In hard times, going out becomes a special occasion and quality must make up for quantity. Ironically, it is in times like these that good taste and subtlety replace the vulgarity of extravagance and excess. Small pockets of sophistication, like the Lucky Shaker cocktail bar in Umhlanga, spring up to meet this need, heralding a golden age of cocktailing."We try to create drinks that bring out an emotional response in our guests or let them connect our cocktails with a fond memory that takes them back to a place they have been before," says owner Michael Stephenson. The small team at Lucky Shaker pour time and passion into their cocktails. Each drink is perfectly balanced and mixed to complement the seasons."This was a drink we created for our winter menu to embrace all the wonderfully warm flavours and spices that bring comfort during the colder weather," writes Stephenson of this hearty masterpiece, the Royal Affair."We start off by poaching forelle pears in red wine with some all-spice, cinnamon and star anise to allow the flavours to mingle. Once the pears are nice and tender we remove them and puree them. We leave the red wine to reduce, further intensifying the flavour while the alcohol burns off."The end result is a tasty drink with layers of delicious winter flavours that has a very attractive, regal purple colour. The Royal Affair is a glass of wintery liquid nostalgia."ROYAL AFFAIR35 ml Tanqueray gin15 ml ginger syrup15 ml lemon juice25 ml red wine reduction35 ml poached pear pureeShake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with slices of pear.Lucky Shaker, 9B Mayfair On The Lake, 5 Park Lane, Parkside, Umhlanga, 078-450-6751..