Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Tumbledown Gin is one for the gin connoisseurs, the lovers of a particular stature of gin and gin making which can only be found in smaller, independent distilleries. Tumbledown Gin is probably made in the most remote distillery on Earth – the Falkland Islands.
Ex-soldier Taff stayed in the Falklands way longer than any of his colleagues and began building a distillery despite the Falklands Government saying ‘no’. Along with fellow islanders John and Saul, they built up a business and a following thanks to the cruise ships that passed and spread the word, finally shipping 8,000miles to the Isle of Man via Royal Navy Fleet Auxiliary. This is where the gin was finally bottled and where it was launched from.
We sampled some of the purest gin ever as a straight gin and then with a tonic. The gin itself has a slightly citrus flavour to it, and you can taste the purity of the stream-fed water from Tumbledown Mountain on the Falkland Island. The botanicals, including seasonal scurvy grass, can also be traced. The pureness of the water allows the flavours to come through and at 46% proof, it’s very strong! I would recommend pairing Tumbledown with a tonic unless you are a real gin fan. Adding it to a cocktail seems sacrilege though, as it’s far too good in quality.
Although pricy at £95, it does have to travel a long way, and as a gift for a gin lover, it’s almost guaranteed to be something which your loved one has not even encountered before, let alone tried!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Even the bottle, with it’s white and read marketing and the name ‘Mr White’s Gin’ will scream Christmas at you. The Mr White which is referred to is Marco Pierre White, Michelin-starred chef and London restaurant entrepreneur who has produced this new 70cl and 40% gin and is bringing it to Christmas via some festive cocktails.
Mr White’s Gin is a dry London gin, with a tangy juniper taste to it. It’s perfect for Christmas with its slight aromatic scents and enhanced floral tones. You can tell that it’s a good quality gin because it’s so smooth to taste, but this Christmas, it works wonderfully in some festive cocktails.
We particularly like the Rosemary & Red Yuletide Blush(below) which uses Mr White’s Gin as well as cranberry juice and orange liqueur. Enjoy!
Rosemary & Red – Yuletide Blush
A merry twist on a modern classic. This festive Cosmo blends the crisp botanicals of MR. WHITE’S GIN with tart cranberry juice, fresh lime, and a splash of orange liqueur—evoking the brightness of winter berries and citrus under twinkling lights.
Ingredients
40ml MR. WHITE’S GIN
20ml Cointreau or triple sec
10ml fresh lime juice
30ml cranberry juice drink
Fresh rosemary and glacé cherry to garnish
Method
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a tall-stemmed glass, and garnish with a glacé cherry pierced with a sprig of rosemary.
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
You probably don’t associate vodka being Italian, bu I bet you didn’t know that Altamura Vodka was made from ancient grain, making it 2,000 years old? The ancient durum wheat is grown in Altamura or neighbouring Puglia to produce vodka which can confidently say that it’s been around longer than most other spirits!
At 43% proof, this is one for cocktails, which Altamura is perfectly suited for thanks to its raw wheat taste which blends to a soft finish. There’s tones of lemon and grapefruit there too, not unlike the hills of the Altamura region in Italy.
For vodka lovers, Altamura is a great choice as something different yet classic. There are fewer ingredients which gives it a clearer taste and makes it excellent for making cocktails with. Versatile vodka is great for Father’s Day or as a birthday present, especially if Dad likes Italian spirits!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Take Father’s Day to a new level and give Dad some Sake Ono instead of a boring bar of chocolate! Sake Ono, made in Niigata, Japan, is 15% ABV so it’s a bit stronger than wine but not as strong as whisky or vodka. It can be drunk either in a glass or as a part of a cocktail, but I prefer to drink it on its own, along after a meal.
Sake Ono sits like a wine with a soft, crisp texture. Although made with water, rice, koji (to ferment the rice) and yeast, you can’t taste either the rice or the yeast. It’s less like beer and more like wine. It’s brewed then pressed, filtered and pasteurised in the Japanese Alps using the finest quality water.
Sake Ono is a great alternative to spirits with a lower ABV and works especially well with cheeses and charcuterie, or in a New School Negroni. It has a light, slightly citrus and a pinch of floral taste and a sweet after taste. Why not try it yourself before you gift a bottle to Dad?
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Marco Pierre White is known as being Britain’s premier Michelin Star winning chef from the 80s to today with number other awards under his belt, and well as making more hot dinners, well than you’ve had hot dinners! Did you know that he’s ventured into making gin though? Mr White’s London Dry Gin was created by Marco with Master Distillers to use to top of the range ingredients and the best distillery process to make this top tier, 40% gin.
The London Dry gin has been described as ‘redefining a London Dry’ due to the gin being juniper-forward. This is not a gin for a first-time taster, but more the pinnacle gin for those who have tried every gin out there and got bored. Wanting to try a more sophisticated flavour, connoisseurs will love the simplicity of this taste that incorporates the smooth texture of London Dry as well as the gin/juniper flavour.
The taste is not ostentatious. You can tell that it’s been cultivated in copper pot still because of the clean taste but it’s also powerful and hits like a gin from first sip to aftertaste. The 40% proof is evident, and I would suggest only drinking neat the first time then mixing afterwards, or creating a fabulous cocktail with it that exemplifies its pureness.
The bottle is gorgeous (white of course!) and signed by Mr White himself. The bottle is also huge, but only the average spirit size of 70cl. You’ll notice Marco Pierre White’s name at the top and ‘Established 1961; which refer to the chef himself, not the age of the spirit!
This is a brilliant Father’s Day gift for gin lovers, or anyone who appreciated a really good bottle being added to the collection. If you’re serving cocktails to that special man this Father’s Day, you might like to try this…
The MR. WHITE’S Classic Negroni Bianco
* 30ml MR. WHITE’S GIN
* 30ml White vermouth
* 30ml Suze.
Method
Add all ingredients into mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a clear, heavy tumbler, with a single large ice cube or ice ball and garnish with grapefruit peel.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If your dad enjoys a good gin, or is just beginning to discover the joy of it, this Drinks by the Dram Premium Gin Tasting Set is a gift he won’t forget in a hurry. Beautifully presented in a sleek black presentation box there are six wax-sealed 30ml miniatures, each one chosen for its character, craftsmanship, and story. From the award-winning smoothness of Bathtub Gin to the punchy personality of Blackeye Gin, there’s something here for every palate. Japanese Gin brings a refined elegance, while Procera Green Dot adds a herbaceous twist. Then there’s the floral brightness of Silent Pool, and the wild Highland charm of The Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin, a truly memorable finish to the journey.
But this isn’t just about the gin, it’s about the experience. Each dram invites him to slow down and savour, to notice the botanicals, the balance, the subtle complexity in every sip. Whether he prefers his gin neat, over ice, or with a splash of tonic, he can experiment with these minature bottles and maybe even find a new favourite.
Tasting notes are included in the box, offering gentle guidance through each pour and helping him appreciate the craft and care behind every drop.
So this Father’s Day, skip the socks and aftershave and give him something a little bit different which he can sit down and enjoy!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’re stuck for ideas on what to get Dad this Father’s Day, I’ve got a cracking suggestion for you – how about a bottle of gin made by none other than James May? Yes, really! The much-loved star of Top Gear and The Grand Tour has swapped fast cars for slow distilling, teaming up with gin expert Hugh Anderson from Downton Distillery to create something truly unique: a gin made with parsnips. I know what you’re thinking – parsnips and gin? But stay with me!
Originally, James just wanted to make a small batch of gin to serve in his pub, The Royal Oak in Wiltshire. But thanks to Hugh’s encouragement, they decided to produce 1,400 bottles for the public. Well, they sold out faster than you can say “reasonably priced car”! Now, you can pick up a bottle of James Gin Asian Parsnip in Waitrose, which is perfect timing for Father’s Day.
So how did this unusual idea come about? James wanted to create a gin that was unmistakably British, something that reminded him of good old Blighty. Parsnips, with their earthy, slightly sweet flavour, felt just right. But to add a bit of excitement, he decided to bring in the warm, aromatic spices you’d find in Indian cuisine. And just like that, the idea of Asian Parsnip gin was born, celebrating the comforting flavours of home with a little exotic twist.
The gin itself is packed with 12 botanicals, including parsnip, ginger, caraway seed, cubeb pepper, fenugreek, cardamom, grains of paradise, liquorice root, sweet orange, juniper, angelica root, and coriander seed. The base spirit is a smooth grain, giving it a lovely, clean finish.
Now, onto the important part, the taste. I always like to keep it simple when trying a new gin, so I had it with a splash of plain tonic. And do you know what? It’s absolutely lovely. Slightly sweet, with a gentle warmth from the spices, and yes, there’s a hint of parsnip, but it all comes together beautifully. It’s just a little bit different, in the best possible way.
So if Dad’s a gin lover and you’re after a gift that’s out of the ordinary this Father’s Day, James Gin Asian Parsnip might just be the perfect pick.
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Grown ups and Easter don’t normally mix, but if you throw in some rum, and a Chocolate Rum at that, you are probably going to enjoy this time of year more!
Project 173 from Atom Lab is a rum-based ‘Rumbow’ with a range of flavoured rums. There’s Black Cherry, Pineapple, Coconut, Banana, Mango, Watermelon and now the Chocolate Rum for Easter.
Sold in a stylish 50cl brown glass bottle (reminiscent of a medicine bottle, which I don’t think is a mistake) the 42% proof rum has a distinct chocolate taste. It’s for chocolate lovers more than rum lovers as it’s a departure from the usual but you can really smell the sweetness of the chocolate as soon as you open the bottle. The rum itself is rich and doesn’t have an aftertaste. The finish is definitely chocolatey though with a smooth taste too. It can be consumed on its own or with a mixer. A particularly good idea is to drink it out of an Easter egg, or as my colleague has just noted, you could add it to a tiramisu to give both chocolate and rum vibes. Perhaps a good Easter Sunday dessert?
The rest of the Rumbow from Project 173 looks just as interesting with flavours which you could easily add to cocktails and seem fitting for a rum. They also have a new Hot Buttered Popcorn flavour which looks just as delicious!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
#Over 18s Only
Out for summer, the new Smirnoff Miami Peach vodka is the Miami makeover to vodka that you never know you needed.
Available in either ready-to-drink cans or a 700ml bottle, Smirnoff Miami Peach is vodka (35%) with a peach flavouring. Based on the Miami beach lifestyle, the spirit can be consumed as regular vodka with either lemonade or a soft drink, or added to a cocktail. Try a Smirnoff Miami Peach Sunrise or Smirnoff Miami Peach & Iced Tea to bring out the flavour.
Smirnoff Miami Peach has the familiar taste of vodka with the sweeter taste of peach flavoured within. If you’re not used to the taste of vodka because you find it too harsh, then Miami Peach is a great way to ease yourself into the cocktail season. The fruity, sweet flavour of the peach makes this easier to drink, and as with all spirits, you can dilute it as much as you need to in order to get the flavour and alcohol mixture right.
Vodka is becoming more popular now, hot on the heels of the trendy gins, so expect to see Smirnoff Vodka all over the summer festivals this year. If you can’t make it to Miami this year, Smirnoff Miami Peach brings Miami to you!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
James May, legendary of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has launched a new brand of gin. It’s not really surprising that it’s called James Gin is it? We have been sent a cute gift set of James Gin samples (Asian Parsnip, London Drizzle and California Dreamgin’) to try out. Yes, you read that correctly, one of them is made with Asian Parsnip! We also received James’ new book on gin cocktails called James Gin Big Book of Cocktails, which somewhat less surprisingly, is actually a diminutive book but does contain a lot of gin cocktail recipes!
James makes the gin himself in what he describes as an ‘alarmingly cold’ shed in Wiltshire. He doesn’t make it all on his own, but has the help of expert gin maker Hugh Anderson of Downton Distillery. The idea of Asian Parsnip was all down to James though. He wanted to make a parsnip gin that reminded him of Blighty (damp, root vegetable) but presumably it was so damp and root vegetable-like that he needed to spice it up with some Asian spices. The Asian Parsnip gin has a slightly unusual taste with the spices coming through later to offset the root vegetable tone. It’s perfectly drinkable though, and works well with tonic water which is how I consumed it.
James Gin London Drizzle is a lighter taste, and I’m told it’s made from beetroot, orange, bay and ginger to make a slightly more fruity gin. It’s slight drier than I like though, but again works well with tonic water and gives you an idea of the flavour in order to buy a bigger bottle. The James Gin California Dreamgin’ (yes the ‘g’ is in the wrong place to give it the unusual name) is made of mushrooms. James says that it’s made of girolle mushrooms for those who recognise that meat is murder but if you’re just in it for the gin, then this umami gin is for you. The mushroom gin is flavoured with oregano, coriander and lemon peel with some added spices to give a unique flavour. This gin on its own, in small doses, is actually quite refreshing but you obviously can’t drink a lot of it at 40% alcohol so adding a flavoured tonic would be advisable.
My favourite? The California Dreamgin’ because of the unusual taste, and the fact that I can tell people that they’re drinking a gin made of mushroom! All in all, a useful and very enjoyable gift set.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Yes, you can give gin for Christmas this year that’s both pretty and top notch! Bathtub Gin have a limited edition bottle in collaboration with fellow Kent companion, Harlie Brown who has created a beautiful punch bowl to match. We were sent the Bathtub Gin to try, which doesn’t have to be bought with the punch bowl but together they make a fantastic gift for any gin lover!
Bathtub Gin is made the old-fashioned way in a copper pot still with infusions of juniper, orange skin, coriander, cassia, cloves and cardamom. Sampled periodically, the still process is adjusted according to taste. The resulting gin is high quality and delicious, and not like the mass produced gin you find in High Street supermarkets. The Tonbridge, Kent based distillery hand wrap each of the bottles with a brown paper design by Harlie Brown then strung and dipped with wax for sealing. Bathtub Gin has won over 40 awards including gold at the World Gin Awards in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
The neat Bathtub Gin is potent at 40.3% with the aroma of the juniper hitting first. This is a gin for those who love the scent of gin and then savour the flavour. Drunk neat, the juniper flavour wanes to the cloves and cardamom taste. We paired Bathtub Gin with a fruit tonic and a slice of lemon to bring out the flavour. There’s a reason Bathtub Gin has paired up with Harlie Brown to create a punch bowl – it makes wonderful punch! The bowl can be bought as part of the gin and punch bowl set here: Bathtub Gin and Harlie Brown Punch Bowl Set.
It’s a great gift with the theatre of the string and waxed cork to unwind in front of guests or to enjoy as part of a celebration.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Gin – everybody loves it, young, old, and everyone in between. And why wouldn’t they? It’s versatile, sophisticated, and downright delicious. Whether you’re indulging yourself or trying to please that hard to buy for friend or relative, you simply can’t go wrong with a bottle of gin.
As Christmas draws near, there’s no better time to embrace the magic of a fine Scottish gin and Rock Rose Premium Scottish Gin from Dunnet Bay Distillers is a great choice for both drinking and gifting this festive season. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill, slap-a-fancy-label-on-it gin – far from it. This gin has been lovingly crafted with incredible precision. Founders Martin and Claire put their hearts (and a whopping 55 attempts!) into perfecting the recipe before landing on the final version in 2014. What they’ve bottled is a true taste of Caithness, the rugged, windswept corner of Scotland where the air is wild, the sea roars, and the local botanicals seem destined to be turned into something extraordinary.
And speaking of the bottle, what a stunner. A beautiful stoneware masterpiece that screams, “I’m worth every penny.” It’s the sort of thing you’d happily display on a shelf for all your guests to admire even when empty!
Now let’s get onto the important stuff – the taste. When I taste a gin for the first time, I always go back to basics, no fancy mixers, just a light, unflavoured tonic to let the gin do the talking. And let me tell you, Rock Rose does not disappoint. The juniper hits you first, bold and unapologetic, but it’s quickly followed by this floral-fruity warmth that’s just what you need on these cold winter evenings. And once I’d finished my classic G&T it was time for cocktails! Whether you’re whipping up a posh martini or something festive with berries, Rock Rose adds that perfect touch of warmth and flavour to keep you glowing all night long.
At 41.5% ABV and around £36 a bottle, it’s a luxury worth every penny. So, if you want to be the queen (or king) of Christmas gifting this year give a bottle Rock Rose Gin. I’d be thrilled to find one under the tree and so will your lucky recipient. Cheers!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Let’s talk about Christmas crackers, they’re such a big part of the festive season – the bang when you pull them, the silly paper hat, the classic dad joke… but now, there’s a fabulous grown-up twist on the traditional cracker – the Vinca Wine Tasting Cracker!
Inside each cracker, you’ll find not one, not two, but three mini cans of Sicilian wine: a pale rosé, a crisp white, and a smooth red. Talk about elevating your cracker game! These crackers are made from sturdy card with beautifully folded ends to give that iconic cracker shape. They’re finished with two hand-tied black ribbons and they’ll look very impressive on the table on Christmas day.
Christmas is all about eating, drinking, and being merry and these crackers have it all covered. Let’s be honest, a can of wine beats a fortune-telling fish or a mini screwdriver any day. Plus, you’re doing your bit for the planet too, with no plastic tat inside so it’s a win-win all round.
Not only do they look great on your Christmas table, but they also take care of the first round of drinks. Less stress for the host and more fun for everyone—what’s not to love?
The crackers cost £15 and are available from Vinca or John Lewis
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’re looking to bring a touch of Italian elegance to your Christmas celebrations this year, then the charming tradition of Italian aperitivo is just the thing. This pre-dinner ritual not only awakens the palate and sets the stage for a delicious meal but also encourages guests to relax and socialise. At Christmas, aperitivo comes into its own, picture your friends and family gathered before dinner, sipping on sparkling cocktails whilst chatting and snacking. It’s easy, elegant and brimming with the festive buzz we all love.
But Aperitivo is more than just a drink, it’s a great gift too as it generally comes in bottles so stunning you’ll barely need to wrap them. A simple gift tag and a contrasting bow are all it takes to create a show stopping present. They’re the perfect choice for anyone who loves a bit of sophistication and let’s be honest, the brightly coloured bottles look great in a drinks cabinet or on a kitchen shelf. Pair one with some cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker or some gourmet nibbles and you’ve got a great Christmas gift.
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto has been created by Giuseppe Gallo and is inspired by the amazing flavours of his Amalfi Coast childhood. This aromatic liqueur delivers a perfectly balanced taste of Italy, with refreshingly bright citrus flavours from bergamot, a fruit best described as a cross between a sour orange and a lemon.
Grown, harvested, and distilled in Turin, ITALICUS features notes of ripe bergamot orange, light bitterness, and subtle floral spices. The bottle itself is a work of art with the design inspired by Italy’s architectural heritage and resembling the columns of ancient Rome. The marbled black and white stopper taking inspiration from Northern Italy’s gothic cathedrals. The aquamarine hue? It’s a clever trick of yellow liquid in blue glass, evoking the sparkling tones of the Amalfi Coast.
Drink it with Prosecco or Champagne for a ITALICUS Spritz and garnish with green olives for a touch of saltiness. Or shake things up with the ITALICUS Cup, blending tonic and grapefruit soda for a zesty twist on a classic Margarita.
Savoia is a certified vegan vino aperitivo that boasts a complex blend of 24 botanicals, including bitter orange, gentian root, pink grapefruit, and warming winter spices like cardamom and ginger. It is available in two flavours, Rosso and Orancio.
Savoia Rosso, includes a touch of Marsala wine while Savoia Orancio channels the exotic flavours of saffron and pomegranate, drawing from Marco Polo’s Silk Road adventures. Both are ideal for classic cocktails like a Negroni, Spritz, or Garibaldi, or why not try inventing a few of your own? You can find a selection of recipes on their website, casa-savoia.com.
Like the Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto the design of the Savoia bottles pays homage to Italy’s royal heritage, with nods to Turin, the first capital of unified Italy. The wooden stopper evokes the Mole Antonelliana building, and the horizontal infinity symbol represents the countless ways Savoia can be enjoyed. With an ABV of 18.6%, the Rosso’s design even marks 1861, the year of Italian unification.
These bottles make great Christmas gifts, whether it’s for the cocktail enthusiast ready to shake things up on Christmas Day or for Granny looking to try something a bit different. Either way, they are sure to be a festive hit!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
For adults, advent calendars have taken on a whole new twist, and this year’s countdown to Christmas promises to be both sophisticated and delicious with That Boutique-y Gin Company Advent Calendar. It’s the ultimate treat for any gin enthusiast, turning each day of December into a journey of unique flavours and botanicals.
With 24 wax-sealed 30ml miniatures, each one distinct and some even holiday-themed (Christmas Pudding gin, anyone?), this calendar lets you savour a different gin every day. For the seasoned gin lover, it’s a fantastic chance to explore bold new flavors and perhaps uncover a new favourite along the way – scan the QR code and vote for your favourite!
The lineup is impressive, and a few sound especially exciting including Chocolate Orange Gin, Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Gin, and Spit-Roasted Pineapple Gin. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just beginning to explore the world of gin, this calendar offers a festive array of smooth, spiced, citrusy, and Christmas-inspired gins. Many of these are hard to find in stores, adding a welcome element of surprise to each day’s tasting. Picture yourself winding down each evening with a “GINgle All The Way” in hand -now that’s the Christmas spirit!
Whether given as a gift or kept as a special treat for yourself, this gin advent calendar is a fun and exciting way to countdown to Christmas. Each day feels like a little celebration, and by Christmas Eve, you’ll have experienced a tour of the gin world from the comfort of your own home.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Halloween is all about fun – from eerie costumes to spooky décor and tasty treats, but when it comes to hosting the ultimate Halloween party, the last thing you want is to be stuck behind the bar, shaking up cocktails all night. This is where canned cocktails come in, the perfect party hack for anyone looking to serve up a wide variety of drinks without the hassle. These pre-mixed gems are perfect for parties as there is no need for complicated recipes or endless bottles of spirits and mixers – simply chill the cans, open, and enjoy!
I’ve recently discovered Mixtons cocktails and have become quite partial to their Forbidden Zest cocktail, a delicious blend of gin, blood orange, grapefruit, and yuzu that screams Halloween in every way. With its vibrant, blood-red hue, this cocktail adds a dramatic touch to any Halloween party, perfectly complementing the eerie atmosphere of the night.
As for the taste? It’s a refreshing, citrus-based cocktail with the natural sweetness of blood orange beautifully balanced by the tangy kick of grapefruit and yuzu, creating a cocktail that’s both fruity and zingy. The gin adds a smooth and sophisticated undertone, balancing the bold citrus notes with a crisp finish. It’s the kind of drink that’s light and invigorating, perfect for sipping throughout a lively Halloween evening.
So this Halloween, skip the bar setup and stock up on Mixtons Forbidden Zest. With its fruity, zingy flavour, eye catching red hue and handy 200ml cans, it’s the perfect way to keep your party spirits high – no tricks, just treats!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
As if we need an excuse for an Afternoon Tea, 12-18 August is Afternoon Tea Week across the UK and Browns Brasserie & Bar invited us to their Champagne Afternoon Tea at their luxurious Covent Garden restaurant to sample their new Moet & Chandon menu. Available now in all Browns Brasserie & Bars, the classic meal is enhanced by a glass of classic or pink Champagne courtesy of Moet & Chandon and set in the fabulous ex-courthouse building in Leicester Square.
Upon arriving, the Judge’s Court room is upstairs (staircase or lift, in case you’re wondering) which is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of downstairs and one of the busiest parts of London. There’s no noise and no passing trade to disturb you or your photos, but the decadent décor, the parquet flooring and almost complete inside of the court from when it was a working court is still there. There’s even the judge’s chair left at the front of the room and ‘TO THE CELLS’ sign on the door! It’s beautifully decorated with plenty of room and no rush to contend with.
The Afternoon Tea Menu is both traditional and delicious. Starting with the Moet & Chandon Champagne, we had a classic glass each, which was slightly dry but totally appropriate with an Afternoon Tea. The sandwiches include an open sandwich of rye bread and salmon pate, lobster brioche, salt beef and horse radish and a lovely mix of cheese, pickle and crunchy apple – a combination which I will be trying at home! Each of the sandwiches was so fresh and so delicious we wanted to have more, but Browns had other ideas, judging by the amount of cake that was also on the stand.
Each of us had a plain and a fruit scone for the second course, with cream and both strawberry and blackcurrant jam to accompany. The crumbly scones were obviously baked that morning and fresh on the plate, as were the four different cakes which we enjoyed. Starting with the Blackcurrant Victoria Sandwich which was light and fluffy and featured the fruity blackcurrant jam which featured with the scones, it was definitely the first one to try before the stronger flavours kicked in. The Carrot Cake was also fresh and baked with cinnamon to give the tangy yet rich flavour which is so often found in Afternoon Teas. The Brown’s Black Forest Chocolate Pot also requires a Highly Commended mention because this was the richest of all the rich desserts with a Black Forest centre, chocolate moat and a cream filling on top. This one was definitely one to be eaten slowly! The final cake was a delicate lemon meringue tart with edible violet flower on top, to remind you that it’s still summer.
All of this was accompanied by a tea of your choice including loose leaf English Breakfast or Earl Grey and teabags of Green Tea, Elderflower & Pear or Ginger, Turmeric & Lemon. The tea is endless with more pots being brought out whenever you ask for them and the jams and cream are bottomless too.
Browns Brasserie & Bar have put on a super Afternoon Tea this year and not only is it available throughout the summer but there are vegetarian and Gluten Free versions too. Classic Afternoon tea starts at £30 with Moet & Chandon Champagne costing £40 and Pink champagne at £45. We certainly enjoyed our 2 hours stress free and were more than full from their Afternoon Tea! https://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/afternoonteamenu#/
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Let’s BeGin!
For an extra different novelty gift this Father’s Day, Just Spices have this fabulous Gin Making Kit available, complete with a set of their famous different spices. If you’ve never made gin from scratch before, then read on to hear how it’s done plus how Just Spices have created this exciting kit that can be used again and again.
To make gin, you need a base alcohol. Vodka is best to start with as it’s tasteless and colourless. There isn’t any vodka included in this kit so you’ll have to buy a bottle which is at least 350ml in size, to accommodate the size of the provided bottles and the amount of spices included. The kit does have 2 glass bottles with cork stoppers, a funnel and sieve for adding the vodka and the botanicals and then tons of spices, botanicals and lovely things to make the gin taste as you wish!
The process is easy – add vodka to a bottle then add a measured amount of juniper to your bottle using the funnel. Close with the cork and shake vigorously – this is what releases the flavour into the vodka and make it gin. Add the botanicals (it’s all in the instructions) Then the gin then has to rest for any period of time (days, weeks etc) and the longer it rests the more of the botanical flavour seeps into the alcohol, thus allowing you to control the type of gin flavouring you like, plus how strong you like it. Careful though! The gin will be nearly 95% proof and too potent to drink so you need to dilute it with water before drinking or adding to a cocktail!
All the detailed instructions are in the enclosed booklet. There’s also a history of gin (originating from Holland) and a history on the different types of gin plus a rundown of the botanicals. They’re all included in the kit and are some of the expected ones like juniper and rosemary but then there are some more interesting ones like lemongrass and rose petals. You can mix up the botanicals so that you use different ones at the same time or one after the other but it’s best to stay with simple ideas and build up your knowledge as well as your pallet. There’s lots of recipes for making different flavours of gin then there’s recipes for cocktails using your new gin too!
I’ve never tried to make gin before but this is a really simple, all in one way of making it. All you need to do is add a bottle of vodka and you have the perfect gift for Father’s Day plus a new hobby which he can try. The personalisation of the gin labels and a kit which can be used again and again makes it all the more enjoyable as each bottle of homemade gin will last ages – unless your Dad likes testing the cocktails just as much!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’re wondering what wines to buy for the Easter weekend then we have a couple of suggestions that are bound to go down a treat, either as gifts or enjoyed with a meal with friends and family.
Rosé fans will love the Fleur de Lise 2022 rosé from the Saint Mont region of France. In a distinctive tall bottle with attractive label the fruity dry rosé has notes of raspberry and redcurrant and is lovely and crisp on the palate. Best served chilled, the wine is great as with grilled meat, fish and salads. It also goes surprisingly well with chocolate – it is Easter after all!!.
ABV 12% RRP £9 available from Ocado
The Ned Marllborough is a Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Marisco Vineyards in the Southern Valleys region of New Zealand. We enjoyed a glass with our roast chicken dinner, but it will go just as well with seafood. The wine is lovely and crisp with hints of lime, herbs and gooseberry and we found it to be nice and refreshing to drink. I’m hoping the weather warms up a bit by Easter as it will be nice to enjoy a glass or two with friends in the garden whilst the children are doing their Easter Egg hunt!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
What is a bitter?
Bitters are flavourings added to spirits to make certain cocktails. Most of the cocktails are the famous ones like a Screwdriver, Cosmopolitan or a Bitter Martini, which is made from the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter which was sent to us by The Bitter Club.
Made with love in small batches and with natural ingredients that have no added sugars or flavourings, each of the bitters (they also create Hibiscus & Rose Bitter and Cinnamon & Orange Bitter) has a distinct taste which adds to spirits to create the perfect cocktail. Ro Murray, the founder, explains that the bitters were created by accident, after living in the US and sampling the finest bourbons and wanting to bring the cocktail lifestyle home to London. Ro took a course in distilling and found a fascination with the process which led to creating the Cinnamon & Orange Bitter in order to make a favourite cocktail – the Old Fashioned. From there more distilling flowed and the other flavours developed, including the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter.
If you’re looking for an addition to your drinks cupboard and don’t want to have to make all the mixers and flavours yourself, The Bitter Club has the perfect selection for you. Each 100ml bottle of flavours contains a pipette for ease of making so your cocktail making suddenly got easier. The Grapefruit & Elderberry tastes delicately fresh with the grapefruit bitterness coming through first, then the elderberry brightness. There are cocktail recipes available on the website for The Bitter Club: https://www.thebitterclub.co.uk/grapefruit-elderberry-cocktail-recipes or you can add the bitters to a gin and tonic to try them if you’re not a cocktail person. You can always invent your own cocktail from the bitters too!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Behind The Bank of England in the City of London, there is a tiny car-less passageway called Angel Court which houses Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant. The minute alleyway belies how extensive Mint Leaf is as both a restaurant and a bar, but if you were here during the working week, you would see that every inch of space is needed for diners of this authentic Indian cuisine.
We were greeted by the lovely staff who brought over cocktails for starters. Illusion is a lychee and lemonade mocktail topped with Gypsophila and is deliciously refreshing. I was given the Sunderban, a vodka based cocktail served in a toadstool glass and beautiful table setting. Named after the delta Sunderban in the Bay of Bengal, it also contains peach, pineapple, Grenadine and lemon juice. Yes, it really is delivered in the toadstool ceramic ornament!
It’s always worth asking for a recommendation so we were brought Crispy Kekda (Indian style fried crab) and Charcoal Lamb Chops for starters. The Charcoal Lamb Chops were perfectly cooked with the lamb meat tender but the fat was silky soft and pulled away from the bone. There was an accompaniment of mint sauce as well, which added to the flavour and texture. I couldn’t get enough of these and this was only the starter! The Crispy Kekda was equally delicious. Each piece of crab was fried to a crispness without being burnt and not at all heavy with grease. The flavour of the crab meat was also evident and made a welcome difference to what you normally find on a menu.
The main course was again recommended to us. We had Bhuna Khargosh (slow cooked rabbit) and Coconut Prawn Curry were brought over to us in piping hot dishes with beautiful garnishes and ample amounts. The Coconut Prawn Curry had enormous prawns, curled round and presented in a dish of coconut sauce. This wasn’t too spicy, and along with the rice, the sauce was a meal on its own. The prawns were cooked to perfection and not at all chewy and the coconut sauce was delicious, especially on its own. This is a great dish for children who don’t like hot curries. The rabbit is something which is not often seen on menus in the UK and I gather it’s not that well known in India either, but if you have never tried rabbit as a dish before, this is the time to try it! I’ve eaten rabbit before and it can be a bit stringy, but this dish was tender, had the texture of soft beef and was easy to eat in the Indian gravy. I also added some of the Coconut Curry sauce to it which gave it a different texture altogether!
The staff also added some rice and both plain and garlic naan breads, which help enormously when you’re trying to devour the last few drops of curry sauce from your plate. They were also delicious on their own!
As full as we were, there was still dessert to come. We were treated to the house specials of White Chocolate Cheesecake and Carnation Milk Vanilla Cake served with rose petals. The cheesecake was to die for – the base was light and had only a slight texture to it and the filling was incredibly delicate, with a rich flavour but nothing like the heavy cheesecake filling I knew growing up. The Carnation Milk Vanilla Cake was served on a bed of Carnation milk and rose petals and the cake itself is also incredibly light with a vanilla taste. It absorbs some of the Carnation Milk to give extra flavour and it’s more than enough to give a sweet ending to a meal.
Overjoyed at a fabulous meal and feeling full, I was given a tour of the rest of the restaurant. The magnificent bar stretches along the back wall, but there’s another bar upstairs in the private dining area which can house corporate events. Downstairs, the restaurant area is divided so that you can have several smaller private rooms of around 30 seated, or open up the divided and have long tables seating up to 60. There’s also a projector downstairs for presentations and a lounge area for pre-presentation drinks or after dinner.
The restaurant itself is enormous and you don’t get the scale of it until you walk around all the different areas and see for yourself. The lighting is kept low (which makes it difficult to photograph!) and the subtle lighting comes from pretty candle tealights on the table. The whole room is airy with double height ceilings and an open staircase with the bar taking up the main bulk of the back of the restaurant.
I cannot speak highly enough of the food. This is not your “High Street” Indian restaurant where you find the same old items on the menu. Instead, this is Indian inspired cuisine with the best quality meats (and you can tell that these are not the cheap cuts) with rich Indian flavours, a mixture of hot curries and every type of Indian bread you can think of. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu too and enough for vegetarians to enjoy, or if you want to go back several times and try a range of dishes.
Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant is one of those hidden treats in London that once you find it, you’ll want to tell everyone you know. You’ll not be disappointed with either the food, or the experience.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Clean Co, the drinks company started by TV personality Spencer Matthews in 2019 has been going from strength to strength. No doubt lockdown helped with the sales of the company’s non-alcoholic spirits, but the increasing product range has led to people talking about all of their products. We first tried Clean Co over a year ago when few people had heard about it, but without me prompting the conversation, Clean Co (and specifically their ‘gin’ in the green bottle) has come up in conversation recently with the moniker of ‘the best non-alcoholic gin.’
To explain, the Clean Co products all mock the high alcohol volume spirits you normally find on the shelves but are made alcohol-free and retain the same taste. The whole range extends to; Clean G Gin (green bottle), Clean G Pink Rhubarb Gin (pink bottle), Clean W Whisky (dark brown), Clean R Rum (light brown), Clean T Tequila (clear), Clean V Spiced Apple (also clear). There are new flavours arriving all the time, so check out the website to see new additions soon.
The award-winning and original Clean Co drink, the Clean G works exactly like gin. You can make a cocktail with it, drink it neat, or simply add tonic and lemon to re-create your favourite tipple. It tastes so close to gin that you won’t know the difference. It’s also sugar free with just 14 calories per 50ml serving. The design of the bottle (Art Deco, 1920s) also makes it more theatrical to drink at home, making it easy to forget that it’s not got alcohol in it. Most people who don’t know the brand would assume that it’s not alcoholic either.
The Clean Co Clean G non-alcoholic gin was a hit with my friends, some of whom had already heard of the brand and one in particular who already drinks it. It’s a winner in both worlds; non-alcoholic but with the taste of gin that allows you to enjoy your favourite tipple, guilt free.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Aldi’s Greyson’s Premium Pink Gin is not just gin, but flavoured gin! It’s not a cocktail as such, but it is infused with strawberry, raspberry and cranberry. It’s light and fruity and doesn’t need any other mixers to make it a perfect evening treat.
At 37.5% ABV it’s potent stuff and specially made for Aldi. The gin, which is triple distilled, is similar to Gordon’s Pink Gin which is obviously pricier. Adding tonic to it though, you have a perfect after dinner drink or something to sip with friends after work at home. The sweet, light taste separates it from heavier spirits but makes it more fun especially as the berries are evident and there’s a hidden, more subtle flavour which I’m told is from the juniper berries.
I tried this as a straight gin and although it’s got a very pleasant flavour, I didn’t like how strong the alcohol is. Much better to add some tonic, ice and a lemon (or I’m told an ice cube with a frozen strawberry inside is also nice!) and sip it all night to make the flavour last and enjoy the alcohol longer. I’ve not tried Greyson’s Premium Pink Gin in a cocktail yet, but as it’s a 70cl bottle, there’s plenty left for us to try out something special!
One last note – Greyson’s Pink Gin is also vegetarian, so if you’re not doing Dry January but you are veggie, this one is for you!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I’ve used many corkscrews over the years to open bottles of wine. Cheap ones (which have been known to break before we’ve even got the cork out of the bottle), more expensive ones and my trusty Swiss Army knife, with a very basic corkscrew which has saved us on many occasions! Ultimately though, what is important is being able to open a bottle easily so you can enjoy a nice glass of wine without bits of cork floating around in it.
I’ve no need for my Swiss Army knife this Christmas though – our house has gone high tech on the wine front with an electric wine bottle opener from Haier.
The rechargeable corkscrew is nicely packaged as part of a gift set, making it a great present for any wine lover. The black accessories are stylish and modern and inside the box is everything you need to enjoy a glass of wine at home.
Inside the box are the following wine accesories
USB Rechargeable Bottle Opener, this is a dream to use, simply hold the corkscrew over the bottle, press the button and hey presto the cork is removed. It will remove both natural and synthetic corks with ease and open 30 bottles from just one charge making it perfect for parties.
Tulip Wine Aerator Pourer – allows the wine to quickly obtain oxygen for a better tasting experience.
Foil Cutter – makes easy work of that tricky task, meaning you can get the bottle opened all the sooner.
I don’t always finish a bottle in one sitting so I’ll make great use of the vacuum pump and reuseable bottle stoppers. They fit snugly and even when I turned the bottles upside down there was no leakage.
Less high tech but just as useful is the Haier Wine cooler bucket. Just pop it in the freezer for an hour and it will keep the bottle perfectly chilled. Made of rustproof stainless steel there is plenty of room for ice and it can even be popped in the dishwasher.
As a wine lover myself, I know these items will make a lovely gifts and will come in very useful over the Christmas period!
There’s also 25% off the Christmas gifts if you use the code XMASGIFT25 (until 25 December)
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love cocktails but unless you have a very well stocked drinks cabinet it can be expensive buying all the ingredients needed to make your own. It’s no surprise then that ready mixed cocktails have become increasingly popular, as they allow you to enjoy perfectly mixed cocktails in seconds.
Funkin Cocktails have a fantastic selection of ready mixed cocktails and we’ve been trying a couple from the new Double Shot range, the Passion Fruit Margarita and Pineapple Daiquiri. Both cocktails are available in 140ml cans and have an ABV of 14%.
The Passion Fruit Margarita is nice and fruity and the combination of the delightfully sweet passion fruit, zingy lime and agave spirit is extremely refreshing.
The Pineapple Daiquiri, made with juicy pineapple and rum has the ability to transport you to sunnier climes – a few sips bring back memories of summer holidays which is just what we need to brighten up these dull December days!
Both these cocktails taste amazing and as well as being great for parties and get togethers would also make lovely stocking fillers this Christmas.
The Review Studio 