Customer Recommendation : 1 : Chris Dart : Maple Syrup Manhattan

Chris Dart is a fine gentleman, and also a lover of rum. So we were very surprised to hear that he has has recently been enjoying a new style of drink - Maple Syrup Manhattans.

Here's his recipe for the perfect mix:

50ml Makers Mark (£22.99)

25ml Noilly Prat Original Dry (£9.79)

25ml maple syrup (we don't sell this but we did find a very nice organic version at An Outlet, Manchester city centre for £4.99)

Dash of Angostura Bitters (£6.99)

Shake up with loads of ice (£3 per bag, crushed or cubed) and serve in a Martini glass.

Chris says, "This cocktail is not my original creation, I discovered it in a bar somewhere and liked it so much that I set about making my own version.

It's a very sweet drink but the maple syrup adds more than just the extra sweetness to the classic cocktail. you can use trial and error to find your perfect blend but my sweet tooth means I put that full 25ml shot of syrup in, and double the bourbon.

Makers Mark is sweet too, but not as sweet as some. It's good because while MM is a great bourbon it's not one you find painful to use in a cocktail (I will literally put anything in a cocktail).

I like to drink a Maple Syrup Manhattan with a plate of American style pancakes on Sunday mornings before a trip to Carringtons to cure my hangover."

Sounds divine......

If you have any recommendations please email rossingtonlovesbeer [at] live.co.uk

3 Rivers branch out Down Under

3 Rivers, one of Carringtons favourite local brewers is to export it's classic Manchester Ale to Australia, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The Reddish brewery has stocked their beer in Carringtons for some time now and we think it's great news that the rest of their world can get a taste of some of the best IPA the North West has to offer.

We are currently stocking these 3 Rivers beers:

Yummy Figgy Pudding - 7.5 % vol - £2.50

This exceptional Christmas winter ale is loved by connoisseurs and enjoyed by enthusiasts alike. Guaranteed to bring a rosy glow to the cheeks of most discerning drinkers, a selection of spices and English hops produces a delightfully warming brew, balanced with spoonfuls of plump fruit character. Surprisingly strong, this is a great beer for those who have a taste for Belgian brews.

The Ghost - 4 % vol - £1.99
This special edition tipple is an easy drinking golden ale with an underlying malt character and a light floral finish. Very smooth and drinkable. Named after, and featuring a portrait of The Hatter's Jim Gannon, 50 per cent of the profits on all bottles sold are donated to Stockport County FC.

Old Disreputable Ale - 5.2 % vol - £2.27
For those of you who like something a bit different, this ale is full of character. With hints of smooth liquorice in the body and a light bitter finish this is a great beer to enjoy with cheese and red meats.

Independent Retailers - Use Them Or Lose Them

Carringtons is proudly independent, so we read with interest this article in The Guardian about Purple Love Week 2009.

Sounds incredibly risque - but actually it's not. It is a national initiative to encourage people to make the most of their local food and drink retailers by showing them a bit of love on the week beginning 14th February.

Apparently, each fiver spent in the local economy is worth £25 by the time it leaves the community. So if two million people all spend £5 in their favourite local shop over the weekend they will helping to inject £50 million into local economies.

Here are some suggestions of how to spend your fiver on fine wine in Carringtons this weekend:

Bergerie de la Bastide 2007 (Red,White and Rose)

This is our house wine and excellent value at just £4.99.

The white is a mouthful (and then some). 80 per cent White Grenache with a nice belt of Picpoul for acidity.

Surprisingly good with Indian and Chinese food as well as grilled fish.

The red is a savoury assemblage of Grenache Noir (40%), Cinsault (30%) and Merlot (30%), a lovely effort built on the twin pillars of fruit and structure. Smooth and plummy and is incredibly versatile.


Moulin de Gassac Figaro 2006 (Red)

This infamous, organic French red is produced from the stony terroir of the Languedoc, and again offers great value for five quid.

Figaro is the farm wine from the famous Mas de Daumas Gassac, which was immortalised by Ian McEwan in 'Enduring Love':

"...Clarissa was passing me the bottle - a 1987 Daumas Dassac. This was the moment, this was the pinprick on the time map."

Wheat Beer with La Gina

Inspired by our colleagues in Didsbury we are going to try to create our own wheaty fruit beer.

By itself Konig Ludwig Weissbeir Hell (£2.10 a bottle) is a light, citrusy wheat beer from Munich. "Hell" means pale or golden in colour, if you are looking for a beer like this you should ask for a Helles beer.

La Gina fruit-based aperitifs are made in Rome and the range includes Limoncello, White Peach Cello, Raspberry Cello and Orange Cello. We have some miniatures on sale for £1.99 each. Perfect for tasting, cooking and mixing.

We found this cheeky concoction to be quite a pleaser. The delicate fruit flavour of the liquore softens the yeast tones of the beer, strangely the La Gina has a maraschino like taste, reminiscent of a fresh brown paper bag full of ripe cherries. Smooth and very clean - this is a real treat.

Ross & Gina

Chorlton (featuring Ross)