I was recently introduced to this cocktail at the lobby bar in The London Edition. I recalled from previous visits that the bartenders there are fantastic mixologists, and I asked for something off menu. After a large fanfare of measuring, shaking, and pouring, the bartender handed me an East 8 Hold Up - a delicious cocktail with a rather amusing story.
This cocktail has a vodka base with passion fruit syrup and fresh pineapple. It is fruity, refreshing, tangy, and bitter-sweet. The lobby bar's bartender said that the key to making their version extra-tasty is to use pieces of fresh pineapple rather than juice. So that's exactly what we're going to do!
The East 8 Hold Up was created in 2010 in London by Kevin Armstrong of Milk & Honey. He lived in an area of London called E8 that had its share of unsavoury characters, and muggings were common. After a night out, Kevin parted ways with friend Sam Jeveons, who stopped to relieve his bladder on the way home, pants down around his ankles.
A mugger approached from behind, stepped on Sam's pants and demanded that he hand over his wallet. Things didn't go to plan as this hold up ended with Sam chasing the mugger down the street, pants still around his ankles and belt wrapped around his fist. Kevin decided to name his cocktail creation after that memorable evening.
How to make an East 8 Hold Up
Supplies you will need:
To make this cocktail you will need a cocktail shaker, a muddler, and a cocktail strainer.
I used this:
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Directions:
Take about two tablespoons of diced, fresh pineapple and use your muddler to press it into a purée.
Measure all of the other ingredients (vodka, Aperol, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and passion fruit syrup) into your cocktail shaker, along with the pineapple purée and some ice cubes. Shake very well, then strain it into an ice-filled cocktail glass.
If you are making two there is enough room in a cocktail shaker for both. Just double the ingredients to save on time.
I garnished my cocktails with wedges of juicy pineapple and bright flowers to go with the cocktail's delicious, tropical flavours. The true-to-recipe garnishing is a pineapple and lime wedge.
Cheers! And don't get caught with your pants around your ankles.
For another destination based cocktail, check out my Bahamas Rum Punch and prepare to be instantly transported to a beach with sand between your toes.
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East 8 Hold Up
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: British
Description
This delicious cocktail from London, England, is vodka-based with passion fruit and fresh pineapple. The result is fruity, refreshing, tangy, and bitter-sweet.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh pineapple, diced
1 ½ oz (45 ml) vodka
½ oz (15 ml) Aperol
½ oz (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
¼ oz (7.5 ml) simple syrup
⅙ oz (1.88 ml) passion fruit syrup
Instructions
Muddle pineapple pieces into a purée.
Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker along with some ice cubes and shake very well.
Strain into an ice-filled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a pineapple wedge and lime wedge, or optionally add some colourful flowers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 51
- Sugar: 11.6 g
- Sodium: 6 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20.4 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: east 8 hold up
Kate Smith says
Great cocktail! So tropical with the perfect balance of tart and sweet
Asha says
Thank you Kate!
Marie M says
Love this drink
Asha says
Thanks 🙂 me too!
Jodie says
Perfection
Asha says
Thank you! Such a great drink for summertime
Natalie says
Cool dirnk
Asha says
Thanks! I thought so too
Reece says
Great flavour
Asha says
Thanks!
Wanda says
This tangy darling made my evening. First time trying this drink but won't be the last.
Asha says
Thanks! It's become a regular of mine as well 🙂
Mario says
Thanks for sharing. Great tasting drink.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Denise says
Ahhhhh this drink was a lovely way to start my evening. Revives the weary soul.
Asha says
Thank you, it's such a lovely cocktail ❤️
Kate says
Delicious drink.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Hope says
A perfect drink to end my evening.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂