Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts

Friday, 28 July 2017

Summer cocktail classics with a twist by Hayman's

It won't come as any suprise to you that gin is really big right now. Everywhere you look there is artisan gin and I recently found out there is a London bus tour featuring an afternoon tea with specially selected gins which I am thinking of taking mother in law on for her birthday. It's possible to try a different gin every week and not run out so when I was asked if I wanted to try Hayman's gin I thought, "hang on, you'd like me to try gin you say ?" It didn't exactly require a hard sell.


I'm by no means a gin connoisseur, but I do like a G and T with a splash of fever tree tonic, ice and a slice of lime. However, with the gorgeous weather we've been having, Hayman’s have added a dash of Englishness to classic cocktails and created three refreshing drinks using seasonal fruits, mixers and gin. English Ruby Fizz, Lavender Lady and Victorian Mojito are classic summer cocktails with a delicious twist. Why not give them a try ?

Hayman’s English Ruby Fizz

Semi-sweet, refreshing and with an eye-catching pink tint, the English Ruby Fizz is the ideal al fresco cocktail.  The sweet taste of the raspberries partners perfectly with the spicy ginger notes.

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
  • 20ml lime juice
  • 10ml sugar syrup or Grenadine
  • 4-8 fresh raspberries or raspberry syrup
  • Ginger Ale to top with
  • Lime wheel and fresh raspberries to garnish

Method:

1.      Fill a highball glass with plenty of large cubes of ice
2.      Set aside the ginger ale and garnish, and combine all remaining ingredients in a shaker with ice
3.      Shake well for approximately 12 seconds
4.      Double strain into the highball allowing the liquid to run over the ice
5.      Top with ginger ale
6.      Garnish with a lime wheel and raspberries
Hayman’s Lavender Lady

The Lavender Lady is the Hayman’s take on the traditional sour White Lady cocktail.   The egg white creates a silky mixture, which perfectly accompanies the honey and Cointreau.  Top the cocktail with a sprig of Lavender, and sit back in the garden and relax.

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
  • 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 10ml of locally sourced honey or 20ml of honey water
  • 10ml Cointreau
  • 1 medium egg white
  • Dash of orange bitters
  • Sprig of lavender to garnish

Honey water:

1.      Combine equal parts of honey and hot water
2.      Stir until mixed

Method:

1.      Add cubed ice to a cocktail shaker
2.      Pour the Hayman’s London Dry Gin over the ice
3.      Add all the remaining ingredients, except the garnish
4.      Give all the ingredients a very hard shake and strain into cocktail glass
5.      Garnish with a sprig of lavender

Hayman’s Victorian Mojito

Nothing says summer like a sun lounger, a good book and a refreshing minty mojito in the back garden.   The Victorian Mojito combines Hayman’s London Dry Gin with fresh mint and lime juice balanced with sugar syrup to create an ideal English classic.

Ingredients:

  • 50ml Hayman’s London Dry Gin
  • 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 20ml sugar syrup
  • Premium tonic water or soda water
  • Freshly picked mint leaves

Method:

1.      Fill a highball glass with cracked or crushed ice and a few fresh mint leaves
2.      Pour in the Hayman’s London Dry Gin and let it run down over the ice
3.      Add the lime juice and sugar syrup
4.      Churn vigorously ensuring the ingredients are well mixed
5.      Top with the tonic water or soda water
6.      Garnish with a mint sprig

Disclosure: The nice folks at Hayman's sent me some samples of gin to try. 

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Feeling hot hot hot !!!

It's been a while since I shared a playlist and while I am taking a break from my radio show I miss playing seasonal tunes. Music has so many memories and whenever I hear True by Spandau Ballet it reminds me of sitting in my parents' garden in the summer of 1986 revising in the scorching heat. When me and Hubbie went on holiday to California we bought some albums for our road trip and I can't listen to Stereolab without thinking of the drive along Highway 101 watching the Ocean. When I was pregnant the song I used to sing to Brown Bear was Baby I Love You - well anything with baby in the lyrics really - so that's pretty evocative. Blue Bear loves Pharrell's song Happy and we recently found out it was number one when he was born - spooky ! 

So, while we have this heatwave I think we should all relax to some great tunes until it's a bit cooler and I stop getting bitten by bugs. Seriously dudes why not take a chunk out of someone else for a change. Anyway, pick up the long cold drink of your choice and enjoy. 

When you hear this you just know it's Summer 


The most beautiful version of this song in my opinion



I know he's the housewives' favourite, but you have to love Michael don't you ? 


This is a bit of history for me and a hilarious movie


This is by far the best summer song of all time and my favourite song by the Beatles


Don't forget to reapply the suncream. 

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Summertime Blues

Did anyone get a memo saying that Summer has been cancelled ?

This guy didn't get it - clearly - as he's still sunbathing on the flat roof most days.

Neo you don't need to tan.

These boys haven't had it as we all went to play football after school earlier this week.

Boys you should have decided which way to shoot first 

I haven't seen it either as I'm still walking through the woods to get home and they can get pretty boggy when it's been raining !


Well, it's July tomorrow and as no one seems to have told the weather that it's offically Summer now I'm keeping these close to hand.

Family welly collection

Just in case.