This week, Meg is joined by Alex who runs the @cocktailcreationuk account on Instagram, which has gained a strong following thanks to his inventive drinks and high quality photos. Topics include how to experiment with your own drinks, why to never order a cocktail at Wetherspoon’s, and the best cocktails we’ve had since lockdown was lifted. Cheers!
Pimm’s: The Ultimate British Summer Staple
Whether the weather agrees or not, it is British summertime! What is synonymous with British summer? PIMM’S obviously! This week, Meg talks discusses the history of the world’s most delicious drink to have in the sun. Did you know there was once six different versions of Pimm’s? Listen to find out more!
Episode 39: Frozen Margaritas feat. Nadia
This week, Meg is joined once again by the lovely Nadia to discuss Nadia’s favorite drink: the frozen margarita! Topics include the history of the margarita, where to get the best one on the Kings Road, and why Meg and Nadia have fallen out with prosecco. Enjoy!
Episode 38: The Pina Colada feat. Harry
This week, Meg is joined by ‘three-peat’ guest, Harry, to discuss the beloved pina colada. We talk pirates, debate whether a ‘peanut colada’ is a real thing, and discuss some fun variations.
Best of Martinis in Pop Culture
We are all familiar with the famous James Bond Vesper martini (shaken, not stirred… what an abomination..), but the martini is a prominent beverage in pop culture even without the dashing British spy. Here are a list of my favorite martini drinks from television shows and films that I love (in no particular order).
Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development
We will forgive Lucille for choosing vodka for her martinis, because her drinking in Arrested Development was nothing short of iconic.
“Four saunas, three steam baths, Olympic-sized pool and you’re telling me there’s no alcohol? What the hell are we supposed to do for two days?”
Grace in Grace and Frankie
Same goes for the other grandmother of my dreams, Grace.
‘I get a lot of help from my two Italian nutritionists… Martini and Rossi.’
Melanie in Sweet Home Alabama
A few too many martinis are what led to this classic scene in Sweet Home Alabama when Melanie went from New York to Deep South in 0.5 seconds.
‘I’ll have a grey goose martini, two olives, dirty.’
Mark and Jordan in The Wolf of Wall Street
This is an iconic scene from The Wolf of Wall Street and arguably the last time Jordan Belfort is remotely normal.
‘Well, Hector here’s the game plan. You’re gonna bring us two Absolut martinis, you know how I like ’em, straight up. And then precisely seven and one half minutes after that you’re gonna bring us two more. And then two more after that every five minutes until one of us passes the fuck out.’
Are there any great ones that I missed?! What film introduced you to the beloved martini? Please comment below!
Episode 37: The Dry Martini feat. Michael
This week, Michael makes his three-peat appearance on Gin and Beer It to discuss the classic cocktail: the martini. We discuss the best martinis we’ve ever had, our perfect recipes, and the interesting history of James Bond’s favorite tipple.
Post-Lockdown London Negroni Bucket List
Hi all!
If you live in London, you are probably aware that our lockdown restrictions on going to restaurants and bars are finally being relaxed this Saturday, July 4th. Now that being able to have some sense of normality is in reach, I’ve finally started to day dream again about all the bars and restaurants I want to go to pretty much the second it is allowed. In keeping with the negroni theme this week, I’ve whipped together a list of negronis around London that I cannot wait to try! So… in no particular order…
The Coral Room, Great Russell Street
This one caught my interest for two reasons. 1.) They apparently use my favourite vermouth which is Cocchi Torino and 2.) They brand their ice cubes with the bar name! Very eye-catching.
Bar Termini, Old Compton Street
This Soho spot is described as a tribute to authentic Italian bar culture and offers four different types of negronis. Sign me up.
Frank’s Cafe, Peckham
I’ve actually been to Frank’s before, but it was pouring rain so we just popped up to the rooftop quickly to see the stunning views of the skyline. Apparently, these negronis are only £7, which paired with the views of the London skyline is an absolute bargain.
Duck & Waffle, Bishopsgate
I am definitely no stranger to Duck & Waffle, but because every visit I’ve made has been for a post-drinks sunrise breakfast, I can’t say I’ve tried their negronis! D&W serves a ‘Ristretto Negroni’ where they slow drip the drink through coffee beans for 24 hours before serving. Actually, this sounds like it would be great at a post-drinks sunrise breakfast!
Mele e Pere, Soho
This bar supposedly has the largest collection of vermouth in London (!!!) and their house negroni blends three different vermouths with the standard campari and gin. As a budding vermouth enthusiast, I MUST give this a try.
Have you been to any of these spots, or are you planning to go when they are open? Leave a comment below with your suggestions!
Sources of Inspiration:
Episode 37: Meg’s Desert Island Drink – The Negroni
Welcome to the first episode of the new Gin and Beer It! To kick things off, Meg talks about one of her favorite drinks of all time: the Negroni. Topics include the history, fun variations, and Megan’s personal perfect Negroni.
Introducing The New and Improved Gin and Beer It!
I am so incredibly excited to announce the new and (hopefully!) improved Gin and Beer It podcast. In 2018, I started Gin and Beer It as a way of documenting my experiences of moving to London as an American and all of the people I have met, places I have traveled to, and experiences I have had. Over the past 18 months I have covered every topic from dating to buying a flat in London to where to travel in Europe – and it has been a blast. The one challenge I have always had with Gin and Beer It is a consistent theme that ties all of the episodes together and makes listeners want to come back for more. Finally, a few weeks ago I was sitting in my living room listening to a vinyl record and drinking cocktails (who have I become??) and it dawned on me. DRINKING is my common denominator! So, from this point onward, Gin and Beer It will be like the ‘Desert Island Discs of Drinking.’ Each week, I will invite a guest (sometimes just myself – I drink a lot) to discuss a drink that means something to them. The drink can be anything from a cocktail, to a beer, to wine, to a non-alcoholic beverage. We will talk about how to make the drink, the history, why it is important to the guest, and fun variations that you can make. Full disclosure: I am no expert! I have never been a bartender, nor have I have ever even worked in the service industry. I do, however, have nearly a decade of making memories with friends and families around a nice glass of wine or a well made cocktail. My goal is for us to bond over the shared experience of drinking, share stories, experience different cultures, and ultimately to make being a drink enthusiast accessible to all of my listeners. Below is the trailer for the new episode. Please like, share, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! The first episode is going live this Sunday, June 28th, and I can’t wait to have you along for the ride!
Things I Do to Feel ‘Normal’
- Wear makeup on the weekends
- Get dressed before 5pm
- Put on perfume
- Have themed nights
- Order food and drinks from restaurants
- Sit in the park and people watch (at a social distance)
- Paint my toenails
- Go for long runs
- Complain about my job
- Find ways to laugh
- Buy take away pints from pubs
- Eat at the dinner table and not on my couch
- Daydream and look forward to the future
- Sit and feel the sun on my face
- Allow myself to feel sad when I feel sad and angry when I feel angry
- Celebrate my successes and those of my friends and family
