Cocktail capers

THERE are places to drink cocktails and there are places to drink cocktails.

It all comes down to good vibrations – and not just the shake, shake shake variety.

For example: Would you prefer to sit smack in the centre of a World Heritage site? The terrace of the Malmaison, Liverpool? Watching the ships roll in, and the golden sky, while sipping another Tequila Sunrise?

Or does taking a Manhattan under your own B&Q parasol, do it for you, as the barbecue sizzles away?

Now you can have the best of both worlds.

The Liverpool Mal has launched a new series of cocktail mixing lessons that promise to teach you stirring stuff, the long and the short of it.

Perfect for after-office get-togethers, hen parties or for those of you who would seriously like to learn how to make a refreshing, pretty and moreish alcoholic drink that all your friends will enjoy while, at the same time, you impress the hell out of them.

It's all a far cry from the sort of fumbling, amateur concoctions you make with that metal shaker from Argos. The sort that have already earned your home the nickname Spike Island and all your pals wondering where they left their heads 15 hours earlier when Casualty was still on.

The first cocktail master class was last week. It was run by the Malmaison's bar manager, Kris Fitzsimmons. Guests, including two lucky Liverpool Confidential competition winners, Nicola and Martin Dunford, were greeted with Kir Royales and delicious Mal munchies (that's food, not the name of a cocktail).

They then prepared, made and enjoyed the finest beverages around – and went merrily away with all the know-how on mixing magnificent Mint Mojitos, Cosmopolitans and Whiskey Sours.

Kris said: “It was a fabulous fun evening where I taught everyone that creating the perfect cocktail is not rocket science.” 

Well it is - if you are making a Rocket Science (one part cinnamon schnapps, one part white run and a dash of Tabasco)....

*Malmaison cocktail masterclasses are perfect for corporate entertaining, team building or just taking the next step. They cost £35 per person, with many drinks included, so if you think it’s time you learned to mix it, contact Malmaison Liverpool on 0151 229 5000 to book. And tell them Liverpool Confidential sent you.