Love it or hate it, Artesian, the 'World's Best Bar' as voted for by Drinks International, is now serving a Marmite Gold Rush for the month of December.
Inspired by the Marmite Gold Oxford Street Christmas lights, retire to Artesian to have an unforgettable cocktail experience.
The cocktail itself is a mixture of grapefruit juice, vodka, sugar cane syrup and a barspoon of Marmite Gold drizzled around the rim, served with a teapot of Marmite flavoured steam.
Served throughout December for £15.
The drink: Marmite Martini
What’s in it? Konik’s Tail Vodka, yeast extract distillate, vermouth, lemon and absinthe. Served with a fried olive brine garnish.
Why should we try it? It’s not every day you see a Marmite Martini on the menu, but Peg + Patriot is shaking things up a bit. Luckily because it’s the creation of mixology expert The Talented Mr Fox, you know it’s going to be on the delicious side of unusual. It’s short, sharp and very British, served up wet in a mini wine glass, and with an olive garnish. You’ll either love it or you’ll hate it... but it definitely beats slathering it on a slice of toast.
Where do we get it? Peg + Patriot may sound like a posh pub but it’s in fact the new bar that’s taken over where Viajante (the Michelin starred restaurant from Nuno Mendez) used to be. Kick off your night with a picture on the (human) hair chair, then take a right into Bethnal Green's latest banging bar. It’s classy, laid back and does some seriously good food if the Marmite Martini doesn’t quite satisfy your food cravings. They even have a hotel upstairs. Just sayin'.
Who do we ask for? Matt Whiley, aka The Talented Mr Fox is the dude behind the drinks and a master of cocktail creations.
How much is it? £9
Info: Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, London, E2 9NF (020 7871 0460, Pegandpatriot.com)
Marmite Black Velvet
£14 at Duck and Waffle, EC2 duckandwaffle.com
25ml Marmite and Guinness syrup, 100ml champagne.
To make syrup, reduce 440ml can of Guinness by half in a pan.
Reduce heat, stir in 250g sugar and 45g Marmite and allow to cool.
For the cocktail, stir one part syrup w/ four parts champagne in a flute.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:02 am
by Econoline
As you know I actually do like Marmite (my new fave: butter, Marmite & cream cheese on a toasted bagel)...BUT! Some. Things. Just. Do. *N*O*T*! Go. Together.
The only one of those I'd be even slightly tempted to try is the last one ("Marmite Black Velvet", the one with "Marmite and Guinness syrup" and champagne)--which sounds interesting...though I'd probably regret it after a sip or two. But if someone else were buying (thanks, Gob!) I might give it a try.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 10:41 am
by wesw
alas, I don t have a clue what marmite is. or treacle....
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 12:51 pm
by No Greater Fool
Treacle=molasses
Marmite=toxic sludge
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:48 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
I would not relapse for any of those drinks.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 3:37 pm
by Big RR
Wes--marmite is yeast extract in some sort of liquid to make it spreadable. I think it's an acquired taste--one acquired when one is too young to say "no" when their parents say "Eat your marmite like a good boy/girl". It's very popular with the Brits; a colleague once sent me a jar and I couldn't stomach it (and I can eat almost anything). Something rumored to be even more foul is a related, product, vegemite, but I will never try that.
BTW, how is the marmite martini clear; does marmite dissolve in alcohol. I don't even like dirty martinis; this would best be described as a filthy one.
Your theory cannot be correct, Big RR. Britkids are also forced to eat liver and kidneys, the lining of cow udders and other delicacies which they quite happily detest and forego, not to mention vomit and throw against walls.
This is not the case with Marmite which is enjoyed by approximately 100% of real Britons for its own sake as both delicious and nutritious.
Vegemite on the other hand is the output of Beelzebub's bottom, as shown in this clandestine photograph of an actual Australian production facility:
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:09 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
I like liver.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:14 pm
by Big RR
Well Meade, that was just my guess on why people eat it; it certainly cannot be for the taste.
And like oldr, I enjoy liver too (as well as kidney when properly prepared); I'd eat a ton of liver before a half a teaspoon of marmite. perhaps Brits are born with a genetic predisposition to like it?
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:16 pm
by Guinevere
I love a good cocktail but I'm not going near any of those.
(And you can keep your liver and kidneys too, just hope you don't end up with gout)
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:53 pm
by Big RR
Gout--the main reason I don't eat organ meats very often.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:20 pm
by MajGenl.Meade
Hey Gob - I thought the highballs were on you?
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:29 pm
by wesw
too easy....
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:23 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
What about squirrel or rabbit brains. Do they cause gout?
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:28 pm
by Lord Jim
Maybe next we can have some recipes for shoe polish cocktails...
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:29 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
Lord Jim wrote:Maybe next we can have some recipes for shoe polish cocktails...
Any shoe polish cocktails I have ever had also contained earwax.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:35 pm
by Big RR
oldr_n_wsr wrote:What about squirrel or rabbit brains. Do they cause gout?
I think they may; organ meats (including brains) contain a large amount of purines. Purines are broken down by the body into uric acid which may accumulate and cause gout. Other meats and sea foods contain purines as well, just not in such high concentrations.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2014 8:14 pm
by oldr_n_wsr
I am learning a lot today. Thanks Big RR
I heard that if one is out living off the land that rabbits and squirrels do not have much fat on them (people need a certain amount of fat in their diet) and one should eat the brains which are a substitute for the fat needed.
Re: Jim, Xmas cocktails are on me.
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:17 pm
by Jarlaxle
Lord Jim wrote:Maybe next we can have some recipes for shoe polish cocktails...
