8 Glasses of water a day seems difficult, 8 cocktails a day does not
Our sensational escapades through the New Orleans streets brought with them a rather special invitation from the classic Ritz Carlton Hotel. Everybody knows about the Ritz hotel, with its classic grandeur and marvellous interior. However, it isn’t common knowledge that the Ritz can throw together a pretty lickable liquid and we, were thirsty.
We were invited along to the Davenport Lounge within the Ritz Carlton for a very special cocktail pop up with a living loose juice legend. Bob Peters himself, also known as Bob the Bartender. The potent notes of the tasty tequila and the gin-credible scents were meeting my senses before we even entered the room. From there on out it was a very unique and rare experience.
Bob Peters, we’ve been stalking you
Bob Peters is a native to Charlotte, North Carolina and is often found punching in the punch room in the Ritz Carlton, Charlotte. He has received various awards for his practice and has performed his talent at both the Charleston and Atlanta food and booze festivals. Most recently, he was a featured mixologist at the Cayman Cookout Food Festival.
We were very lucky to catch him in town during our booze induced itinerary. Bob can only be described as a crowd pleasing, yet down to earth expert in his knowledge of fine spirits. Sipping on a light, refreshing punch while we waited for his display was superb. See below.
Our Bob Peters
The below recipe was one I tasted a few times, just to make sure that I definitely had the correct outcome, for research purposes obviously… This will be one that I will be bringing back to Scotland with me, so if anyone fancies joining me for what we have named the ‘Bob Peters’ then I am happy to share. Please be aware, that in Scotland, we don’t entirely do measures as advised. Therefore, the below ingredients can be increased (gin) as required.
Gin
Prosecco
Earl Grey Tea
Simple Syrup
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Thank you for joining us! Signing off with @Bobthebartender enjoy the rest of #totc2017 #RCMemories pic.twitter.com/ihPR8ZQ4gU
— The Ritz-Carlton (@RitzCarlton) July 20, 2017
Vanilla Tequila Manhattan
This is a really sexy looking, sassy tasting and strong licking mix up. Therefore, please drink in moderation. Excessive moderation is not something we will accept responsibility for. Please do not make any decisions based on our decisions as sometimes we are absolute havoc.
On a more serious note, should you be looking for a sweet, sassy and heated reinvention of the classic Manhattan, then why not hose in some Vanilla Tequila? We have even included the recipe below from Bob Peters mouth, to right here in front of you. Sometimes, I think we are too good to you guys.
Garnish with a cherry, first
Pop lots of ice in your shaker
Milagro Tequila
Licor 43 Spanish Vanilla Liqueur
Antica Vermouth
Couple of dashes of Angostura Bitters
Stir then strain into glass
Loose, fresh and ja-ja-jazzy
The Davenport Lounge in the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans is beautiful and so perfectly in keeping with the culture, grandeur and jazz scene in the Big Easy. The service alone was friendly and professional with a very relaxing vibe encapsulating all of those attending the Punch Room Pop Up. We were even lucky enough to experience some real, authentic New Orleans jazz from an in house band propped up during our cocktail sampling. This is the kind of day I want to be having on a far more regular basis.
Energies are contagiousÂ
When you surround yourself with people who share your enthusiasms, interests, excitement and passion, you become your best self. This exact thing happened during the Punch Room Pop Up when we bumped in to local blogger, Ali Coates and local Mr New Orleans photographer David NOLA. They didn’t just stock us up with some superb culinary advice but they advised us of some of the more hidden gems in the Big Easy. Passion flowed in every word and we have arranged another meet up during our New Orleans stay.
I have to thank them personally for making us feel welcome but also for planting the Mardi Gras seed in my head as it looks like we will be returning to the city in 2018.
Round 2 in the Ritz Carlton, Round 3 with Bob Peters
We have already received the warmest of welcomes and another little sample of Bob Peters mixing magic. Please see below for yet another special spirit frenzy.
Roman Punch
Brandy
Dark Rum
Port
Fresh Lemon Juice
Raspberry Syrup
Prosecco
Sounds like a good time, huh?
Miss V Claimer
The Ritz Carlton, Bob Peters Cocktails and even some of the locals have not only my full attention but also, my heart. We would like to thank all of you for a wonderful welcome, an enjoyable event and for most importantly, making 4000 miles away feel like home. As always, my opinions are pretty great, sometimes funny and most importantly, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
