Morton's Red Velvet

Judging from your response to the Cunard Gin cocktails, everyone out there is thirsty so here's another drink recipe.

It's from Morton's, the steakhouse people, and is available at special times during the year, notably Valentines and Mother's Days. Here's the recipe so you can sip it any time.

The Red Velvet

2 oz. Lindeman's Raspberry Lambic
4 oz. Prosecco
.5 oz. chambord
1 raspberry
1 lemon peel

In a mixing glass stir in liquid ingredients with 2 ounces of ice for 5 seconds. Strain into a champagne flute. Squeeze lemon peel over glass and garnish with a fresh raspberry on a pick. And yes, the drink should have a foam cap.

The Cunard Queens' new Bombay Gin cocktails

No one celebrates anniversaries, weddings or birthdays quite like the Brits, especially the royals. Right behind them in pomp and partying are the very British Cunard liners. And when the anniversaries include the 250th anniversary of Bombay Sapphire Gin, the blue bottle with Queen Victoria on the label, well, get out the jiggers, muddlers and glasses and whip up three royally inspired cocktails.

Sapphire English Tea (left in the photo) is a nod to that venerable English institution. The Middleton Fizz (center) is in honor of the newest royal bride and the Queen's Bouquet (right) is an homage to the myrtle traditionally included in royal wedding bouquets since the marriage of Queen Victoria in 1840.

Sapphire English Tea

1.5 oz. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin
½ oz. Earl Grey-infused honey syrup
Dash of angostura bitters
Orange zest
Muddle orange zest and stir all with ice in a Boston glass.  If surrounded by those who think it's too early for adult beverages, serve over one large ice cube in a tea cup.  Garnish with a wedge of lemon on the saucer.

The Queen's Bouquet

1.5 oz. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin
4 mint leaves
3 basil leaves
4 blackberries
½ oz. honey syrup
Muddle all and build/stir through with cracked ice in a stemmed rocks glass.  Garnish with a blackberry and sprig of basil.

The Middleton Fizz

1.5 oz. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin
¼ oz BENEDICTINE® liqueur
1 tsp. sugar substitute
½ oz. fresh lime juice
4 blueberries
3 raspberries
Shake all with ice and serve in a Collins glass over ice and top with Prosecco.  Garnish with assorted berries and mint sprig.


To the queens, ruling or sailing, past and present.