The Dram Awards and My Ideal Cocktail List

Ahoyhoy internets, DaveHowitzer here with some more well thought out, and super awesome filler content. So I was up for Young Bartender of the Year recently -employ me for lots of money...- unfortunately lost out to another fantastic bartender, but being there in the first place was a fantastic experience, here's some awesome pictures of the event with some description of what on Earth is going on!

The theme was Mardi Gras so we had our own crazy band

The Awards Hall was amazing, and we were right on table 2 at the front of it.

Drunken times!

Further, my experience with these other great bartenders got me thinking about their bars -all of which I've been to and are fantastic- their cocktail lists, their influences, their style and their tastes. Drawing on all of this and the experience of the incomparable Andy Gemmel I took a couple of days to invent what is my ideal house list to work with. This list showcases what I think I've learned in the couple of months I've been working with these other bartenders in the run up to the Dram Awards and proves to myself and others (mostly myself) that I've still got what it takes! So enjoy guys, comments are welcome in this post.

"Vivant" The C.S.N.S Cocktail List

Also if you wish to use any of these cocktails, please send me an email and let me know, it would be much appreciated considering the work I've put in.

Love, Dave

ARMY LISTS: CroweCoteaz 1500

Ok, so was battering out a list that suits my need for fluff, Purifiers and an Inquisitor so this came this incarnation of my GK list. Its rough, and needs playtesting but everything is scoring...which is a cheeky bonus at this level of points. Thoughts, gripes and everything else is appreciated.

Inquisitor Thaddeus Drake (Coteaz) 100
[To make our Henchies scoring and to give Sanctuary]

Crowe 150
[Crowe tax...plus am I the only one who doesn't think he's THAT bad]

Purifiers x5, Psycannons x2, Psyback 190
x2
[Bread and butter Purifiers]

Purifiers x8, Psycannons x2 Halberds x5 MC Hammer Rhino 272
[Gives some midfield threat, I know they aren't "all that" in combat but its a decent unit to finish off anything that's weathered the torrent of Psycannon and PsyHeavybolter] 

Henchmen Warband- MM Servators x3, Warriors x2-Bolters Chimera 95
[Coteaz's unit, bolter henchies for army fluff and point filler. Servators provide some reliable tank killy]

Henchmen Warband- Warriors x4, Psyback 66
x2
[Henchmen to sit on home objectives]

Psyrifleman 135
x2
[Duh]

I'm unsure if this is as good as a pure Crowe or Coteaz list, but any input you guys could give would be awesome.

Love, Dave

Grey Knights Test Model Progress

Test model about 40% complete, I', fairly happy with the way it's turning out, however i need a better method for the power armour, can't decide if I want it dark metal or bright silver.

What I do when I'm bored....

Long may the cocktails and dreams continue....further all Mojitos should be served in pint glasses...it's just super ;)

Love, Dave

Cocktail: Banilla Frappe

First cocktail in a while folks, so let's dive right in;

Banilla Frappe

25.0 ml (1oz) Cariel Vanilla Vodka
25.0ml (1oz) Creme de Banane
25.0ml (1oz) Squeezed Lemon Juice
12.5ml (.5oz) Sugar Syrup
1 Whole Egg

Method

Add all ingredients to a shaker over ice -making sure to not get any egg shell in the drink- and shake well for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled coupe/martini glass and garnish with a slice of banana. The end result is a very dry and creamy cocktail that has a heavy taste of banana ice cream and is awesome. Now people may be put off by the addition of a whole egg, I would stress that it is a binding agent and only the yolk really changes the taste, but on a frappe it is quite a pleasing taste. Also the citric acid in the lemon juice will kill any form of bug or salmonella present in the egg, so there is no health risk whatsoever from that perspective.

Happy shaking!

Love Dave