The Martini Manual

Martini cocktail with olives

These days you can find all sorts of Martini cocktails, ranging from the classic recipe to fruity versions, many of which are named merely on the basis of the cocktail glass used. In this article we will separate the Martini from the Martinis… What is in the Martini? The original Martini was, and still is, […]

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Drinks from the Larder

Glass of mulled mead

Are you short of cocktail ingredients? Perhaps you haven’t had the chance to go food shopping or couldn’t find everything you planned to buy. Or maybe you stocked a bit too much at the beginning of the pandemic. Here’s how you can create Christmas drinks using your emergency larder, which surely is full of many […]

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Food and Drink Pairing Ideas

This year we are celebrating Christmas and NYE in a very different way to what we are used to. In many places house guests aren’t recommended or they are limited to very few. Restaurants and bars may remain closed or with restricted timetables and seating, so we have no choice but to create our own […]

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Negroni Recipes for Every Season

The classic Negroni is made with equal parts of gin, bitter (most often Campari) and sweet vermouth, but the cocktail’s ever-increasing popularity has helped to create a huge variety of unique Negroni recipes. Whether tequila, rum or mezcal as its base count as a Negroni is debatable (Boulevardier is not called a Bourbon Negroni…). Perhaps […]

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6 Winter Gin Serves Using the Kirkjuvagr Gin Range

Fig gin and tonic

The Kirkjuvagr Gin range includes five core gins: Kirkjuvagr Orkney Gin, Arkh-Angell Storm Strength, Aurora Winter Edition, Harpa Summer Edition and Beyla Raspberry & Honey Old Tom. What I really enjoy about this collection is the clear presence of juniper in each style, the higher alcohol volume (they are all 40% or over) and the […]

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Vodka Martini Recipes with a Twist

Chase Original Potato Vodka Savoury Martini

As we are celebrating National Vodka Day this weekend, I have teamed up with Chase Distillery to create a range of vodka-based Martinis, or Vodkatinis. As well as the classic recipe, I have also included some with a (savoury) twist. Chase Original Potato Vodka Chase Distillery is known for its field-to-bottle process when it comes […]

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Beginner’s Guide to Mead (+ Cocktail Recipes)

Kinsale mead

Mead is one of the oldest drinks in the world, and in Greek mythology it was often referred to as the drink of the Gods, but today many are unfamiliar with the honey wine. In the past few years, mead has grown in popularity, especially in the US, where they currently have around 500 meaderies and over […]

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How to Make a Mojito + Recipes

National Mojito Day is celebrated on the 11th July each year. Mojito was invented in Havana, but the exact time is unclear. It is considered to date as far back as the 16th century. The first version was called ‘El Draque’ after Francis Drake, an explorer. Unlike most cocktail bars around the world, in Cuba, […]

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How to Make Flavoured Vodka at Home

Flavoured vodka in a jar

Making your own flavoured vodka is very easy, but there are a few things you should remember to achieve the best results. Flavoured vodka will transform your cocktails, and it makes a great alternative gift when you put extra thought into the bottle, labelling or decorations. Take one as a gift when you next visit […]

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