Is there anything better than sitting down with a refreshing cocktail, whatever the time of year? Throughout this glorious summer we’ve been sipping on long, icy, fruity numbers such as the ever-popular Pink Grapefruit G&T, the berry-tastic Forbidden Fruits and the deliciously fizzy Serendipity. But as the seasons change, so do our alcoholic leanings. We’re beginning to hear the call of shorter, stronger bevvies to warm our cockles by the roaring Club brazier on chilly evenings.
Head barman Alfie has been doing some extensive research in the form of sampling cocktails in Sheffield and further afield (it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it). All this is with the aim of conjuring up some magical autumnal cocktails for you lovely lot. The UK cocktail scene has always been a world leader, and it’s exciting to see spaces like Public, Picture House Social and brand-new Barrowboy bringing innovative drinks menus to a northern city like our beloved Sheffield. Public in particular has got a really impressive menu packed with ethically sourced local ingredients, and zero-waste elements like syrups made from leftover flat soft drinks – definitely give it a try when you’re next in town! Club fave cocktails are the Hedgerow Negroni and the pine-infused Clayton Fold.
Over the past month or so we’ve been taste testing some new additions of our own, and experimenting with a ‘cocktail of the week’ based around the week’s menu, be it seafood, Greek, steak or otherwise. This has been going down a treat – and what better excuse for a weekly boozy brunch?!
Here’s a preview of some selected, brand new and exclusive cocktails to expect over the coming wintry months:
Bakewell Tart
Named after the inimitable pud hailing from nearby Bakewell, this short and punchy sweet treat is packed with almond flavour and lifted with tart cranberry. It’s a mix of Irish blended whiskey, amaretto and cranberry juice, served ice cold and strong, garnished simply with maraschino cherry. We’ve found some gorgeous little coupe glasses for the Bakewell Tart – look out for Alfie’s great find of some vintage Babycham ones!
French Blonde
What could be better than curling up in our armchairs with a French Blonde? This saucy number is made with Lillet Blanc, St Germain elderflower liqueur and Amalfi lemon gin. It’s a homage to the extensive French influence we take inspiration from at the Club, and the The sweet freshness of elderflower balances really nicely with the tart gin making it really drinkable, and we reckon this one’s sure to become a favourite.
Atonement
Over the summer we did a beer pairing menu with the inimitable Abbeydale Brewery, using their delicious Sheffield-brewed beers in a menu that boasted cured seabass, beef stew and, of course, our wonderful choccy brownies. We wanted to show the love, so have concocted the ‘Atonement’ out of their Birdhouse jasmine and hibiscus tea beer. It’s mixed with dark rum, lemon and elderflower, and shaken for a beautiful creamy finish. This is a deceptively delicate drink packed with lots of botanical, floral aromas.
Watch this space for some more imaginative cocktails for you to enjoy as the nights draw in! We’d love to see you down the Club and hear what you think of our new creations.