We’re all familiar with the regular ingredients in a cocktail – liqueurs, fruits, gin and vodka. We’re even used to offbeat additions such as tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce in a Bloody Mary, together with muddled onions and garlic. However, we’re willing to bet that most of you have never heard of these truly weird concoctions that Hugo Chetcuti’s team have researched and compiled. Those with strong stomachs and robust appetites – read on!
1. Gunpowder
Remember, remember, the 5th of November… the Gunpowder Plot Cocktail was created in tribute to Guy Fawkes Night at Hilton’s Zeta Bar in Sydney. Bartender Grant Collins came up with the idea to infuse gin with “gunpowder flavours” – spiced gunpowder syrup, egg whites and a herbal digestive to keep the mixture safe to drink. For a final touch, the cocktail itself is served in a smoking glass cloche, surrounded by burning twigs and gunpowder laid out on a saucer.
2. Blood
Vegetarians, look away now. If you’re a fan of black pudding for breakfast, on the other hand, then you’ll probably enjoy this cocktail as it’s one of the ingredients. It’s also made with vodka, hydrosol, tomato juice and of course, the pièce de résistance– pig’s blood. Unsurprisingly, the cocktail’s taste is metallic in nature, with the blood bringing an intense flavour and an aftertaste of pork. This drink can be ordered from The Talented Mr. Fox in Soho.
3. Ants
Yep, you read that right. Hugo Chetcuti’s bartenders couldn’t believe their eyes when they came across this one! Colombians like to lace their Mojito with hormigas culonas, which in English translates to “big-bottomed ants”. They only come out of their nests once or twice a year and are found in the Santana region.
4. Amputated Toe
We have the Canadians to thank (or blame?) for this one. It apparently originated in 1973 at Sourtoe Cocktail Club, where guests would drink a glass of champagne with a preserved toe to prove themselves as “sourtoers”. The rules are that your lips must touch the toe while drinking; nowadays you can have it with any drink of cocktail of your choice.
We don’t use toes, blood or ants in our cocktails – but Hugo Chetcuti’s expert mixologists can offer some pretty exciting blends here at Hugo’s Terrace! Have a look at our New Style Fusions and in-house classics and take your taste buds on an adventure. Experiment with ingredients such as chillies mixed with strawberries and chocolate, or an in-house tobacco infusion with cherry brandy and chocolate bitter.
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