COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK: ROSEMARY'S LOVE OF LYCHEES

Rosemary's Love of Lychees, off our new menu @ Lock17 Camden

Cocktail of the week in our book, and in the book of plenty of Camden dwellers it seems.

Rosemary's LOL harnesses the light and fragrant qualities of Lychees and fresh rosemary (it's all in the title really), served up extra cold, this one is truly delightful. If you can't make it down to Camden's Lock17 then give it a go at home, listed below is the DIY run through. Enjoy!

You'll need:

50ml Bombay Sapphire chilled in the freezer if possible
20ml fresh lemon juice
50ml Lychee Syrup obtained from tinned lychees in light syrup from most supermarkets
10ml Rosemary sugar syrup white sugar and fresh rosemary needed to make this

How to:

Firstly, make your rosemary sugar syrup; pour 300-500g white granulated sugar into a heatproof container. Pour boiling water slowly over the sugar creating a mixture that is roughly 2 parts sugar to 1 part boiling water. Stir vigorously until sugar is completely dissolved, then add a little more sugar and stir that until it's dissolved. Next add a large handful of fresh rosemary to the mixture, stalks and all. Stir gently in the mixture for 30 seconds, then allow to cool. This can be used as soon as it has cooled, or leave for a few hours to soak up more flavour.

Now to create the drink; add all the ingredients to a mixing glass or shaker. Add heaps of cubed ice to the mixing glass or shaker until over flowing, shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
Fine strain the mixture into your chilled martini glass, drop a lychee from the tin into the base of the glass and add a small sprig of fresh rosemary to the rim for fragrance.

And now give it a try.... what do you think?... You're welcome.

The Nighthawk

NIGHTHAWK SUMMER MENU LAUNCHED @ LOCK17 CAMDEN

Lynchburg Lemonade sharer served in a JD Barrel off the new menu

Summer has finally arrived, she decided not to show her face in 2012 as I'm sure you'll remember, and to make a point she has put on quite a show so far. Nighthawks, as always, timed their attack perfectly and swooped down on Camden with a brand new summer menu, just as the hottest week of the year hit.

Lock17, with the notorious Dingwalls attached downstairs, has traditionally been a place to grab a pint, with a few cocktails on offer for those with the desire. Our job was to create a simple menu that would entice desire and put Lock on the map, not only as a great venue with a long history of incredible music and artists, but also a place to get an amazing drink.

We think you'll like the results; a simple summer menu with some classics twisted up by the Nighthawk and also some of our own creations, nothing too flashy, just sumptuous summer flavours.

Our favourite, which is proving akin to the clientele, is 'Rosemary's Love of Lychees', a nice easy cocktail harnessing tastes of fresh Rosemary and Lychees with a crisp Gin finish. Easy to make at home, or if you're fairly close, easy to order one at Lock17. Just in case you'd prefer the former, I will list the ingredients and method on our blog for you shortly.

I do suggest, however, that you go and enjoy Lock17's sun-drenched terrace while the summer hangs around and let Camden wash over you in all its glory. Make sure you accompany it with a few of our banging cocktails.

Here's to the London Summertime.

The Nighthawk