We wanted to do something different this year to celebrate, so racked our brains and came up with a plan. A scenic cycle along the canal before a pre-dinner drink followed by an Italian feast in Osteria Lucio at The Malting Tower in Grand Canal Quay - we were married in Rome and always try to have an Italian Anniversary meal (for obvious nostalgic reasons!).
After we unlocked the city bikes at Portobello Harbour we joined the throngs of hurried after-work cyclists and began our ramble all the way from Portobello bridge down the canal towards Hanover Quay. Our timing wasn't exactly right, we had hit rush hour traffic and I was swallowed up by the commuters. Me in my short dress and heels, trying to hold my own among all the experienced city cyclists. David, a pro after years and years of cycling, looking back at me every so often. Possibly thinking 'She's actually doing quite well', or else the complete opposite - I forgot to ask.
When we got to the end of the bustling tree-lined cycle path at Grand Canal Street we made our way across the busy road through the cobbled streets of Clanwilliam Terrace toward a much more tranquil Hanover Quay. We locked our bikes and headed straight to HQ where we perched ourselves at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Mine a gin and tonic, David's a craft beer. Time ticked along but we had enough time for one more before dinner. We decided on a cocktail, we were celebrating 13 years of marriage and three children, we felt we deserved it. Enter the ginger amaretto sour. Halfway through I knew I was onto something special. I studied the menu and asked the barman for advise on making one. The secret, he told me, was ginger syrup. I was definitely going to recreate this one at home.
After a bit of googling, some mixing and tweaking I finally managed to crack it. Here's the recipe...
Ginger Syrup (Yields One Cup)
What you'll need:
- 4oz ginger
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of sugar
- pinch of salt
Peel and slice the ginger into thin rounds.
Pop all the ingredients into a small saucepan.
Heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Allow to cool then strain the syrup and store in the fridge.
Ginger Amaretto Sour (Serves Two)
What you'll need:- 8oz Disaronno Amaretto
- 4oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 8oz ginger syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
How to make it:
Separate the egg white into a small bowl.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour the Amaretto, lime juice and ginger syrup into the cocktail shaker. Add the egg white.
Shake well for approximately 30 seconds. The outside of the shaker will become frosty, and inside the egg white will mix with the other ingredients to create a gloriously frothy, silky smooth cocktail.
Pop two to three ice cubes into two margarita glasses. Strain the mixed cocktail into the glasses. Garnish with a slice of lime and ginger round.
Sounds like a lovely anniversary!! Must try that cocktail,, need to deviate from my usual prosecco :-D
ReplyDeleteJust back from Peru where i had many many pisco sours...ill make sure to give this one a try next!
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