Muddy Stilettos

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="782" height="1006" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2592.jpg" alt="Rythmik Cocktails Co-founder on decks Antosh Samek" class="wp-image-74881" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2592.jpg 782w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2592-466x600.jpg 466w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2592-777x1000.jpg 777w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_2592-408x525.jpg 408w" sizes="(max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px" /></figure>



Oh we do love a drinks producers/ mixologist, here at Muddy. Why? They have great taste in drinks, never come to your house empty handed and know how to throw a party. Case in point, Antosh Samek co-founder, recipe maker and playlist curator of Rythmik Cocktails. 



Antosh has been a long-term Muddy collaborator, from his days as owner of a Marlow bar to his reincarnation as cocktail maestro. <a href="https://rythmik.co.uk">Rythmik Cocktails</a> was an idea born in 2020 (shh, we don&#8217;t mention the C word) – producing bar quality cocktails at time when no one was going out, but wanting to fill the void. Realising there&#8217;s more to creating a piña colada, negroni or margarita [insert fave cocktail here] than vigorously shaking and stirring, the business took off. We&#8217;ve sampled the lot and totally recommend Rythmik as your gateway to good times. Try the pink grapefruit Pampelita Margarita or It&#8217;s A London Thing, a zesty gin cocktail for summer vibes. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rythmik-review-4-scaled-1-e1689849108436.jpg" alt="Rythmik Cocktails Pampilta Margarita" class="wp-image-74850" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rythmik-review-4-scaled-1-e1689849108436.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rythmik-review-4-scaled-1-e1689849108436-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rythmik-review-4-scaled-1-e1689849108436-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/rythmik-review-4-scaled-1-e1689849108436-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Grab a bottle and sample for yourself, but in the meantime, dive into our new quick-fire feature where drinks producers reveal where and what they love to drink, top tips and weird moments. Ready Antosh? Annnd, go!



Your first job in the drinks biz?&nbsp;



Working for Bacardi Brown Forman, working with some of the best bars in the country&nbsp;with brands such as Woodford Reserve, Grey Goose Vodka and Bombay Sapphire. Work trips and parties were incredible!



Career highlight?&nbsp;



Opening up my own bar in 2011 [the legendary Claytons in Marlow]. I closed it last year after 11 years to focus on Rythmik Cocktails but I achieved everything I wanted from it (including being awarded the Best Bar in Bucks-Oxon Muddy Awards).



Sum up your drinks philosophy?&nbsp;



Taste your way to your favourites. Just because it comes in a fancy bottle, it doesn’t mean it tastes good. Also, just because other people like it, doesn’t mean you have to.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1413" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Norman-Jay-MBE-at-Claytons-Marlow-scaled-e1689856953432.jpg" alt="Norman Jay MBE at Claytons Marlow" class="wp-image-74867" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Norman-Jay-MBE-at-Claytons-Marlow-scaled-e1689856953432.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Norman-Jay-MBE-at-Claytons-Marlow-scaled-e1689856953432-600x565.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Norman-Jay-MBE-at-Claytons-Marlow-scaled-e1689856953432-1000x942.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Norman-Jay-MBE-at-Claytons-Marlow-scaled-e1689856953432-557x525.jpg 557w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Most memorable moment at work?&nbsp;



Following Norman Jay MBE to DJ at my own bar in front of a capacity crowd (and keeping them dancing waaay past closing time).



It’s a lock in, which famous names are you propping up the bar with?&nbsp;



To be honest, I’d much prefer it to just be me and my mates BUT if it had to be celebrities, a lock in for me has to be about the music and dancing so…



<ul><li>Jazzy Jeff on the decks – he’s an incredible DJ.</li><li>Natalie Imbruglia&nbsp;&nbsp;&#8211; I always fancied her from her Neighbours days and she can sing.</li><li>Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement from Flight of the Concordes. They&#8217;re hilarious and can get involved in the music.</li><li>Romesh Ranganathan – he’s hilarious and loves his hip-hop.</li><li>Lizzo – she looks like fun.</li></ul>



What&#8217;s your celebration tipple?&nbsp;



If I didn’t drink them so quickly it would be margaritas using a Reposado Tequila with a hint of mezcal (no salt on the rim).&nbsp;If I was really pushing the boat out, I’d go for Perrier Jouet Champagne.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DeadRabbitNYC_EventSpace-18.jpg" alt="DEAD RABBIT COCKTAI BAR NEW YORK USA" class="wp-image-74846" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DeadRabbitNYC_EventSpace-18.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DeadRabbitNYC_EventSpace-18-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DeadRabbitNYC_EventSpace-18-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DeadRabbitNYC_EventSpace-18-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption>Dead Rabbit NYC</figcaption></figure>



Best bar you’ve ever visited?&nbsp;



Dead Rabbit Bar in New York! At the time it had recently won Best Cocktail Bar in the World. I literally stared at the bartenders for four hours watching them make their incredible cocktails. I don’t think my wife enjoyed it as much as me.



What’s on your boozy bucket list?&nbsp;



I’d love to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Music and cocktails. Perfect mix.



What&nbsp;drink deserves more appreciation?



A classic daiquiri, everyone goes for the strawberry ones but I like tasting the rum. I used to make one at the bar with Karisimbi Spiced Rum, fresh lime juice and cane sugar syrup which was way too easy to drink. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="981" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rythmik-Cocktails-pampelita-e1691414617169.jpg" alt="Rythmik Cocktails pampelita" class="wp-image-75758" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rythmik-Cocktails-pampelita-e1691414617169.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rythmik-Cocktails-pampelita-e1691414617169-600x589.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Rythmik-Cocktails-pampelita-e1691414617169-535x525.jpg 535w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Most overrated drink, and the better alternative?&nbsp;



Pimm’s – no amount of fruit salad can mask how bad it tastes. If you want a simple summery drink with fruit in it I’d go for a Lillet Rose Spritz. Equal parts Lillet Rosé and soda in a large wine glass with loads of ice, a slice of pink grapefruit and a strawberry. Or, in all honesty, our Pampelita Margarita tends to be our Summer drink of choice at home. I replaced some of the tequila with a red grapefuit aperitif to make it lighter and more refreshing for warm Summer days. Again, ice and a wedge of grapefruit is all you need to serve. Much better!



What country do you want to explore just for the drinks?&nbsp;



Mexico – just to sample loads of tequilas and mezcals and drink lots of margaritas. I’ve done a lot of travelling, particularly around South America, but never quite made it over there.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MarlowNegroni_061222_2048x.png" alt="RYTHMIK PRE MIXED COCKTAIL MARLOW NEGRONI" class="wp-image-74869" /></figure>



Favourite holiday drink?&nbsp;



I love sitting by the pool and sipping on an ice cold Negroni. That’s probably how this all came about as I would buy some gin, vermouth and Campari, mix it all together and put a bottle in the freezer. That or a Pina Colada.



Favourite bar gadget?&nbsp;



I’m probably the last person to ask about gadgets. I do love my Victorinox peeler.



Favourite ingredient?&nbsp;



Pomegranate molasses. I just love anything it’s in. It&#8217;ll feature in our next cocktail.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1707" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-scaled.jpg" alt="Cocktails" class="wp-image-74882" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-400x600.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Claytons05.11-291-350x525.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 1707px) 100vw, 1707px" /></figure>



You one cocktail tip?&nbsp;



Boozier doesn’t mean better. It’s all about the balance. Also, the better quality the ingredients, the better the cocktail.



Best hangover cure?&nbsp;



Sleep and Fruit Pastel lollies.



<a href="https://rythmik.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rythmik Cocktails</a>

Drinks on me: Antosh Samek of Rythmik Cocktails

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