Most of our readers will know by now that Becci and I are partial to a cocktail or five. So the idea of a cocktail therapy evening put on by The Colour Inn was never going to be something which passed us by. Nine cocktails on a school night – pah!
The concept behind the evening was fascinating in itself, the idea being to explore the different senses through cocktails. We were in for an evening of having our taste buds tickled, our sense of smell aroused and to see drinks change before our very eyes.
It was an intimate event and everyone arrived eager in anticipation of what we were about to receive. Upon arrival we were handed a glass of prosecco which we then added a flavoured tablet in to. In reality the tablet was little more than a berocca which wasn’t quite what we had in mind. A bit of a gimick but fun none the less.
The first official cocktail, “chromotherapy” was however was much more exciting, a twist on a cosmopolitan. We were handed a bottle of green liquid and a glass of ice each then instructed to pour the liquid into the glass and stir well. As we stirred the liquid turned from green to a pale pink – cool huh?!
Next up was psychotherapy. A warm espresso shot topped with an orange and rum foam. A drink which combined different textures and temperatures as you drank it.
Our fourth drink was Phytotherapy, a botanical daiquiri incorporating Matcha tea and chlorophyll. This one actually looked healthy! Organic green in colour served over ice. Surprisingly it tasted amazing (I’m not a matcha tea fan so was a bit nervous!). Definitely my favourite cocktail of the night.
Our next cocktail was less enjoyable (for me anyway). Limoncello thickened to the consistency of honey with grated lemon zest. The point of the cocktail was to turn a popular drink on its head by completely altering the texture, making it thick and bitty with the lemon zest. Whilst it was certainly interesting, I think I’ll have my limoncello as it comes next time.
Aromatherapy was next on the list – an interactive cocktail which was fun for everyone! The cocktail was an unflavoured brandy flip. Guests then selected an aroma to spray over the top of their drink. Those who have read our “how to taste” posts will know the huge part to play that aroma and fragrance have on the way we taste things. I went for lavendar, but of the different scents that our table tried the smokey birch was clearly the most powerful – lovely!
Cocktail number seven was a hot toddy. A rum jelly which you mixed with honeyed water at your table. The best sort of medicine in my opinion.
The final cocktail we had was the most impressive. We were each given a pink pill and told to let it dissolve on our tongue for 5 minutes until it had completely disappeared. We were then given margaritas and wedges of lime and lemon to taste. Rather than the usual bitter tasted you get from these fruits and a margarita cocktail everything was immensely sweet. We were sucking lemons like they were sweets. An odd experience but amazing to see how that pill altered our sense of taste so much!
The final cocktail was one to take home, we infused miniature bottle of vodka with ginger, chilli, lemongrass and rosemary, corked our creations and went on our way.
All in all a fabulous evening which tickled your senses throughout. A great concept and one we hope will be repeated.
