Who doesn’t love a good food and drink pairing? I’ve spent enough time in Italy to have adapted their ‘no alcohol without food’ policy. I love a good snack to go with whatever I’m drinking, whether it is simply salted nuts and olives or something fancier like a smoked salmon blini. I’m also always interested […]
Always wondered how Italians can eat several courses from bruschetta to pasta to big chunks of meat to tiramisu and then some? The key is to eat slowly and finish the meal with the right drink. After that cheese platter there’s a quick espresso with plenty of sugar to wake you up, followed by a […]
I have teamed up with Douglas Laing to create a selection of scotch cocktails for you to enjoy during the festive season (or any season really…). For these recipes, I have used three expressions from their Remarkable Regional Malts range: Scallywag, Timorous Beastie and Big Peat. These are a marriage of Single Cask Single Malts […]
During the festive season the SMWS is releasing a new cask collection each week. That’s a lot of whisky! You are able to view all the releases in advance to make it easier to choose those special Christmas gifts for family and friends… or for yourself. Why not? Everyone deserves a little extravagance from time […]
I have teamed up with Cabal Rum to create four tasty cocktails with their No. 1513 Aged Rum. This is a complex rum suitable for sipping, but the flavour profile also lends itself to being used in many cocktails. With the season in mind, I have also included a hot drink recipe. But first, let […]
Everyone should have a bottle or two of sloe gin in their home bar during the colder months. It makes a great winter warmer, or you can fix up a Sloe Gin Fizz to match any celebration. I even add it in my Negroni. If you’ve been too busy (lazy?) to make your own sloe […]
These smoky bottles will offer warming spices, chilli kicks and memories of bonfire that will definitely keep you nice and toasty. Also, if you aren’t able to celebrate Bonfire Night (5th Nov) but wish to experience the smoke and fire flavours at home, these bottlings are for you! I have selected a range of spirits […]
Mezcal is a spirit made from the heart of an agave plant. The agave, also known as maguey, takes many years to grow, which is why most mezcal is unaged to allow the taste of terroir to fully shine. For Mexicans, mezcal is an important part of their cultural heritage and therefore it is very […]
The vodka category is not always getting the spotlight it deserves, even if there are many premium quality vodkas out there. Below, I have listed eight vodka brands from various countries that are all worth a try. Some are silky, creamy and sweet, others are earthy and rustic. All ideal for sipping neat or used […]