I had the great pleasure of chatting with mixologist Johnny Michaels who works at La Belle Vie, 510 Groveland Ave, Mpls, across the street from the Walker Art Center, Wed-Sat. Johnny is a legend in the mixology circles (ok you know I hang at bars alot) he created and oversees the drink lists at Cafe Maude (54th and Penn Ave, So Mpls) Barrio 1 (Nicollet Mall and 10th St) Barrio 2 (Downtown St Paul, 6th and Wacouta?, next to the Bulldog, across from Mears Park, opening in 2 weeks) and Smalley's Caribbean BBQ (downtown Stillwater). He gave us a few summer drink suggestions that look great. He can be reached at
contact@proofdrinkdesign.com\'He recently formed a drink consultation company with Pip Hanson, called PROOF DRINK DESIGN, with a goal of opening a ****tail bar somewhere in the Twin Cities Area, and is currently looking for investors.
PRINCE ALBERT (home version)- pour contents of a bottle of gin (nothing too fancy, Gordons, Beefeater, or Bombay Saphire work great) into a pitcher. Add a small handful (1/4-1/2 cup) of quality loose leaf Earl Grey Tea to pitcher and stir. Do so several times in a 10-15 minute period, until gin becomes the color of tea. If left too long, gin will become overly astringent. Strain gin through a fine mesh strainer into a funnel and back into the bottle, no need to refrigerate. To make drink, take a (chilled if possible)glass, something in the 14-16 oz range, fill with ice, add a shot of gin (aprox 2 ozs) 1-2 ozs defrosted lemonade concentrate (to taste) stir with a straw, maybe add another ice cube or two, then top with cold club soda, garnish with a lemon wheel in the drink.
VALENTINO (home version)-In a ****tail shaker with ice, add 1 oz orange or clementine vodka, 3/4 oz Canton Ginger Liqueuer, 3/4 oz pomegranate juice, cap and shake vigorously. Pour/strain contents into a chilled martini glass, ideally filling glass about 60% full, volume wise, then top with cold Cava. Garnish with a piece a candied ginger on a wooden skewer laying across top of glass, and an orange twist.