As we’ve almost reached the big day, what better way to get in the festive spirit than with Christmas Cocktails! Our new favourite Leeds venue, Dirty Martini, has created some very Instagram-worthy drinks for the festive season so we sent our lifestyle writer Jenna to go try them out to see how they measure up…

“I absolutely adore Christmas. Not only does Leeds look extremely pretty with it’s Christmas lights, the city really comes into it’s own during December. Awash with corporate Christmas parties and venues in full swing, it’s definitley become one of the best cities to celebrate in. After visiting Dirty Martini for it’s launch back in November, I was more than ready to try out their Festive offering. With a night of Tapas and exclusive Christmas parties already planned, I reserved my table for 8pm to try their new Christmas concoctions and although some of the cocktails were not my cup of tea, I was seriously impressed by their creativity. Sitting down at a gorgeous table right in the middle of it all, we kicked ourselves for eating before we came as their festive platter sounded amazing. However, with cocktails on their way, we quickly settled into the atmosphere.

Christmas Cheer

Spec: Bols Genever, Tanqueray Gin, Cherry Heering, Homemade Raspberry Syrup, Luxardo Maraschino, Pomegranate juice & Orange Bitters.

Tastes like: A mince pie

Favourite element: The gold sprayed Maraschino cherries

I’m not overly into Cherry, but the promise of Gin and Homemade Raspberry syrup made it top of my Christmas list. I absolutely loved the gold sprayed Maraschino cherries as they looked very festive, but it was very easy confuse them with Olives after having a few beverages as they had a striking resemblance!

This cocktail was super-sweet but the warmness of the orange bitters and depth of the pomegranate gave me serious Christmas vibes. This cocktail could easily be bottled as a Mince Pie liquer, so if you’re into that, it’ll be the perfect cocktail for Boxing Day.

The Bellringer

Spec: Amaretto Disaronno, Cranberry Juice, Blood Orange Syrup, Prosecco.

Tastes like: Cranberry infused Sparkling Rosé

Favourite element: The inventive desiccated coconut on the outside of the glass to look like snow

100% our favourite of the night – The Bellringer is a total show stopper. As I’m an advocate for anything that includes Sparkling Wine this was an obvious second choice and I can honestly say it’s one of the cutest cocktails I’ve ever drank. We agreed that the only downside was that we didn’t have time to have another!

I would happily sit and drink these until Santa arrives and probably offer him one too, a definite one to recreate on Christmas Day.

Dirty Grinch

Spec: Havana 3yr Rum, Briotette Creme dé Cacao, Creme dé Menthe, Butterscotch Schnapps, double Cream, Dark Chocolate & Fresh Mint Leaves.

Tastes like: Someone poured mouthwash in my Baileys

Favourite element: It looked quite pretty and if you can ignore the punchy mint, it’s a dreamy dessert cocktail

Now this cocktail not only has a slightly unsavoury name, somebody must have dropped a whole bottle of Creme dé Menthe in the Boston Tin! The promise of a creamy dessert cocktail to end the night on got us very excited, but what arrived was a mixology version of the nightmare before Christmas. I understand the premise behind it, but the Butterscotch, Creme dé Cacao and Chocolate was completely lost. However if you absolutley love mint, this ones for you.

Dirty Martini are also offering two more Christmas tipples that are sure to get you in the Festive Spirit. Mince Chai, a tasty, more sophisticated alternative to the humble mince pie, combines Bold London Spirit shaken with Bitter Truth Pimento, gingerbread syrup and pressed apple juice. While for those who prefer a more traditional tipple, The Quince & Walnut Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic. This unique cocktail combines Jim Beam Bourbon stirred with Manzanilla Sherry, Mandarin Napoleon liqueur, quince jelly, muddled walnuts and Fee Brothers Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters & Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters.

Again, if we’d not already stuffed our faces at Ambienté Tapas before we arrived, we would have definitely indulged in their Christmas Platter at just £30 for four to share. The platter includes Beef & cheese sliders with bloody Mary ketchup, Mini Yorkshire puddings stuffed with turkey & cranberry sauce, Grilled garlic & prawn skewers, Cranberry & brie wontons. A table next to us ordered this and we were seriously jealous as it looked amazing. Unfortunately for us, Dirty Martini is closed tonight and tomorrow, but we’ll definitely be popping in on Boxing Day to get another Bellringer before they’re gone!”

Address

31 King St,
Leeds,
LS1 2HL

Reservations

01134 689 488

leeds@dirtymartini.uk.com

NYE – Martini’s at Midnight

Dress Code: Glitter is the new Black

As glitter is the new black dip yourselves in sequins, sparkles and shimmer to say see ya to 2017 with a martini in hand.

  • £5 martinis from 11pm -1am
  • A complimentary glass of Prosecco before 9pm
  • DJs on the decks until 3am

Price includes entry to the venue from 8pm and a complimentary glass of Prosecco before 9pm.

Cardiff, Manchester & Leeds: £10* all venues

Author

Northern girl Laura is the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Laura’s spirit for adventure and passion for people blaze through House of Coco. She founded House of Coco in 2014 and has grown it in to an internationally recognised brand whilst having a lot of fun along the way. Travel is in her DNA and she is a true visionary and a global citizen.

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