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Dick Bradsell Anniversary: Five Of The Isle Of Wight Legend's Most Iconic Cocktails

Today marks the six-year anniversary of the passing of a legendary mixologist who spent his formative years on the Isle of Wight.

The iconic Dick Bradsell, who was aged 56 when he died on 27 February 2016, grew up and honed his craft on the Island, was responsible for a host of cocktails that remain popular to this day.

Dick attended Cowes High School until the age of 18, departing for London after a wild party left his parents’ house in a state of disrepair.

Here we honour the brilliant barman by looking at five of his very best creations.


Espresso Martini


Ingredients...

  • Ice
  • 100ml vodka
  • 50ml freshly brewed espresso coffee
  • 50ml coffee liqueur (or Kahlua)
  • 3 x coffee beans (optional)

The espresso martini is a cold caffeinated alcoholic drink made with espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka.

It is not a true martini as it contains neither gin nor vermouth, but is one of many drinks that incorporate the term into their names.


The Bramble


Ingredients...

  • 50ml gin
  • 25ml lemon juice
  • ¾ tbsp sugar syrup
  • ice cubes
  • crushed ice
  • ¾ tbsp crème de mure
  • Lemon slice and a blackberry (if in season)

Best described as a spring cocktail, the Bramble brings together dry gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, crème de mûre, and crushed ice.

Bradsell suggested finishing off the cocktail with some fresh red fruits and a slice of lemon.


The Carol Channing


Ingredients...

  • 25ml shot of raspberry creme
  • 25ml shot of sugar syrup
  • Topped up with Champagne

Named after the American actress, a number of twists on the classics have come to pass since Dick Bradsell brought it into 1980s mainstream.

The original drink is a mix of raspberry eau-de-vie, raspberry creme and champagne.
 

The Russian Spring Punch


Ingredients...

  • Ice cubes
  • 1⅓ parts vodka
  • ⅓ part blackcurrant liqueur
  • 1 part lemon juice
  • ⅔ part syrup
  • Champagne

The Russian Spring Punch is a highball cocktail of vodka and liqueur, per IBA specified ingredients.

The International Bartenders Association lists the beverage in its New Era Drinks category.
 

The Treacle

  • 60ml (2oz) dark rum
  • 10ml (1/3oz) demerara sugar syrup
  • 15ml (1/2oz) cloudy apple juice
  • 2 dashes black walnut bitters
  • Orange twist to garnish

The Treacle is a twist on an Old Fashioned, which includes a rum with a float of pressed apple juice.

Traditionally a Treacle is made using a dark rum and has a twist of distinctive sourness to it.

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