Wednesday 15 June 2016

Summer cocktails with Madam Miaow: borage, Pimms and Bowie Moscow Mules



EDIT: Apologies but the flower in the picture has been identified as green alkanet or pentaglottis sempervirens, not borage (although it's close) which has star-shaped flowers. It is a relative of the forget-me-not and borage. Edible, used as a substitute for true borage in Pimms.

Try floating three flowers on top of your Pimms — the petals should come away from the bud in one circle. Especially eye-popping when next to something red like half a strawberry or a slice of nectarine. Don't forget, Morrisons has an offer of 1 litre Pimms for a tenner right now. If you miss that, Sainsbury's Pitchers is an excellent copy.

I discovered this next cocktail at the starry Bowie Is launch party at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2013. Charles Shaar Murray tells me it is a variation of the vodka-based Moscow Mule. For the Bowie version pour one third vodka (we use Absolut, Russian Standard or Green Mark) to two thirds ginger ale over 2 or 3 ice-cubes. Add a measure of Monin Passion Fruit syrup. Scoop in half to a whole passion fruit. Add a sprig of mint and a couple of straws. Very moreish.

Pix coming soon.

2 comments:

Fritz Skintologists said...

Hi Anna
That pic is green alkanet not borage ,same family so easy mistake and one I made myself in the past embarrassingly whilst working as a gardener! This is borage: https://www.instagram.com/p/BGtJ3UNTDIFy3YU8kxDsgSXzbcmVfYqWW8edfM0/

Feel free to use that image if you can copy it,
regards, fritz

Madam Miaow said...

Thank you very much, Fritz. In checking, I see even gardening experts get caught out on this one. Luckily, the alkanet flowers are supposed to be edible so we won't be poisoned, and the intense blue does look gorgeous against the Pimms. I shall look out for borage. Cheers!

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