Category Archives: Alcohol Reviews

Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider Review

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Making your own alcohol may sound like something they did during prohibition, or that one of your mates does but doesn’t do a very good job of. Not anymore. Making your own cider is coming to the masses. As featured on Dragon’s Den:  Victor’s Drinks Make Your Own Cider is a brilliant invention. It is easy, convenient and really gets a party started. We tested it and we loved it. Just add water and the yeast, then days later: you have cider! The cider is cloudy and mixed berry. Other flavours are available. It tastes great to be honest and we can highly recommend it. Christmas is coming and this would make a good present and is also a great way to entertain your guests. We like.

victorsdrinksmakeyourownciderreview

History 
Alex Dixon (28) and Ralph Broadbent (27) met at University and hosted many parties during their years studying. Their parties grew and so did the requirement for alcohol. Alex experimented with home brewing, to the delight of his friends who always loved it, although for Alex there was a lot of time, effort and money required to get there. In the following three years Ralph and Alex spent time coming up with a way of changing the way people viewed home brewing and in October 2013 launched the first batch of apple cider drinks kits which is an extremely simple way to make your own alcohol while also having a fantastic taste. Alongside Victor’s Drinks Ralph and Alex put on a number of music festivals across the UK including the award winning 15,000 strong Y-Not Festival in Derbyshire.

Why Victor’s Drinks?
The name Victor’s Drinks is derived from the word “Victory”, and is based around the personal accomplishment gained from creatingyour own drink. The box is designed like a trophy and #TasteVictory is used across their social media channels.

How Does It Work?
The product is based on bag in box technology, and comes ready filled with a specially formulated syrup which gives the drink its flavour. In order to create the drink the customer just removes the cap (which also acts as a valve), removes the plastic seal (which keeps the syrup fresh), adds the supplied sachet of yeast and fills with 18 pints of warm water before leaving at room temperature for 10 days, following which, the drink can be poured directly into a glass. Inside the box the sugar in the syrup and the yeast combine to create the alcohol. Once the drink is ready it can be drunk within 3 weeks.

The Product
The box should ideally be kept somewhere at room temperature and not moved for 10 days. You can keep the cider for up to 3 weeks and the longer you leave it the dryer the taste becomes. The ales are also ready after 10 days. The box features a push tap for easy pouring.

Locations
Victor’s Drinks is based in London Fields, close to Alex and Ralph’s current London home in Angel.
Alex was born in Poole and lived with his family in Wareham until moving to Manchester University at the age of 18. 
Ralph is from Biggin near Ashbourne and like Alex moved to Manchester after his A-levels.

Dragon’s Den 
Victor’s Drinks received an offer of investment as seen on August 3rd episode. After initial worries all but one of the Dragon’s opted “out” and they rejected a sole “offer” from Duncan Bannatyne however Alex and Ralph returned with a counter-offer and a deal was agreed for £40,000 for 25% share, which if after 3 years all profit targets are hit, will reduce to 15%. Following the programme (filmed in April) Ralph and Alex have been working hard on the brand are are excited about re-launching in the coming months.  
Watch the episode here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d4nbc

Stockists
Victor’s Drinks is available on their own website as well as at Cuckooland.com, Victor’s Drinks Apple Cider 20 Pint Kit is available here, Menkind, Fenwicks, QD Stores, Victor’s Drinks Homebrew Cider Making Kit – 10 Pints Elderflower is available here, Hawkins Bazaar and a variety of independent gift shops and garden centres with a rep of £24.99

 

A Celebration of Craftsmanship, Style And Generosity: Introducing Chivas 12 ‘Made For Gentlemen’ By Bremont

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Craftsmanship, style and generosity are at the heart of the recent collaboration between Chivas Regal and award-winning British watch company Bremont. Known for crafting beautifully engineered chronometers, Bremont has partnered with Chivas to design the latest Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont limited edition gift tin alongside 12 collector item ‘Chivalry’ watches to celebrate excellence and precision in luxury.


 

The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont limited edition gift tin houses a bottle of Chivas 12 blended Scotch whisky and boldly features deconstructed watch elements to showcase the elegant and complex engineering of Bremont chronometers. The classically stylish, polished steel Bremont ‘Chivalry’ watch, with alligator strap, features a piece of oak cask used in the maturation of whiskies for Chivas Regal, the signature of James and John Chivas etched on the rotor of the timepiece and the Chivas crest subtly embossed on the dial.  An engraved copper plate, taken from a retired Scotch whisky copper still, sits on the leather presentation pouch.

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In the spirit of generosity, the Bremont ‘Chivalry’ watches will be auctioned exclusively for charities around the world.  Admirers of luxury watches and whisky will have the opportunity to participate in an online auction for one of these watches from 22nd October to 9th November, 2014 via www.chivas.com/bremont.  Proceeds will go to The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme.

 

Explains Richard Black, Global Brand Director of Chivas Regal: “In seeking luxury experiences and products, modern gentlemen demand substance and style. We felt there were many synergies between Chivas and Bremont as award winning British brands that reflect the desires of the modern gentleman. What both Chivas and Bremont do is incredibly complex but the art is to present it simply and stylishly and give our customers distinctive luxury items and experiences.”

 

Nick English, Co-Founder of Bremont, adds: “For me, the collaboration with Chivas was a genuine meeting of minds.  We are all dedicated and passionate about keeping traditions of craftsmanship alive and we are also focused upon leaving a positive legacy.  Bremont watches are ‘Tested Beyond Endurance’ and Giles and I have been blown away by the level of skill that Chivas Master Blender, Colin Scott, deploys in channeling nature and time in blending their Scotch whiskies.”

 

The Chivas 12 Made for Gentlemen by Bremont will be available globally from September with RRP of £28.45.

 

 

Francis Ford Coppola Wins Prestigious IWSC Wine Trophy

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Not content just making some of the best films in history, Award-winning film director, Francis Ford Coppola has won the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Trophy for his wine.

 It is not only the Hollywood A-lists in front of the screen such as Brangelina that are producing quality wine. Renowned American film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola best known for films including The Godfather Trilogy and Apocalypse Now, has produced a star IWSC Trophy winning wine from California, Sonoma County.

Francis Ford Coppolawine

The Mission Hill Winery Trophy for Chardonnay was awarded to producer Francis Ford Coppola Presents for its wine Director’s Cut Chardonnay 2012. Judges said that the wine had ‘subtle creamy aromas with touches of white peach and walnut with a lingering mineral back note.’

The IWSC now in its 45th year promotes the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs. It has been quoted as the ‘Oscars’ of the drinks trade and all wines entered from around the world, endure a rigorous blind tasting and are judged by some of the world’s leading drinks experts. Medals featured on winning bottles assure consumers that they are purchasing a quality product

 

 

 

 

Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 & Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012 Wine Review

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Some wine just has something special about it and this is obvious straight away. I am not talking about the packaging of the Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012 and the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 although that is also sleek and beautiful. The bottles are long and thin: very classy. No, the actual contents are special.

Let’s start with the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011. It got the Decanter Silver Award 2014. It is pricey at £22 but is it worth the price? This is otherwise known as a Pinot Noir, it is high quality and it is concentrated and has spicy notes of cherry, wild raspberry, cardamom, cinnamon and violet. It has a full and smokey flavour. It has been barrel aged for 26 months which also gives it a delicious vanilla flavour. It is a very good wine indeed. Worth the price.

Enjoy with: lamb, duck and guinea fowl.

wine review, wine awards, wine,

Next up is the Steitz Weisser Burgunder Trocken Achat 2012. Otherwise known as a Pinot Blanc, full or aromas of roasted almonds, quince, pear and vanilla. This is a truly wonderful wine. Cheaper then the Steitz Spätburgunder 2011 at £15 but still as good. It won the Decanter Commended Award 2014. A well deserved win.

Enjoy with: cheese, asparagus and seafood. Serve at 10°C.

 

Will they make Frost Magazine’s Wine Awards? You will have to wait to find out.

 

 

Jean-Luc Colombo Special Wine Review

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Jean-Luc Colombo is a relatively young company by French wine standards. With family origins in Marseille, Jean-Luc moved in 1982, with his wife Anne, to Cornas in the heart of the Rhône Valley, to set up a pharmacy and oenology lab. Four years later he bought his first vineyard – Les Ruchets – and celebrated his first vintage in 1987. His business went from strength-to strength and in 1993 Anne and Jean-Luc sold their pharmacy to focus on the wine business, investing in more vineyards and a house on the Cornas hillsides, as well as working as a negociant in this famous region.

Today, as well as owning vineyards in Cornas, they are pioneering vineyard development in the stunning ‘Blue Coast’ area and have their own winery, offices, bottling line and oenology laboratory in the centre of Cornas. They are renowned for their great wines from the northern & southern Rhône and the Mediterranean region, and export to over fifty countries.

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We got sent three bottles from Jean-Luc Colombo to review. Here is our verdict.

Jean-Luc Colombo 2013 Les Abeilles De Colombo Côtes Du Rhône

This is dry and quite smooth. It is fruity and light straw in colour. It is intensely floral with herbal and mineral notes, along with a floral aroma of peach and melon. It is well balanced and complex. It is crisp with flavours of citrus and pear. Delicious.

Enjoy with grilled lamb, pork and assorted cheeses.

RRP £9.99

2013 Les Girelles Picpoul De Pinet

This wine is rich and subtle. Crisp and dry and beautifully lemon scented. It has fresh notes of white flowers. It is very well rounded wine. It is also fresh.

Enjoy With: Grilled and roasted white meats, fish/shelfish, salads and picnics, mild creamy cheeses and oriental food.

RRP £9.99

2012 Les Abeilles De Colombo Côtes Du Rhône

This light straw coloured wine is fruity and floral. Light, crisp and clean: it is well-balanced and complex. Very good wine.

Enjoy with: grilled lamb, pork and assorted cheeses.
RRP £9.99

We were very impressed with Jean-Luc Colombo’s wine. We look forward to trying more. Very impressive.

Available from Oddbins, Trivoli, Bacchus Wines, The Bottleneck, DeFINE Food and Wine, Sunninghill Wine Merchants, The Butlers Cellar, Famous Wines, The Halifax Wine Company and Islington Wines.

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Wine Review

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Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Wine Review

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Wine Review

This sauvignon blanc is one of the best we have tasted. It is dry and fruity. It is also smooth, refreshing and ripe. With gooseberry and characters of tropical fruit. It is vibrant with nuances of melon, fresh lime, the previously mentioned gooseberry and passionfruit.

We are very partial to New Zealand brand Villa Maria. They make some good wines and this medium-priced sauvignon blanc is one of them. Very drinkable and wonderful for if we ever have a summer again.

Enjoy with: fish/shellfish, salads & picnics, mild creamy cheeses and grilled seasonal vegetables and seafood.

Drink now or up to two years.

 

https://www.majestic.co.uk

Summer Drinks Review

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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

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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?