7 minute read
MASTER MIXER
Coming soon to a pub or restaurant near you, Mr L’s Cocktails by PAUL LAMBERT are causing a stir
Paul Lambert might be best known for Piglet Wine Bar or Shaker & Vine, but he’s probably just as well known for his triumph at the Dekuyper Cocktail World Cup (he placed third in the world) or for getting a handshake from Pierce Brosnan (the then James Bond) for his martini making skills. Now, he’s about to introduce his mixing abilities to a whole new audience thanks to Mr L’s Cocktails, his newly launched range of pre-mixed bottled cocktails. So far the range, which has been created in association with Cult Drinks, consists of four flavours – Pina Colada, 1930’s Cosmo, Whiskey Sour and Pornstar
Martini. An Espresso Martini variant is currently in the works and once that’s launched, the plan is to introduce more complex, signature pre-mixes that better reflect the drinks Paul is known for.
Located in Swords, Shaker & Vine began selling takeaway drinks during Covid. Paul’s ready-made cocktails were an instant hit. “Eunan Ryan from Cult Drinks, who’s a regular at the restaurant, asked me one evening how they were going and I jokingly replied that they were going so well, maybe I should start selling them in the shops. He rang me the next day and said, I think you should do it. So we sat down and mapped it out and from the start, he was adamant that my name should be front and centre on the bottle. Over the years, I’ve worked in places where there's always been a few Paul’s and we would always be known by our surnames. That’s where the name Mr L came from,” said Paul.
Although the range was initially created for the off trade, a lack of labour and skills has made the range a hit with pubs and restaurants. “It’s something I was starting to notice in Shaker, it’s so hard to get skilled staff right now. Personally, I prefer to take in somebody that’s green and train them to a high standard but that approach doesn’t work everywhere, particularly large, bigger places. Mr L’s Cocktails ticks all the boxes – you don’t need to worry about the quality of the drinks, it’s always going to be good.” Creating the perfect cocktail is as simple as following the instructions on the back of the bottle. “We’ve had hotel porters make them who are delighted they’ve got something new to offer guests at night.”
In an increasingly populated pre-mixed cocktail market, Mr L’s is the only one endorsed by a bartender. And not just any bartender. Paul’s reputation as one of Ireland’s top mixologists is well established; he was credited with making the finest gin martini in the world at the Bacardi Martini Grand Prix, he placed third at the IBA European Championships and he has established some of the most popular cocktails bars in Dublin including Diep, SABA, Kinara Kitchen and the Blind Pig Speakeasy. What makes the range stand out is also the quality of the liquid, says Paul. “These are my cocktails in a bottle and I stand over them as much as any cocktail I’ve ever created. Obviously, we’ve used only the best quality ingredients and spirits. We've had blind tastings in Shaker and my staff have never been able to pick out Mr L's."
Bookings are good at Shaker & Vine at the moment. Christmas bookings are coming in thick and fast and to accommodate numbers, additional tables have gone into the dining area. As with most hospitality businesses, finding staff is difficult. “I could do with one more chef, but I know places looking for 10 or 11 new staff members so I’m not doing too
Mr L’s Cocktails
1930’s Cosmo
Prohibition era version of the cult classic, the 1930’s Cosmopolitan is served as the classic version of its modern day counterpart. It uses gin in place of vodka, raspberry instead of cranberry and lemon rather than lime. Ingredients – Fruity raspberry complemented by zingy lemon mixed with triple sec and London Dry Gin.
Pina Colada
Sharp zingy pineapple, blended with coconut pulp and white rum. This cocktail transports you to a beach on a tropical island. Inspired by a trip to Puerto Rico – and a Pina Colada demonstration at the Bacardi distillery – this cocktail was born out of the idea of using only pure, fresh ingredients. Ingredients – Coconut water, fresh pineapple juice, white rum.
Whiskey Sour
One of the icons of the cocktail world, this was a must have in the collection. The omission of egg white is a bonus for allergy sufferers but can be added to enhance this serve for those that enjoy the texture. Ingredients – Smooth Irish Whiskey sharpened with lemon juice, sugar and bitters.
Pornstar Martini
Created by Douglas Ankrah in London in the 90s, this classic serve is a favourite of cocktail consumers. Serve with a prosecco shot (to be consumed alongside the flesh of a passionfruit garnish) to cleanse your palate before enjoying the flavour bomb in the glass. Ingredients – Sweet vanilla, sharp passionfruit juice and smooth vodka.
Irish cocktail making has come a long way since Paul started mixing drinks over 20 years ago. The Irish, he says, are the best bartenders in the world. “I think the Dead Rabbit proved that if the Irish can get to grips with craft mixology, there's nobody that can do it better. They’ll serve you an amazing drink but they’ll have the craic with you as well. Some of the younger people coming into the industry now are starting to do really well in international competitions. It's only a matter of time before we have an Irish world champion.”
badly. My head chef has been with me since the beginning and Diego, my manager, started with me during the first lockdown. They’re probably the reason why I was able to take my focus off Shaker and look at other projects, such as Mr L’s.” Other challenges include rising costs; in recent times, Shaker’s energy bill has tripled. “You can’t put your prices up to cover those costs as people just won’t go out for dinner. I think we’re all stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment. It’s definitely tough, but I’m a stubborn culchie so I won’t be giving up any time soon.” Rising costs mean people aren’t going out as much and that’s where Mr L’s Cocktails come in. “If people are going to be drinking at home, then they might as well be drinking something good. When I make a cocktail for a customer, my aim is to make them smile. I think we've achieved that with the range.”
The whiskey sour cocktail works well when it’s topped with ginger ale, as well as a whiskey highball. The Cosmo topped with ice over Sprite is delicious, while the Pornstar Martini works with Prosecco and Sprite too. “I’ve found all these other uses for the cocktails, which I think really shows their versatility.” Next up is an Espresso Martini and after that, the sky’s the limit. “As well as new cocktails, I’d like to maybe look at a spirit down the line. Getting my head around how the wholesale industry works is a challenge, but one I’m getting to grips with.”
Your Local Wholesaler For Over 50 Years
OUR STORY
At BWG Foods wholesale division we’re passionate about quality, food safety and great value for money. Through our offering and expertise, along with our commitment to outstanding service, we aim to exceed customer expectations.
One of our key strengths is our local presence around the country meaning we are always close to you, no matter where your business is.
BWG Foods is a proud member of Bord Bia’s Origin Green sustainability programme since 2020. We are committed to the transition to renewable energy, to source our products more sustainably, and to reduce our carbon emissions and waste.
Industry leading storage and distribution ensures your order arrives in premium condition. We deliver your order fresh, on time and in full, every time. You’ll have peace of mind knowing we’re helping you serve the best.
