Here’s to another year of welcoming in ‘The Bells’ with homemade kitchen cocktails and sofa sparklers. Last year I learned how to make my favourite cocktail, a French Martini, over Zoom. My friends read out the recipe while I poured… and drank. And then I did the same for them. After all, it’s hard to read, measure and drink at the same time ; )
Anyway, to my surprise it was as much fun learning to make the drink as it was drinking it. So New Year 2022’s “Lesson Plan” includes a new recipe; The Grapefruit Wheel. This fine fizzer combines Gin, Prosecco and of course, the queen of citrus fruit, grapefruit.
Of course it’s not Hogmanay without a a glass of pure fizz so I’ll be lining up some of these for your reckoning too.
But to start with let’s have a look at some gin.
GIN UP
With a nickname like ‘Mothers Ruin’ Gin is not historically known for being a party drink. It’s also associated with bringing on the waterworks, particularly in women : /. But in the last ten (ish) years clever marketing and beautiful packaging, has given our Lady-of-the-Lows a bright makeover. I must say I was always a gin lover and happy with it. But the funky packaging is a nice plus.
With close ties to Edinburgh, The Edinburgh Gin has to be my no.1. Choosing the Classic variety most of the time. However I do love Downpour’s Sloe & Bramble Gin and I’m interested in trying Electric Spirit Achroos Gin. This fancy pants gin literally stands out. Made with a blend of peppercorns, fennel seed and juniper, The Scottish Gin Society say it’s got a lot to shout about.
THE GRAPEFRUIT WHEEL
Here’s my suggestion of a fabulous kitchen cocktail …
- 150 ml gin
- 200 ml grapefruit juice
- 1 bottle prosecco or sparkling wine (not too sweet)
- 1 to 2 grapefruits
Add gin to a large jug of ice. Mix in the juice and sparkling wine. Slice your grapefruits into full wheels about half a cm thick. Slip a smaller wedge in and/or on the glass your choice. Insert a small stem of crushed rosemary for scent and visual contrast.
Of course there is no harm in drinking any of these gins with good old fashioned ice, tonic and fresh lemon. The small type says. “in moderation”. But you may not be able to read that after a few ))). Some of the Fever tonics already have a nice twist of flavour. Or if you go for something like Edinburgh Gin’s Gooseberry and Elderflower then you may just go neat. But if you want your glass to look a bit festive consider adding some pink peppercorns and star anise from Suma.
ADD FIZZ
And now for a selection of sofa sparklers… For the Grapefruit Wheel I chose the Bosco Prosecco but La Gioiosa or both the Vino Spumante DOC Extra Dry would also work well. The latter is an especially tasty drop with full bubbles and intense flavours of apple, pear and lemon. So I may keep that one pure for my first ‘clink’ of 2022.
If you really think you and your guests deserve a something truly special then the Veuve Clicquot Brut is for you. It’s one of our best Champagnes and the fine bubbles and fruity notes of vanilla and brioche are truly worth the investment.
Looking for something to take first footing? The Taittinger Brut Reserve comes in a beautiful gift box and is a fine drop that shows your host that you really appreciate being on their short list. Lastly, if you are a Cava fan there are two budget friendly varieties from Cellar Estate. A finely balanced sparkling white or rosé that would help any wee gathering pop.
SPIRITS UP
If these suggestions for kitchen cocktails and sofa sparklers haven’t helped you nail your New Year tipple, just come over to The Mart Farm Shop. We stock all the usual suspects, with a few surprises thrown in. It really is our pleasure to help you see in 2022 with a shake, pop, stir or even a slam.
Slainte!
