Urgh. You open one eye, then the other. Not both together. Too much, too soon. If you’re unlucky the room will still be spinning. Your mouth’s dry, your memory alarmingly- or thankfully- blank, you’re commited to braving the hoardes of last-minute Christmas shoppers, and you just might cry. But World’s Leading Cocktail Expert Salvatore Calabrese is here to save the day! His rescue remedies, alcoholic and virgin both, will see you right in no time. Unfortunately, though, the’getting-out-of-bed’ part’s entirely down to you…
Salvatore’s Hangover Cures
- Hair of the Dog (Alcoholic):
Baltimore Eggnog
This classic combination of’hair of the dog’ and soothing dairy-based bulk is particularly welcome during the festive season.
- 30ml brandy
- 30ml Madeira
- 20ml dark rum
- 1 tbsp gomme syrup
- 1 free-range egg
- 20ml double cream
- 90ml milk
Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake.
Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
Grate fresh nutmeg over the top to serve.
Bartender’s Breakfast
A cracking combination of herbs and spice designed to wake up the system. It’s a good way to start the day; if you don’t feel like eating breakfast, this will fill you up. The fresh ingredients, such as the tomato and herbs, will give you the vitamins you need to restore the spirit.
- 30ml vodka
- handful cherry tomatoes
- 1 fresh basil leaf
- pinch ground coriander
- pinch celery salt
- sprinkle chopped chives
- pinch cracked black pepper
Pour all ingredients into a blender without ice and blitz until smooth.
Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a cherry tomato and basil leaves on a cocktail stick- if you can muster the coordination!
Boston Flip
This cocktail was traditionally made by’flipping’ the combination between two containers to obtain a smooth consistency. During the 17th century, a Flip featured hot ale. The innkeeper would mull the mixture with a hot poker before serving it. Since then, the drink has evolved into a short beverage, served cold with a sprinkling of nutmeg.
- 30ml Bourbon
- 30ml Madeira
- 1 free-range egg yolk
- dash gomme syrup
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well.
Strain into a goblet.
Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Eye-opener
This is an old recipe and will certainly open your eyes wide in an instant. Absinthe makes the eyelids stronger; don’t have too many though, or they’ll remain open permanently.
- 2 dashes Absinthe
- 2 dashes orange Curacao
- 2 dashes crème de Noyau
- 30ml rum
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 free-range egg yolk
Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Rosa’s Magical Cure
This is the concoction my mother used to make when she saw I needed revitalising. It was my first encounter with a hangover cure, and I remember the invigorating sensation of many layers of flavours.
- 1 free-range egg yolk
- pinch ground chilli pepper
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 30ml sweet Marsala
Separate the yolk from the egg white and discard the latter.
Place yolk, without breaking, into a small glass.
Add the ground chilli, the lemon juice, and the Marsala. Do NOT stir.
Drink it all down in one gulp.
Serve with a freshly made zabaglione to follow; this gives you even more energy.
Vampiro
The national drink of Mexico, this is a strange combination of orange and tomato juice, spices, honey and onion (yes, really), which it creates a drink full of flavour. Make it the night before and leave in the fridge so it’s ready when you need it most.
- 75ml tomato juice
- 30ml fresh orange juice
- 30ml silver Tequila
- 1 tsp clear honey
- 10ml fresh lime juice
- ½ a slice of onion, finely chopped
- a few slices fresh red chilli
- a few drops Worcestershire sauce
- salt, to taste
Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well to release the flavour of the chilli.
Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a wedge of lime on the rim.
Wake-up Call
I created this for New Year’s Day after the Millennium.’Tomato juice and Champagne’, you ask? Trust me, it works. Lemon juice is good for the liver. The Tabasco sauce? Well, it just tastes good in this combination.
- 30ml vodka
- 20ml Cointreau
- 10ml fresh lemon juice
- 90ml tomato juice
- Champagne
- Tabasco sauce
- pinch celery salt
- pinch caster sugar
Pour all the ingredients, with the exception of the Champagne, into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake.
Pour into a highball glass ¾ full with ice.
Top up with Champagne and stir.
Garnish with a wedge of lime.
Red Eye
So-called because, when you’re making it, it appears like a red eye in a pool of juice!
- 1 free-range egg yolk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- dash of lemon juice
- 120ml chilled tomato juice
- 1/2 bottle of lager
Pour the tomato juice and lemon juice into a tumbler.
Add the seasonings.
Top up with lager and stir.
Separate the egg and add the yolk without breaking it.
Drink up, and hope that your eyes clear!
- Virgin cures:
Cleanser Mocktail
The papaya and melon will get your energy going. It’s good to prepare this the day before you know you’re going to need it: for instance, if you’re going to a party or a wedding.
Serves 4
- ½ yellow melon
- ½ papaya
- ½ mango
- 6 strawberries
- 300ml passion-fruit juice
- 300ml peach juice
- 30ml grenadine
- juice of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 orange
Peel the fruit and dice.
Place all ingredients in a blender and blitz until smooth.
Pour into a jug and chill until required.
To dilute, add a dash of still mineral water.
Three-berry Delight
The deepest red colour, this is a cleansing drink full of vitamin C and fibre.
Serves 2
- 22 blackberries
- 22 raspberries
- 4 handfuls redcurrants
- ice cubes
Rinse all the berries and place into a blender.
Add one ice cube and blend until smooth.
Divide between two glasses.
Add more ice-cubes if you want to make a longer drink.
To sample Salvatore’s creations, visit Salvatore at Playboy, 14 Old Park Lane, W1K 1ND. For more information, visit www.salvatore-calabrese.co.uk, call 020 7491 8586 or follow him on Twitter @CocktailMaestro