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Bayswater Drinks 2009
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It is proper, when a person steps up to the bar, for a bartender to set before him a glass of ice water, and, then, in a courteous manner, find out what he may desire.
The Ideal Bartender, 1917, Tom Bullock.
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Unmixed drinks
A Schooner Darkly
Schooner of beer with a jolt of Aperol or Amer Picon in its bottom.
Boilermaker
Schooner of beer with a shot – we recommend:
Tequila con Sangrita
This is how the Mexicans drink their Tequila, with a spicy non-alcoholic shot on the side. It’s how we drink ours.
Absinthe Fountain
Feel the history in action as the spoon hits the glass, the tap opens and the water drips down to the Absinthe. Watch in awe as the potent brew ‘louches’ (clouds up) as the wormwood opens its arms to you. Drink the green fairy deep down… and let her in to heal your twisted soul.
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Depression, Prohibition & Echoes
Toreador
A drink to rival the Margarita. Young Tequila with peach bitters, apricot liqueur and freshly squeezed lime juice.
Torino-Milano
The drink, legally available during the Great Depression, from which sprang the Milano-Torino, the Americano, the Negroni, the Bicycletta, the Spagliato… the list goes on. Homemade sweet vermouth with Campari and soda.
Cecil Baker
London Dry Gin with fresh coriander and lime, kaffir lime syrup and soda.
Between the Sheets
This was as risque as it got in the 1930s. So we pimped it some. Rhum Agricole, VSOP Cognac and citrus in a sugar rimmed glass.
Millionaire #5†
The first four? Not so great. This one’s lovely. Jamaican Rum, Sloe Gin, Apricot Liqueur, fresh citrus.
Excelsior
Vodka, citrus, and this week’s fruit preserve, lengthened with soda. This is our tall fruity pink vodka drink: there’s quite a lot of vodka and fruit in here, but it’s not too sweet.
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King’s Cross Tributes (with thanks to William Oxenham)
Knife Tricks‡
An Absinthe-laden sugar cube with Calvados and peach liqueur, topped with Prosecco.
Man on Fire∫
A Malt and Mescal – Talisker 12 year old with fresh lime with twin licks of agave syrup and honey. Served on the rocks, rocking a smoked chilli salt rim.
Eureka #2º
Rye, Calvados and Sloe Gin with fresh lime and sugar. A rediscovered classic, pimped!
Electric Avenue
Vodka, Cognac, Bourbon, passionfruit, orange blossom and a big sac of sexy goodness prevail here. A filthy disco drink.
(Eastern Suburbs High Maintenance) Lady Sour
London Dry Gin shaken vigorously with peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice and egg white. Crowned decadently with a lovely Côte de Rhone.
5 Buck Back Alley Quick Buck
Single malt and sweet vermouth, lime juice and sprigs of fresh mint, topped off with ginger ale.
Mamacita
Three tequilas, Mescal, Chartreuse Juane, Falernum, grapefruit, pineapple and lime juices shaken up into a ridiculous glass with fire and stuff. For two.
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Refreshed and Restyled
Cuffs & Button
M.W. Heron based his famous ‘Southern Comfort’ liqueur on this awesome drink. Woodford Reserve Bourbon with puréed peach and orange and lemon pieces.
Bayswater Cup no. 32
James Pimm created his cup to complement the seafood in his Covent Garden restaurant. Ours works great with everything. London dry gin with Amaro, Dubonnet, Chambord and lemonade, garnished with seasonal fruit.
Bayswater Cream
Baileys is a mix of chocolate, coffee, cream and crappy Irish whisky. Our version is fresh and vibrant with Kahlúa, Crème de Cacao, cream and great Scottish malt whisky. You can have it with or without extra milk¤.
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We don’t want to dumbfound anyone with a ridiculous long list. If you’re reading this far, your date’s probably late or dull, in which case we recommend naked Twister. Failing that:
Ask your bartender for different odes to the Collins family (capsicum, hibiscus etc) or a Grapefruit Rickey. Test him on Martinis and Manhattans. Enquire about Russians, Cold Wars, Bucks, Blinkers, Bulldogs, Breezes, Drakes, Marys, Juleps, about Fixes, Flips, Fizzes, Spritzes & Spagliatos. Luscious Highballs from all over – 7 & 7s, G&Ts, C.C. & Cs, Presbyterians, Horse’s Necks, Piscolas, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, the Cuba Libre, the Fudpucker, the Greyhound, the Fernet Cola, the Kir, the 75, the Peg, the Suicide Blazer, the horrors of sunrise and the glory of the last light before dawn…
…and of course, the humble Cocktail.
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House Spirits
Beefeater Gin
Wyborowa Vodka
Cazadores Blanco Tequila
Havana Club Light Rum
Appleton V/X Dark Rum
Maker’s Maker Bourbon
Chivas Regal 12yr Scotch
Hennessy VS Brandy
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† Based on Harry Craddock’s ‘Millionaire Cocktail’, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930.
‡ ‘Got tight last night on absinthe and did knife tricks. Great success shooting the knife into the piano’. Ernest Hemingway.
∫ Based on an original drink made by our mate Rich Hunt.
º Based on the ‘Avenue Cocktail’, Cafe Royal Cocktail Book, 1931.
¤ Fellas, If this looks a little bit girly, think of it as whisy & milk. Like quiche is fried egg pie, yeah?
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Everyday Drinking 
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The Man on Fire is a drink that I love, I’ll raise it in Gregor’s honour the rest of my days.