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Sous Vide in Cocktails.

February 18, 2016 By moodtherapist Leave a Comment

Sous vide in cocktails raspberry and pine tip gin by Mood Therapist

I’ve been using sous vide in cocktails ever since i got my shiny new Nomiku immersion circulator fresh from their successful Kickstarter campaign in 2012. Over the years I have found additional uses for it in addition to what struck me as obvious – the slow cooking of syrups to create a greater depth of flavour. After I created the Marouni in 2015, the good folk at Nomiku saw it on my Instagram account and contacted me to see if I would write a guest blog for them on sous vide in cocktails.

Of course I said yes. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Cocktails, Media, Nomiku, Sous Vide

Journey to Undiscovered World: Molecular Mixologist – Vinaboo Magazine November 2015

November 15, 2015 By moodtherapist Leave a Comment

Art of Drink. Undiscovered Worlds: molecular Mixologist Richard McDonough - the Mood Therapist Vinaboo article

I made the Japanese language press in Vietnam… Above is a snapshot of the original. Following is a translation of the article courtesy of the writer, Ayako Ishikawa.

Art of Drink

Journey to Undiscovered World:
Molecular Mixologist – Mr. Richard McDonough

Recently I heard about a British “Molecular Mixologist” who offers futuristic cocktail in luxury hotel restaurants and private parties for executives.

What is mixologist? Unlike bartender, a mixologist prepares any house-made syrups, tinctures, or other ingredients, therefore he is also called “bar chef”. Molecular Mixologist mix cocktail ingredients on the molecular level using the scientific techniques and tools, such as centrifuge and nitrous oxide, liquid nitrogen etc…

Luckily I had a chance to taste the futuristic cocktail of Mr. Richard McDonough. Here are some “Molecular” cocktails that knocked on the door of my heart! (for more info: www.moodtherapist.com)

Experience of Princess Ann

“Peach Shampagne”

Cachaca based sparkling cocktail, blended with clarified peach juice, Phu Quoc pepper tincture, tartaric acid, lactic acid.

Fusion of fruity peach and tangy pepper gives very “sexy” impression. This refreshing cocktail captures the essence of joyful summer. It is a color of peachy sunset sky. Very romantic one!

Luxury of Caribbean Cruise

“Maroued on a Dessert Island”

Rum-based bittersweet dessert cocktail, blended with Marou chocolate cocoa-nibs and homemade vanilla butter syrup. Combined with fresh lime scent, rich cocoa aroma brings extremely sensual flavor. Touch of the earthy soil, wind and sun of tropical island takes you to the Caribbean beach. Enjoy the crystal clear blue sky and sea.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Cocktails, Media, Vinaboo Magazine

Molecular Night at French Grill – VietNam News Article Describes Mood Therapist as ‘Expert’

October 5, 2015 By moodtherapist Leave a Comment

‘Molecular Gastronomy’ arrives in the capital

Molecular Night at the French Grill with the Mood Therapist, Rich McDonough
French Grill restaurant inside the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi will host its third “Molecular Night” this evening, giving diners the opportunity to taste foods and drinks that are paired according to the principles of molecular gastronomy. — Photo JW Marriott

HA NOI (VNS)— French Grill restaurant inside the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi will host its third “Molecular Night” this evening, giving diners the opportunity to taste foods and drinks that are paired according to the principles of molecular gastronomy.

The unique dining concept has appeared elsewhere in the world, but it is new to Viet Nam. A limited number of 12 guests will have the opportunity to sample eight dishes and eight cocktails.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: French Grill, Media

My Day with Dior – L’Officiel Magazine Article September 2015

October 1, 2015 By moodtherapist Leave a Comment

Media Coverage of the Mood Therapist (Rich McDonough) featured in L'Officiel Magazine at Christian Dior event

My Day with Dior – L’Officiel Magazine September 2015

Leading fashion magazine, L’Officiel, did a spread on the My Day with Dior event at the Ly Club in Ho Chi Minh City.  Amongst the photos is a spiffily dressed Mood Therapist knocking out a selection of cocktails for Christian Dior’s VIP Clients. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Christian Dior, Cocktails, Events, Media Tagged With: Dior, L'Officiel, Media Coverage, Moet et Chandon

Weird Science: Molecular Night at French Grill – Word Vietnam October 2015

October 1, 2015 By moodtherapist Leave a Comment

Word Vietnam Article 'Weird Science' October 2015 - Mood Therapist, Rich McDonough

 

Weird Science

What do you get when you put together an experimental chef and a self-styled mood therapist? Something explosive. Words by Nick Ross. Photos by Vu Bao Khanh

At the start of September, photos circulated around the Hanoi online ether of two men dressed up in nuclear reactor-style protective clothing. Surrounded by smoke and with a large canister of liquid nitrogen in the background, the men were compared by some to characters in the TV series, Breaking Bad.

But these were no former high-school chemistry teachers, no Walter Whites. Instead, the man in the glasses is the chef de cuisine of the JW Marriott, Raphael Szurek, and the guy with the Fidel Castro-like beard is Richard McDonough, a modernist cocktail maker or, as he likes to call himself, a mood therapist. Together they were teaming up to create probably the most unusual dinner ever seen in Vietnam — Molecular Night

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Centrifuge Clarified, Cocktails, French Grill, Media, Spherification

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