I am running out of funny titles... Something, something... Gin cocktail

Clouds Over Blue Skies

50ml J J Whitley Violet gin

20ml Lemon juice

12.5ml Gomme

3 dash Orange bitters

10ml Blue Curaçao

Add everything but the Curaçao to the shaker with ice

Shake

Double strain into a coupe

Carefully sink the Curaçao to the bottom of the glass

Garnish with a lemon peel twist

I thought I'd move away from the rum and whiskey for the moment; mainly because I ran out.

This is basically a remix of the Aviation cocktail, which is one of my favourites.

I was never a massive fan of gin growing up (obviously, I mean from the age of 18 onwards because I drink responsibly). I think it was probably the same for a lot of people my age.

Gin was always seen as an old person's drink. And it was only Gin and Tonic. That was it. Mother's ruin, as it was called.

There was always a dusty bottle of Gordon's or Beefeater in every cupboard and it was the only one your kids hadn't watered down.

It's had a bit of a resurgence in recent times with a new "variety" springing up every 2 seconds.

After I moved up to Edinburgh and realised I hated working in a clothing shop, I was on the hunt for a bar job (stick to what you know) and one was available at a place called The Jolly Botanist.

It's not a half-bad pub and it's 2 steps from Haymarket station, if you're in the area. Food's pretty banging too.

I started there as a supervisor and, as luck would have it, the guy who normally did the cocktail of the week left. This was pretty much the start of my proper cocktail creation... I refuse to say journey... erm... thing. It was the start of my cocktail creation thing.

I'd been working in bars on and off since I was 15 and I'd worked in a couple of cocktail bars, but they were not in any creative control capacity.

There were over 80 gins on the back bar and each week, we'd take one and make cocktails with it. To be honest, it was ace. Coming in on my days off, making up some drinks and seeing people enjoy them was straight up gangster.

After leaving that role due to... I'm going to say a personality conflict... I started looking at more roles which would give me the freedom to explore this new avenue.

First job was not that, Chop House you suck.

Villager, however, was dope af.

Caz was one of the best managers I've had. There was no idea too stupid that we weren't allowed to at least try it. And you've read my blog, I say some dumb shit.

It was actually where I invented this cocktail

Despite this having nothing to do with that cocktail, I thought I'd take you on a little journey to the centre of me. Because we're mates now.

Anyway, in case you were wondering why you don't shake the Curaçao with the rest of the cocktail, there are 2 reasons; 1. Have you seen that bad boy? Shit looks fresh. 2. It means that as you sip it, the sweetness gradually builds. You start with a sour, floral cocktail which gradually transforms into a sweet, citrusy number. Because I'm a damn pro and this is an art.