A new ingredient for Cocktails

The next weekend is going to be the most special one of the year: its the last one. And also the first one of 2016.

As we bid farewell to a year that flitted by so quickly, needless to say, friends would get together at my home for series of parties. A key reason is I have some recipes of nice cocktails up my sleeve. Being a non alcoholic person myself, I turn out to be the hostess who is sober even at wee hours, and the festivities can go on as long one wants.

When I got invited for a hands-on cocktail learning session with Black Dog whisky at Social, Defence Colony, I was sceptic initially. Scotch is not something that I had ever used, or even heard anyone use for cocktails.  However, I chose to go.

The venue was had a rustic, yet funky feel, which seemed so perfect to bring together photographers, journalists, bloggers and more on a winter morning.

The chef, with loads of experience under his belt, not only demonstrated, but also encouraged us to toss up quite a few cocktails ourselves, giving us valuable tips such as never to be miserly with the ice. The recipes were very easy, and most ingredients are usually available in our kitchens!

Paired with tasty food, the cocktails were enjoyed by everyone present. 

So next time you are served a unique drink from my counter, you know what the secret ingredient is, don't you?

For more details or photographs, check out my Facebook page.

__

Photos courtesy: Supratik Bhowmick 

Adding a Secret Flavour to your Cooking

In the mood for experimenting with my time-tested recipe of mutton curry, I embarked on the lookout for new ingredients that can be used. This is when I chanced upon a bottle of Ballantine's whisky, which a friend had got for my husband, as both of them are lovers of scotch. The label seemed to invite me - "Stay True, Leave an Impression".

 I had read in a forwarded message that if you add a spoon of whisky while cooking, the oil would not burn. No one was at home, and this was the time to try this!

So went in the first tablespoon of whisky with my favourite sunflower oil, and indeed, facilitated the cooking. I added another spoon as a secret topping just before serving it. Everyone who tasted the mutton, simply loved the unique flavour brought by the scotch.

Curious, I googled "Ballantine", and discovered that the founder of the brand, George Ballantine, was an innovator and entrepreneur,  and always acted with conviction and flair. I smiled quietly to myself, as I was reminded of my bold experiment.