Manabu Ohtake mixes up a Green 'T' Fizz
When we heard Manabu Ohtake was coming to London, we couldn’t wait to have a drink with him. After all, this is the man who now wears the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2011 crown. So off we went to Village East in Bermondsey and not only did we get to raise a glass to the new title holder, we were treated to heavenly libations from last year’s winner, Erik Lorincz as well…
All pictures courtesy of Class Magazine
Think world class, think all-round perfection – something or someone who leaves the competition standing in the shade. That pretty much sums up Manabu Ohtake. Having beaten off 33 finalists in the Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year competition in New Delhi earlier this year, you could say he’s got this cocktail-making malarkey licked.
We caught up with him while he was in London to talk Asian precision, European presentation and how he made the two styles mix…
L.T.D. Espresso Martini
Take one of the best mixologists on the circuit, put him together with a bar impresario and leave in a room to develop an idea. Next add a committee of fellow drinks geeks, sprinkle with a few journalists and stir together to create one of the best new concepts for cocktail fans and connoisseurs alike.
Espresso Martini photo by ilovemygrub.com
We nipped in to BBC Radio London to talk to our favourite presenter Jo Good about London Cocktail Week.
To celebrate we mixed up an iconic cocktail created right here in the capital by Dick Bradsell for a supermodel who wanted a drink to “wake me up, then f**k me up”.
Sometimes called The Stimulant or the Supermodel Martini, you’ll find a version of it on most cocktail menus, usually filed under Espresso Martini:
50ml Ketel One vodka
15ml Kahlua
10ml sugar syrup
35ml hot espresso coffee
3 coffee beans to garnish
Method:
Shake ingredients together vigorously over ice. Pour into a Martini glass and garnish with the three coffee beans.
Hola!
With the look, feel and welcome of a visit to the home of your trusted Latino friend, this downstairs bar oozes warmth, character and fun. And the best bit is the drinks are made by London’s living cocktail legend, the great Dick Bradsell…
TCL Rating: 
The Cocktail Lovers: Official lowdown on World Class UK