Stray creates International Women’s Day menu

Manchester bar Stray, which opened at the end of 2023, has created a cocktail menu to showcase some of the city’s most talented female bartenders.

Ten drinks have been created by 10 women: Ava Plottu from Erst; Ellen Roberts, Stray; Deana Ferguson, Red Light; Liza Kholodna, Schofield’s Bar; Gabriela Casado, Blinker; Eve Cairns, Hawksmoor; Natasha Lynskey, The Jane Eyre; Fran Cruse, Stray; Becky Davies, Pod Pea Vodka; and Manjari Kesavan, 10 Tib Lane.

As well as showcasing female talent, 20% of takings from the menu will be donated to 42nd Street’s Women’s Group, a local charity providing free mental health services to young people.

Cruse of Stray said: “On a recent trip to Mexico City, we were struck by the number of women who owned, ran and worked in the top bars in the city.

“Manchester has so many incredible females in the industry, however we couldn’t help but feel their presence here is a little less prominent.

“With that in mind, we thought we’d use International Women’s Day to work with women and brands across the city who we know and love to create a menu that champions their skill and passion.”

Roberts has created Ellen’s Martini, which is served ‘bone dry’ with a twist and a side of wasabi peas. Davies has served up the Peas & Cu’s cocktail, which features Pod Pea Vodka, sugar, lime, muddled mint peas and cucumber, and soda.

The Hushed Tone cocktail, created by Kholodna, comprises Tapatio Tequila, Schofield’s dry vermouth, fino sherry, passion fruit, bitters and absinthe.

The menu will be available at Stray from 4 to 10 March.