I generally like to save my cocktail shares for the weekend, but today has just been one of those days and I plan to hit the the bottle the moment I get home from work. I’d be more than happy to get on it before work if only human decency would allow me to indulge in teaching while drunk. So for the moment I choose coffee, but later I shall choose Berentzen.

Berentzen recently celebrated their 1st Birthday in Korea, and to celebrate ran a competition to give away a bottle of each of their fab flavours of liqueur. And would you believe it, I only went and won the blackcurrant one. I have never won a thing in my life (except the pub quiz), so to win some free blackcurrant flavoured booze was tremendous. I’ve been a lover of all things blackcurrant since I had my first sip of Ribena as a child. So using my lovely free booze I made these two cocktails, because lets face it one is never enough.

My first libation is called the Naughty Ribena, an alcoholic and adult friendly version of British kids favourite blackcurrant squash. I was inspired to make this after having a chat with Charlie, the owner and resident mixologist of Battered Sole, who told me he plans to put a Dirty Ribena on the menu of their new British Gastropub restaurant. It hasn’t quite made its way onto the menu yet, so I figured I would have a go at making my own and it turned out perfectly.

Ingredients

4 shots of Berentzen blackcurrant

2 shots of vodka

4- 6 shots of sparkling water

A wedge of lemon

Directions

Pour the vodka and Berentzen blackcurrant into your glass and top with the sparkling water. Squeeze in the juice of a wedge of lemon then stir and serve over ice.

The second cocktail I made was a good old rum punch. Now the sun is shining I just can’t get enough of this fruity rum delight. This one makes a whole jug-full, so you can share with your friends, or if you’re a lush like me just drink it alone. This one is kind of boozy so feel free to add more juice if you need to. Ah punch, the answer to all of life’s problems.

Ingredients

4 shots of Berentzen blackcurrant

4 shots of dark rum (I used Captain Morgan)

2 shots of Malibu

12 shots Pineapple juice

Fruit & ice to garnish (strawberries, orange, and lemon)

Directions 

Pour all the alcohol and juice  into a large jar or  glass. Give it a good mix then top with ice and sliced fruit. Voila two amazing cocktails to see you through the summer season. Happy Birthday Berentzen!

I was invited to try the Live Guacamole (19,000) as part of my exciting career as a food journalist for 10 Magazine. Free guacamole, I hear you cry, Fat Girl you are living the dream! I sure am and it’s a dream filled with avocados.

Live Guacamole is a dish that is served, unsurprisingly  “live”. One of the lovely waiters or waitresses will come over to your table with their batch of ingredients and make the guacamole in front of you. Quite a novel idea, I do  enjoy a bit of theatre with my dinner. They also do a Live Queso too.

The guacamole is fresh, and it’s definitely a fine selling point. Personally I would have liked it with a bit more seasoning or kick, but a few drops of hot sauce later and it was pretty much perfect.

Whilst I was there I figured it would be churlish not to try a few other items. We ordered up the Chicken Empanadas (13,500). I am a huge fan of the empanada ever since my jaunt around South America a few years ago. In fact I practically lived off them for three months so like to consider myself a bit of an expert. The filling was more of a Tex-Mex fusion than a tradition one, but they were in no way less delicious. Cheesy with a slight spice. The skin was crispy and especially delicious. But lets face it, anything deep-fried tastes great.

I also had a hankering for fajitas. It’s a dish we often have at home but rarely have out. I was having trouble deciding upon which meat to have, so went for the Ultimate Fajita (33,500). Served 0n a sizzling fajita grill is none other than shrimp, chicken, steak, onions and peppers! They also give you tortillas, refried beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.Iit’s actually very good value and really tasty. This is a dish to share.

As you can see we devoured the lot, and a good time was had by all.

On the Border is located at 737-37, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (Line6) and come out of exit 2. Keep walking straight, for about 200 meters, until you reach the Hannam building. On the Border is on the 2nd floor. You can call them on 02-792-0682 or checkout their website for more details.

If you like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain. I do indeed. Which is why when I received a box of coconut water from the fab people at Pure, one of my first thoughts was a Pina colada smoothie. I whipped this one up this morning in about 5 minutes and was instantly transported to a desert island delightfulness. Plus I had the pina colada song stuck in my head all day and that always makes me smile. If this is a weekend morning drink then feel free to throw in some rum too.

Ingredients 

330ml of coconut water

2 bananas

2 rings of pineapple

1 tablespoon of chia seeds (i-Herb)

Directions

1. Soak the chia seeds in about 50ml of the coconut water. After about five minutes they should become gel like and a little like frog spawn. But don’t be scared, that’s their magic power. You could also just throw them into the smoothie but it wont be quite as thick.

2. Put the bananas, pineapple, chia seeds and coconut water into the blender and blend. Serve over ice. You should get 2 large smoothies out of this.

I had a good look of the menu and settled upon the Chicken wings, in a barbecue sauce. They were good, the sauce was excellent and hit the spot exactly, even more so since they were a mere 4,000. They will also give you ranch dressing for 500 won!

Now, when I see that food is on offer, I like to buy twice as much. Why couldn’t I behave like a normal person and buy one discount appetizer and save the money, no no no Fatgirl has to eat twice as much, saving nothing at all. So on to my next order. Popcorn chicken, little pieces of chicken breast, breaded in a crazy crispy coating, and came with a side of chips for 5,000. These were really good,  and we ordered quite a few more of these between us.

Another hit was the poutine (4,250). Not remotely authentic, but really really good. Match stick fries, a delicious thick gravy, and cheese. So comforting, even if it was a bit wrong.

We also had a buffulo wings, (4,000) again, great.

The chicken burrito, was also a hit (4,000).

We also tried the deep fried  chili peppers (5,500). Although these were probably our least favourite of all the things we tried.

So next Tuesday I would definitely advise you hit up Hollywood for all the fried goods they are worth. It’s Christmas eve so you don’t even have to go to work the next day. Merry Christmas!

Hollywoood is located at 123-33 Itaewon 1(il)-dong Yongsan-gu Seoul Korea. To get there take a train to Itaewon station (Line 6.) Come out of exit 2 and walk straight for about a minute. Hollywood islocated on the left on the 3rd floor  of the building next to Smoothie king. You can call them on 02-749-1659.

As you know Fat Girl loves a burger more than anything in the world (even more than The Fat Boyfriend.) But a burger that meats my requirements (pun intended) is a scarce thing in and around Itaewon. So much so, that I even started making my own.   So when I heard about Left Coast Artisan Burgers I was extremely keen to try it. Located near Itaewon station, this second floor eatery is cool, bright and all about good food. With its open plan kitchen, you can see the masters at work.

As soon as I looked at the menu, there was one burger that leapt straight off the page. The John Wayne (15,000). Bacon, cheddar cheese, onion rings, and barbecue sauce. All housed in freshly baked home-made bun. Just one bite and I was in love. This burger had all my favourite ingredients, I was a very happy girl. Mmmm burger.

The Kalbi fries (12,000) were recommended and were sooooooooo so good. Chips, topped with marinated pork, hoisin onion, and sour cream. Just reminiscing about them now makes me hunger for a bowl. We also got the regular fries, which are hand cut but I’d say splash out and get the Kalbi ones, I promise they are worth every penny.

We also got two of the mini me burgers (10,000), A piece of fried chicken, with creamy appleslaw and lettuce. They were cute and tasty and sure fire hit for those who don’t want beef. I also enjoyed the smaller size, for those that can’t manage a whole burger. I obviously ate a normal burger and a mini one, but of course I know not everyone has the dedication to burger eating that I do.

We got a lovely surprise delivered when I told them it was The Fat Boyfriend’s birthday. They served us up their dessert of a warm cookie with ice-cream and cream (6,000). We had a bunch of men with us, all claiming they were full and  didn’t like desserts but as soon as it was placed in front of us they all dug a spoon in and were fighting over it. You need to try this delicious dessert, your taste buds will thank you.

They also have a nice range of beverages at Left Coast, craft beers like the winter solstice or watermelon wheat. They even have a good time lemonade and sangria, for fatties like myself who don’t fancy beer.  A cocktail and a burger what could be better?

Left Coast is located at 130-43 Itaewon-dong, Seoul. To get there take a train to Itaewon Station (Line 6) and walk out of exit 4, turn back on yourself and take the road on your left (the street where Taco Bell is) and walk straight. Keep walking on the same side you’re on for about 150 meters, Left Coast is on the right on the second floor.  Call them on 02-6223-5338 to make a reservation or check out their facebook page for more details.

First I will be serving up my cucumber infused gin fresh and tasty it’s served with tonic in cute little cocktail bags for a mere 5,000 each.

Also on the menu is mulled wine, it’s going to be cold out there, so this is just the boozy treat to warm you up on this cold hallows eve 5,000.

Lastly I will be serving that British favourite Pimms! Full of fruity flavour and served in a cocktail to go bag for just 8,000. The only place in Seoul serving Pimms tonight!

So stop by before your Halloween parties tonight, starting at 5pm, I’ll be serving drinks until we are sold out.

Casablanca is located in Hae Bang Chon at 44-8  Yongsandong 2 -ga, Seoul, Korea. Take a train to Noksapyeong station (line 6). Walk straight out of exit 2 for about 200 meters and take the first left and walk straight along the road with all the kimchi pots. Casablanca is on the left a few doors up from Phillies. You can also call them on 02-797-8367 or check out their facebook page.

OK, so it’s happened, since the opening of Flower Gin, I have become a bit of a Gin slag. I’ve had more gin in the past 2 weeks than I have had in a lifetime. When having a browse of some gin based cocktails I came across Heston Blumenthal’s cucumber infused gin. I wanted it immediately, so I rushed right out to buy all the ingredients. Heston used his own lovely Waitrose earl grey gin to make it, but sadly we can’t buy it here. I would have used a bottle of Bombay Sapphire or some lovely Hendrick’s but it’s still 5 days until pay day so I used a bottom of the barrel bottle of cheap Combo gin. After a little more research though, I found this could be a plus as the cucumber will have more of a presence due to the lack of flavour the gin has. After consuming copious amounts, I can say without  a shadow of a doubt that cheap gin is the way forward, it was bloody gorgeous and as soon as I finish this bottle I shall be making another. Happy Ginning!

Ingredients

1 bottle of gin

3 cucumbers

Directions

Peel your cucumbers then roughly chop them. Put them into a jug with the gin and blend them until pulverized. Cover and refrigerate for about 24 hours. When the gin has infused strain off the cucumber though a sieve.

To make the gin and tonic, fill a tall glass with ice. you may notice from my picture that my ice cubes are nice and fancy. I chopped up some pieces of lemon and cucumber and form them into the ice cubes to make them extra pretty. Top with 50ml of gin and 150ml-200ml of tonic. Serve with a wedge of lemon and enjoy. Voilà cucumber infused gin!

Flower Gin is an awesome new bar in my area that unsurprisingly, sells flowers and gin. Now we all know that fat girl is a lover of vodka, but I don’t mind having a gin or two once in a while. I was a thrilled about this lovely new bar because my best friend Matt (gin connoisseur and out and out  lush) is absolutely mad for Hendricks gin. It’s always been his fave so we were very excited to go and have a couple of cocktails.

Although the bar is small, there were already a few people inside. You can get your cocktails to stay or to go. The gin and tonic (6,600) comes with a slice of cucumber, just like it should .There is also a small flower in every glass, what could be more perfect?

I had the gin and ginger (6,900) , which is a little bit milder than the tonic. It was served with lemon, cucumber ,and a flower and was absolutely divine.

They even have the famed Hendricks teacups and teapots, although they are just used for display. You can even pick up a bunch of flowers while you are here. There are also two adorable patio chairs outside as a little smoking area.

Flower Gin is located in Kyungnidan at 684 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan -Gu, Seoul. To get there come out of Noksapyeong station (line 6) exit 2 and walk straight down past the entrance leading to Hae bang chon and go over the pedestrian bridge  above the road. You will see Flower Gin as you exit the left hand set of stairs on the other side.

Summer is here, and things are hotting up. We all need to cool off and also make sure we are still getting our daily soju allowance. Enter the Soju Pop Cocktail. Recommended to me by one of my good friends this was too good for me not to share, even if I can’t really take much credit for it. It’s the perfect drink to refresh you on a hot Summer’s day when you’re sat outside your local convenience store. Choose your favourite ice-lolly ( I used a strawberry and apple 스그류), grab a bottle of cider and a bottle of Soju, and you’re ready to make delightful summer drink. If you are a classy kinda drunk like me, feel free to replace the soju with your favourite flavoured vodka.

Ingredients

300ml of lemonade/cider/sprite (UK/ROK/USA)

100ml of Soju (or vodka)

1 ice lolly (Popsicle)

Directions

Take one large glass, a 1 pint beer glass pilfered from your local bar works perfectly. Add the soju and top up with lemonade. Unwrap your chosen ice lolly and put it into your drink, and keep stirring until the ice lolly has melted off the stick. Drink and enjoy. Repeat if necessary. Voilà the Soju Pop Cocktail. Sweet Summer salvation.

Today is Gay Pride in Seoul, a chance to celebrate equality and freedom for all.  So in honour of all my wonderful gay friends I designed this fabulous drink. It’s perfect for  Summer-time drinking. Fresh and fruity just like me and exactly what you need on a hot Summer’s day. It goes down a treat. Not that I ever need much of an excuse to get a bit more cock(tail) in my mouth. But if you can’t do it on gay pride, when can you?

Ingredients

50ml Pear Absolut

2 tablespoons of mixed berries

1 tablespoon of simple syrup

crushed ice

100-200mls of soda water

A few mint leaves (optional)

A wedge of Lemon (optional)

Directions

In a tall glass muddle together the vodka, berries, and simple syrup. Fill the glass with crushed ice and then top up with soda water. Garnish with a wedge of lemon and a sprig of mint. Voilà the pearberry vojito!