Explosive cocktail

18/08/2010 10:12:00 a.m.

Make cocktails, not war.

WHEN a huge artillery shell was delivered to Calem Chadwick’s home last week, the courier looked at him sideways.
“Don’t ask,” Chadwick said as he signed for the delivery
The award-winning barman has devised an ingenious way for Wellingtonian’s to get fired up for after-work-drinks at the Matterhorn.
He’s going to turn the artillery shell into two cocktail blazer mugs for patrons to drink from.
The top gun, who finished third at this year’s Cocktail World Cup and is ranked as one of the top five bartenders in New Zealand, is proud of his explosive concoction.
The 42 Gun Salute cocktail is made with real gunpowder infused rum, and took top prize at the 42 Below New Zealand Cocktail World Cup in February.
“The idea came to me when I was at my family home and I noticed we had an old artillery shell outside that we used to hold umbrellas. I took a closer look and I felt it was the perfect shape to make some blazer shakers from,” he says.
Chadwick’s parents, two sisters and two brothers in law have all served in the NZ Army.
This military connection inspired him to dedicate the cocktail to the NZ Army.
In response to this the Army provided Chadwick with an old 150mm brass artillery shell.
The mugs will also have a family connection. His brother in law has given him two Operation Enduring Freedom US war coins he was awarded for serving in Afghanistan, which Chadwick plans to attach to the mugs.
“It makes me proud. They will be melted down and included in the body and handles of the mugs.
“I will be using them in the bar but they will be attached to me at all times,” Chadwick says.
Chadwick adds he would love to see his cocktail served at official army functions.
“If it’s something they were willing to take on I don’t see why not. The drink is a tribute to them [after all],” he says.
For the record, Chadwick has no plans to sign up, and would rather “fix the world with some friendly chat and a good drink”.

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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

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