Getting Into The Christmas Spirit | Alcohol Gift Guide

Ah, Christmas. The time for overindulgence. Too much food, booze and time spent with people you have to people you love dearly. No having to go to work in the morning, just bad TV and lying comatose on the coach. It truly is magical. To help the magic along we have started our Christmas Alcohol Reviews. Here are our top picks to buy the people who have been very, very good this year. alcoholchristmasreviewwhattobuy

Snow Leopard Vodka

This vodka (made with spelt, the so-called ‘grandfather of grains’) was created by a passionate conservationist determined to save these critically endangered big cats. Which is why we should all buy one this Christmas.

Stephen Sparrow, an ex-drinks industry expert, heard about the snow leopard’s plight during a trip to the Himalayas. Shocked at learning there were less than 5,000 left in the wild, he came back and founded the Snow Leopard Trust UK – and then created this super-premium vodka to help fund its projects. Stephen has set a global goal to raise a million dollars annually for snow leopard conservation by 2025. That’s the the figure the President of the Snow Leopard Trust has advised could provide the ‘step change’ to remove the animal from the endangered list. This goal has been helped by the vodka recently gaining national distribution in Waitrose.com

With 15% of the vodka’s profit going direct to the Snow Leopard Trust, funds are provided to community-based conservation projects. These range from replacing farmers’ livestock that might be taken by snow leopards; through to helping educate herders’ children and training for adults in spinning wool and handicrafts for extra income. Supporting these projects helps educate the local communities and fosters a positive attitude towards the snow leopard.

£36.00 RRP for a 70cl bottle and available at Waitrose.com, Harvey Nichols and Ocado.com, as well as all good independent drinks retailers. Snowleopardtrustuk.org / snowleopardvodka.co.uk

 

Snow Leopard Vodka – The Conservation Martini

Glass: Martini

75ml Snow Leopard Vodka
5ml French Dry Vermouth
1 sprig of rosemary to be stirred in a mixing glass

Method: Add ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass and briskly stir for 20 seconds.
Pour into a Martini glass.
Garnish: Rosemary sprig placed in the Martini or cocktail glass.

 

Whitley Neill Gin

This is top-class, truly wonderful gin. Perfect for gin lovers, winner of the World’s Best Gin Award at the International Wines and Spirits Festival, super-premium Whitley Neill Gin stands out from the crowd with its African botanicals cape gooseberry and super-fruit baobab, which has six times more vitamin C than an orange. Whitley Neill is slightly softer than more traditional gins and the taste is refreshingly citrusy and sweet. Whitley Neill Gin is available in sainsburys.co.uk priced £24.00.

 

Lamb’s Spiced

This is wonderful spiced rum with a lower alcohol content that other spiced rums. The sophisticated readers of Frost will know that is a good thing. New Lamb’s Spiced is a perfect gift for rum aficionados and cocktail lovers. It’s a gentle blend with a lower alcoholic content (30% abv) than other spiced rums, which makes this smooth golden liquid ideal for sipping. Natural spices and hints of cinnamon and caramel give Lamb’s Spiced a sweet, warming flavour. Lamb’s Spiced is available in Tesco.com priced £14.49 for a 70cl bottle.

 

Lamb’s Navy Rum

A true classic. This is high-end rum. Truly Iconic British rum, Lamb’s Navy, is the perfect tipple to have in the cupboard at Christmas – not only is it a great cake preservative and ideal ingredient for flambéing the Christmas pudding, but it’s a great winter cocktail ingredient too. Lamb’s Navy Rum is available from all major supermarkets priced around £14.50 for 70cl.

 

Bootlegger

This is something truly unique for whiskey lovers who want something different. It is actually unaged white whiskey. It is gorgeous, sophisticated and luxurious with just the right amount of vintage kitsch.

Bootlegger is an unaged white whiskey inspired by the raw liquor ‘Bootleggers’ moved around the US during Prohibition. It has a raw sophisticated taste with aromas of peat, oak and vanilla with a smooth finish and has been created for sipping neat over ice as well as in cocktails. Bootlegger is available from Harrods.com and other premium retailers priced around £37.50.

 

Tequila Rose

Our editor loves tequila, just a shame she can’t drink it at the moment because she is pregnant! We did the hard work for her: This is a unique and delicious take on tequila. Tequila Rose is a luxurious blend of premium Mexican tequila and real strawberry flavoured cream liqueur. It’s an ideal alternative to traditional cream liqueurs at Christmastime and makes a fabulous gift for female foodies and cocktail lovers. Tequila Rose is priced £14.99 for 70cl from various supermarkets.

 

Grant’s Signature 

Grant’s whisky is always brilliant. Perfect for a wee dram. This Christmas Grant’s Whisky is putting a new twist on tradition this Christmas with the release of its Signature character and maltiness blend. With a smooth yet rich taste, with hints of caramel and biscuit which is delicious on its own, over ice or with a mixer. The product of five generations, Grant’s is Scotland’s oldest family owned blend.

The Grant’s Family Reserve is priced at RRP £17.49 (70cl) available supermarkets and off licences. The Grant’s Signature blend will be sold exclusively at Tesco.com, priced at RRP £18.49.

 

Koko Kanu Coconut Rum

Perfect for rum lovers: Koko Kanu is a subtle blend of crystal clear rum and coconut; the only full strength coconut rum available in the UK.

This beautifully rich tasting coconut flavoured rum from the Caribbean island of Jamaica, is so smooth and round that it’s delicious on its own over ice.

 

Koko Kanu Daiquiri

Ingredients:

50ml Koko Kanu
25ml freshly pressed lime juice
5ml Gomme (available at all good retail outlets)

Method:
Chill a martini glass
Add all ingredients to a boston shaker, shake and double strain
Pour into the chilled glass and garnish with a slice of lime or a mint leaf

 

Koko Kanu Grikoko
(Created By Chris Langhan)

Ingredients:
2 Shot Koko Kanu
½ shot lime juice
1 whole Mandarin (quartered)
Dash orange bitters

Method:
Muddle whole mandarin including flesh and zest (everything), add liquid ingredients
Shake hard and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a twist of orange

 

Bowmore Black Rock Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This is a very unique no age statement whisky. It has a rich sherry and peat smoke which is then followed by blackcurrants, treacle toffee and cinnamon spice. Buy for someone you want to impress. It is unique and they probably would not have tried it before. This was released for the travel retail market in 2014.

 

Don Papa Rum

This is brilliant and new for rum lovers. New Don Papa is a premium aged small batch rum from the Philippines which was launched in the UK in February 2014. It is light and fruity on the nose, smooth and delicate on the palate with flavours of vanilla, honey and candied fruit. The Don Papa Rum Gift Pack is available from majestic.co.uk and Majestic stores for £30 and from Harvey Nichols stores and online at www.harveynichols.com

 

Glen Moray Single Malt

This is a top-class Scotch whisky, buy it for the whisky lover in your life. Glen Moray Single Malt is distilled at the Glen Moray Distillery, Speyside’s most northerly distillery which has been producing whisky since 1897. This 10 year old single malt has been uniquely aged in chardonnay casks. £25.00, available from sainsburys.co.uk and glenmoray.com.

 

Three Barrels Honey

Excellent French Brandy. Drink it and cook with it. Oh, and buy it for someone else if you can give it away. The UK’s favourite French grape brandy, Three Barrels, has been blended with the finest honey flavours to create Three Barrels Honey. The new spirit drink is so smooth and mellow, you won’t want to give up a drop for Saint Nick.

 

THREE BARRELS ON THE ROCKS WITH A TWIST

Glass: 10oz Rocks

Method: Pour over ice cubes and spray orange oils over the top of drink

Ice: Cubed

Ingredients:

50ml Three Barrels Honey

Garnish: Trimmed orange zest

THREE BARRELS HONEY AND GINGER

Glass:
12oz Hiball

Method: Fill glass with ice and pour in order listed

Ice:
Cubed

Ingredients:

35ml Three Barrels Honey

Top ginger ale

Garnish: Lemon wedge squeezed and discarded, garnish with fresh wedge

 

THREE BARRELS HONEY COLLINS

Glass: 12oz Hiball

Method: Pour all ingredients in glass except soda, and then add ice

Fill with soda and gently stir, top with ice if required

Ice: Cubed

Ingredients:

50ml Three Barrels Honey

20ml Fresh lemon juice

5ml sugar syrup

Top with soda

Garnish: Lemon slice

 

THREE BARRELS HONEY FIZZ

Glass: Chilled flute

Method: Pour in order listed and stir

Ingredients:

25ml Three Barrels Honey

Top with Champagne or dry sparkling wine (Cava or Prosecco)

Garnish: Lemon oils sprayed and discard zest

 

What will be your tipple?

 

 

Kelly’s of Cornwall Ice cream Meringue Tart | Recipes

Kelly’s of Cornwall Ice cream Meringue TartIngredients:

6 tart cases

1 tub of Kelly’s of Cornwall Clotted Cream & Strawberries ice cream

6 mini meringues

Strawberry sugar to sprinkle

Chocolate sauce

 

Method:

Microwave the tart cases for 5-7 seconds (not too hot or the ice cream will melt).  Add a few spoons of Kelly’s ice cream in to the tart cases and spread out evenly. Place the meringues on top, decorate with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and add some sugar sprinkles to top it off.

This recipe has been created by Kelly’s of Cornwall with Jacinta Zechariah, blogger of Jacintaz3as part of Kelly’s Creative Kids in the Kitchen 2014 campaign. To see Jacinta’s blog please visit http://jacintaz3.co.uk/the-day-i-died-and-lived-to-tell-the-tale/

 

 

 

Kelly’s of Cornwall Eddie’s Mess Ice Cream | Recipes

Kelly’s of Cornwall Eddie’s Mess Ice CreamIngredients:

3 strawberries, sliced
A handful of blueberries and blackberries
3 meringue shells, broken
2 scoops of Kelly’s Clotted Cream & Raspberries ice cream

 

Method:

Layer sliced strawberries, broken meringue pieces, blueberries and blackberries (leaving a few to decorate) in a fancy sundae glass then add a couple of scoops of ice cream.  Decorate with remaining blueberries and blackberries and serve.

 

This recipe has been created by Kelly’s of Cornwall with Galina Varese, blogger of Chez Maxima as part of Kelly’s of Cornwall’s Creative Kids in the Kitchen 2014 campaign.  To see Galina’s blog please visit http://chezmaximka.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

 

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?

 

 

Andrea Lembke’s Recipe for Tangy Chicken and Mango Fajitas

Britain is expecting its longest summer since 1910 with scorching temperatures staying around until September, but it seems it’s not just the forecasters expecting high heats. According to new research the British palate is longing for something hotter too.

Recipe for Tangy Chicken and Mango Fajitas

Mexican food is now one of the most popular cuisines in the UK, with fajitas featuring in the top ten. So why not join the fajita craze with taste developer Andrea Lembke, who’s serving up her favourite dish with a twist this summer with her favourite recipe for Tangy Chicken and Mango fajitas in this short video. The recipe is full of flavour, seasoning and spice and is a simple, sweet and scrumptious meal to enjoy with the family this summer.

Recipe for Tangy Chicken and Mango Fajitas

 

What you will need:
– 450g Boneless Chicken
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling
– 1 Medium Sized Red Onion
– 1 Green Pepper
– 1 Red Pepper
– 1 Yellow Pepper
– 1/2 Mango
– 1 Santa Maria Perfect Fajita Kit, includes 8 Soft Flour Tortillas, Santa Maria Salsa and Faijita Seasoning Mix
– Santa Maria Chipotle Paste

For the Guacamole to serve with:
– 3 Large Avocados
– 1 Large Lime
– 1 Large Ripe Tomato
– 1 Small Red Onion
– 1 Red & 1 Green Chilli (Optional)
– Handful of fresh Coriander Plant

 

Method
Coat the chicken in the oil and Fajita Seasoning Mix. Heat a heavy based frying pan until very hot and add the seasoned chicken, this should be fried for about 3 minutes or until well browned.

For the guacamole, combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.

Chop the onion, peppers and mango and add into the pan, cook for a further 2 minutes or until the meat is cooked.

Warm Tortillas in a separate pan.

Serve with Salsa, Soured Cream, and Guacamole. Add some Green Jalapeños for an extra kick.

 

For more information, please visit www.santamariaworld.co.uk

 

 

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?

Michael Caines Vegetable Curry With Lentils, Cauliflower, Baby Corn & Spinach

vegcurry

Prep time; 1 hour

 

Serves 4

 

Ingredients 

 

Spice mix

4 cloves

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp madras curry

4 gloves of garlic, peeled and crushed

1tsp Root ginger grated finely

2 tblsp white wine vinegar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp palm sugar

150g Red lentils

40ml Vegetable oil

1 large cauliflower cut into even size florets

1 large fennel cut in half and the into 4

1 onion finely chopped

2 red chillies deseeded and finely chopped

200g of tinned chopped plum tomatoes

400ml coconut milk

400ml water

200g Baby corn cut into quarters lengthways

100g baby spinach

4 tblsp coriander chopped

1 lemon or lime

Large sprig of coriander

Sea salt

 

For the tarka or chaunk

30ml Vegetable oil

1tblsp mustard seeds

1tsp cumin seed

1tspfennel seed

3 curry leaves

3 Bay leaves

 

Method

First you need to make the spice paste. For this toast the coriander and cumin seeds in small pan for a minute. Now place into a spice grinder and grind to a finely, alternatively use a pestle and mortar or a blender/food processor.

Place into a small bowl and add the turmeric, madras powder, crushed garlic, grated ginger, white wine vinegar, salt and palm sugar and mix together well. Set aside.

 

Place the lentils in a pan and cover with 500ml of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 15/20 minutes until the lentils are a thick puree. Cover and set aside until later.

 

Heat half the oil in a large pan and over a medium heat; caramelise the cauliflower florets evenly until golden brown. Remove and place on a plate. Now caramelise the 8 fennel pieces and remove. Add the remaining oil and heat, add the chopped onion and fry until golden brown, now add the spice mixture and cook out for 2 minutes. Add the chopped tinned tomatoes and chopped chillies and cook for 5 minutes before adding the coconut milk, cauliflower florets, fennel and baby corn. Bring to the boil and reduce to a simmer and leave to cook for 15 minutes stirring from time to time.

To finish, add the spinach before stirring in the lentil to required texture and consistency and now add the chopped coriander.

 

For the tarka or chaunk

Heat the oil in a small frying pan and add the spice and bay and curry leaves until the seeds start to pop. Now drizzle over the curry.

 

 

Uniform Foodies App
Chef Michael Caines and Uniformdating.com, the UK’s top dating site for uniformed singles, have partnered up to develop an app dedicated to uniformed professionals favourite foods!

 

Following a national survey to find out the UK’s uniformed professions favourite dishes, Michael Caines has develop these dishes into a range of delicious, easy-to-make recipes. All these, and many more recipes are available on the Uniform Foodies recipe app.

 

Uniform Foodies is available on iTunes, iOS, 69p
Please click here

 

 

 

Michael Caines Leek and Potato Soup Recipe

 

leekandpotatoesoap

Prep time; 30 minutes

 

Ingredients

300g Peeled potatoes, cut to a medium dice

400g Leeks, chopped and washed

200g Onions, sliced

100g Butter

1 liter Water

500ml Chicken stock

Bouquet Garni (parsley stalks and thyme wrapped in celery and leek then bound with string)

4 Large scallops

1 tblsp Olive oil

Salt and Pepper

Chopped chives

4 tbsp. double cream

 

Method 

Place the onions and leeks in a saucepan, along with the butter, and cook until soft and without colouring them. Add the water, chicken bouillon, bouquet garni and potatoes and bring to the boil. Season with salt and pepper and reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. After this time remove the bouquet garni then blend with a hand blender until smooth. Finally pass the soup through a sieve and correct the seasoning if required.

 

Season the scallops with salt and pepper, add some olive oil to the non-stick pan and heat well.

 

Now seal off the scallops in a non-stick pan until golden brown on both sides, remove from the pan and place the scallops into the middle of each of the bowls, now pour in the soup around and serve.

 

Sprinkle with chives and dribble a spoonful of double cream around the bowl.

 

Enjoy!

 

Uniform Foodies App
Chef Michael Caines and Uniformdating.com, the UK’s top dating site for uniformed singles, have partnered up to develop an app dedicated to uniformed professionals favourite foods!

 

Following a national survey to find out the UK’s uniformed professions favourite dishes, Michael Caines has develop these dishes into a range of delicious, easy-to-make recipes. All these, and many more recipes are available on the Uniform Foodies recipe app.

 

Uniform Foodies is available on iTunes iOS, 69p
Please click here