Tag Archives: cocktails

Easy cocktails to mix at home

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Cotswolds Garden  
cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktail , alcohol, ideas,
Ingredients: 50ml Cotswolds Dry Gin, 25ml elderflower liqueur, 12.5ml fresh lime juice, 75ml pressed apple juice
Method: Place all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker, shake and strain into an ice-filled Copa glass. Garnish with fresh cucumber and mint
From £34.95 for 70cl (46% ABV). Available from Cotswoldsdistillery.com, Waitrose, Majestic, Oddbins, Laithwaites, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason.
Cotswolds Whisky Sour 
Ingredients: 60ml Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky, 25ml fresh lemon juice, 20ml sugar syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters, ½ egg white
Method: Dry shake all ingredients, add ice to shaker, shake, fine-strain & serve into a chilled Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with a fresh lemon wheel & cherry
From £44.95 for 70cl (46% ABV). Available from cotswoldsdistillery.com, Waitrose, Majestic, The Whisky Exchange, Harrods and Laithwaites.
Kokoro Dragon Ball  
 

Ingredients: 50ml Kokoro Gin, 20ml Lemon Juice, 5ml Kokoro Cherry Blossom Liqueur, 10ml Honey Syrup (3:1), 10ml Aperol, 2 Dashes of Orange Flower Water, Champagne (optional), Orange Peel
Method: Shake all ingredients apart from the Champagne with ice. Double strain and top with Champagne. Garnish with a twist of orange peel
From £29 for 70cl (42% ABV). Available from kokorogin.com, Master of Malt, John Lewis, 31Dover, Amazon and other good retailers. Also in the Kokoro Gin range are their delicious Japanese-inspired liqueurs, including Blueberry & Lemongrass, Yuzu and Ginger and Cherry Blossom.
From £12.50 for 20cl (20% ABV). Available from kokorogin.com and John Lewis
Barentsz Mandarin and Jasmine Martini 
 
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Ingredients: 55ml Barentsz Mandarin and Jasmine Gin, 15ml triple sec (Grand Marnier) , 15ml dry vermouth, dash of orange bitters
Method: Pour ingredients into a shaker half filled with cracked ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
From £38.00 for 70cl (40% ABV). Available from Barentszgin.com and from 31Dover.com in a luxury gift carton.
Lowlander Sobeer Citrus Mocktail
 
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Ingredients: 150ml Lowlander 0.00% Wit Beer, 30ml Seedlip Grove, 10ml Ginger syrup, 10ml Lime juice, Garnish with a juiced orange peel
Method: Fill a highball glass with ice. Stir all ingredients and strain into the glass over ice. Garnish with a swirl of juiced orange peel.
Lowlander 0.00% Wit Beer is available to purchase online:  As a single bottle from LightDrinks.co.uk for £1.99. As a single bottle from 31Dover.com for £2.02. As a case of 12 from Amazon for £36.95
Pinkster Gin & Jam  
 
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@tonephotog 07908236655 shep@tone-photographer

Ingredients: 50ml Pinkster Gin, 15ml lemon juice, 15ml sugar syrup, 1tsp raspberry jam, a handful of blackberries
Method: Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a Rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with fresh blackberries
From £36 for 70cl (37.5% ABV). Available from Marks & Spencer, Fenwick, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and Majestic Wine, Ocado, 31Dover.com, Master of Malt and Pinkster Gin.com.
Union Spirited Maverick 
Ingredients: 50ml Spirited Union Lemon & Leaf, 20ml Passion Fruit Puree, 30ml Fresh Lemon Juice, 15ml Vanilla Syrup, fresh passionfruit
Method: Pour ingredients in a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into pre-chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a passion fruit wheel float.
From £29.95 for 70cl (38% ABV). Available from Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange and Spirited Union.com.
Jaisalmer Golden Fort 
 
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 Ingredients: 50ml Jaisalmer Gin, 15ml fresh lime juice, 10ml Cinnamon Syrup, 50ml Cloudy Apple Juice
Method: Pour ingredients in a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an apple fan of 3 slices and add grated nutmeg (optional)
From £34.95 for 70cl (43% ABV). Available from The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and DrinksSupermarket.com. 
The Queen Mary Edition G&T 
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Ingredients: 50ml Gin 1689 – The Queen Mary Edition, fresh raspberries and strawberries
Method:Fill a Copa glass with plenty of ice. Add Gin 1689 – The Queen Mary Edition.
Top with tonic and garnish with raspberries and sliced strawberries.
From £37.95 for 70cl (ABV: 38.5%). Available from Master of Malt and Amathus Drinks
J&B Rare Whisky Gimlet 
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Ingredients: 50ml J&B Rare, 25ml home-made lime cordial* (or bought Lime cordial),fresh lime peel
Method: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the ingredients and shake until the surface of the shaker feels chilled. Strain into a Coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of lime peel
From £22.50 for 70cl (40% ABV). Available from Waitrose, masterofmalt.com, thewhiskyexchange.com, drinksupermarket.com, 31dover.com and Justerini & Brooks.

Festive Cocktail Guide Vol. 3 ft Black Cow Vodka 

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Here’s one for the vodka fans, presenting Black Cow Vodka; the only vodka in the world to be made entirely from grass-grazed cows milk. The result is a definitive and distinctive smooth, creamy vodka. Turns out Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka is a product of dairy farmer Jason Barber who along with Paul Archard wanted to create something from the left over milk when making cheese. This is a truly unique product and we think that this is the perfect vodka to serve up this Christmas. It’s rich, smooth and extra luxurious. 

There are a number of cocktails that the smoothness of Black Cow compliment well but we highly recommend;

Black Cow; Espresso Martini

50ml Black Cow Vodka 

40ml Fresh espresso, cooled

15ml Organic Maple Syrup

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. 

Shake well an double strain into a Martini glass.

Garnish with three coffee beans. 

https://www.blackcow.co.uk

BAR + BLOCK ALDGATE: A RESTAURANT TO BLOCK OUT SOME TIME FOR

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As soon as you enter Bar + Block you’re immediately enveloped by this cosy, atmospheric and bustling steakhouse – mood lighting included! We took a trip to this humble favourite and are here to give you the lowdown.

THE FOOD

If at first you’re intimidated by the extensive menu, you’ll soon  be put at easy by the modest, and ‘so-not-London prices’. Everything about the menu screams comfort and big flavours, from the pulled beef tacos, aromatic crispy mushroom pancakes and middle eastern king prawns through to the hispa cabbage and beef dripping triple cooked chunky chips (heaven). And that just scratches the surface. The quality of the steaks at Bar + Block rivals the best steakhouses in town. Choose from classic cuts like rump and ribeye or specialty steaks like the spiral cut (marinated in garlic and parsley) or the Tira De Ancho (similar to the spiral marinade but with a chilli kick and chimichurri sauce).

Steak not whetting your appetite? Don’t worry, you can choose from handmade burgers, grills or fish. We hear that the grilled veg and burrata burger, lamb souvlaki and grilled salmon are excellent choices. If you think you’ve got room for appetite, we struggled but made it through, the Chocolate Toffee Fondue Sharer is the perfect sweet ending. Made up of warm churros coated in cinnamon sugar, triple chocolate brownie chunks, fresh strawberries, banana and apple served with a chocolate toffee dipping sauce – you’re welcome.

THE DRINK

As with the food, the drinks prices are much more appetising than that of other steakhouses. Cocktails start at just £7.99, swoon, and specialty gins come in at £4.95. Take your pick of wine, beer or soft drinks if you’d prefer – the welcoming prices continue!

THE ATMOSPHERE

Warm and welcoming would be how we sum up the atmosphere at Bar + Block. There’s a constant buzz about the large dining area and it’s packed with a mix of corporate singletons grabbing dinner, groups of friends, date night couples and families.

THE PRICES

Starters begin at £3.95 for the creamy mac and cheese bits and steaks begin at £12.95 for an 8oz rump. A steak sample will cost you £27.95

THE OFFERS

Half price cocktails Monday to Thursday – 5pm – 7pm

LET ME BOOK

To book, visit https://www.barandblock.co.uk/en-gb/locations/london-aldgate/book

 

 

 

 

Festive Cocktail Guide Vol. 1 ft Italicus

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It’s that time of the year again… and to kick it off, we bring you our favourite festival tipples guaranteed to wow your guests and to top your Christmas lists. 

Impress your guests this Festive season by creating a cocktail using a fine and majestic liqueur. Italicus is made from Rosolio di Bergamotto and was actually the main Aperitivo drunk by the King of Savoia.

This exquisite liquor is made from Bergamot from Calabria, Cedro form Sicily, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Melissa Balm, Yellow Roses, Gentian. 

The result; a finely aromatic and floral flavour with light notes of citrus which certainly mixes well with a number of mixers, garnishes and other spirits.

Italicus has already won numerous awards including a few for the packaging which is utterly show-stopping, another reason to grab a bottle this Christmas. The beautiful design will certainly wow sitting atop your bar or drinks cabinet. 

Italicus can be served in a number of ways

Negroni Bianco:

35ml Italicus

35ml London Dry Gin

35l Dry Vermouth 

Served: In a tumbler with 3 olives.

Italicus Cup:

50 ml Italicus 

25ml Pink Grapefruit

Top with Soda add a Pinch of Salt and 3 Olives

Italicus is priced at RRP £29.95 for 70cl bottle ABV 20%

https://www.rosolioitalicus.com

IT’S PIMMS O’CLOCK  – SUMMER RECIPES FROM THE ULTIMATE FRUIT CUP

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OK, so the ‘Great British Summer’ mightn’t be so great now but there’s one thing that will make it better, a perfect pitcher of Pimms. We’ve shared our favourite recipes below and we defy you to not want to don the sunnies after a glass of one of these…

PIMM’S NO.6 – ENGLISH ROSE

Fill a tumbler with ice cubes

Pour 50ml Pimm’s No.6 (Vodka Cup),

125ml Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade

Add a dash each of lavender syrup, lemon juice and orange bitters

PIMM’S NO.1

Fill a tumbler or tall glass with ice cubes

Pour in 50ml Pimm’s No.1 and top up with lemonade

Add a few sliced strawberries, orange and cucumber

Stir and top with a sprig of mint

PIMM’S SPRITZ

Fill a Copa or wine glass with ice cubes

Pour in 50ml Pimm’s No.1 and 75ml lemonade, and top with sparkling wine

Add a few slices of cucumber and a sprig of mint

PIMM’S JUG

Half fill a jug with ice cubes

Pour in 200ml Pimm’s No.1 and top with lemonade

Add some sliced strawberries, orange and cucumber

Stir and top with a big sprig of mint

Christmas Cocktails  ft. The London Essence Company

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One month to go, ho ho ho… so to open our first installation of our Christmas Cocktail guide we are featuring two Low-Cal cocktails kindly provided by The London Essence Company. 

Kicking off with a relatively healthy start, *wink, The London Essence Company have created some easy and elegant cocktails all under 100 calories. Winning.  Not only do they look and sound impressive, they are bloomin’ delicious and we think you’ll be impressed with the fab selection of mixers and tonics The London Essence Company have to deliver. 

Tangerine Mule – 94 KCAL

A lighter festive twist on the Moscow Mule

ingredients;

25ml Vodka

20ml Tangerine Juice

5ml Sugar Syrup

2 drops Chocolate Bitters

London Essence Ginger Beer

Method

Highball Glass ● Tangerine Wedge Garnish ● Build & Stir

Cinnamon Highball 94KCAL

For a warmer, spicier affair

ingredients;

25ml Aged Rum

15ml Lime Juice

5ml Cinnamon Syrup

30ml Cloudy Apple Juice

London Essence Classic Tonic Water

Method

Highball Glass ● Cinnamon Stick Garnish ● Build & Stir

London Essence are a collection of mixers made with distilled essences and are all under 20KCAL per 100ml and naturally sourced sweetness. The London Essence Company range includes, Tonics, Soda Waters and Ginger Beer  and are available to buy at selected Tesco and Waitrose stores as well as Amazon and Ocado RRP from £1.69

For more info visit;

www.thelondonessenceco.com

London – The UK’s Brunch Capital

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We’ve tried and tested our fair share of brunches in London and with new places popping up all the time, we wanted to throw down our forks (not literally, that’s not beneficial at all), and confidently confess to you what we consider to be the best brunches in town.

 

Dirty Bones (Bottomless option – yes)

‘Dirty’ being the perfect word. An American and darkened eatery, this place offers some of the tastiest breakfast grub around and there’s a bottomless brunch option so you can settle yourself in for the morning – win!

The cocktails are more adventurous than you ordinarily find yourself having on a typical bottomless brunch and include vodka and rum based options. The service can be a little slow to keep the drink topped up though so you have to keep an eagle eye on the waiting staff. If guzzling your way through the menu and making the most of each precious bubbly minute isn’t your primary objective though, this will be fine for you.

Food wise, we have two words for you: cheeseburger dumplings.

Good for you if: You want a low key, meaty brunch.

Book here: https://dirty-bones.com/

 

Beech Blanket Babylon (Bottomless option – no)

This place is always popping up as the ‘place to be’ on Instagram so we put it to the test. The décor is amazing. It’s lavish and luxurious but what more do you expect from Notting Hill! There’s no bottomless brunch on offer but the cocktails are brilliant value for the area at £10 a pop, so worth a visit.

Menu wise, their eggs benedict is a firm favourite – its béarnaise sauce is creamy, rich and has a kick. The house burger with caramelised onion, cheese and salad is really filling – juicy too!

Good for you if: Keeping up appearances is key. The clientele at Beech Blanket Babylon are predominantly Notting Hill locals so it’s less of a tourist attraction and instead will give you a taste of life ‘on the other side’.

Book here: http://www.beachblanket.co.uk

 

 

Hotbox (Bottomless option – yes)

Loud, busy and offering dishes that are deep with flavour. The waiting staff are as attentive as we imagine Prince Harry is to Meghan and your glass rarely gets empty. Exactly what we want from a bottomless brunch.

Located slap bang in the middle of Shoreditch, this former street art gallery (obviously) is rife with hipsters and has a real ‘up close and personal vibe’ as your’re seated along picnic style benches.  The food is all about the smokey meaty ‘cue, that’s what the cool kids say nowadays, and the meat is dry rubbed and cooked low and slow to create tender, succulent cuts that melt in the mouth.

Good for you if: You’re a sociable meat-lover wanting a good booze up.

Book here: http://hotboxlondon.co.uk/

 

Bunga Bunga (Bottomless option – yes)

‘Bigger, better and brunch-ier’ as they so eloquently put it, this is definitely the place to go if you want to show your friends a proper party. There’s live entertainment in the form of its Bunga Matinee show and you will feel like you’re enjoying your Saturday night out, no matter what the time is.

The menu is of course Italian and while the pizzas are authentic and tasty, you won’t be choosing this place if you’re just seeking out good grub.

The Bunga Bunga party brunch is definitely something every Londoner should experience but you might only do it the once as it comes with a hefty price tag and cancellation fee.

Good for you if: You’re looking for a PROPER party

Book here: https://battersea.bungabunga-london.com

 

Mac ‘n’ Wild (Bottomless option – yes)

Self-described as serving London with some of the best Scottish produce, this place is serious with its flavours. Haggis pops, veni-moo burgers and venison Scotch eggs are forces to be reckoned with and what we love about this place is the variety in its bottomless brunch cocktails.

The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff are always on hand to top up your glass. It’s very unlikely you’ll even reach the bottom of it!

Enjoy unlimited brunch cocktails for just £21 per person

Book here: www.macandwild.com

And our curveball…. PAUL (Bottomless option – yes)

So this is one we’ve thrown in if you find yourself sleeping through a bottomless brunch (we’ve all been there). PAUL, the decedent, Parisian patisserie is now offering a bottomless afternoon tea. Two hours of bubbly joy on Saturdays and Sundays. The afternoon tea includes lightly toasted sandwiches, a buttery brioche with whipped cream and jam and a host of sweets.

Definitely more civilised than your average brunch – one to enjoy with family, perhaps?

Bottomless afternoon tea is served Monday to Friday 2.30pm – 5.30pm at Tower 42 and weekends only in Covent Garden at the same time

Book here: www.paul-uk.com

The Grid: An Immersive Black Mirror/Dystopia Inspired Escape Experience

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Image:  Courtesy of brand

The Grid is an immersive, multi-room alcoholic escape experience where patrons get to go undercover an Artificial Intelligence firm in an attempt to learn and defeat the “system”

The tech-driven escape experience challenges guests to puzzles across a series of rooms, with the bar as a backdrop.

Participants are invited to join The Grid, a secret society of individuals working to safeguard humanity’s future against machines.

On the day of the experience, they arrive undercover at the AI corp’s (neosight.org) HQ, where they must move between different rooms, interacting with the Artificial Intelligence and Neosight specialist technology as they try to stop the corp from crunching human data for the “greater good”. The 1.5 hour experience is full of surprises, bespoke tech and futurists tonics (sci-fi cocktails).

“I believe the future of hospitality is all about having fun. Fun now lies in experiences and not only food and drink. This is our first multi-room experience and I am very excited for it,” said Sebastian Lyall, Founder of Lollipop, the immersive experience group behind The Grid.

Lollipop is an immersive lifestyle group known for its experiential creations both here and abroad, including ABQ (abqlondon.com), The Bletchley (thebletchley.co.uk) and The Bunyadi (thebunyadi.com). The mission of the group is to design experiences that cater to the more demanding consumer of today. The group has also recently launched a drink at home wine experience, Vinny (wearevinny.com)

The Grid is set to open its door to public in July/Aug. The waiting list is now open and reservations will be released on a first come first served basis.

Tickets will be priced between £30-£40 per head for a 1h 30m experience and 2 cocktails.

Website: thegrid.london (use code 456712)