit up, we actually went along to get in shape.
The Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bootcamp is aimed at everyone who likes a cocktail and wants to get mixing at home, whether novice or experienced. Sessions are 90 minutes long and each recruit, armed with their own shaker, stirrer and swizzle stick, gets to mix cocktails, learn why certain flavours work together and how to get the best out of them. Oh, and they get to drink their creations too.
Recruit’s Essential KitAs we got put through our paces we tried our hand at a classic Old Fashioned, got a little more creative with a Jam Sour and a bit more showy with a Monkey Swizzle. And putting us through those paces was no scary military marshall but the altogether more likeable Monkey Shoulder Ambassador, Dean Callan, who pointed out: “Everyone gets obsessed with getting in shape for summer, but let’s face it, knowing how to make the right drink for the right occasion is way more impressive. More importantly, it’s a lot more fun”.
Wise words indeed.
Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bootcamps will be taking place all over the UK including Manchester, Apotheca Bar 16 & 17 June; Edinburgh, Bon Vivant Bar 17 & 18 July; London, (London Cocktail Week) Venue to be confirmed, 9, 10 & 11 October.
Events in Manchester and Edinburgh are free to attend but as places are limited, people must sign up by emailing MonkeyShoulder@anonymousartitsts.co.uk beforehand.
For more information about the Monkey Shoulder Cocktail Bootcamps visit www.facebook.com/monkeyshoulder
Monkey Shoulder Old Fashioned
Ingredients
60 ml Monkey Shoulder
10 ml sugar syrup (50/50 sugar/cold water by weight)
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
Method
Add all ingredients to mixing glass. Add cold dry ice and stir. Once desired dilution is reached strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a twist of orange, cherry and orange slice.
Monkey Shoulder Jam Sour
Ingredients
50 ml Monkey Shoulder
20 ml Fresh lemon juice
2 spoons Jam (your favourite)
Dash Sugar to taste
2 dashes Orange bitters
Method
Add all ingredients to shaker. Shake well with ice. Strain into glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Monkey Swizzle
Ingredients
50 ml Monkey Shoulder
10 ml Pineapple Syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
5 sprigs of mint
Method
Add all ingredients to glass. Add crushed ice. SWIZZLE! Garnish with a paper umbrella and pineapple slice.
