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It's funny, I had never tried to make a cocktail with Grenadine, because I thought it would be too much of a hassle to make my own - and why buy when I could easily just make another cocktail that wouldn't require it?

So, this was my first time - and, of course, homemade Grenadine is no hassle at all (I used Pom, not fresh pomegranates). I made enough for this Friday, next Friday, and probably every day in between - and I am very glad, because the Avenue was a huge success here at home. We loved the perfect blend of the Bourbon with the sweetness of the Grenadine and the sweet acidity notes of the passion fruit. It's a weird mix indeed, but works really well!

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Hi Bartender

I’m not having much luck trying to get passion fruit at this time of year. Nothing in Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s or M&S. Not to worry, I’ll put The Avenue on hold for a while. Interesting listening to Bruno here. I use grenadine to make Tequila Sunrise, always a p cocktail although I suppose at the Café Royal they would prefer to use grenadine to mix a Pink Lady. Personally, both of those are a little too sweet for me.

Love this playlist on 11. But thinking of streets, Tobacco Road came to mind (try Bobbie Gentry’s cover) or Ray Charles’ Lonely Avenue, Dylan’s Positively 4th Street or Bruce’s Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. But you played On Green Dolphin Street. This was a tune Miles used a lot in the late 50s, early 60s. To my mind the best work out is on Friday Night At The Blackhawk with a beautiful solo from Wynton Kelly, that was before Herbie joined the band. But if you’re into piano jazz for the bar here, you could try On the Sunny Side Of The Street from Diana Krall… recorded when she was still a jazz piano player.

Piano Jazz. OK, so I know you like bar stories so here’s one. I was in a half-full bar in Aleppo, this was before the rebellion/war in Syria, and there is a brilliant piano player improvising on some great workings of Monk, Ellington, Mingus and so on when suddenly he goes into My Heart Will Go On. As it ends there is the most applause of the evening and I notice the bar has now filled up. “I hate that tune” he says to me, “but they love it – sentimental rubbish!”. I often smile to myself at that incident but wonder what happened to that guy given events in Syria.

Stay safe now

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Any excuse to break out the calvados... I went half and half with the bourbon and really enjoyed this. Great playlist too 👍

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For all Apple Music users out there - here is this week's playlist:

https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/the-spirits-week-11/pl.u-e98lo4mhZWzD36

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Some of the names of the discarded cocktails are brilliant. I wonder what's in a Gin and Gin?

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