Welcome everybody to my first ever blogger event! Gareth and I were kindly invited down to the Dakota hotel in Leeds to experience their high society cocktail event. It’s no secret that Gareth and I both love a cheeky cocktail so we jumped at the chance to attend.
We couldn’t wait to try the new extravagant cocktail menu which was inspired by iconic celebrities. The cocktails were designed to fit the celebrities stories and personalities. Are you excited to find out which cocktails we sampled? Yes I hear you say? Awesome, let’s get to it then.
Monrose
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic actresses/models to ever come out of Hollywood. Marilyn was one of the original blonde bombshells and an incredible woman that has inspired Dakota to come up with the Monrose. The reason behind the name of the cocktail is that following her death back in 1962, her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio placed a 20-year order of red roses and requested 6 to be placed on Monroe’s grave three times a week. Wow! That’s what you call true love.
Ingredients:
Ketel one vodka
Belsazar rose vermouth
Fentimans rose lemonade
Rose champagne syrup
Citric acid water
Apples & Pears
The classic Apples & Pears was inspired by the extremely talented (and one of my favourite actors) Sir Michael Caine. Actor, producer and author, Michael Caine is known for his South London accent and dry sense of humor. Apples & Pears was the perfect name for this inspired cocktail. With flavours of pear infused Hendricks Gin & apple Juice and lemon, I have no doubt that this cocktail is going to be a big hit on the Dakota menu. Did you pick up on the cockney rhyming slang in the cocktail’s name?
Ingredients:
Pear infused Hendricks gin
Madeira Sherry
Apple juice
Lemon juice
Sugar syrup
Box Office Poison
Fred Astaire appeared in an article called “Box Office Poison” along with several other well known film stars back in 1938. Give it a read, it’s pretty interesting. I didn’t think that this one would be my cup of tea as one of the main ingredients is Cognac, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Gareth and I could have easily sipped on a few more of them actually. Delicious.
Ingredients:
Remy Martin Cognac
Gig Liqueur
Angostura Orange Bitters
Spiced Orange Ginger Ale
Aviation Frequency
Inspired by Hedy Lemarr, actress and inventor. Hedy was famous for creating the Radio Frequency Hopping System used during WWII. The same system made WiFi & Bluetooth possible, so let’s face it we all owe a lot to this famous lady. It’s no surprise that Dakota felt inspired and created a cocktail in her honour.
Ingredients:
Aviation Gin
Chateau Du Breuil Calvados
Billecart Salmon Brut Nv
St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
Apple Juice
Lemon Juice
It’s safe to say that Gareth and I were a little tipsy on our walk back home, as you can imagine. We both had such an incredible time, sampled some very tasty cocktails, met some lovely people and overall had the best first blogger event experience. It was our first time at Dakota hotel but it definitely won’t be our last. We had a blast!
Absolutely love to photography in this! Also, love how you’ve listed all the ingredients of each cocktails – great post! xxx
Author
Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely comments š it really means the world. So happy you enjoyed it, so many awesome cocktails šø
These cocktails look delicious I’m so glad you listed the ingredients as well I will be sure to try them out. Also your pictures are incredible, it looks like such a good event you went too.
Author
Thanks so much for reading Sarah. The event was incredible, Iām so thankful that Gareth and I were invited. The cocktails were delicious š let me know if you do try any, I would love to know which one is your fav