An intimate soiree with Dita Von Teese and Cointreau at The Victoria Room, Darlinghurst (25 Feb 2013)

Level 1, 235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

http://www.thevictoriaroom.com

Check out more photos on Facebook

A bit of Cointreauversial action

Thanks to Sharonne Lipman from Stellar* Concepts for inviting me to this intimate cocktail event with Cointreau Ambassador Dita Von Teese. I've always been a fan of Cointreau being a versatile spirit for cocktails and tonight three cocktails were served. The Dita Fizz gets my tick as a favourite of the night — ruby red grapefruit has always had great appeal for me and was very easy to drink. The bar was full of paparazzi guests whilst Dita Von Teese demonstrated her cocktail making skills. There was no room to get close as well to the action so I amused myself by taking photos of people taking photos of her which I love doing anyway. I was very impressed with the canapes served. The Grilled prawns were flavoursome and decently sized and the Lemon tarts had great flavour and excellent shortcrust pastry. The Victoria Room sure know how to cook and with such lovely decor makes for a pretty cool function space. Bar manager Luke Hanzlicek was kind enough to make me one of his special cocktails of Poached Fig and Marsala Julep ($14). Great depth of flavours makes it a winner worth recommending others to try if they're a fan of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: It's not every day you get to meet Dita Von Teese and she is very beautiful, Cointreau works very well in cocktails, Very nice canapes, Friendly function staff

CONS: Dita Von Teese is one very popular lady so trying to get a photo of and with her is a challenge even in such a intimate setting

MUST TRY: Dita Fizz, Poached Fig and Marsala Julep

VERDICT: Lovely decor, nice cocktails and tasty canapes makes for a successful event

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Cointreau cocktails are served — one of each please!

Cocktail menu

Dita Fizz
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Cointreau Fizz Classic

Cosmopolitan

Bar manager Luke Hanzlicek (left) preparing some cosmopolitans

Touched by the hand of Dita Von Teese makes it extra special

Paparazzi in full swing

Cointreau lovers

Miss Pia Andersen in her vintage best

DJs in the house

Official photographers shoot out

All smiles with facebook competition winners

Grilled prawns — great flavour and decent size

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Lemon tarts — good flavour and excellent pastry

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Scones — nice texture and flavour
WORTH TRYING :-)

Nightcap courtesy of bar manager Luke Hanzlicek: Poached Fig and Marsala Julep ($14) made with Mount Gay Extra Old Rum, Vedrenne fig liqueur, Marsala, Angostura Bitters, Soda water, Mint leaves and garnish with mint and baby figs marinated with cinnamon and star anise
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Heart shaped nail polish — pretty cool

Goodie bag to make your own Cointreau cocktail at home

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Cocktail recipe: 'Be My Strawberry Appleteaser' (11 Sept 2010)

http://www.preshafood.com.au

Inspired by Dita Von Teese

I was so impressed with the taste of the Preshafruit Valencia that I was curious to try the Apple & Strawberry ($4.99/1 litre) and Apple & Passionfruit ($4.99/1 litre) flavours. The Apple & Strawberry ends up being my preferred one out the two which had a nice balance of apple and strawberry flavour. The passionfruit in the other isn't as noticeable but it does have quite a refreshing taste. The distinctive flavour of the Apple & Strawberry inspired me to create a cocktail using fresh strawberries, Bombay Sapphire Gin and Cointreau. With the Cointreau Global Brand Ambassador Dita Von Teese set to perform her world renowned Be Cointreauversial show in Sydney on 16 September 2010 I've named this cocktail the Be My Strawberry Appleteaser — how awesome would it be to be invited to this VIP special event :-)

For more photos of videos of Dita Von Teese check out:

http://www.ditasdomain.com/cointreau

Be My Strawberry Appleteaser recipe

Makes 2 (or 1 if you're thirsty)

• 4 fresh strawberries or 1 Mutant Strawberry

• 6 fresh mint leaves

• 30 ml Bombay Sapphire Gin (1 shot)

• 30 ml Cointreau (1 shot)

• 120 ml Preshafruit Apple & Strawberry juice (4 shots)

• 6 ice cubes

Muddle strawberries with mint, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cointreau and juice. Add ice and shake vigorously in a boston shaker. Pour and strain into a martini glass. Enjoy!

Alternatively you can blend all ingredients and add a shot of Frangelico as well for extra kick and taste.

Apple & Strawberry ($4.99/1 litre), Apple & Passionfruit ($4.99/1 litre)

Apple & Strawberry ($4.99/1 litre)

Apple and Passionfruit ($4.99/1 litre)

Muddle 4 fresh strawberries, fresh mint, 30 ml Gin, 30 ml Cointreau, 120 ml Preshafruit Apple & Strawberry Juice then shake with ice and strain into martini glass

Be My Strawberry Appleteaser, Bartender Si :-)