Tag Archives: October

London Cocktail Week ft. Amaro Montenegro

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This year has been rocky to say the least. Yet again the hospitality industry has been hit hard despite the optimism of the Eat out to help out scheme. With September coming to an end, those who extended the scheme will also face their footfall dwindling once more. However, we are hoping that with the extension of London Cocktail Week which will now run for the entire MONTH of October, the bars will be luring us back in with some special cocktails which will be on offer and let’s face it, we’ve all exhausted our Gin supply so we will be looking at some unique Gin alternatives to see us through London Cocktail Month that you can make from the comfort of your home. 

This week the spotlight will be on;

Amaro Montenegro

A distinctly Italian Herbal Liqueur, you may recognise Amaro as the dark shot one is offered at the end of some fine Italian fayre, or you may not remember it at all… in my case. But make no mistake Amaro is making a comeback for the right reasons. 

Our focus is on Amaro Montenegro who is one of the most well-establish spirit brands in Italy and now they are paving their way to the UK. Honestly, I thought this was the one and only brand of Amaro, they are THE ORIGINAL since 1885. It’s eye-catching bottle has graced many an Italian Bartenders’ shelf and we think it would be a great addition to your home bar. 

Amaro (Italian for “bitter”) has a bitter- sweet flavour and a slight woodiness, makes sense considering Amaro Montenegro is made from over 40 botanicals. Amaro is usually enjoyed neat but with the dried citrus features, our perfect serve would be over tonic and ice which a slice of orange peel. I particularly enjoyed the warming syrupy feel Amaro has and while it would be a lovely spritz to have before a meal, the spicier notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves work perfectly for Winter. 

Monte & Tonic

Ingredients:

Amaro 30ml 

Tonic to the top 

Dried Orange Peel to Garnish 

(I like to add a dash of orange bitters) 

Method:

Build in glass over lots of Ice. Enjoy. 

And in the spirit of London Cocktail Week (Month) our favourite Amaro cocktail is…

Monterita

Ingredients:

50ml Amaro 

25ml Blanco Tequila 

30ml Lime Juice

Method:

Shake with lots of ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Now we’ve got you dreaming of Amaro Montenegro to find out more and for more cocktail recipes, visit 

www.amaromontenegro.com

Alternatively, if you would like to support bars during London Cocktail Week who are serving delicious Amaro Montenegro cocktails, check out;

Amatitan Sour served at Disrepute Soho

https://www.disrepute.co.uk

Johnnie Highball served at Dalloway Terrace 

https://dallowayterrace.com

Man about Town served at Donovan Bar @ Browns Hotel

‘Duchess Kate’ Holds a Great Pink Bake Off

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Leading charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer has launched the first ever Great Pink Bake Off for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  They are recruiting an army of bakers to fire up their ovens, hit the kitchen and give breast cancer a good beating this October.

 

Even ‘Kate’ is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, raising vital funds and awareness for Breakthrough’s life-saving research. On Friday 18th October simply gather your friends, family and colleagues to bring their baked goodies and ask everyone who attends to make a donation. If 18th October doesn’t work for you then you can hold a Bake Off anytime, anywhere, during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a piece of cake! www.pinkbakeoff.org

Kate’s got another bun in the oven

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate has a bun in the oven Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity Duchess of Cambridge, Kate baking for breast cancer charity

 

Sian Fraser, Head Baker for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s Great Pink Bake Off, says: “We hope everyone gets involved with this year’s Great Pink Bake Off. Not only will you have a delicious time, you’ll also be raising vital money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s life-saving work”

 

“The need for Breakthrough’s research has never been greater; breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, affecting 50,000 women every year and killing 1,000 every month. So we are urging everyone to raise some dough and help us beat breast cancer.”

 

Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the UK’s leading breast cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through improving early diagnosis, developing new treatments and preventing all types of the disease.

 

Sign up today to receive your very own Great Pink Bake Off fundraising kit – it’s jam-packed with tips, tools and tasty recipes. Visit pinkbakeoff.org or call Breakthrough’s Bake Off team on 08080 100 200.

 

Shakedown announce new artists for October festival

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6th October, Stanmer Park, Brighton

http://www.shakedown.co.uk/

 

Arlissa, Jacob Plant, B. Traits, Brimmer and Special K’s added to the bill for the final festival of the year

 

Dizzee Rascal, Chase and Status (DJ set) and Professor Green headline

 

Trash Mondays vs In Ya Ear go head to head in the silent disco

 

Second release tickets almost sold out!

 

LINE UP TO DATE

 

Dizzee Rascal / Professor Green / Chase & Status DJ set / Katy B / Knife Party / Zane Lowe / Stooshe / Clement Marfo and  the Frontline / Friction / Shy FX / Ms Dynamite / Union DJ’s / The Prototypes / Jacob Plant / Arlissa / B Traits / Brimmer / Special K’s

 

With just under a month to go until the last festival of the year, all eyes turn to Brighton for Shakedown, the final party of the festival season.  With some of the most exciting names in bass and electronic music already confirmed, Shakedown is set to host a South Coast party of epic proportions.

 

Joining the throng of A list artists will be Arlissa, the 19 year old UK singer songwriter whose debut single ‘Hard To Love Somebody’ is a duet with self professed fan Nas and Jacob Plant, the wildly hyped producer and DJ who is one of the hottest talents on the UK dance scene having worked with and remixed a host of household names including Jay Z, Kanye West, Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding Modestep and Major Lazer to name a few.

 

Having graduated from a monthly ‘In New DJ’s We Trust’ slot on Radio 1 to her own, weekly show that’s simulcast on Radio 1 and 1xtra, B. Traits is perfectly placed to bring the carnival bassline to Brighton.  Whether you’re into bass heavy house, dubstep or drum & bass, local Brighton boy Brimmer is the name delivering bass in all genres whilst Special K’s deliver their unique brand of glorious electronic pop

 

Shakedown will be headlined by the most in demand artist in the country and ultimate showman, Dizzee Rascal.  Armed with an arsenal of hits, Dizzee is an artist at the top of his game and his set will be a defining Shakedown moment.  A multitude of incredible artists including the mighty Professor Green, queen of the underground Katy B, undisputed breakout act of 2012, Stooshe, Clement Marfo & The Frontline and Union DJ’s will perform before Dizzee Rascal.

 

The Supercharged Arena will be headlined by superstar duo, Chase & Status performing an eclectic DJ set of genre defying styles. One of the most potent forces on the dance scene and famed for their incendiary DJ sets, this irrepressible duo will be armed to the teeth with a plethora of dance floor anthems and underground classics.

 

Taking to the stage before Chase & Status will be the much lauded Knife Party playing in Brighton for the first time, Radio 1’s music champion and undisputed star of last year’s Shakedown festival, Zane Lowe and multi award winning Ms Dynamite.  A hotbed of phenomenal DJ’s will also join the succession of artists including Drum & Bass heavyweight’s  DJ Friction, Shy FX and The Prototypes.

 

Two of Brighton’s biggest cult clubbing brands go head to head to bring you the ultimate silent disco. Renowned for their larger than life parties week in and week out, Trash Mondays and In Ya Ear once again prepare for another monumental extravaganza.

 

Hed Kandi, the most stylish name in house music will be hosting the VIP Arena with a spectacular production and a host of DJ’s including Freemasons, Seamus Haji and Phil Faversham.

 

Shakedown Festival 2012 brings the most exciting names in contemporary music to Brighton for one last festival outing.  With a vast array of music talent and some great brand partners bringing their own, distinct party flavour, Shakedown is the perfect end to an incredible summer of festival fun.  Tickets are selling fast with this event looking likely to sell out so don’t miss out.

 

TICKETS £40 + bf

 

http://www.shakedown.co.uk/tickets

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/

http://www.seetickets.com/

http://hmv.com/

http://www.viewbrighton.co.uk/

http://www.brightondome.org/

 

VIP TICKETS £75 + bf

Available now from the Hed Kandi bar on West Street, Brighton and http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F004787ACD2AF57