Easy, Desirable and Impure “Vive Le Cock Tail!”

Tuesday 16 February * Boisdale of Bishopsgate

No one knows who invented the cocktail. We are not even sure precisely when the word first was used to describe a spirituous drink. Stories and theories abound
including the one of Betsy Flanagan, an American pro-revolutionary innkeeper in the colonial times, who is said to have stolen chickens from her pro-British neighbours to feed General Washington’s troops. The story holds that – in the style of Dickensian Madame Defarge - she
garnished the patriots’ drinks with the roosters’ tail feathers and offered the toast, “Vive le cock tail!”.

One thing is for sure though, by the 1900s Martini became one of the most popular drinks asked for in top bars across the USA and had spread across the Atlantic
therefore beginning, as some claim, the golden age of cocktails.

On Tuesday 16 February Boisdale of Bishopsgate mixologist Patrick Hobbs who was a finalist of the World Class Best Bartender competition held in October 2009 will be putting his skills to good use when he steps behind the bar mixing Martinis and Manhattans.

Patrick will be using Beefeater 24 gin* and Chivas 18 years old whisky** and creating a range of aperitifs to intellectually stimulate and refresh the most delicate of palates.

6.30pm start. Members: FREE: Non Members:£15. Book with Pam or Myriam on 020 7283 1763 or email: info@boisdale-city.co.uk.


*Distilled in the heart of London, Beefeater 24 takes its name from the unique 24- hour steeping process and the capital’s 24-hour stylish and sophisticated lifestyle. The special Beefeater 24 taste is achieved by using three extra ingredients not found in the classic version of this popular gin - Japanese Sencha tea, Chinese green tea and Spanish grapefruit peel resulting in more complex favour and a smoother finish. Beefeater is meant to be more “swinging London,” less “British Empire.” Blessedly,
though, the spirit’s flavour evokes the latter!

** A premium aged mix of some of Scotland’s finest whiskies with an above-average proportion of malt and an extended ageing period producing Chivas Regal 18 Year old is a truly fine blend.