Twenty Eight: Downtown Rio

One last blast on the cachaca front - it turns out that I've only got two weeks to put together a recipe for the 2010 Cocktail World Cup, so the next batch of drinks are going to be more focused on a certain Antipodean vodka. Anyhow, aged cachaca worked pretty well in a twist on the traditional Old-Fashioned. How does it fare in a modified Manhattan?

Good, as it happens. Abelha Gold is aged for three years but it won't stand up to a particularly robust style of sweet vermouth, so it's probably worth leaving the Punt E Mes and the Dubonnet in the fridge.

Downtown Rio

50ml Abelha Gold cachaça
20ml Martini Rosso
1 barspoon maraschino liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Orange bitters

Stir all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange zest twist.

Two: Bloomsbury Cosmo

I've been kicking around some ideas ahead of Thursday's regional for the Diageo World Class competition. The heat could involve presenting up to three different drinks, including one classic or twisted classic gin cocktail. I'm not sure if this one is right for the comp, but y'know, still tasty.

Bloomsbury Cosmopolitan

40ml Tanqueray Gin
10ml Elderflower cordial
30ml Cranberry juice
15ml Lime juice
1 dash Fee Brothers Orange Bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice and fine-strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a flamed orange zest.