Read my newer blog for my 2018 experience further below.
Do you love cocktails? Do you love Breaking Bad (or hate it)? Do you love RV’s? Do you love having fun? then look no further as ABQ covers it all.
ABQ 2017
The RV
When I arrived at the location I see this massive white RV van and a double decker bus. I stand there thinking am I in the right place as there is no sign on the RV stating it’s ABQ then all of a sudden this man in a yellow plastic suit comes jumping out of the RV’s door saying “you here to cook bitch’s”. I initially thought how rude but then my friend explained to me that the word Bitches is said a lot in Break Bad and one of Jesse’s favourite words. I have not watched Breaking Bad at all so she had to explain other phrases to me throughout the night but even though I have never seen Breaking Bad and did not get the phrases it did not make a difference to the epic time I had.
Let’s cook b****’s
So I stepped into the RV and it was like a Dr Who’s Tardis so much bigger on the inside. The first thing that hit my eyes is the huge neon sign of the main characters face of Breaking Bad Walter White. I was sat at table two along with my four friends. On the barrels (our seats for the night) was a yellow suit each, they felt a bit sticky but I embraced the experience and put the suit on. The barrels are a cool concept however throughout the night they did start to feel quite uncomfortable on the legs and bum as the cushion upon them was wafer thin.
Along with the suits there are gas masks and goggles hanging up that you can wear which was fun especially the gas mask. I felt tempted taking one home so I can use it for home when I use my stinky washing machine or when my husband lets rip. For our welcome drink we were given a mojito in a science flask with a plastic syringe full of blue liquid. Not being able to contain my excitement, I injected some of this blue liquid into my mouth instead of the flask then the rest into my drink. The blue liquid changes my mojito obviously blue. The drink was sweet and tasted great but I absolutely enjoyed it for it’s fun aspect.
Next stage was choosing my first cocktail from the two of the night as you get to cook by yourself. There are six cocktails to choose from one containing Vodka, one Gin, two Whisky, one Mezcal and one Tequila type cocktail.
The menu has just been updated with three new cocktails however I would have liked to have seen more Vodka and Gin ones. Me and my friends all had different cocktails so when the bar tender came over with our flasks, needles, even rice krispies, etc there was so much going on with the table it felt like we were in a science lab or in Heston Blumenthal’s kitchen.
Walter Jr Breakfast
I chose the Walter Jr Breakfast as I really like Vodka also it looked the most fun. I mean what other cocktail do you know that comes with rice krispies. My cocktail consisted of Kahlua, Almond Milk, Cinnamon and Vodka with a side serving of Orange and Vodka. I had a measuring beaker, flask with dry ice in it, a cork with a pipe, bowl of cereal, spoon, small bottle containing Cinnamon liquid, and a milk bottle with the Almond Milk in it. The bar tender explained what to do but with everything going on and so much happening on my table I forgot what he said and I panicked and asked him not to leave me but he could not stay with me but instead he provided me with an instruction leaflet instead which was a relief as I seriously forgot what he explained I had to do. The instructions were laid out well and clear but even so I managed to miss out the first step of pouring the milk onto my cereal. Maybe the welcome drink had effected my brain already or I was just over excited. I measured out some hot water and then put a few drops of Cinnamon into it. Then I poured the hot water onto the dry ice that was in a flask. This was a bit scary as I know how dangerous dry ice can be and when I had to then plug the flask with the cork with a pipe coming out of it that was even more scary as it did not quite fit properly. The liquid started to bubble away and that made me then even more nervous but at the same time I was enjoying my experience in cooking my first cocktail. The end of the pipe I placed into my milk jar and the milk started bubbling everywhere. Reason being I should off poured the Almond milk from bottle into my cereal bowl but I did not realise it was not until my friend pointed out after that I had made my drink that I had missed the first step. Fumes and smoke were coming out from everywhere from the flask (where I had not plugged the plug down properly) and my bottle of milk at one point I could not see the table at all due to the white smoke. After the smoke had died down my drink was now infused and I poured my milk that was left of it into my bowl of cereal. It smelt so nice with the Cinnamon bouquet coming from the snapping rice Krispie’s. However I could not just have all of it to myself so I went and got some more spoons so my friends could also enjoy the taste and experience of the alcoholic cereal. I did not think it was going to be as good as what it was as the concept of rice Krispie’s, alcohol and Almond milk did not seem right but my it was delicious. What a great alternate way to serve cereal.
“So b****’s want me to cook you a cereal?”
CRT Fix
My next drink I chose was the CRT Fix this consisted of Gin, Elderflower, Lime, Cucumber, Mint, Thyme and Rosemary. I had a measuring beaker, cork with pipe, flask with dry ice in it plus some herbs, a glass with Gin with a sprig of Thyme and Rosemary in it. Firstly had to measure hot water into the beaker and then pour into the flask with the dry ice and plug the flask with the cork and put the pipe into the glass of my Gin to infuse the ingredients. Getting a bit more brave now. Again smoke everywhere what a spectacular site. I loved the subtle flavours of this cocktail so smooth and very drinkable. I could really taste the Cucumber and hint of the mint and other herbs.
My friends all tried other numerous cocktails so there was so much more than just steam going on from the dry ice but also a lot of shaking and squirting with their cooking gadgets.
After our two cocktails and the two hour experience it was time for us to go but firstly we had to take off the sticky suits. That was yet another challenge in its self especially after drinking three cocktails and now being a bit tipsy. Also the suits felt even more stickier however I will miss that yellow suit, gas mask and goggles as it was so much fun in wearing them.
Get on down and book
For £30 per ticket, each ticket gives you a 2 hour slot, costumes to wear on night, 3 drinks and a great scientific atmosphere with music pumping out from Hip-Hop to Breaking Bad soundtracks. It really is worth every penny. It’s so much more unique and exciting than a normal cocktail making experience as you are actually cooking them not just shaking them.
If you go along and there is only two of you then you might end up on a table with a few strangers but if there is four or six of you then you will have a table of your own. You can also hire out the RV for private hire.
So would I do it all again hell yeah. I loved cooking along with my bitch’s!
Let’s cook again with new B****’s – ABQ Breaking Bad Experience
A year on I return to ABQ. Upon entering through the gates there it was yet again the magical RV booming with music and energy I was ready to cook yet more cocktails and get on down with my new crew of b****’s.
ABQ 2018
Upon entering the RV we was told to dress up in one of the yellow suits. Be warned some suits are rather on the large side so I had to redress for it was way to big and I was literally drowning in it. You can also accessorise by wearing some goggles or a gas mask.
After all the shuffling and pulling in getting ourselves in the suits we all then sat down and was given a welcome drink which was a Mojito in a science flask with a plastic syringe. Not being able to contain my excitement, exactly like last time I injected some of this blue liquid into my mouth instead of the flask. The drink was sweet but ever so tasty.
So since visiting last year the menu has changed but now with even more choices and some of the newer cocktails involve cooking / making together. Plus you are not provided with an instruction leaflet in how to make the cocktails anymore you are told instead so you best have a good memory.
I was though very glad to see that the ABQ Brekkie (originally called Walter Jr Breakfast) was still on the menu. Also one of the newest additions the Blow cocktail looked very interesting and be it a bit risky but then this is a themed Breaking Bad cocktail bar after all. However I never ordered or tried this one myself as I really wanted to share and cook a Wendy Martini along with some of my b****’s on the night and the Ruby drink really appealed to me.
Why those drinks?
Well I love fruity cocktails and the Wendy Martini contained Vodka which is my favourite poison and passion fruit. The Ruby drink caught my attention as I just love Rhubarb but I hate needles, thankfully no needle involved with this plastic syringe.
Wendy Martini
Initially I was just going to share with one other of my crew but four others then decided they also wanted a Wendy Martini so we all then ended up making this drink together. Personally I think with six of us all trying to get involved took the fun aspect out of it. It would have been better for all three of us couples to have our own equipment rather than all six of us sharing one aperture. Each taking turns one of us poured alcohol into a flask, measured out some hot water, mixed powder within a drink, poured drink over dry ice, created bubbles and lastly one of us poured and served up the drinks.
The drink though once done looked amazing with it’s orange glow. It was extremely delicious with a sharp kick from the passion fruit giving you that ooh feeling and making your tongue feel like it is having an orgasm.
Ruby
After the Wendy Martini I could not wait to make my own cocktail however as someone else from my crew ordered a Ruby as well, alas, I then had to end up sharing the equipment and making the cocktail together which was a disappointment. We took turns in making it from one of us squirting in liquid into the drink, stirring some powder into the drink and finally ending up with one of us creating bubbles to go on top. The drink though once created looked awesome with it’s pink colour.
I could taste the rhubarb and lemon juice making it a hit with me as I love fruit and sharpness but what I really loved and got hooked on was the ginger foamy bubbles which my friend made plenty of. She ended up spooning the foam bubbles in my mouth I had sort of turned into a ginger bubble foam addict. I kept on crying out for more and she ended up making me more like a street corner dealer. So if you love Rhubarb, lemon and ginger then you just have to order this.
The other b****’s drinks
My other crew members all tried other numerous cocktails on the night from the likes of the Blow, Choco Sky, CRT Fix and the ABQ Brekkie. So with so much going on amongst our two tables we were all having so much fun seeing each other trying to make their’s.
After our two hour experience it was time for us to go but firstly we had to dedress out of our yellow fashionable suits. I just wish though I could of kept the gas mask it truly would come in handy at home.
Get on down and book
For £35 per ticket, each ticket gives you a 2 hour time slot, costume to wear on the night, a welcome drink and two cocktails of your choice to make.
Which cocktails will you make?
So would I do for a third time? hell yeah. I loved the scientific aspect of cooking cocktails and all along with my b****’s!
Click
here to find out more about ABQ.
Thanks to ABQ for letting us from Love Pop Ups London community get on down with your crew, yo! The experience was complimentary but all views are my own honest opinion.
Click below to read the blogs and / or reviews from the community members whom joint me in March 2018 and back during February 2017. All their views are of their own honest opinion.
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“I love going out discovering new and existing restaurants, theatres, immersive experiences and so much more but I also love staying in and discovering new gadgets, gaming and cooking.
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