Cocktails and Memories

Dad and his wife, when they came to stay at the Money Pit recently, gave us the most beautiful cocktail glasses as a wedding gift. Growing up, I thought cocktail glasses were the epitome of stylishness- they were reminiscent of a 1920’s-Great-Gatsby-type of decadence and sophistication which I aspired to. But they have never been something I would have bought for myself, so we were absolutely delighted with them. This of course meant a trip to the nearest off-licence to stock up on weird-coloured alcoholic beverages with silly names. I am pleased to say we now have all the requisite gear and are just waiting for friends to come and visit so that we finally get to see what Galliano tastes like.

This cocktail-induced haze brought back memories of a childhood in the mediterranean….growing up a Forces child, you get used to seeing people with a glass in their hand, even at 10am, pretty quickly. Some of the best parties I remember were the summer beach barbecues- roasting rabbits in fire pits, chasing an escaped inflatable crocodile halfway across the bay, and Rumbalamumba’s served ice-cold from a giant drink canister. The problem with LaMumba’s is that they always smelled and tasted like chocolate milk- it was only when people stood up from their deck-chairs that they realised they were battered. I recall my brother drinking one-too many at a New Year’s Party years later and barfing all over some unsuspecting person’s house. My mum had a face like thunder as we were all frogmarched home. A very funny moment. I asked dad for the recipe, which follows, although it would do to bear in mind that these events were always mass-catered, and so you might need to adjust the quantities…

One bottle of dark rum,

one bottle of kalhua

one bottle of chocolate milkshake syrup- we used to use Crusha, but you can also get Nesquik

Add ice and top up with milk to make one gallon.

That should get the party started…and most likely end it!