Creating Your Own GinFest!

Unless you have been hiding under a rock you will know the drink of the moment is Gin.  There are gin festivals popping up all over the place and you can’t turn a corner with being confronted by a new gin bar or pop up stall selling the newest must have flavour!   I have to admit I have always been a huge fan and don’t mind looking like I have jumped on the band wagon – as long as I have my G&T in my hand and the sun keeps shining I really could care less!

We have a huge family and lots of girls ( I think at last count there were well over 20 lovely ladies!) most of whom love a decent tipple so I thought it would make a great party to host my own GinFest at home this year!  I am heavy handed with the measures, its in the back garden and there isnt far to go to get home – win win!

First up I am going to shout about one of my absolute favourites and its a bargain too!  Priced at £11.99 and available from Lidl this is one that I keep going back to time and time again.  Hortus Rhubarb and Ginger is one of my favourite combos, something sweet with a kick and this does exactly what it says on the bottle!  I have teamed this with both tonic water and ginger beer and both mixes are amazing!

Gin in a can has its place in society.  We are always on the go so to be able to grab a ready mixed G&T after a long day or whilst out on a picnic etc just simply makes sense.   Portobello Road Gin’s famed punchy flavours have been paired with Franklin & Sons Natural Indian Tonic to create a balanced and refreshingly crisp flavour in a convenient 250ml can – perfect for adding the best of spirits to picnics, leisure travel and festivals.  I was pleasantly surprised with how flavourful this was as I have tried numerous other canned drinks and none touch the mark of my freshly blended favourite tipple. rrp: £3.00 available from Gin Kiosk

I am a huge fan of pink, anyone who knows me know that and I really shouldn’t let it influence what I drink but I just can’t help it!  If I can find a pink gin then I’m going to have it!   Gin Lane 1751 is a “gin for gin lovers” – a celebration of the Victorian gin-making era, with a style of bold juniper & hints of liquorice. Epitomising Victorian Inginuity, it has been created by The Bloomsbury Club and Charles Maxwell of Thames Distillers ~ an 8th generation distiller. Gin Lane 1751 “Victoria Pink” is a small batch gin, infused with naturally blended spiced bitters. Each bottle has been individually numbered and the gins are hand-crafted in small traditional copper pot stills. There are eight natural botanicals – juniper, orris root, Seville oranges, angelica, Sicilian lemon, star anise, cassia bark and coriander – which create a well-balanced, complex gin.  YES it contains coriander and anyone who knows me also knows my hatred for the damn stuff but you honestly can not taste it at all – infact I was a little shocked when I read it on the label as I can usually spot it a mile off! rrp: £19.99 available from Aldi

Gin Mare (meaning ‘sea’) is inspired by Mediterranean culture and made using the finest botanicals of the region, such as Arbequina olives, thyme, rosemary and basil. Serve with lots of ice, quality tonic water and a small garnish of rosemary, orange peel or basil (not lime) for a balanced, silky smooth drink.   Distilled from olives, thyme, rosemary and basil.The authentic Mediterranean”Gin Mare”is made in a custom designed still by blending individual distillations of arbequina olives, thyme, rosemary, basil, cardamom, coriander and juniper berries gathered from our own farms and citrus fruits, soaked in advance for more than a year in special large clay jars. rrp: £39.50 available from Waitrose

There are a whole host of new and delicious gins out there and if you are anything like me you will enjoy working your way through them! lol

Let me know which is your favourite!

XOXO

Debbie

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