The Martini Club

Interviewer: Hey everyone, welcome back to Le Gourmet TV. So, we’re here with Michelle, one half of the Martini Club. Michelle Hunt: Hello! Interviewer: And tell us about the Martini Club, what’s it all about? Michelle Hunt: Oh, sure. The Martini Club started 12 years ago here in Toronto because we couldn’t find a descent martini. We really could not. We went bar to bar to bar and there was no that will seen other. Interviewer: The city this big. Michelle Hunt: The city this big and it’s rich, yeah. So, we started the Martini Club for fun and between our degrees and next thing you know, 12 years later and we can barely keep up. Interviewer: Well, that’s good. Michelle Hunt: Yeah. Interviewer: So, what do you focus on then? Michelle Hunt: We focus on the drink. Basically we’re trying to make the best drink in world. There are modern ways of the drinks and the party will be unbelievable. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: So, we trained mixologist in-house here and we send them out each night about five each night. Interviewer: That’s busy. Michelle Hunt: Yeah, it is. Interviewer: That’s very busy, and you’ve got a show called the Drink Show? Michelle Hunt: Yes, 5 years ago in the eyes of the consumer we decided that wasn’t really anything out there speaking about cocktails and how to make them. All those could need the questions. They always want to know the answer too so we built the show for that consumer. What we called the Cocktail Curious Consumer. Interviewer: So, at the show all of the drink manufacturers will be there, all the distillers? Michelle Hunt: Yes. Interviewer: And it’s just about trusting and trying and— Michelle Hunt: Yes, in every year we’re trying to launch new products so that the consumer can see what’s happening. We usually put a store in and else will be store it right on site so you can pick up product right then and there. This year we are featuring over 100 Handcrafted Gourmet Cocktails. And we will be going from 5 o’clock to 11 o’clock Friday and Saturdays so the mixologist are there waiting right now as we speak. Interviewer: So, what are they going to mix up first? Michelle Hunt: I’m going to make two really fun and easy drink. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: So that any of your viewers out there can say, I can do that. I’m bringing whisky to the forefront during the show. Quietly, and I’m going to make sure that almost everyone at one point says, has a drink and something says, “I can’t believe, I never like this kind. I never knew I liked whisky.” So, I’m going to feature this lovely, well-rounded smoky Grants Scotch whisky in my summer-sun so it’s refreshing. Interviewer: So, a Scotch whisky mixed in something. Michelle Hunt: Yeah! And then I’m going to do a really, really simple drink called the Jackpot with the brand new liqueur that that’s the sour raspberry liqueur, very delicious very fun and again simple. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: Yes. So, I’m good to go. Interviewer: Let’s go. Michelle Hunt: I will start with the Summer Sun. So, I’m just going to fill my glass with ice and then I’m going to go ahead and my shakes are gone. You see, I’m using a Boston shaker which you can use any shaker whatsoever. In fact, you can use any tall glasses you have at home that happen to fit together. This is a professional bartenders gear and I’m going to measure out an ounce of Grants and a half an ounce of vanilla liqueur. You can use vanilla syrup as well but this is a lovely, lovely beautiful product here. And then I’m going to get some apricot juice which is right beside you. Interviewer: So, nothing especially difficult to get? Michelle Hunt: Not at all. And I’m just going to top off some apricot juice in here and then I’m going to give a good solid shake. And I’m just going to strain in into my glass and garnish. Now, you can do anything, just open the fridge and see what you got in there. Today, I’m going to use a fresh lime wheel. And once again it’s super easy to cut, always on hand. What do you think about this one? Do you think I should be a bartender when I grow up. Interviewer: It’s really nice. Michelle Hunt: Surprising, okay. Interviewer: It’s really nice. Michelle Hunt: Yeah, it’s not good? Oh we’ve lost our garnish. Interviewer: You’re not getting that back, so what’s next? Michelle Hunt: Yeah, exactly. Next, I’m going to do the Jackpot which is a really refreshing and really simple thing. We’re amazed actually because we don’t used a lot of carbonated products in our drinks but this one just win easy and simplicity so I’m going ahead with an ounce of Mickey Finn. Mickey Finn is sour raspberry. These guys are from Ireland. Interviewer: So, what’s in that? Michelle Hunt: It’s a sour raspberry essence, very straight forward, a little cranberry on the bottom. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: And watch how simple this is and just wait from the fridge to happen to have some brooder. How fantastic and easy is that? Interviewer: I thought mixing drinks was difficult. Michelle Hunt: I know, not at all. Interviewer: Not at all. Michelle Hunt: Not at all. Interviewer: So, what are the trends today in cocktails? Michelle Hunt: The trends today, we’re talking about global influence is a lot. So people are travelling more as well as some really hot cocktail markets in London and Paris. Of course, the obvious New York things are supposed to trial here. We’re influence by them. We’re also seeing herbs, spices and the show that we have a beautiful lost in time Collins which this shaken very sternly with fresh thyme as well as garnish with the sprig. Interviewer: With thyme? Michelle Hunt: We’re using teas; a lot of teas. We’ve got a Bengal Spice Tea Martini. Interviewer: So keep hearing about people who’s talking with the drinks of their grandfathers. Is that something is really happening, is that? Michelle Hunt: Yeah, in fact a lot of the London bartenders are being inspired by the first cocktail books ever printed etc., etc. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: So, we’re seeing the real cocktail history come to life in glasses like the Crusta and the Flip and the Daisy and the Buck. Interviewer: I was just with this guy Xavier, the global prime manager for Hendrix Gin and he made the cocktail from 1888. Michelle Hunt: Yup, the late 1800 was a fantastic time for cocktails and it’s nice to see all of our colleagues researching and then bringing back to life these drinks. Interviewer: Okay. Michelle Hunt: It’s a lot of fun. Yeah. Interviewer: So, I look forward to being with you again? Michelle Hunt: Yeah, how about will see you tonight. Interviewer: Fantastic, thanks a lot for coming.