There’s Always Time for a Cocktail
I do like to think of myself as a bit of a cocktail connoisseur. For years, I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled the world and, as a bit of a sideline, I have endeavored to search out the best alcoholic concoctions the globe has to offer. Cuba unsurprisingly comes first for the world’s best Mojito. A bit less predictable though is the fact that it didn’t come from some heaving Havana hotspot but instead the winning minty mix was bought for a tiny £1.50 in a small-town cafe in Holguin.
The Award Winning Mojito!
Acapulco Bay is the place where I found my perfect Pina Colada. The spectacular view of shimmering Sierra Madre mountainside definitely added to the blissful blend and my ultimate Christmas indulgence had to be Martinis with the girls at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. But now I have a new addition to my alcohol-related reminiscences as a couple of weeks ago I visited Manchester’s city center bar and restaurant, Bacchanalia and tried one of the yummiest cocktails I’ve had for a long time.
Thanks to a great Groupon deal, my husband and I, and my Mum and her gay husband all headed into town for a wee mid-week night out (My Mum and Mark are not really married, he is in fact my friend and ex-flatmate and my Mum’s a bit of a fag hag!) The rain was lashing down, it was as cold as November and I regretted leaving the house the minute I stepped out the door but Bacchanalia’s wonderful charm, great staff and impressive cocktail list soon warmed me up. Sally, our waitress, who was always smiling, made a lovely fuss of us and brought us food just the way it should be – hot, flawlessly-cooked, and delicious. The light and delicate Wild Mushroom, Pea and Leek Risotto and beautiful Rib-Eye Steak were amongst the favorites. But for me the highlight of the night was definitely the luscious Lemon Meringue Pie cocktail – a clever combination of cake and alcohol! Mmmmm! Bacchanalia’s mixologist has come up with a blissful blend of Limoncello, Vanilla Vodka, fresh lemon juice and cream that was an absolute delight to drink – it tasted like a little sip of summer on a distinctly autumnal night!
Anywhere that can make a cocktail this good was definitely going to win me over but Bacchanalia also offers a wonderful atmosphere, lovely staff, great food and a 2 for 1 Happy Hour… I’ll be back! And in the meantime I’ll be stocking up on Vanilla Vodka and Lemons!
Top Tip: Never drink a cocktail that is on fire!
Photography: Taras Kalapun
I love this place too, they do an amazing strawberry basil and pepper cocktail. the name escapes me at the minute but anyhoo, it’s my first port of call each time I venture in to town
This is great news, as a frequent visitor to Manchester i’m always on the lookout for great places to eat.Lee has certainlly painted a fantastic picture of this colourfull find.
Thanks Lee its top of my List next time i’m in town.