There’s a fabulous website called ‘A Quarter Of’ and it’s where I go when I want a taste of nostalgia, literally. They sell everything from hard-boiled favourites, to sticky lollipops, foam shrimps and my favourite penny-chomper the Fruit Salad.
If, like me, you have a sweet tooth for the past, you’ll love the cocktails that are mixed at the Reform Social & Grill at The Mandeville Hotel. Once home to the composer and Royal Academy of Music Professor Paolo Tosti, it’s now a 142 room hotel, perfectly placed in Marylebone Village.
The Mixologist, Teto Motsarkanov, is in charge of the bar here when I visit. It’s his retro ‘Tuck Shop’ cocktails that appear on the menu, and they’re what I’m here to sample.
The blast-from-the-past lemon sherbet is just that, sweet then sour, tongue-smackingly good in a very moreish way. Gin, Tanqueray Rangpur to be precise, lots of fresh lemon juice and a nice slug of Limoncello and Midori.
I really shouldn’t have, but rhubarb is a firm favourite in my kitchen (when it’s in season) so I just had to try the Rhubarb and Custard Cocktail on offer. Rhubarb liqueur, Amaretto, Chambord, egg white and fresh custard, dried Temperley rhubarb strands and golden chocolate nuggets finish off this classic.
It could be dangerous, and I can’t be responsible for your balance, but if you can drink 3 (£8 each) the third one will cost you just a penny, just like some of the sweets you used to eat when you were a kid.
Here’s Teto working his magic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEI64a6Krpc?rel=0&w=1280&h=720]
He’s also kindly shared the recipe for the Rhubarb & Custard Cocktail, although there’s nothing quite like going out for cocktails.
40mls Chase Rhubarb Liqueur
20mls Amaretto
15mls Chambord
Egg white and fresh custard (the egg white allows it to be poured on top of the finished cocktail)
Rhubarb strands for decoration (optional)
Bronze chocolate nuggets for decoration (optional)
I was a guest of Reform Social & Grill.
Now the rhubarb & custard is definitelz something I’d love to try!!