By Neil Sowerby
MANCHESTERS nomadic cocktail wizards Tom Sneesby and Jody Monteith aka The Liquorists have set up camp in the old All Saints premises at 52 King Street for three months building up to Christmas. And you can bet your bottom dollar no crappy gluhwein will pass your lips at their Daisy pop-up bar.
Its officially Reserve by The Liquorists, but I bet Daisy, the upstairs bar name will stick. It comes from a tie-in with Sheffield venue The Great Gatsby (you saw the film she was Gatsbys girl). Further assistance has come from Cityco, which acts on behalf of retailers to make the city centre more attractive, and spirits giants Diageo, whose Reserve Brands feature prominently in a cutting edge spirits roster.
According to the ebullient Sneesby: A Daisy is a classic cocktail of the bygone era, which is made up of a spirit of any kind, citrus for sharpness, sweetener, egg white for mouth feel and some carbonation for length.
Taste of Manchester, having road-tested enough Daisies to fill a lawn, recommends the Don Julio Daisy (£7.50), which mixes that lethally good tequila with rhubarb cordial, licorice infusion, agave nectar and licorice stick.
The bar, which opened in time for Vogue Fashions Night Out, offers a mix of retail on the ground floor with spirits at prices that match online and a cocktail bar and events space on the first floor. Anyone who buys a bottle will be able to pop upstairs to the bar to taste and learn how to make a cocktail by The Liquorists' own master cocktail makers. Theyll also receive a recipe card with step by step instructions.
The upstairs bar, open from Tuesday to Saturday, 4pm till late, will also host a cavalcade of special events (Octobers are listed below). The Liquorists interactive masterclasses start at £10, redeemable against a purchase on the ground floor. The bar area remains open to the public while masterclasses and other events take place.
To reserve your place on a masterclass email [email protected] or book online at www.theliquorists.com/Reserve. Group bookings are welcome.
Reserve by the Liquorists, 52 King Street, M2 4LY, www.theliquorists.com. Follow Neil Sowerby @AntonEgoManc
October events:
Tuesday 15: Ciroc and Ketel One Vodkas Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Wednesday 16: Tanqueray Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Thursday 17: Johnnie Walker and The Classic Malts Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Friday 18: Don Julio Tequila Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Saturday 19: Ron Zacapa Rum Evening. Masterclass 6pm and 8pm
Tuesday 22: Ketel One Vodka Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Wednesday 23: Don Julio Tequila Evening. Masterclass at 6pm and 8pm
Thursday 24: Chateau Grand Marnier Evening with special guests
Friday 25: Ciroc Vodka Evening. Masterclass 6pm. Music and DJ from 8pm
Saturday 26: Tonight with Tanqueray Evening. Masterclass at 6pm, live music and gin bar from 8pm