Summer Drinks Review

summerdrinksreview

We got sent some summer drinks to review from Sainsbury’s: two cordials, Spanish pink grapefruits and guava purée, Ginger & Lime and a sparkling cocktail: Elderflower, Mint & Lime Blended Sparkling Cocktail. Let’s break them down.

Taste The Difference Grapefruit & Pink Guava, made with Spanish pink grapefruits and guava purée.

Absolutely delicious, summery and refreshing. The pink grapefruit mixed with the guava tastes great and really works. This is a perfect summer drink.

Taste The Difference Mexican Lime  & Ginger Cordial.

This is also excellent. It tastes very fresh and the two ingredients really work together. Quite addictive too.

Elderflower, Mint & Lime Blended Sparkling Cocktail.

This yummy cocktail is only 4% volume so you can enjoy it without worrying about hangovers or those awful headaches some people get when they drink in the sun. This cocktail is white wine mixed with elderflower, mint and lime. It is zesty, fresh and refreshing: a perfect summer cocktail. Recommended.

To celebrate the launch of two brand new seasonal Taste the Difference cordials, Sainsbury’s has created three delicious punch recipes for sharing with friends and family while entertaining this summer. The new cordial flavours; Grapefruit & Pink Guava, made with Spanish pink grapefruits and guava purée; and Ginger & Lime, made with Mexican limes, add to the existing range featuring Taste the Difference Elderflower Cordial. These cocktails have been especially designed as long drinks for pitcher measures to be easy to make and refreshing on a hot (or overcast) British Summer’s day.

First up is a citrussy, sparkling, Vodka based cocktail, Sunrise Fizz, which will transport drinkers to the tropics; even if the British Summer is more likely to be torrential than tropical:

To make:
• Pour 180ml of Sainsbury’s Vodka into a jug
• Add 120ml Taste the Difference Spanish Pink Grapefruit & Guava Cordial
• Top up with fizzy water
• Finish with the juice of one grapefruit and garnish with slices of pink grapefruit

If you fancy the taste of an English country garden, then try Sainsbury’s English Garden Cup. This gin and elderflower based drink is the perfect refreshment for a lazy weekend afternoon:

To make:
• Pour 180ml Sainsbury’s Dry London Gin into a pitcher
• Add 120ml Taste the Difference Elderflower Cordial
• Top up with fizzy water
• Finish with the juice of two lemons and garnish with slices of lemon

And finally, Shoot the Breeze, a delicious Rum, ginger and lime punch. Aromatic and spicy, this cocktail will really help to get the party started:

To make:
• Pour 180ml Sainsbury’s Superior White Rum into a jug
• Add 120ml Taste the Difference Mexican Lime & Ginger Cordial
• Top up with ginger ale
• Finish with the juice of two limes and garnish with slices of lime

For an even easier way to enjoy these summer flavours, Sainsbury’s has also launched two new sparkling wine cocktails in the Winemakers’ Selection range; Elderflower, Lime & Mint Fizz Sparkling Cocktail; and Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cocktail. These are low in alcohol and blended with fruit extracts and Spanish white wine for a refreshing ready-to-drink option.

Pricing details:
Taste the Difference Mexican Lime & Ginger Cordial 500ml £1.85
Taste the Difference Spanish Pink Grapefruit and Guava Cordial 500ml £2
Sainsbury’s Winemakers’ Selection Elderflower Lime & Mint Fizz 75cl 4% ABV £3

 

 

Refreshing Cocktails from Tom’s Kitchen

Frost Magazine has teamed up with Tom’s Kitchen to give you some excellent, refreshing cocktail recipes. They are all delicious and we just can’t work out which one is our favourite. Enjoy!

summerbreezecocktailrecipe

 

SUMMER BREEZE

SERVES1

INGREDIENTS

50ml Vodka

25ml Frais de Bois

Fresh Strawberries

Topped with Soda

 

METHOD – Put all the ingredients into a glass and top with soda

 

CLEMENTINE BUBBLES

SERVES1

INGREDIENTS

15ml Orange and Lemon mix (made from orange zest, lemon zest, sugar and juice)

Topped with Prosecco

 

METHOD – Put all the ingredients into a glass and top with Prosecco

cocktailrecipe cocktails jaxcocococktails

 

JAX COCO COCKTAILS

Inspired by the latest health trend, Tom’s Kitchen has partnered with Jax Coco, the 100% pure coconut water, to develop a selection of vibrant non-alcohol and alcoholic cocktails perfect for the warmer months.

 

The cocktail menu is the refreshing addition to brunch and includes:

 

·         Coco Fizz – a light mix of lemon juice, jasmine syrup, egg white and Jax Coco

·         Jax Diamond – a fruity combination of strawberries, lemongrass, agave syrup and Jax Coco

·         Jax Caipirinha – a playful twist on the Brazilian classic featuring high quality Cachaca, Jax Coco, caster sugar, lime and cherry bitters

Chef/Patron Tom Aikens adds: “I am a huge fan of coconut water and Jax Coco ticks all the boxes – aside from fantastic quality, all the coconut water comes from their own fully sustainable coconut plantation. Try the Coco Fizz and Jax Diamond for a quick pick-me-up or linger longer with the Jax Caipirinha.”

ABOUT TOM’S KITCHEN:

Tom’s Kitchen has 3 locations across London including, Canary Wharf, Chelsea and Somerset House which features a stunning terrace facing the Thames. A fourth location in St Katherine Docks will also be opening on 18th August.

turkishcocktailrecipe 

TURKISH INSPIRED COCKTAILS FROM KITCHENETTE

 

This Summer Kitchenette, a recently opened Mediterranean cafe, restaurant and bar in Putney, are bringing cocktails home with a selection of inspirational recipes perfect for quenching your thirst in the summer sun. Drawing inspiration from Kitchenette’s Turkish heritage the cocktails include an array of traditional ingredients such as Pomegranate seeds, Turkish delight vodka and the sweet essence of rose water.

 

POMEGRANATE LEMONADE

INGREDIENTS

100ml Absolute Citron

50ml Lemon Juice

50ml Gomme

175ml Pomegranate Juice

100ml Sparkling water

2 x Orange, Apple, Lemon and Lime Slices

 

METHOD

Add all ingredients into a 500ml Glass Jug and stir until well mixed

Decanter cocktail mix into 2 inverness glasses and garnish with pomegranate seeds

ottomandelightcocktailrecipe

OTTOMAN DELIGHT

INGREDIENTS

25ml Turkish Delight infused Vodka

25ml Vanilla Vodka

2 drops rose water

5ml honey

 

METHOD

Stir the honey & Vodka until the honey is completely dissolved.

Add all the remaining ingredients and shake well until ingredients are thoroughly mixed.

Divide into 2 chilled martini glasses and serve with a sprinkle of chocolate for an extra sweet version

 

 Which one will you make?

 

 

Bottled Water Causes Fire & Other Useful Things Campers Should Know

As the heatwave continues and Pitchup.com reports record levels of daily bookings (averaging around 1,000 per day), the outdoor holiday specialist has revealed six top tips for anyone taking a camping, caravanning or glamping holiday this summer.

Camping_ground_in_Kippel

  1. Pick a campsite with shade, such as a forest location. US research shows forests can be up to five degrees Celsius cooler due to the shade and evaporation.

  1. If buying a new tent, pick one with a separate groundsheet. This allows air to circulate inside the tent, even when closed, which has a cooling effect.

  1. Take extra freezer blocks: rotate them to keep food and drinks cool. Choose a site with ice pack freezing available.

  1. Pack a fan. A battery-powered fan will provide a great cooling effect, especially if a bowl of ice is placed in front of it – instant air conditioning!

  1. Put a tent over your tent – if pitched in direct sunlight, provide shade or reflectors that will keep the sun’s rays off and the tent cooler.

  1. Be careful with innocent objects that could start a fire if left in direct sunlight. Bottles of water can concentrate the sun’s rays and ignite groundsheets.

 

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, commented: “These are just a few of our top tips for  keeping cool – and staying safe – while camping in warm weather.  Camping air conditioning units are available but these can prove expensive and require an electric hook-up, so are not ideal for all campers on non-electric pitches.”

 “Visitors to our site can search to find the perfect site for hot weather,  from forest locations to those near water or sites that offer outdoor swimming pools.  This is our busiest time of year and with the mercury still high, we’re getting more visitors to our website every day:  daily visits average 60,000 with bookings at around 1,000 per day.  Most site owners are well versed in staying safe while camping in summer, so if in doubt always ask for advice on arrival and request a cool and shady spot that gets the least sunshine and perhaps cut back a bit on the booze.”

For more information visit www.pitchup.com.  All prices correct at time of writing.

Top 10 Books Most Commonly Left On Flights | Holiday Reads

holidayreadssummerbooksA good read is one of the essential ingredients for a relaxing holiday, according to 80 per cent* of holidaymakers who always pack one for their travels. Despite this, around 600 books and 1,400 kindles are left on board British Airways flights every year.

 

The most common is The Holy Bible, accounting for six per cent of books left on board. Some of the more unusual books which have been found include notebooks, personal diaries, wedding sketchbooks and even a cheque book!

 

The British Airways survey found that books were still the most popular form of reading with three in five taking a book, compared to one in five taking an e-reader. Women are also more likely to own an e-reader (20 per cent) compared to men (15 per cent).

 

British Airways has compiled a list of the top 10 books most commonly left on flights over the past three months, as inspiration for good holidays reads this summer:

 

  1. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn (Fiction, Thriller)
  2. King and Maxwell Series, David Baldacci (Thriller)
  3. The Fault in our Stars, John Green (Novel)
  4. Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty (Business/Economics)
  5. Alex Cross, Run – James Patterson (Thriller)
  6. The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton (Novel)
  7. Michael Lewis, Flash Boys (Non-fiction)
  8. Fifty Shades of Grey (Freed), EL James (Romance)
  9. Arthur Conan Doyle, The Complete Sherlock Holmes (Novel)
  10. The Racketeer, John Grisham (Thriller)

 

Novels are the most common type of book found on flights (22 per cent), followed by crime thrillers, study and learning books, travel books, non-fiction and business and economics. The least likely genre to be left behind are ‘chick flicks’.

 

Some of the most popular biographies found on board were by John Bishop, Muhammad Ali and, no surprise during the Wimbledon Championships – tennis player Rafa Nadal.

 

The survey also found that Scottish travellers were the most likely to own an e-reader (28 per cent) – the least likely were East Anglia (nine per cent). Nine out of ten people from the East Midlands were likely to take a book on holiday, compared to just a quarter from the North East. Those from the South East are the biggest readers, taking at least two or three books on holiday.

For those prone to losing books, British Airways has a selection of audio titles in its extensive library collection. It includes Jennifer Saunders biography ‘Bonkers; My life in laughs’, Virginia Woolf ‘The mark on the wall’, Roald Dahl ‘The Great Automatic Grammatizator’, Anton Chekhov ‘The Chorus Girl’ and Charles Dickens ‘Great Expectations’ among many others available on selected long-haul flights in July.

 

*1,000 people surveyed by OnePoll

 

 

Westfield’s Launch ‘We Are LDN Summer’ Campaign

To celebrate the launch of Westfield’s ‘We Are LDN Summer’ campaign, running 16 July – 31 August, visitors to Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City will be treated to six weeks of London’s best in class of dance, music, art, food, children and fashion themed activity. WESTFIELD LAUNCHES WE ARE LDN SUMMER CAMPAIGN Each themed week will showcase the capital’s finest free dance workshops, musical performances, art exhibitions, culinary demonstrations, children’s activities and style sessions along with competitions and offers from Westfield’s dining, entertainment and leisure retailers.   Whether you’re out for a spot of shopping, enjoying a delicious meal or soaking up the sun, Westfield has all your summer bases covered.  

MUSIC WEEK (21 – 27 JULY)

 

West & East London Talent, Various Stages, Daily

The very best of London musicians, choirs, writers and performers will be showcasing their talents across a variety of stages at Westfield London and Stratford City. The Mayor of London’s annual busking competition will also be taking place during this week so get front row to see the capital’s next big star!

 

DANCE WEEK (28 JULY – 3 AUGUST)

 

English National Ballet, 30 July at Westfield London, 31 July Westfield Stratford City 11-4pm

Children can experience the love of dance firsthand with this exciting workshop hosted led by the English National Ballet, featuring the enchanting tales of Coppélia, Swan Lake and Nutcracker.

 

Big Dance, Westfield London, Mon 28 July, Fri 1 Aug, Sun 3 Aug, 11-5pm

High energy performances and have-a-go workshops from Big Dance at Westfield including street, Brazilian, Jazz and swing.

 

IMD Legion, Westfield Stratford City, 3 August, 12pm

Check out East London dance crew, IMD Legion as they show off the talent that made them famous on Got To Dance, Nickelodeon, Ashley Banjo’s Street Crew and CBBC Fridays.

 

ART WEEK (4 – 10 AUGUST)

East vs. West Art, Westfield London, Daily

Curated in associating with Jack Jones of The London Collection, the exhibition brings together a selection of established and emerging artists to promote the cultural richness and diversity that West London has to offer. This exciting collection will feature a mix of contemporary painting, photography and sculpture.

 

Kids Arts, 6 August Westfield London, 7 August Westfield Stratford City, 11-4pm

Wednesday 6 August is a dedicated kid’s art’s day. Kids are invited to come down grab a painting easel, a beret and a paint brush and hone their skills.

 

Live Graffiti, Westfield Stratford City, Throughout the day

Check out the week long interactive live graffiti artwork supplied by Graffiti Life. Become part of the daily mural or get your own graffiti name tag giveaway!

 

FOOD WEEK (11 – 17 AUGUST)

 

Cooking Demos, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, Daily, See website for details

Enjoy free, daily masterclasses with L’atelier des Chef, the leaders in fun, energetic culinary classes.

 

Kids Cooking Day, Westfield London 13 August, Westfield Stratford City, 14 August, 11-4pm

Kids are invited to try and be the next Jamie Oliver at Kids Cooking Day. Kids can try their hand at making finger sandwiches and pies.

 

Foodie Festival, Westfield London, 16 – 17 August

Top off a week of gastronomy at Westfield London with a weekend foodie festival. Located in the al-fresco surroundings of The Southern Terrace, retailers and guest vendors will be sharing their tasty treats to shoppers.

KIDS WEEK (18 – 24 AUGUST)

 

Dinosaur Train,     Westfield London: 19 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm,

Westfield Stratford City 20 August, 11am, 12noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm

 

Beloved Nick Jnr programme, Dinosaur Train, is coming exclusively to Westfield! A UK first, Buddy the tyrannosaurus rex and his adopted pteranodon family will be entertaining their fans. Free wristbands collected from 9am.

 

My London Girl Lessons, Westfield London, Daily, 12 – 5pm

During kids week, retailer My London Girl will be holding free in-store arts and crafts such as dolly hair braiding, friendship bracelet making and decorating trinket boxes.

 

Kids Arts & Crafts, Westfield Stratford City, Chestnut Plaza, Daily, 11-5pm

East London themed kids workshops and activities organised by Iced Gems Events, including games, making and decorating bags, jewellery, ceramic plates, clothes, giveaways, competitions, and face paint. Fun for all ages every day!

 

The Kick Off, Westfield Stratford City, Outside Café Football, 21 August

Think you could do better than US goalie, Tim Howard and the 16 goals he saved? Try your penalty shootout skills with Café Football.

 

FASHION WEEK (25-31AUGUST)

 

Style Sessions, Daily, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City (see website for schedule)

For the forward-thinking fashionista or those after some styling advice, Westfield London will be hosting open style sessions from Westfield’s retailers and team of personal stylists.

PLUS, SAVE THE DATE FOR…

 

ABBEY CLANCY AT SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 July, 11am

As the official ‘feet’ of Scholl, Abbey Clancy will make her exclusive, star appearance to open the glorious indoor beach on the morning of Friday 18 July

 

SCHOLL EXPRESS PEDI BEACH

Westfield London, The Atrium, 18 – 19 July, 10am – 7pm; 20 July 12pm – 6pm

The Scholl Express Pedi Beach is set to be the perfect pit-stop for your pre-holiday speedy summer pedicure. Let the Scholl pedicure team tend to your tired soles with a free express pedicure using the Scholl Velvet Smooth range to give you soft, beautiful feet in an instant.

 

ALEXA CHUNG BOOK SIGNING 

Westfield London, The Atrium, 12 August, 12.30pm. Signing for 1.5hours

Fashion’s It girl, Alexa Chung, will be make an appearance to sign her aptly entitled book, It. A collect of writing, doodles and photographs, It has been a huge success with Alexa’s army of fashion and style followers.

 

BIG HOUSE

Big House, Westfield Stratford City Daily, 11-6pm, Sunday 12-6pm

Daredevil visitors to the Big House can hang from the window ledges by their fingertips with not a care in the world. Well, it will look like you can! The Big House is nothing but an optical illusion. Give it a go and share on social media to trick you friends!

 

Don’t forget to have your picture taken with the great big WEST and EAST letters to pledge your allegiance to #WestLDN or #EastLDN on social media.

 

E’Lifexir Flat Tummy Plus Review | Summer Essentials

e'lifexir_Flat_Tummy_Plus_Box_how_to_get_a_flat_stomach_Nature's_Dream review

We get sent a lot of stuff to review at Frost but these were a particular favourite because they really work. Take four a day and, hello!, flat tummy. They also leave you feeling healthier and less bloated. You can take two a day but we prefer to take four. They taste great, like mints and are incredibly convenient. Good stuff, highly recommended.

So, you’ve got your bikini, beach bag and towel, and can’t wait for a day in the sun, but bloating is stopping you from feeling bikini ready, so here’s a solution…

Elifexir Flat Tummy plus® is a revolutionary food supplement that reduces bloating and aids digestion, making it the perfect healthy dietary addition to achieve the ultimate bikini body.

This handy prebiotic contains fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) which help to multiply the good bacteria in the gut, helping to ease bloatedness. Added peppermint oil gives the supplement its delicious minty flavour, making it a pleasant refreshment when taken twice a day after meals.

Elifexir Flat Tummy plus® can be used to ease everyday bloating and discomfort, in addition to a dietary aid to achieve personal body and fitness goals. Whether you want to look your best at the beach or just want to feel on top form, pop a pack in your handbag and be ready to face the day.

Elifexir Flat Tummy plus® costs £9.99 for 30 tablets, and is available in the UK and Ireland from Holland & Barrett nationwide and www.hollandandbarrett.com.or here.

Whiskey Cocktail Recipes | Cocktail Ideas

With cocktail season fast-approaching, thirsty folk on the search for the perfect summer sundowner need look no further than The Wild Geese whiskey cocktails.

The super premium Irish whiskey makers have teamed up with renowned bartender Marian Beke of critically acclaimed, Nightjar, voted one of the world’s best cocktail bars, to create a range of exclusive cocktails perfect for those long sunny days. Multi award winning The Wild Geese, enlisted the expertise of Marian, to hand-craft an array of bespoke and soulful cocktails bursting with intense flavour and dressed with delicate garnishes.

The first in the line-up, The Irish Apple, will invigorate and refresh at the end of a hot, balmy summer’s evening. The Wild Geese Classic Blend is fused with dry apple cider and tart rhubarb juice to create a cocktail to enjoy whilst soaking up the last of the rays. Sweet caramel is drizzled over the top of the long drink to add a touch of sweetness to this artisanal cocktail.

The Sarsfield Swizzle is a twist on the classic swizzle cocktail with a hint of spice. The Wild Geese Classic Blend is firstly mixed with crisp, botanical gin syrup and a dash of green tea bitters. Tangy lemon balm is added to the drink to bring out the citrus notes in The Wild Geese Classic Blend, and finally topped up with lemongrass and chilli beer for a zingy finish. Named after Patrick Sarsfield, the Irish hero who led the original Wild Geese in 1691, this cocktail mixes innovation and tradition perfectly.

For the third recipe, Beke marries The Wild Geese Rare Irish with the exotic juices of the Ugly Fruit, to achieve the ultimate bittersweet serve. The Freedom Sour is an innovative take on the ever-popular Whiskey Sour, freshened up with maple syrup and a layer of Matcha tea foam.

The three times voted ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ collection is made with superb quality aged Irish Whiskey stock and uses a special Extended Double Distillation process, creating a unique smoothness and richness unlike any other whiskey. The subtle and complex flavours are created using a pioneering distillation process, providing an unusual balance between robust and spicy malt, and light smooth grain.

Irish Applecocktailrecipe

Irish Apple

2 parts The Wild Geese Classic Blend Irish Whiskey

1 part apple and rhubarb juice

3 parts dry cider

1/2 part Kamms & Sons

Mix the Classic Blend, dry cider and apple & rhubarb juice by ‘rolling’ them in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a highball glass and float a large ice ball on top. Add the Kamms & Sons to create a bittersweet taste and garnish with a crab apple and apple blossom. Drizzle fresh caramel over the garnish for the final touch.

Sarsfield Swizzlecocktailrecipe

Sarsfield Swizzle

2 part The Wild Geese Classic Blend Irish Whiskey

1 part gin botanical syrup or 1/2 part gin & 1/2 sugar syrup

Dash of green tea bitters

Lemon balm

Top up with homemade lemongrass and chili beer

Pour a full measure of The Wild Geese Classic Blend directly into the serving glass. Add gin syrup as a sweetener and a dash of green tea bitter. Add lemon balm leaves to compliment the citrus notes in the Classic Blend. Top up with lemongrass & chilli beer and ‘swizzle’ the ingredients to mix them. Serve with pinewood and sweet spice.

freedomsourcocktailrecipe

Freedom Sour

2 part The Wild Geese Rare Irish Whiskey

1/2 part maple/ honey syrup

2 parts fresh squeezed ugly fruit juice

Few dashes of bitter

Matcha tea foam

Shake and serve in martini glass, top it off with matcha tea foam.

One last one for the World Cup.

Gold Cup

goldcupworldcupcocktail

Ingredients
2 parts The Wild Geese Classic Blend Whiskey
1/2 part of lime juice
1/2 part coconut cream
1/2 part sugar syrup

Garnish
1/2 part of blue curaçao
lemon
passion fruit shell

Method
Blend a small handful of basil leaves, coconut cream and lime juice together until you have a liquid form. Pour into a cocktail shaker with sugar syrup and The Wild Geese Classic Blend Irish whiskey then shake hard with ice.

Serve in a rocks glass over crushed ice and add a passion fruit shell. Fill the shell with blue curaçao and garnish with the zest of a lemon. Add your nation’s flag to celebrate your team for the final, champion touch.

The combination of the triple citrus notes (orange, lime and lemon) with the coolness of the basil leaves make this a super refreshing cocktail with a mild and creamy, sweet finish.

Which one will you make?

Boys – Summer of Love | Music News

Their New Single

SUMMER OF LOVE

boys

Release Date: 21st July 2014

Format: Digital Download

BOYS are a lo-fi dream pop band from West London who formed in 2013 to pass some time on a rainy day, but something happened when Ross Pearce (vocals/synth), Mike Stothard (guitar/production) and Daniel Heffernon (bass) began to play together. Despite being without a drummer, or anywhere to write and practice other than one of their bedrooms, the music the trio were making was of a quality none of them had been prepared for… and the surf pop gems have kept on coming, with each of their recordings attracting an increasing number of downloads and plenty of attention from bloggers in the UK and America.

BOYS, who have invested in a drum machine and now relish every opportunity to celebrate their bedroom band status, release ‘Summer of Love’ in July, a record that sounds, smells and tastes of long sunny days at the beach.

BOYS play Camden Barfly on July 11th.