Birmingham venue The Vaults has been named one of the best Martini bars in the world.
The accolade came from the Stylist magazine and has the Jewellery Quarter outlet at Newhall Place on Newhall Hill rubbing shoulders with the likes of Milan, Paris, New York and Barcelona.
They include the Hemingway Bar at the Ritz in Paris and the Beaumont Bar at London’s The Savoy, where Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond imbibed.
Bond famously liked his Martinis “shaken not stirred” but Paul Rutter, head bartender at The Vaults, disagrees.
He says stirred is best.
And it would take a brave cocktail maker to disagree after the Stylist’s eulogy.
It stated: “Don’t be put off by the name of the ‘porn star Martini’, made with Stoli vodka, muddled with lime, passion fruit and topped with Champagne.
“Sipping it in one of The Vaults’ deep and atmospheric cellar booths feels like the height of glamour.
“For more shy and retiring types, try the classic or raspberry Martinis.”
You could go for the Golden Mojito (Brugal rum, freshly squeezed lime, sugar, fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, and ginger ale).
Or there’s Paul’s own favourite cocktail, the Tanqueray Ten, where the gin goes through a quadruple distillation process.
So, what is the secret of the perfect Martini?
Well, naturally, he’s not giving everything away, but much depends on the quality of the liquor and you need to get the correct viscosity.
“You must spend the right amount of time stirring it,” says Paul. “It should release on your tongue.”
And why was Bond so badly advised? Because, according to Paul, shaking with all that ice in place dilutes it quicker.
Of the Stylist’s assessment, he remarked: “Certainly, we are proud to be among the world’s best – it’s a top honour.”
There are 24 different cocktails on offer with two-for-one all evening on Fridays.
And, if you want to get to their standard, then you can book you own Cocktail Masterclass and recreate classics from the Daquiri to the Manhattan, or simply invent your own with the guidance of the bartenders.
Perfect as either a corporate team building event or a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends.
You can choose a Masterclass with canapés at £35 per person or a Masterclass with dinner at £50 per person.
And all the atmosphere you want is laid on at the bar/restaurant.
Set in the cellars of a Grade 2 listed Victorian building, The Vaults is situated below what was a brewery and workhouse and those private booths are reputed to have once been used as cells.
“We have ways of making you talk, Mr Bond … but first let us share a properly stirred Martini …”