Cocktail’s Brian Flanagan named best TV barman

Dec. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Ultimate 80s character Brian Flanagan played by Tom Cruise has been named the nation’s all time favourite barman claiming 42% of the vote in a poll* conducted Dirty Martini which has premier cocktail bars located in Covent Garden and newly opened Hanover Square.

The top five TV barmen to grace the silver screen:
1.   Brian Flanagan (Tom Cruise) in Cocktail
2.   Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson) in Cheers
3.   Costas (Tom Conti) in Shirley Valentine
4.   Lil (Maria Bello) in Coyote Ugly
5.   Fat Sam (John Cassisi) in Bugsy Malone

Un - happy Hour
Lloyd (Joe Turkel) in the Shining and  Bob (Jeff Morris) in Blues Brothers trail behind the other classic cocktail-makers with 4 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.

Cocktails & Dreams
Like the expert mixologist and flairer Brian Flanagan the team at Dirty Martini are focused on offering customers a delectable combination of classic and modern cocktails with a twist taking changing cocktail tastes into consideration.  Dirty Martini’s research shows that Brits have broken with tradition and prefer their martinis shaken and not stirred.  In addition, three-quarters (76 per cent) would prefer an alternative with a modern twist.  To keep the legacy of the ultimate classic cocktail – the Dirty Martini alive, mixologists have developed the formula for the perfect martini**, based on changing tastes:


Matt Greenwood, general manager of Dirty Martini said, “We have many aspiring stars as part of our team at Dirty Martini, with each team member knowing the latest tricks of the trade and we’re not surprised that the classic Tom Cruise character has topped the poll, he’s always the first barman that springs to mind.  The research does show is that the cocktails and bar skills play a pivotal role in cinema, with so many memorable scenes taking place behind the bar. It’s when characters impress their clientele, create some real masterpieces and can be seen at their most relaxed and this paves the way for some truly unforgettable movie moments.”

“It’s fascinating to see that martini tastes are evolving – a third (36 per cent) of under 25s claim to prefer a modern martini to the classic one and the desire for the drink to be shaken and not stirred – perhaps due to the influence of film and TV shows.  It is exactly because of this that we have such a vast array of modern twists on the classic drink available at Dirty Martini, such as the Hey-Berry and Sunset Martinis and we offer to make the classic dirty martini either stirred or shaken according to customer taste”.

The Perfect Martini, now being trialled by Dirty Martini:

What you need:
50ml vodka
20ml vermouth
Ice
Olive to garnish
Chilled martini glass

Method:

•   Ensure that your martini glass has been in the freezer for at least an hour so that it is completely chilled.
•   Add the vodka and vermouth to a cocktail shaker and fill it up with ice.
•   Shake for 10-15 seconds – this will chill the drink to around four degrees centigrade as well as melt the ice, which will water the cocktail down slightly.
•   Strain the drink in to a chilled martini glass.
•   Garnish with an olive.

* The research, carried out by YourSayPays, polled 2,000 people from across the UK.
** Formula was calculated by Roger Bird, Mathematician from Andrell Education.

ENDS

Defining the variables

P - This represents the proportions of the different types of alcohol that could be included in the martini. These proportions would be represented as decimals, e.g. if 30% of the martini included vermouth, then Pve would be replaced by 0.3 in the formula.
Based on the research questions, the different proportions that should be considered are:
Pvo = proportion of vodka in the martini
Pve = proportion of vermouth in the martini
NOTE: These proportions would be expressed as decimals and therefore Pvo+ Pve=1

C - This represents the cost of the vodka that is included in the martini.
1≤ Cvo ≤5 represents the cost of the vodka, e.g. if Cvo=5, then this is using the most expensive vodka! Likewise, if Cvo=1, then this is using the cheapest vodka!

t – This Represents the temperature at which the martini is served where 1≤ t ≤3
NOTE: The closer to 3, the colder the martini, e.g. if t=1, then the martini is served at room temperature with no ice, t=2, slightly chilled with ice cubes and if t=3, then the martini is served cold with no ice cubes.

s - Shaken or stirred? If shaken then s=2 and if stirred s=1

OL - Have olives been included in the martini? If yes, then OL=0.5, if not then OL=0.
NOTE: (Optional) If the martini contains olive brine as well as olives then OL=1.2 rather than 1

Calculations:

Martini: Vodka + Vermouth + Olives + Shaken
Let:
t=3
PVO=0.7, CVO=2 and PVE=0.3
OL=0.5
S=2

Substituting into the formula with these values:

First the ‘bit above the line’   = 3 x {[0.7 x 2] + √ [0.3 + 0.5]} 2
= 3 x [1.4 + √ [0.8] 2
                                                               = 3 x [2.29443]2
                                                               = 3 x 5.2644
                                                               = 15.7932
And ‘the bit below the line’ = 3.142 x 2 = 6.284

Therefore the final answer or PMF is 15.7932 ÷ 6.284 = 2.51 (2 decimal places)

For more information contact dirtymartini@lucre.co.uk / 020 8332 9690

Notes to Editors
Dirty Martini has premier cocktail bars in Covent Garden and Hanover Square, both of which are amongst London’s top bar destinations for a stylish and sophisticated night out. The bars offer a stunning range of exquisite cocktails in a chic ‘New York’ atmosphere as well as a fantastic range of champagnes, wines, beers and spirits. Guests are treated to free entry and regular, generous happy hours.

Hanover Square hours are 4pm till late daily. Conveniently located in Hanover Square, Dirty Martini is within walking distance of both Oxford Circus and Bond Street tube stations.  

Covent Garden hours are 5pm – 1am Monday to Wednesday; 5pm – 3am Thursday to Saturday; 5pm – 11pm Sunday. Dirty Martini Covent Garden is within walking distance of Covent Garden and Charing Cross tube stations, opposite the Royal London Opera.

Dirty Martini is part of the CG Restaurants group of companies which also operates Fire & Stone restaurants in London - Covent Garden, Westfield and Spitalfields – and Portsmouth, Tuttons restaurant in Covent Garden.

For more information please visit www.dirtymartini.uk.com or www.cgrestaurants.com.