Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with Tony Abou-Ganim and Dale DeGroff (a.k.a King Cocktail). These are two of the greatest, world renowned and innovative mixologists on the planet, and very cool cats to boot.

Dale was Head Bartender at the world famous Rainbow Room in Manhatten. Tony was the original Beverage Manager of the $1.7 billion dollar Ballagio Casino in Las Vegas and that doesn't even touch the sides of their illustrious careers in bartending. They both now are International Spokesmen for Finlandia Vodka.

The following cocktail is something Tony whipped up for us on arrival to their vodka master class.

Ingredients:

45 ml Finlandia Lime Vodka

30 ml Chambord

45 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice

12-14 spearmint leaves

4 fresh blackberries

Method:

Muddle mint and 2 blackberries with Chambord in boston glass. Add Finlandia Lime Fusion and lime juice, fill shaker with ice and shake well.

Double strain into a cracked ice filled double old fashioned glass.

Garnish with remaining two blackberries and a fresh spearmint sprig dusted with a little icing sugar.