Perfect For Christmas: Premium Mixers, Artisan Drinks

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I absolutely love these mixers from Artisan Drinks. Perfect alone or with alcohol, you can’t go wrong with them.
Complement and add an exciting dimension to your favourite non-alcoholic spirit with five delicious Artisan Drinks premium mixers. 

The Artisan Drinks Company use only the finest 100% natural ingredients and unique flavour combinations to elevate alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits to the next level when mixed together. Artisan Drinks start with the spirit in mind, carefully crafting the range to ensure they partner beautifully. 

 
1)  AMALFI LIME TONIC
 
Amalfi Lime Tonic was inspired by the fresh flavours of the Amalfi Coast with zesty lime, peppery rosemary, lemon verbena and a fruity finale of fragrant bergamot.
 

 
Artisan Drinks Amalfi Lime Tonic – 8 x 200ml RRP: £8  |  24 x 200ml RRP: £24.  All Available From: Artisan Drinks and Amazon
 
2)  FIERY GINGER BEER
 
Fiery Ginger Beer combines a classic, cloudy Ginger Beer with a hint of chilli. The combination of African ginger & chilli added to pure water and cane sugar makes the Fiery Ginger Beer.
 

 
Artisan Drinks Fiery Ginger Beer – 8 x 200ml RRP: £8  |  24 x 200ml RRP: £24.  All Available From: Artisan Drinks and Amazon
 
3)  BARREL SMOKED COLA
 
Artisan Drinks have elevated the flavour by creating barrique barrel aged smokey top notes to complement the cola nut bitterness. The Barrel Smoked Cola is a southern classic that makes an exciting addition to your premium bourbon, whisky or rum.
 
Artisan Drinks Barrel Smoked Cola – 8 x 200ml RRP: £8  |  24 x 200ml RRP: £24.  All Available From: Artisan Drinks and Amazon
 
 
4)  SKINNY LONDON TONIC
 
This low calorie tonic is a blend of aromatic botanicals with orange & lemon essences, combined with a lower amount of fruit sugar to balance the quinine’s crispness with a rounded aftertaste and dry finish. With only 17 kcals per 100ml, the crisp, clean aftertaste brings out the flavour in your favourite non-alcoholic gin.
 

Artisan Drinks Skinny London Tonic – 8 x 200ml RRP: £8  |  24 x 200ml RRP: £24.  All Available From: Artisan Drinks and Amazon
 
 
 
 5)  CLASSIC LONDON TONIC
 
This tonic combines complex natural citrus flavours with subtle botanical notes to create the perfect canvas for drier, premium gins.This classic tonic recipe is made with a natural blend of three citrus flavours to enhance and complement the botanicals in gin. 
 

Artisan Drinks Classic London Tonic – 8 x 200ml RRP: £8  |  24 x 200ml RRP: £24.  All Available From: Artisan Drinks and Amazon
ARTISAN DRINKS : Steve Cooper, Alan Walsh and Mikey Enright – the drinks entrepreneur, the artist and the award-winning bar owner in Sydney brought their skills together to set up The Artisan Drinks Company, a vibrant and exciting range of premium drinks mixers. 
 
ART ON THE INSIDE : Mikey Enright has developed each Artisan recipe using only the finest 100% natural ingredients and unique flavour combinations to elevate craft spirits to the next level when mixed together. Artisan Drinks start with the spirit in mind, carefully crafting the range to ensure they partner beautifully.
 
ART ON THE OUTSIDE : The Artisan labels feature the iconic images of internationally acclaimed artist Alan Walsh, renowned for his images of glamorous females and quirky gentlemen. Alan, whose gallery is in Monaco,is inspired by artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney and has carved his own unique niche with one leg grounded in Art Deco and the other in Pop Art. The ten characters Alan has created have their own backstory and something in common with the flavour they represent. 

Michael Rowan is already making plans for Christmas, and he is hoping that Chimney Fire Coffee and Wry English Vodka espresso martini will be in his Christmas stocking, come the big day.

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I make no secret of the fact that I am somewhat partial to an occasional Espresso Martini (although friends may think that ‘occasional’ is a secret well kept.)

I have even been known on several occasions, to select the Espresso Martini as my third course rather than pudding, and no Christmas is complete, without the obligatory cocktail, and Espresso Martini seems a great way to top off the big day festivities.

However, as chief cook and bottlewasher, the making of cocktails seems just one job too many for Christmas Day, especially when there are several other requests for cocktails from the rest of the family. At the end of the day the last thing I want to do is to start making half a dozen cocktails.

But this year will be different, as I have just discovered a pre -mixed Espresso Martini, a combination of Chimney Fire Coffee and Wry English Vodka priced at £24.00

Espresso Martini Cold Brew Cocktail, made in collaboration between artisanal Surrey Hills producers Chimney Fire Coffee and WRY Vodka, by Silent Pool Distillers.

We are told to expect rich aromas of chocolate, biscuit, and blackberry from ethical and responsibly sourced coffee roasters Chimney Fire Coffee’s single-origin Peru Classic Espresso – which seamlessly intertwines with the malty flapjack notes from WRY Vodka – finished with notes of caramel and I certainly got the chocolate, biscuit and blackberry, but perhaps I am less familiar with malty flapjack.

Regardless this is the best pre-made Cocktail that I have tasted to date. It can’t compete with a cocktail honed to personal taste, but it is exactly like a cocktail that one might enjoy in a restaurant. It was beautifully smooth and the coffee and vodka perfectly balanced.

To serve, shake 100ml of Espresso Martini Cold Brew Cocktail with ice and strain into a martini glass. Shake well to achieve that creamy top but it makes no difference to the taste.

So, this Christmas imagine the chef sipping his Espresso Martini mere seconds after the thought occurs. Bliss.

CHIMNEY FIRE COFFEE X WRY VODKA ESPRESSO MARTINI – £24

https://silentpooldistillers.com/wry-vodka-x-chimney-fire-coffee-espresso-martini/

Joffe Books is offering a simply great Book of the Week, and lots more besides…

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Married to a Stranger by Patricia MacDonald for the great price of £0.99/$0.99

Did she marry a murderer? Emma is living the dream: about to get married, loving her job and a baby on the way. But she has no idea that her dream is about to turn into her worst nightmare and soon she’ll be fighting for her life. . .

Are you ready to stay up all night wondering . . . is the man she loves trying to kill her?  Frost Magazine thinks you should… It will be worth it. And so say many others.

‘Patricia MacDonald is now on my list of favorite authors.’ Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestseller

‘A jewel of a story — brilliant, polished, and exquisitely suspenseful.’ Robert B. Parker

‘Superb . . . A thriller that stirs the emotions as well as excites the senses.’ San Diego Union-Tribune

*Please note that launch prices are available for a limited time only. Please check all price offers are live and available in your location before purchasing.

  

The Coffin Cove Mysteries by Jackie Elliott £0.99/$0.99

More great value. 3 unputdownable whodunnits in one box set. How can you let it slip through your fingers?

If Quirky Crime is your ‘bag’, you must read:

A False Step by Veronic Heley  £0.99/$0.00

Amateur sleuth Bea Abbot and her team are looking into the apparent suicide of a famous drag artist. Beside the body is a note saying, ‘Sorry’ and a pair of red shoes. But what does it mean when the shoes don’t fit the victim?  Leave it to Bea…

Orphans of War By Sylvia Broady   £0.99/$0.99

A heartbreaking and emotional saga set in the north east during the 2nd WW

A heartbreaking story fascinatingly told by a talented writer.’

— Bestselling author Freda Lightfoot

Joffe Books has acquired the gripping new psychological suspense by Max Manning, The Killer in Me, plus one more. The Killer in Me will publish in eBook and paperback in winter 2022.

Max Manning is a former national newspaper journalist. He started his career as a crime reporter on local newspapers in Essex, England, covering police investigations and murder trials. He later went on to work for several national newspapers in London. He is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers Now You See and Don’t Look Now.

In The Killer in Me, Liv Miller is still grieving the death of her sister, killed in a hit-and-run. The driver confessed and was convicted, but he’s going to be released from prison any day now. Soon he’ll walk free while her sister is dead. Liv is struggling with that knowledge when suddenly her world turns upside down. She volunteers to take part in a study of the brains of violent criminals, as a ‘control’ sample of a ‘normal’ brain. That’s when she learns she has all the classic abnormalities of a high-level psychopath. Suddenly Liv’s head is crowded with possibilities. Dark thoughts. Twisted opportunities. Maybe it’s time to embrace her secret self. Maybe finding out she’s a psychopath is the push she needs to exact revenge . . .

“I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion”
— Emma Grundy Haigh

Max Manning says: “I am thrilled to be working with Emma and the rest of the talented team at Joffe Books. I am already a big fan of many of their highly successful authors and delighted to have found the perfect home for The Killer in Me.”

Emma Grundy Haigh says: “I’m thrilled to be publishing Max Manning’s chilling new thriller. The Killer in Me is an unputdownable foray into a world of loss, grief and simmering fury that explores the simple question: what would you do if it turned out you had the mind of a psychopath? I needed to find out and I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion either.”

Hannah Todd says: “I am so delighted to unite Max and Emma for the publishing of these amazing new thrillers. Emma’s enthusiasm for these books, her publishing acumen and marketing insight, paired with Max’s fantastic pacey writing and plots means it’s truly a dream team!”

A DARK AND TWISTY NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER.  out on 6th December 2022 £0.99/$0.99

Liv’s grieving the loss of her sister, and knowing her killer is about to be released from prison isn’t helping. Then she finds out her brain has all the classic abnormalities of a high-level psychopath.

Maybe finding out she’s a psychopath is the push she needs to exact revenge.

These great books are only a sample of the new books on offer at Joffe Books. Off you go to:

Joffe Books to find  out more.

Top Christmas Ideas

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 Chococo Milk & Dark Christmas Trees filled with chocolate presents

chocolate, Christmas tree

NEW Chococo Milk & Dark Christmas Trees filled with chocolate presents (£19.50/200g each) – Stylish faceted chocolate trees, each with four delicious chocolate gems hiding inside. Perfect for the family to share with chocolate to suit everyone! Each is hand-decorated with speckles of cocoa butter ‘snow’.  Each is wrapped in tissue inside a recyclable kraft cardboard box.

47% Colombia origin Milk Chocolate Tree – this rich yet creamy, low sugar milk chocolate tree has award-winning Gingerbread Caramels and Milk Orange gems inside. Make a difference this Christmas with our Milk Chocolate Christmas Tree. Every Milk Chocolate Christmas Tree purchased = 1 tree planted with the charity Just One  Tree. https://www.chococo.co.uk/charity-milk-chocolate-tree.html

72% Ecuador origin Dark Chocolate Tree – this dark chocolate tree with smooth mellow cocoa notes has  spiced Speculaas Caramels and tangy Dark Orange gems inside. Make a difference this Christmas with our Dark Chocolate Christmas Tree. Every Dark Chocolate Christmas Tree purchased = 1 tree planted with the charity Just One  Tree.  https://www.chococo.co.uk/charity-dark-chocolate-christmas-tree.html

Background: 

Multi award-winning, Dorset-based, independent, chocolatier Chococo celebrates its 20th birthday with this contemporary range of Christmas chocolates to delight family and friends this year. The range is handcrafted in Dorset by a principled bunch of chocolate lovers, led by founders Claire and Andy Burnet, all passionate about creating truly delicious chocolates which both taste good and do good.

NEW for this year are exciting flavours in Chococo’s Festive Boxes, a new range of chocolate Santas, new chocolate baubles and new chocolate Christmas trees. Also included are gifts to share, chocolate biscuit cakes and its ever-popular chocolate salami. Importantly, all the items come in 100% plastic-free packaging. Chococo cares about the impact of its packaging on the environment and always has done – 100% of their packaging, including their mail order boxes, is plastic-free and is either recyclable, compostable or reusable.

All Chococo’s chocolate is sustainably sourced, from its Cocoa Horizons verified chocolate made with 100% sustainably sourced cocoa, to Direct & Raisetrade chocolate produced in country of origin for Chococo by their partners Martinetti Cocoa in Ecuador, Luker Chocolate in Colombia and Chocolaterie Robert in Madagascar.

Paxton & Whitfield – the UK’s oldest cheesemonger

Paxton & Whitfield, the UK’s oldest cheesemonger has the best cheese you can eat. There are a lot of wonderful Christmas gifts available this year from them.
 
 
  1. Christmas Cheese Selection – a selection of cheese perfect for the festive table including the NEW and EXCLUSIVE Cullum 
  2. Hampers & Gift Packs – a superb range of NEW gift packs and hampers  
  3. Cheese Accompaniments & Cheese Homewares – everything you could possibly want for your cheese serving needs 
  4. Cheese Club – Paxton & Whitfield’s original cheese club along with a NEW three month subscription 
  5. Cheese Advent Calendar – Paxton’s NEW & IMPROVED cheese advent calendar for 2022 

Maggie O’Farrell’s new children’s picture book, THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK for the children in your life. 

Beautifully brought to life by illustrator Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, the story follows Jem as he struggles to find a sense of belonging after his family’s recent move from the city to the countryside. When mischief and chaos ensue wherever he goes, his sister believes it to be the work of the “nouka” – can these mythical creatures help Jem find comfort in his new home?

Maggie O’Farrell’s second book for children, beautifully brought to life by Daniela Terrazzini, explores how we deal with pain, loneliness and tough emotions when we face changes and challenges – whatever our age.

 

The story is set in the lush green hilly countryside, which are modelled on Arthur’s Seat, the iconic landmark in Edinburgh, where Maggie lives.

 

When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become … mischief and chaos seems to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a “nouka”, an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill; a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant – there is no such thing.

 

But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home. He, once more, discovers a spark of magic. A beautiful and atmospheric long-form picture book set against a dramatic backdrop of an ancient hillside and the mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within.

 

SUNDAY SCENE: LUCY MORRIS ON HER FAVOURITE SCENE FROM TEMPTED BY HER OUTCAST VIKING

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My latest book ‘Tempted by her Outcast Viking’, begins in Viking age York, known at the time as Jorvik.

York has a special place in my heart as I went to university there. It’s a beautiful historic city, and still remains quite small in size. Walking through its old town you can easily imagine what it would have been like throughout the ages. Roman walls surround it and medieval architecture is down every narrow-gobbled alley.

Jorvik was a well-established city well before it fell to the Vikings. But the Norse made it into a successful trading centre that rivalled all others. Silks, spices and precious gems from across the world were bought and sold within its walls.

I wanted to reflect the global reach of the Norse trading routes with my character Erik, a man with a pitiful upbringing. His father is a powerful Jarl, and his mother was a captured Persian from the middle east. Trading with his half-brother has finally paid for his freedom, but after his father’s horrific treatment, Erik only longs for a peaceful future with a wife and children.

But that has to wait, because a woman from his past needs his help, and he needs her forgiveness:

Anger raced through her like lightning, burning away all reason.

She grabbed him by his broad shoulders and thrust him against the nearest wall. His hands in response locked around her biceps to steady himself, his grip firm, but not painful, and the heat that radiated from his fingers only angered her further, because of the effect it had on her. It caused her body to warm and her breath to catch in her throat, shivers of longing twisted in her gut and she thrust him back a second time, the plaster on the little house cracking and crumbling with the force.

‘I don’t like you!’ she snarled, ‘I’ve never liked you! So, let’s make this very clear. I do not care if you are sorry or not! Just do as you’ve promised and get my mother a damn farm!’

They stared at one another, their breathing heavy and the tension between them thick in the silence. Their big bodies filled the space of the alley, making the wattle and daub buildings seem even more fragile and small, neither of them willing to back down, their bodies held in a tight balance of frustration and stubborn pride.

The dark pools of his eyes locked with hers and then dropped ever so slowly to her mouth. ‘There was a time when you liked me…’

 

 

Go to www.LucyMorrisRomance.com for more information, and to sign up to my newsletter.

Gift of silky soft hair; Hot Tools Professional Dual Plate Salon Silk Edition

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Give the gift of silky soft hair this Christmas, with the exclusive Hot Tools® Black Gold™ Professional Dual Plate Salon Straightener Silk Edition gift set, which includes a FREE 100% mulberry silk scarf. It’s gorgeous and makes your hair look amazing. We cannot recommend it enough.

New to the Collection, the Dual Plate Salon Straightener is a truly innovative design, inspired and informed by stylists.

 

Featuring two Black Gold titanium plates, the straightener eliminates the need for multiple passes, causing less damage to the hair. Thanks to dual heat control, users can also set different temperatures on each plate, ensuring maximum styling versatility.

 

The Silk Edition gift set also features a limited edition luxurious, gold 100% mulberry silk hair scarf – the industry secret to preserving the beauty of your hair and one of this year’s hottest hair trends.

 

This beautiful hair accessory is designed to protect from breakage, keeping hair feeling silky soft, moisturised, and free of tangles. The scarf can be used to protect your hair at night or used as a styling accessory by day.

 

Elegantly Wasted | Alcohol Related Christmas Gift Ideas

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The Original Stormtrooper Decanter, £24.99 from ThumbsUp.com

stormtrooper

On your way to the off license or liquor store? Then you’ll need the right spirit to match the Officially Licensed Original Stormtrooper Decanter. Designed by Andrew Ainsworth, the man behind the famous helmet, this decanter holds 750ml of your favourite spirits and is sealed with an authentic cork. A Star Wars fan or not, this decanter seriously looks business at your home bar or drinks cabinet.

Heart Spoon Straw, £7 from Kikkerland

Spoon that doubles as a straw.

Deer Corkscrew, £25 from Kikkerland

Add personality to any occasion with this whimsical deer cork screw.

Reusable Ice Cubes, Set of 30, Clear, £6 from John Lewis

This set of 30 ice cubes will chill your drinks without diluting them. The food-safe cubes go in the freezer until it’s time to put them in a glass and add them to a soft drink, cocktail or spirit.

Football Ice Moulds, £10 from Lakeland

If you’re football crazy, or know someone who is, these Football Ice Moulds from Kikkerland are a great way to enjoy your drinks with a fun, football twist. Great for if you’re planning to host a World Cup party or have friends round to watch a game, each mould makes one large ice football to drop into your drink.

Golf Flask, £25 from Kikkerland

Includes divot tool and 3 golf tees, Holds 6oz. Great gift for golfers.

Thumbs Up Diamond Glass Set of 2, £14.99 from ThumbsUp.com

You’re a Diamond! This uniquely designed tumbler is in a class of its own. This glass stands at an angle which allows you to rotate the glass in a way in which you enjoy the full bodied flavour of your favourite whiskey. The Diamond Glasses are made from Borosilicate glass.

Tippling Tumblers, £19.99 from Amazon

Kick back with your favourite tipple in utter style. Designed to rock gently, the Tippling Tumblers will gently more on any solid surface without spilling a drop, releasing aromas, and aerating your drink at the same time. Made from Borosilicate glass, it is durable and strong. With a thick wall, it is designed to keep your drink at the desired temperature for longer.

Deer Bottle Opener, £18 from Kikkerland

No household can do without a bottle opener, especially if you like a beer. This bottle opener easily pops a crown cap from a glass bottle. And because it has a fun look, you can just leave it on your home bar or coffee table. Bottle opener in the shape of a deer. The antlers are used as a bottle opener. Nice as a housewarming gift.

Dice Glass Set of 2, £21.49 from Amazon

Feeling lucky? Even if you don’t roll a double six, you are definitely going to look pretty fly with our new dice glass pair. A great accessory for games nights but equally stylish as part of your barware collection.

Koi Morph Shot Glasses, £20 from Kikkerland

Fill with cold liquid to reveal beautiful colourful koi fish. Set of 4

One Hand Server, £10 from Kikkerland

This handy holder carriers 1 bottle and 2 glasses.

Chemistry Book Flask, £20 from Kikkerland

You’ll really make the grade with the Chemistry book. Hidden inside is a stainless steel flask, ready to hold all your favorite concoctions.

Measure and Mix, £13 from King Fox Menswear

Double Duty Cocktail maker. This spoon serves as a jigger and a stirring spoon. This spoon has a “graduated” stepped design along with 1/2 oz, 1 1/2 oz and 1 oz indicators.

Five Stages Of Happiness Glasses, £15 from Kikkerland

Enjoy your whiskey or any other drink with these fun drinking glasses. Each glass features five stages of Happiness. Set of 2 whiskey tumblers.

Guylian Belgian Chocolates and Snowman

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Jingle shells, jingle shells, jingle all the way…

Guylian, the premium Belgian chocolatier, has a wide range of chocolates that make the perfect gift for those you love this Christmas.

Loved all around the world for their classic chocolates, Guylian is the ideal treat for sharing and gifting, as even the most discerning gift recipients love to receive chocolate!

Guylian’s iconic Sea Shells are available in various pack formats – 65g impulse pack (RSP £1.50), 250g (RSP £5.50), 375 g (RSP £8.00 from Sainsburys and Morrisons), and for those who really want to indulge, the new 500g (RSP £10.00 from Tesco, Waitrose & Ocado)

If you’re looking for an adorable Christmas gift or stocking stuffer, check out Guylian’s Temptations Snowman, a snowman shaped box filled with six different flavoured individually wrapped Temptations. Flavours include Original Praline, Milk Truffle, Caramel, Crunchy Biscuit, Dark Praline, and Coffee.

Guylian’s Temptations Snowman is available from Lidl RRP £5.00.

They are delicious and you can’t go wrong.