The River House is such a Stirling classic. I’ve been to countless family birthdays, anniversary dinners and the like here. I didn’t, however, have it pegged as a cocktail destination. Having been taken over recently by new management, the place has had a much needed spruce up, lovely happy staff and a brand new cocktail menu!

Myself and a couple of other Stirling bloggers were invited along for a Cocktail Masterclass with our very own mixologist, Liam. There was no sitting back and letting him do all the work though, he put a glass of ice cold prosecco in our hands and told us to get thinking about which cocktails we’d like to make.

I chose a Passion Fruit Mojito and my all time favourite, Espresso Martini. Sadly my recent inability to have any kind of strong caffeine meant that I made a decaf one, but it still tasted really bloody good if I do say so myself. (Any of the following photos featuring me are the handiwork of Gail (thanks!))

Liam was absolutely fantastic at hosting, he was happy to let us change ingredients and get stuck into every stage of making them. I worked in bars and restaurants for years so I have full cocktail training, slightly unfair advantage I guess, but the other girls were first timers and loved it!

Even if you don’t go for a cocktail, the food is bloody fantastic and very reasonable. As it was a Sunday, I went for the classic steak pie and mash which was cracking. I’d also been in a few weeks before for a meeting and got my hands on the duck shepherd’s pie – absolutely sensational. The whole place is based on an old Scottish crannog set in a beautiful little man-made loch with some local residents floating about hoping for a spare bit of pastry. (Don’t worry, they don’t cook the locals…)

Give them a call to book a Cocktail Masterclass, it’s an ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon or for a girly hen party! 01786 465 577 or book online riverhousestirling.co.uk

Make sure you check our their blog on their website too, I’m thinking of making them honorary members of my Stirling Bloggers group!

My vlog of the evening is here 🙂