A Journey from Oxfordshire to the World: Introducing Sky Wave

Posted on December 8, 2023 by Catherine Balavage

Multi-award winning, small-batch gin distillery from Oxfordshire Sky Wave introduces a bold new look that’s more planet-friendly, inspired by a bygone era of elegance and adventure

Multi-award winning Sky Wave is yet another testament to the creativity, intelligence and innovation coming out of Oxfordshire. Now with a bold new look, Sky Wave invites you to join their global community embarking on an extraordinary journey through the world of small-batch premium gin, inspired by a bygone era of elegance and adventure.

Sky Wave is distilled using the finest Oxfordshire natural mineral water from Blenheim Palace and has garnered over 50 awards in just four years, earning their rightful place among the world’s finest spirits. Every drop of Sky Wave is a testament to the meticulous care and dedication of master distiller, Andrew Parsons.

Nestled in the heart of Oxfordshire, Sky Wave was born from a commitment to craftsmanship. Each sip of Sky Wave is a sensational exploration of botanical wonders,inspired by ingredients and tastes from all corners of the world. From its fruity counterparts, including Sky Wave Raspberry & Rhubarb Gin (70cl RRP £44, ABV 42%), Sky Wave Orange and Madagascan Vanilla Gin (70cl RRP £44, ABV 40%) and Sky Wave Spiced Apple Gin Liqueur (70cl RRP £26, ABV 20%), to what is officially the World’s Best Contemporary Gin2: the fabulously smooth Sky Wave Signature London Dry Gin (70cl RRP £44, ABV 42%), Sky Wave boasts an abundant collection of sophisticated flavours to discover.

The new bottles have shed 40% in weight compared to the previous packaging, deliberately designed to be lightweight to reduce the environmental impact on raw material usage, production and transportation; all while offering more liquid proportionally for the price. Proudly, the bottles are 100% British: designed in Wales and manufactured in Yorkshire.

Alongside their core range of exceptional gins, Sky Wave proudly offers Sky Wave Zero, a groundbreaking addition that showcases the brand’s unwavering commitment to innovation and inclusivity by providing an exquisite alternative for those seeking a sophisticated, alcohol-free experience. Crafted with the same precision and care as its alcoholic counterparts, Sky Wave Zero promises the same exceptional taste and quality, without compromise.

The bold new Sky Wave bottle will be available at select retailers, Master of Malt, Amazon and at www.skywavegin.com from Monday 30th October. Don’t miss your opportunity to own a piece of this exceptional craftsmanship from Oxfordshire: explore the wider range online here. Perfect for the festive season, why not savour the World’s best with delicious crafted gifts here?

#FromOxfordshireToTheWorld

Drink Like a Celebrity This Winter with Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation American Gin

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Catherine Yardley

I love Aviation American Gin. It is my new go-to gin and I highly recommend it.

This winter, welcome Ryan Reynolds and the sunshine of the US into your home in the form of Aviation American Gin cocktails.

Aviation American Gin has been voted the world’s highest-rated gin and has helped establish a new style of American gin – softer and smoother, with juniper in the background and citrus and floral notes in the front – resulting in more balanced cocktails.

RRP: £28 for 700ml. ABV: 42%. Available to purchase from Morrisons, Tesco, Waitrose, Amazon and Master of Malt

Aviation Ovation

40 ml Aviation American Gin | 90 ml Soda Water | Orange Slice

Pour Aviation American Gin into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a slice of orange.

Aviation Hipster Harvey

40 ml Aviation American Gin | 60 ml Orange Juice | 15 ml Vanilla Liqueur | Orange Slice

Combine all ingredients into a flute glass and top with vanilla liqueur. Garnish with an orange slice.

The Aviation

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

Aviation Rickey Reynolds

40 ml Aviation American Gin | 90 ml Soda Water | Lime Wheel

Pour Aviation American Gin into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.

Christmas Gift Guide 2021: Top Picks

Posted on November 1, 2021 by Frostie

The Polar Express Gift Set is the perfect gift. Brand new for 2021, it includes a mini-hardback version of Chris Van Allsburg’s enduring Christmas classic (made into a move in 2004 starring Tom Hanks), plus a writing set for children to send their letter to Santa, write thank you notes after Christmas or even write their own future Christmas classic – PLUS – a gorgeous tree decoration based on the sleigh bell from the book – and if you didn’t know already, only those who truly believe in the magic of Christmas will hear the bell ring!

We loved this. It is so cute and clever. It brings the full experience for total Christmas joy. A must-buy.

Available from Waterstones and Amazon.co.uk

Next Up is…

BiGDUG’s LiTTLEDUG Workstation.

This is a brilliant toy for children. It will keep them entertained for ages. It is well-made and great to help with development.

BiGDUG, the world-famous storage expert, has brought back – by popular demand – the LittleDUG Workstation. Just in time for Christmas, the LittleDUG Workstation is the ideal gift for all budding engineers, DIY gurus, decorators and builders, so they can get stuck in to DIY just like the adults.

The workstation comes with a mini tool set, including a spanner, socket spanner, hammer, screwdriver, pliers and a vice. With over 60 pieces included in the bundle, the BiGDUG LittleDUG Workstation will be sure to keep the busiest of hands full this festive season.

Suitable for Children aged from three years, the toy workstation is just £19.99 and is great to develop fine motor skills too.

Available here.

Next up is something for the adults. We LOVE this gin.

Why not give a truly spirited gift this Christmas, with a beautiful bottle of Single Estate Spirit from Ramsbury?

Single Estate simply means that the complete process from field to bottle takes place on the Ramsbury Estate in Wiltshire. It sows, grows and distils the primary ingredients itself. Operating a true grain to glass approach, everything from the estate is used in the production. Making its offering among the most sustainable spirits sold in the UK.

The award-winning spirits will be a sure-fire winner for Christmas gifting for friends and family that enjoy a premium pour.

Ramsbury Single

Estate Gin £33.50, 700ml, 40% ABV

A crisp, full-bodied London Dry Gin combined with quince grown on the estate, classic juniper, citrus, woody angelica and spicy cinnamon.

The result is a London Dry Gin with a modern twist, complex but balanced. Enjoy in Ramsbury’s signature G&T, with a slice of green apple and a slice of lime.

Awards: SIP Platinum Award 2021 and SIP Consumer Choice Award 2021

www.ramsbury.com

For the perfect stocking filler: we love this apron with pockets from CookSmart. It is adorable and well-made.

New Cocktail Recipe: Cotton Gin Mother’s Day Martini

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Frostie

Yorkshire-based Premium Gin Cotton Gin has teamed with TV’s Andy Clarke to create a mouth-watering new Martini for Mother’s Day: Introducing the Cotton Gin Mother’s Day Martini.

Watch the Cotton Gin Mother’s Day Martini – a mix of tantalising tarragon, zingy pomegranate, fragrant Rosé Vermouth and crisp, smooth Cotton Gin – be made on Insta Live with Andy and Distillery Founder Nicola at https://www.instagram.com/otterbeckdistillery/ – Tuesday 9 March @ 7pm

Method

FOR TWO

Ingredients (for two cocktails)

3 Parts (150ml) Cotton Gin

2 Parts (100 ml) Londinio Rosé Vermouth

1 Part (50ml) Pomegranate Juice

20 Pomegranate Seeds

2 Sprigs of Tarragon

A Large Handful of Ice

Equipment

1 x Cocktail Shaker

2 x Martini Glasses

Chill the glasses.

Put the ice to the shaker and add all liquid ingredients. Shake for 20 seconds or until the shaker condensates and is extremely cold to touch.

Pour into the glasses and decorate with the pomegranate seeds and tarragon leaves.

Easy cocktails to mix at home

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Cotswolds Garden

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 B arentszgin.com and from 31Dover.com in a luxury gift carton.

Lowlander Sobeer Citrus Mocktail

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

@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

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

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

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.

Cocktail Ideas : Tanqueray Edition

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Kesh

Every weekend until Christmas we will be offering you up some lovely cocktail ideas which you can use to celebrate the occasion or to create your very own cocktail guide with to use all year round. This week we were sent some exciting Tanqueray cocktails created by presenter Miquita Oliver. We think you will love her daring twists on some Gin cocktail classics.

First up the Tanqueray Martini – This is probably my favourite cocktail ever. Simple, sophisticated and packs a punch. Miquita has created;

Tanqueray Martini with Ginger Chilli and Coriander.

45ml Tanqueray London Dry Gin
10ml Chilli infused Cocchi Americano
10ml Chilli infused Dolin Dry
5ml Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur
1 dash orange bitters
Atomised with coriander & ginger spray
Garnish: Coriander leaf

Stir all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled martini or nick & nora glass
garnish with spray and float a coriander leaf in the drink

For the Chilli vermouth infusions
Take 2-3 dried whole chillies and break their skin and put straight into the bottle and allow to infuse for 1.5 hours – taste after this time to check that the chilli has infused – depending on the strength of the chilli it may need a little longer but this should add a gentle heat to the vermouths – after this time strain and rebottle

For the coriander & ginger spay
Infuse coriander and ginger for 1.5 hours. Strain. Transfer liquid to any plastic atomiser

The Green Tanqueray Tonic –

A refreshing and zesty green take on the G&T

For the Syrup:
500g Sugar
1.5 Litre Water
350g Cucumber
1.5 Granny smith apples (cored)
20ml Lime juice

Heat sugar & water up together and leave to cool to make sugar syrup
Blitz cucumber, apples and lime in a blender and strain. Add to the sugar syrup.

To serve:
40ml Cucumber and Apple syrup
25ml Tanqueray
topped with Fever tree tonic

Garnish:
Pleated cucumber peel (full length of cucumber) pierced by a cocktail stick and rested on top

The Red Tanqueray & Tonic

The Red Tanqueray Tonic – perfect for Christmas, we love the spicy notes and cranberry twist.

For the Syrup:
500ml water
150g Sugar
100g Cranberrys
10g Cinnamon
10g Black Cardamon

All except sugar in a pan and bring to the boil and simmer for 20 mins
Reduce to about half as much water and add the sugar. Simmer for another 4 mins on a low heat, remove the spice cinnamon & cardamon and blitz the rest. Strain.

Serve:
35ml red syrup
10ml Lemon juice
2 dash angostura bitters
top with fever tree tonic

Garnish:
3 cranberries on a cocktail stick

Tanqueray is available to buy from multiple major retailers. For more details visit www.tanqueray.com

Christmas Gifts : A Guide to Great Spirits and Liqueurs

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Kesh

Foxhole Gin

Try an innovative English Gin this Christmas, multi-award winning Foxhole Gin has been created with a passion for sustainability. Distilled with a spirit made from tonnes of pressed grapes wineries usually throw away, Foxhole Gin rescues them to produce a beautifully balanced, aromatic and charming spirit. You’re bound to impress with their sophisticated packaging with a unique and impressive gin to match inside. Foxhole have a curated a selection of their range ideal for Christmas including;

Foxhole miniatures are a great stocking filler.

If you’re looking for a gift for collectors try the marc 3 limited gift pack which contains a 700ml bottle of the Foxhole Gin: marc 3 gift wrapped and adorned with an antique copper Foxhole spirits badge. marc 3 is strictly limited to 500 bottles due to the 8760 hrs it takes to produce this using the valuable 2015 by products from Sussex Vineyards.

Digital Gift Cards,

Available in (£10, £25, £50, £75, £100) this can be used to purchase any Foxhole Gin products on their online store including tonics.

foxholespirits.com

Baileys

This Christmas there are five different Baileys for you to try. For someone who like to keep it traditional we have Baileys Original and this year they have launched their new dairy free Baileys Almande. Blending crushed almonds, almond oil and essence of real vanilla, this new product is dairy free and vegan friendly and available at whole foods stores across the UK. Also available is the Baileys Chocolate Luxe blended with Belgian Chocolate and Baileys Original Irish Cream, Baileys Coffee and Baileys Orange Truffle.

baileys.com

Greenall’s Sloe Gin

Greenall’s the traditional British Gin have recently launched their new Sloe Gin recipe which is designed to be the perfect winter tipple. This ruby red blend of sweet sloe berries produces strong notes of almonds and cherry. Greenall’s created with a traditional, hand-crafted recipe has been made to be enjoyed not just as a liqueur but also as a great base for a cocktail. We highly recommend the ‘take it sloe toddy’ as your ultimate winter warmer. Greenall’s Sloe Gin is made through a completely natural and hands on method using only the product of the 8 weeks of sloe berry maceration. No additional juices or artificial colours are added and mixing is done by hand using the traditional Greenall’s recipe which has remained unchanged for more than 250 years.

Greenall’s Sloe Gin is available to buy through amazon.co.uk priced at £18 a bottle.

amazon.co.uk

Amarula

Personally, no feast is complete without an Irish Coffee and my perfect variation of one would definitely contain Amarula. This mysterious and creamy liqueur is distilled in South Africa and produced from the fruit of the Marula tree is aged in french oak before being blended into its luxurious creamy texture giving it a sweet honey caramel texture. This versatile liqueur can be enjoyed on the rocks, as a spicy winter warmer and even in desserts for all the bakers out there. Amarula has a 24month shelf life but we can’t guarantee it will last that long in your drinks cupboard as you won’t be able to get enough of it’s luxurious taste and texture.

Amarula is available in 700ml bottles and available to buy from multiple major retailers priced at £12.50 a bottle.

Festive Cocktail Ideas : Greenall’s Sloe Gin Edition

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Kesh

Take it Sloe Toddy

Every week until Christmas we have teamed up with some fabulous drinks brands to bring you some wonderful festive cocktail ideas. This year Greenall’s have launched a new Sloe Gin recipe combining the eight botanicals which make up the Original Greenall’s with rich sloe berries to create the perfect warming winter tipple.

Greenall’s Take it Sloe Toddy

Best enjoyed by a roaring fire

Ingredients:
50ml Greenell’s Sloe Gin

100ml Cloudy Apple Juice

50ml Orange Juice

Cinnamon Stick

2 Cloves

Method:
Pour Sloe Gin into a toddy glass. Warm juices gently with the cinnamon and cloves for 5/6 mins until infused. Pour the warm liquid into the Greenall’s Sloe Gin. Garnish with orange wheel and cinnamon stick.

Greenall’s 1761 Royale

Perfect for dazzling your party guests

Ingredients:
25ml Greenall’s Sloe Gin

50ml Prosecco

Blackberry to Garnish

Sprig of Rosemary

Method:
Pour Sparkling Wine over ice into a coupe glass. Lightly bruise rosemary then drop into glass. Slowly pour Greenall’s Sloe Gin so it sinks to the bottom.

Greenall’s Sloe Thyme

A refreshing tipple

Ingredients:
50ml Greenall’s Sloe Gin

150ml Cloudy lemonade

Sprig Thyme

Lemon Slice

Method:
Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in Greenall’s Sloe Gin. Slowly pour in cloudy lemonade or lemon tonic. Garnish with a sprig of thyme and a lemon slice.

Frost Magazine