» Food & Drink
Andrew Kay hosts a cocktail masterclass in his home with Myles Cunliffe of Chilled Bars
I met Myles in a pub at a Makers Mark bourbon tasting and a few weeks later he was setting up his portable bar in a suitcase in my sitting room ready for a cocktail masterclass. Well it would have been rude to say no, and I knew it would go down well with some of my team-mates here at Club Latest. What better way to lighten the miserable mood brought on by the city weather than a cocktail or two in the comfort of your own home?
Myles was very efficient, clean and tidy, and when he left there was no evidence that he had been; he takes away everything – including the washing up. And whilst he was with us he shared his expert knowledge of mixology, demonstrating five different drinks and teaching us all how to make them. We all got up there and had a go, and we all did OK, although I did get told off for over-pouring the spirits – no surprise there, I hear you say.
“Myles even demonstrated a little molecular mixology and showed us how to make fruit and spirit ‘caviar’”
The range of cocktails was good too: long and short, dry and fruity but all delicious and with so many secrets. Did you know that there is an official face that must be pulled when shaking a cocktail. Myles calls it the sex face and Zara was definitely best in our group at that. He even demonstrated a little molecular mixology, the latest trend, and showed us how to make fruit and spirit ‘caviar’.
As a social event it was great fun, but it would have been an excellent team building exercise too and, as Myles pointed out, far more fun than building a bridge out of cardboard boxes in a cold park. How right he is.
But with cocktails in bars often costing and arm and a leg and a few brain cells too, surely this was going to be an expensive evening? The answer is no. A two hour cocktail masterclass, with a minimum of 10 people, all aged over 18, “although I do a non-alcoholic one for kids’’ is £20 per head. This includes over two hours spent making five of the most current and classical cocktails at your home or office. Myles has a choice of bars from the ‘Bar in a Box’, which can be installed in a matter of minutes and taken anywhere, to the larger bars ideally suited for bigger events. Everything is supplied, from the fruit, ice and glassware to fantastic spirits and soft drinks, and they even take away the rubbish at the end of the night. Perfect for a Stag or Hen do too.
Five hour cocktail masterclass
This is for the more adventurous or for those who are more interested in the finer details of the wonderful world of spirits and cocktails. They cover five categories (vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and tequila) with a tutored tasting of each covering the basic entry level spirit going up to fantastically expensive spirits. You then get to make three cocktails from each category using the appropriate spirit and finishing with a Molecular Mixology crash course in caviar, foams, jellies and airs. Prices for this are £100 per person and are held on Saturdays from 12–5pm.
MyZo
Myles’ signature drink
Stolichnaya Vanil
vodka double measure
1 measure fresh lemon juice
1 measure elderflower cordial
Small piece fresh red chilli
Shake and strain into a martini glass
For full details of private parties – with or without Cocktail Masterclasses at your home or office – with a range of prices to suit all budgets, contact Myles on 01273 277076, info@chilledbars.co.uk, www.chilledbars.co.uk
