Marvellous mocktails at The Pink Lady rooftop bar
The Pink Lady, Roof Top Bar at The Muse Hotel, Christchurch
LOCATION
Christchurch, New Zealand
VENUE
Rooftop Bar
TREND
Mixology
MAPPING
Beverage, Bar
When it comes to mocktails, sip happens!
It never ceases to amaze me how innovative mocktails can be. We may think we know it all, but in reality, there’s always something new to learn. The Pink Lady crew gave me an impromptu explanation of their current mocktails. I was inspired on new approaches I could take, and ingredients and garnishes I could try. The next time you’re in a bar; why not take time to chat to the bar people, ask questions and update your currency.
the pink lady
Level 7 and 8, The Muse Hotel
159 Manchester Street
Christchurch, New Zealand
Ph: (64) 3 365 0373
Location Location Location
The Pink Lady occupied two levels; dining downstairs and bar on the rooftop. While food was also available upstairs, the vibe tended to be more bar and music. The space was light and airy with great views across the city and surrounding hills. Cool crisp breezes on the outdoor areas created a fresh zone to fill your lungs and, relax and enjoy the views. Inside long bench seats and cushions lined the wall allowing guests to lay back, relax, and take in the city views.
Prime roof top position on level 7 and 8
The bar and an amazing view
Indoors, small tables are preset with the bar menu, cocktail lists, water and glasses.
Reserved tables are secured with a playing card with the guest name and arrival time written on the back.
Outdoor veranda tables located along the outer edge offer a quieter location with ambient South Island temperatures.
The bar menu offers a range of small plates such as; olives, calamari, breads, and arancini.
Behind every great cocktail is a great mocktail
The Pink Lady can also be the mistress
The Pink Lady is one of the bar's signature cocktails and bears the name of the venue. This shaken cocktail uses vodka and dry vermouth as the base spirits, along with strawberry for flavour, citrus to counter the sweetness, and egg white to create that luscious foam. To finish, it's spectacularly garnished with skewered candy floss! For those wanting a non-alcoholic vibe the Pink Lady becomes the Pink Mistress. Still shaken, but the vodka and dry vermouth is replaced with cranberry juice.
Pricing point: The Pink Lady is NZ $21 and the Pink Mistress (pictured) is NZ $14.
A new take on the Mojito
Another crowd favourite, the Mojito, shared the limelight with its alter ego, The No-jito. Built on ice in a high ball glass, this rendition replaced the alcohol with apple juice before adding the expected, lime, mint and soda. This tasted really nice and was a refreshing non-alcoholic take of the Mojito.
The Mocktail with Passion was true to its name giving a fresh burst of flavour based on passionfruit with pineapple, lime and vanilla. Served in a rock glass this mocktail was subtle and light. Dehydrated pineapple was the garnish, along with sprinkles of dried raspberry that gave bursts of pinky red that looked beautiful against the yellow.
Pricing point: Mocktail with Passion and The No-jito are both NZ $14
Source: Craft Cocktail Infusions
Stephen's Take
With a roof top location and great views across the city, The Pink Lady sets the scene as a great venue to visit, to relax, and enjoy food and drink with friends. But one suggestion if you want to take the teacher currency option; book a table early before everyone arrives, chat to the bar people, watch them make your drinks, ask them questions and take some photos. Being non-alcoholic, the prices were reasonable, the bar wasn't busy, so it was quite simple to relax, chat, taste and learn.
Stephen
Unit of Competency Mapping
Operate a bar
Prepare and serve non-alcohol beverages
Prepare and serve cocktails
Source and use information on the hospitality industry
Please note; the purpose of this article is to introduce current hospitality trends. The content broadly applies to the units of competency listed. It is not intended that all content in this article maps directly to all performance evidence and knowledge evidence in the unit of competency.
Article and photos original by Stephen Duncan