This month in-the-spirit
is taking you on a virtual trip of a life time
to downtown Las Vegas. As always with the in-the-spirit
team, this means that we have some amazing cocktail
recipes for you to try out - inspired by the
place often described as the most dynamic and
spectacular city on earth.
Astonishing to imagine that Las Vegas didn’t
even exist at the beginning of the 20th century
and at the start of the 21st century is home to
a mind-blowing one million plus inhabitants. Las
Vegas is not like other cities. It boasts the majority
of the world’s largest hotels to welcome
the astounding 37 million visitors they receive
each year. So much more than just mere hotels,
many are mini fantasy worlds or leisure and entertainment
centres which have their own casinos – places
such as Luxor or the Bellagio.
It’s difficult to imagine that little
more than half a century ago, Las Vegas Boulevard
was
just a dusty desert road. Now known as “The
Strip” it is an incredible 4 mile showcase
of the most over-the-top architecture on the
planet. With its twinkling neon lights and an
enormous
pyramid (Luxor) - which is more than 350 feet
high inside and is the world’s largest
atrium – as
well as a Las Vegas version of an illuminated
Eiffel Tower.
Of course the hotels with their own casinos
want you to gamble during your visit and will
do practically
anything to tempt you in. Once you are inside,
the last thing they want you to do is leave so
you will really have to use your will power to
walk past the rows of one armed bandits and other
tempting table games!
One well known hotel and casino owner said
that “The
only way to make money in a casino is to own one”.
According to the latest figures available 85% of
visitors to Las Vegas gamble losing on average
$665 (just under £400).
As well as gambling – or gaming as Las Vegas
prefers to call it these days as its more PC! – Las
Vegas is recognised as the entertainment capital
of the world for its breathtaking shows. In the
1960’s Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack were
in town and playing at The Sands and
in the 1970’s there were the rhinestone spectacular
performances of Elvis. These days Las Vegas is
host to stunning experiences (far too dull to refer
to them as shows!) by artists such as Celine Dion
and Elton John.
But never mind all that – what about cocktails
I hear you say! Well we’ve got a few ideas
that might tempt you whether you’re in Las
Vegas or having a Las Vegas themed party at home
in the UK. Why not try out a few of these cocktail
recipes and see if you can get in that Las Vegas
mood?
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