Category Archives: Alcohol Reviews

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 
 
cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktail , alcohol, ideas,

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
 
cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktail , alcohol, ideas,

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  
 
cocktails, cocktail recipes, cocktail , alcohol, ideas,

@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. 4 ft Isle of Harris Gin

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Courtesy of Isle of Harris Distillery, we’ve been treated to a very festive recipe created by Tom Jolly of The American Bar, Gleneagles Hotel. 

The Adru Martini has been made specifically to compliment the coastal flavours of the Isle of Harris Gin. Infused with sugar kelp this unique and aromatic gin, has been married with orange bitters and vanilla pods to create something truly Christmassy. 

The Adru Martini;

Ingredients;

50ml Isle of Harris Gin

25ml Lillet Blanc

1.5ml Sugar Syrup

2 dashes of Orange Bitters

1 dash of Vanilla Saline

Lemon Peel 

Method;

Make the Vanilla Saline – 40g of Sea Salt to 100ml of water and 3 split Vanilla pods then leave to infuse for 24 hrs. 

Add all ingredients, except for the lemon, to a chilled mixing glass.

Add a large block of ice and stir until liquid is chilled and suitably diluted. 

Strain into a coupe glass 

Squeeze oils from Lemon over the drink and rub the stem with remaining peel

Drop peel into drink as a garnish. 

Isle of Harris Distillers have also created bespoke gift packages for Christmas. Each handmade Martini Glass is unique, having been blown, shaped and polished in traditional fashion. Complete with ‘The Martini Project’ and distillery marques alongside exclusive Martini recipes to enjoy, the gift set also comes with a special Aromatic Water distilled from Sugar Kelp, picked sustainably by the distillery’s seaweed harvester.

The Harris Martini + Gift Set: £92 at harrisdistillery.com.

Shop all Isle of Harris Distillery products at harrisdistillery.com

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

Festive Cocktail Guide Vol. 2 ft Three Spirit Social Elixir

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This year the market and demand for non-alcoholic spirits and beverages have boomed and more and more bars and restaurants are offering a much more exciting and varied non-alcoholic alternative menu. Accessing non-alcoholic bets has becoming so much more easier and it seems we can now treat ourselves with something other than the boring juice and ‘mocktail’ options that appear as an add-on to every drinks menu. 

This year we were treated to a host of tastings and samples of more and more innovative non alcoholic beverages and our favourite this far has to be;

Three Spirit

The World’s first non-alcoholic ’Social Elixir’. 

Created in a lab this came about as an experiment to create a plant-based alternative to alcohol…’for the bold the curious and for the good times with those who matter the most.’ The bold and curiously flavoured drink contains 11 plants, herbs and mushrooms which have been used for centuries in ceremonies and potions. Don’t be discouraged by the mushroom element… we are talking the strictly non magic kind, however Three Spirit does make you feel good made with an expert blend of plants and active compounds intended for the purpose of taste and effect. This goes without saying Three Spirit is Vegan-Friendly and Gluten Free!!!! 

Some of the ingredients included their Social Elixir blend are;

Lion’s Mane Mushroom which promotes cognitive function and mood, 

Tulsi which fights stress and introduces balance 

Damiana which is well…er an aphrodisiac 

Coconut Vinegar which promotes gut health

to name a few…

The serving suggestions for this drink are just stunning…

We recommend;

Herbal Stimulant;

50ml Three Spirit Social Elixir 

25ml Espresso 

10ml Maple Syrup or Agave 

Shake hard in an ice filled cocktail shaker

Strain into a chilled glass 

Garnish with Raw Cacao Beans.

Light & Stormy 

50ml Three Spirit Social Elixir 

100ml Ginger Ale

Pour ingredients over ice and garnish with a wheel of lime.

Three Spirit comes in three different variations and RRP £24.99 per 50cl Bottle 

https://threespiritdrinks.com

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

The Top Alcohol Gifts This Christmas

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wine advent calendar from laithwithe

Wine Advent Calender

Wine Advent Calendar: Case of 24 – £69.99

This wine advent calendar from Laithwaite’s Wine Christmas range is a brilliant idea. Have fun all December. There is a half bottle for every advent day. It has a great mix of wine. Perfect.

From www.laithwaiteswine.com

Tiki Lovers Pineapple Rum – Infused with Pineapple Extract – a new Rum experience

This is a fantastic rum, perfect for Christmas.

Our Tiki Lover’s Pineapple Rum from The Bitter Truth is a rum blend infused with an all-natural, pineapple extract from South America which is allowed to rest for several weeks.  This gives the flavours of sugar cane time to mingle elegantly with fruity layers of juicy pineapple, while maintaining the full and complex aromas of the rum blend. Made using a careful blend of aged and unaged Jamaican pot-still rum, 3-year-old Barbados rum, aged in former Bourbon Whiskey barrels and some young column-still rums from Trinidad and Guyana.

This new rum is bold, vibrant and taste-rich with both the rum and pineapple characteristics being given space to shine.

The Serve: Brilliant in all tropical drinks and tiki cocktails.

Available from masterofmalt.com, thewhiskeyexchange.com

Price £28.95

 

Brut Zéro from Bouvet Ladubay

We were very impressed with this wine and we are very fussy indeed. It is a delicious and fun bubbly. It’s a limited edition sparkling dry wine from Bouvet Ladubay and the first time it has been available in the UK. It’s currently available at Lay & Wheeler.

As the name suggests, this cuvée has no dosage, and so has not a drop of residual sugar. As a result, the wine expresses abundant freshness and minerality, supported by bright citrus and green fruit.

From www.laywheeler.com

Tomatin Scottish

Tomatin Scottish, whisky

Fantastic whisky. These are perfect stocking fillers.

El Bandarra Red
El Bandarra Red, wine, alcohol,

This is juts fantastic stuff and perfect for Christmas. Xarel·lo and Macabeo grapes are macerated with 50 herb extracts such as clove, cinnamon and bitter orange. After fortifying the wine, it is given a touch of caramel and balanced in Solera oak barrels for two months.

ABV: 15%

Serve: On the rocks with a slice of orange and an olive. This is ready to go or can be topped with soda/tonic.

Available from winebuyers.com, masterofmalt,com, thewhiskeyexchange.com, drinksupermarket.com

Price £21.95

Dark ‘n Stormy Ready-to-Go Cocktail Can – The Perfect Stocking Filler

Goslings Rum Dark ‘n Stormy ready-to-drink cocktail

Cocktails in a can usually taste artificial or just not nice. Not so this Dark ‘n Stormy. It tastes amazing. Just as good as the same cocktail made in a bar or at home.

When you need a convenient, highly refreshing drink that can quickly hit the spot, wherever the parties at, what better than our brand new Goslings Rum Dark ‘n Stormy ready-to-drink cocktail in a can that has just launched in Waitrose!

The iconic Dark ‘n Stormy is Bermuda’s national drink and a trademarked cocktail, which mandates the use of Goslings Black Seal Rum. The name is said to have originated when an old salt observed that the rum floating on top of the ginger beer was the “colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under.”

A true taste of Bermuda – the Dark ‘n Stormy ready-to-drink can is made using Goslings Black Seal Rum and Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer with no mixing and no ice required.

Price £2.20 for a can/ 3 for £5

Available at Waitrose.com

 

Gin Baubles – £35.00

The perfect gift for: The Christmas tree decorator
gin, gin baubles, christmas

We love these. They look great, are a fun idea and the gin is superb. A crowd pleaser and the perfect ornament for your Christmas tree. Pickering’s Gin Baubles, filled with Edinburgh’s Nine Botanical Gin, are a fun take on the classic decoration. If the temptation is too much, the best thing about these baubles is that they’re refillable, no-one will ever have to know!

From www.laithwaiteswine.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

Dancing the day away: The Piano Works bottomless brunch

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As you might’ve noticed, here at Frost we have a penchant for prosecco filled bottomless brunches. What could beat it? A bottomless brunch with live music, of course. We headed to Farringdon to give The Piano Works ‘Brunch to the Beat’ a try and, whilst initially nervous as we first entered the lair, we quickly embraced the atmosphere and partied the day away.

At £50 per person, the bottomless brunch includes a two-course meal and two hours (none of that 90 minute malarkey) of unlimited drinks. Choose to wet the whistle with either prosecco, pink Italian sparkling wine, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Mary or mocktails.

You’d be hard pressed to find staff who support your quest for completely embracing the ‘unlimited’ part of the Brunch to the Beat experience too. Each time your glass is edging towards the dangerous ‘half full’ territory (yep, we’re eternal optimists), the suited and booted waiters are at your side, ready to serve and encouraging the party.

Although you can choose to purchase just the drinks at £35 a head, the quality of the food is not to be ignored. The chicken and waffles were the perfect mix of sweet and savoury and the crunchy, smokey batter that encased the chicken was packed with flavour. For dessert, it’s a modest list of options but they’re certainly fan favourites – sorbet, waffles, fruit salad or the pancake stack.

Above all else, it’s imperative we talk atmosphere. This bar is often packed with large groups of hens, stags and party people (which usually guarantees a good time) but the sheer brilliance of the on-stage professionals is something else. Music starts at midday with two piano vocalists, followed by a full band at 1.30pm. Once the band has bowled in, the party intensifies.

Playing only the audience requests with a fantastic jazzy twist to just about everything, the artists become the pied pipers, drawing crowds to the dancefloor with tantalising ease. To top this experience with the metaphorical cherry, it’s a no holds barred kind of affair, with all types of requests welcome. During our experience, we heard Ben E King, Jackson 5, Ellie Goulding and Lewis Capaldi – what more could you want!?

By the end of the session, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be dancing like you’re 18 again on the dancefloor at 4am. Although, the reality is that it’s 4pm, the harsh light of day awaits outside and the hangover is starting to prepare for its inescapable appearance… we wish you luck.

To make a booking for The Piano Works’ Brunch To The Beat, visit the website.