2 weeks ago I revisited the Glenn Miller bar for a special night, with Andy Pearson. Andy is an award winning mixologist, drinks expert and director of beverage consultancy company Intoxicology. Glenn Miller has been revamped recently nested inside of Thistle Marble Arch. Seconds away from the busy fashion district city of Oxford Street; pop in to hide away from the hustle and bustle for a quick drink or a bite.
The stylish bar and lounge area is perfect to catch up, and chat over drinks, compare to loud bars blasting music from speakers this is more of chilled out relaxing venue.
I was invited along to sample the finest selection of new cocktails and to learn tricks of the trade in a master class led by Andy. Upon arrival guest was treated to the “his & hers” cocktails. To break the ice and for fun a competition was organised to guess the ingredients in the cocktails. I shall reveal the ingredients at the end of this blog post.
Bar Manager Laurent Bertolini creates bespoke cocktails ideal for the season. Laurent invites you to try a cocktail designed for sharing; one perfect for him, the other just right for her.”
After we picked our guesses we handed the A4 sheets of paper to Laurent, to be taken away. My partner in crime “d” and I headed over to canapés table, there was a good selection of dips and condiments, and the hams were the favourites.
Andy and Laurent tapped a glass and the room filled with silence, Andy wanted to start the master class and wanted to pick 4 guinea pigs to create cocktails. I was the one of the chosen ones, heading over to the table. The chosen 4 went to each station; Andy explained we would be making a cucumber gin cocktail. Honestly those 15-20 mins was long forgotten, who knew there were so many techniques to create cocktails. Shaking, pounding, straining, you clearly need the patience and skills to become a master mixologist. I followed the instructions down to the tee, as best as I can. When Andy declared I was the winner I was in shock but happily paraded my cocktail amongst the guests.
It was announced there was round 2, and I would go head to head with that winner for a special prize for the night.
Round 2 my friend “d” entered, and the cocktail they made was really delicious, again another gin based one, mix with egg white, raspberry syrup and lime. Sadly my friend didn’t win.
The final results for guessing the ingredients for his and hers were finally done, when Andy announced my name I was in shock to win again. I guessed the most correct answers right and a bottle of champagne was handed over to me plus I won a night at the hotel. WOW!
Since I won the cocktail making workshop I was in for another chance to win another bottle of champagne but the other lady won.
The night was enjoyable, and I hope Andy would run some cocktail making workshops. Hey you never know I might master it and become a mixologist one day!
Inside the “his” and “hers”, I don’t know how my friend managed to guess stellar in one of them, I knew I recognised that bitter after taste from somewhere.
HIS :
- Champagne glass
- Shaker
- Half lemon juice
- Tequila gold
- Sugar syrup
- Stella beer
- Champagne
Hers:
- Champagne glass
- Bar spoon
- Peach puree
- Strawberry puree
- Passoa (Passion fruit liqueur)
- Champagne
“His & hers are 2 elegant drinks to start the night off, both cocktails are champagne based, the hers is a delicious mix of passion fruit liqueur, peach and strawberry, his is a wonderful sweet & sour flavor made with beer, tequila and lime.“
Watch Andy Pearson Create the Cover Club