A toast to Dick Bradsell

Words by Simon Difford

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Dick Bradsell, the creator of the Bramble, Russian Spring Punch and the Espresso Martini was the 20th century's most important bartender. He taught and inspired a generation of British bartenders who continue the cocktail resurgence he helped start. Most of all, Dick was our friend and yesterday many of his friends gathered in New Orleans and London to toast him with an Espresso Martini.

One of the many aspiring bartenders Dick supported is Mia Johansson, who, with her partner Bobby Hiddleston, runs Swift in London's Soho. With the help of Grey Goose vodka, yesterday Bobby and Mia served Espresso Martinis to over 300 people who spilled out of a tiny pop-up bar onto the New Orleans sun-drenched street outside to toast Dick.

Dick famously created what was then called the Vodka Espresso at London's Soho Brasserie in 1983 when a customer asked him for a drink to "wake her up, and f@@k her up." Remembering this, Mia led the toast by shouting "Wake me up" to which the crowd yelled back "f@@k me up". This was repeated and finished with a toast to Dick of Grey Goose Espresso Martinis.

Meanwhile back in London at Swift, Bea, Dick's daughter, led the chant and toast to the crowd who gathered there. All proceeds from the sale of the Grey Goose Espresso Martinis at Swift are being donated to the The Benevolent, the drinks industry charity. Grey Goose will also be matching the amount raised and also donating this to the Benevolent.

On behalf of The Benevolent, we'd like to thank Grey Goose and all who worked so hard to make this live streamed transatlantic toast possible, including Jose Prelate, yesterday's bar back in New Orleans.

Wake me up
F@@k me up
Wake me up
F@@k me up
Cheers Dick

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