Here at House of Coco we are always on the look out for a new cocktail. Is the cocktail festive? Even better. We were introduced to the warming and perfectly sweet cocktail named ‘Flip the Don’ by the team at Don Papa.
Don Papa is a premium aged, single-island rum from the Philippines. The Philippines harbours an extraordinary rum heritage thanks to its unique climate, which yields some of the world’s best and sweetest sugar cane. The nation’s best kept rum secrets lie within the Island of Negros, where Don Papa is produced. The lush island, known locally as Sugarlandia, is home to an active volcano, Mt. Kanlaon. It’s this rich volcanic soil in the volcano’s fertile foothills that provides the ideal conditions for growing the sweet Filipino Noble Cane that gives Don Papa its distinctive flavour. This Noble Cane is harvested by hand and transported to the island’s well-worn sugar mills that have generations of expertise, before being ground to create the sweet, rich molasses that are distilled and blended to perfection within every bottle of Don Papa.
For a festive, decadent and sophisticated cocktail to serve this Christmas, try the sumptuous ‘Flip the Don’ cocktail. See below for the step by step.
Recipe…
50ml Don Papa 7-year-old
15ml Amontillado Sherry
10ml Single Cream
10ml Sugar Syrup (1:1)
1 egg
2 dashes Jerry Thomas or other aromatic bitters
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker. Dry shake, then add ice and shake hard. Fine strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick or dehydrated orange wheels for that festive feel. You have the perfect Christmas cocktail.
HIMKOK has been a stalwart on The World’s 50 Best Bars for years, under the watchful eye of bar manager Maros Dzurus. On a recent trip to Oslo, when I mentioned I was visiting the bar for the first time, I received the same knowing look from locals, hotel staff and friends who had already had the experience for themselves. I knew I was in for a treat.
After a day exploring Oslo, filled with saunas, fjords and The Scream, we were welcomed with open arms into the 1930s styled bar. First up was the ever popular ‘Bun’ cocktail with sweet and sugary flavours to emulate the taste of Skolebrød, a typical Norwegian pastry. Next, was the refreshing and tart ‘Rhubarb’, made with HIMKOK Gin, Martini Bitters, Tio Pepe Fino Sherry and Orange Bitters.
We then delved deeper into the menu and tried a signature drink called ‘Birch’, which was a martini-style cocktail served with a delicious and juicy blue cheese stuffed olive. I was told to savour the olive but alas, patience has never been my strong suit…
I guess I will just have to go back again and do it properly, adding to my long reasons of reasons to return.
The staff were meticulous and treated each cocktail with equal love and affection. Each glass has been painstakingly chosen for the specific cocktail and everything down to the bespoke ice cubes with the HIMKOK logo etched into them, was perfection. It was clear however that some of the bartenders had their favourites and we left HIMKOK and walked back into the dazzling late summer evening in the city with names of cocktails on our lips to try next time from the amazing team.
With summer now slowly slipping away, I often think about thirsty guests bundling into the cosy, cavernous space in the frostier months with fur coats on, ready for a fiery drink. The dark and intimate space is distinctly Nordic and a standalone reason to return to the Norwegian capital.
‘HIMKOK’ translates to ‘moonshine’ and with the autumn and winter seasons just around the corner, we can’t wait to see what concoctions are aptly created by the expert bartenders, under the cover of darkness.
With the weather in London being nothing but shivery drizzle with a backdrop of a dull shade of grey, we have hand picked some of the hottest happenings in some of London’s coolest hotels this summer. From world class photography exhibits to brand new summer menus and funky bars, bright days are just around the corner …
The Hari
Award-winning luxury hotel The Hari, Belgravia has a new photography exhibition with London photography gallery, Atlas, and A Space for Art. Running until September at The Hari, the exhibition will showcase a curated edit of the Atlas collection which focuses on 20th century photography exploring everything from fashion to journalism.
The exhibition includes the rare and comprehensive body of work by the late George Hoyningen-Huene, the original pioneer of fashion photography, who continues to have relevance today for his striking photographic portraits. Nick Brandt whose work focuses on humanity’s destructive impact on the natural world and humans is also featured, alongside Chris Simpson who has been influenced by the exoticism of the natural world around him and whose globetrotting has taken him from remote regions such as the Atacama Desert and Easter Island, to the Himba tribe of Namibia and tobacco farmers in Cuba.
Having curated The Hari London’s public spaces since its opening in 2016, the team at A Space for Art have established The Hari as a leading player in London’s hotel art scene. The Hari is committed to supporting the new generation of artists, offering equal opportunities for all and this year they are running The Hari Art Prize for its second year – which celebrates the global roster of artistic talent attracted to London. With over 400 applicants in 2022, ranging from sculptures to paintings, the 2023 Art Prize sees a panel of judges including Irene Bradbury, Senior Director of White Cube, among others to be confirmed, to highlight and support emerging talent. The winners of the art-prize will receive a £10,000 cash prize with runners up winning exhibition space at the hotel.
The Atlas x The Hari exhibition finishes in September 2023. For more information, see here.
Bankside Hotel
Bankside Hotel London’s restaurant, Art Yard Bar & Kitchen, has announced a new chef alongside an entirely new menu in time for the summer season. Newly appointed executive chef, Sofiane Kaced, has taken inspiration from Antibes to create summery dishes that play with the vibrant colours, textures and tastes of the Mediterranean. The wood oven takes a prominent role in the menu, its culinary effects being present in many of the art-inspired dishes.
Signature dishes include roast bass and clams, with samphire, grilled pepper and basil leaves, and slow cooked, wood-fired beef brisket, with a BBQ glaze, corn on the cob and coleslaw. Similar to the cuisine itself, the stylish restaurant maintains a relaxed atmosphere with refined touches, welcoming families, couples or groups of friends to enjoy the menu. Kaced brings with him a wealth of experience in luxury hospitality, with over two decades of experience in luxury hotels and establishments across London, the Middle East and the south of France. Highlights of his career include nearly a decade with Searcy’s, with three years as Head Chef of the Royal Opera House, as well as time working at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Grill in Mayfair.
In addition to the main menu, Kaced and the hotel’s latest Artist in Residence, will combine their skills to create a special set menu that echoes this collaboration. The next Artist in Residence, Lana Matsuyama, is a Japanese-American contemporary artist, designer and creative director based in London and New York.
For more information on the new menu or to book, please see here.
Generator London
Built-in a former police station, Generator London is ideally located at the heart of the city, with King’s Cross and Euston close by and iconic Regents Park, Covent Garden and the British Museum a stone’s throw away. With a wide range of room types, from a luxurious Private Superior King Suite, comfortable Private Twin rooms, and four and eight-bed private rooms, Generator offers options for every traveller.
Reflective of the city’s vibrant street culture, Generator London is decorated throughout with stylish, bold graphics, vibrant patterns, and British cultural icons, providing a trendy cosmopolitan feel throughout the property. Visitors can grab late-night drinks in the Shuffleboard Bar, where they can play the popular Scandinavian game, sip on an ice-cold local beer or signature handcrafted cocktail and indulge in delicious bar snacks. For daytime relaxation, guests can visit the hotel’s café and indulge in excellent barista-style coffee and tasty offerings whilst enjoying the fantastic zinc and tin interiors, wooden pods, and, if the mood takes them, try their hand on the hand-painted piano.
Generator London also has a travel shop, chill-out areas, luggage storage and bike hire for exploring the city easily and provides female-only dorms and 24-hour reception. Generator London is also pet-friendly, so furry friends can join you during your stay.
For more information on the new menu or to book, please see here.
With summer in full swing and an abundance of pop-ups, exciting new restaurants, rooftop bars and foodie festivals to sample, it’s hard to know what to pick. We have done the hard work and hand selected the best foodie experiences in London this month to try…
‘The Residence’ at Kitchen at Holmes
After having launched the brand new summer menu, ‘The Residence’ at Kitchen at Holmes, nestled in the beating heart of Marylebone, is a cosy neighbourhood restaurant, bursting with flavour. The venue is perfectly equipped for year round dining, with a stunning open kitchen that brings the drama and atmosphere to famous Baker Street and an adaptable terrace, perfect for al fresco dining in the warmer evenings.
The new summer à la carte menu is designed by Chef Stefano Motta and is packed full of fresh and seasonal produce, fan favourites with Mediterranean influences, and a broad range of dishes to cater for every taste bud. A highlight was the delicious prawn tartare and green gazpacho (a must try), the beautifully presented scallops as well as the juicy cuttlefish croquettes which are completely sublime paired with the delicious selection of wines on the menu.
For larger appetites, top dishes to taste include the beautifully presented breaded lamb cutlet with new potatoes, spring onion & cumin mayo, as well as the Presca Iberica with Ajo blanco, almonds and white grape for a tart cut-through.
The menu is perfectly tied together with some of the best tasting ice cream we have ever had from indulgent caramel to Amaretto & pistachio crumble and the zesty Amalfi Lemon Delice, for that feeling of being whisked away to the Med from central London, for just one night. When we waved goodbye to the fantastic staff and stepped back out into this historic part of town, we knew this would be a spot we would return to time and time again throughout the summer.
The stunning Pan Pacific London, just a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street, has partnered with St-Germain on a new al fresco seafood and cocktail experience, Terrace On The Plaza. Run don’t walk.
Located on Bishopsgate Plaza, the beautiful terrace offers a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city with superb seafood (the lobster roll, steaming fresh mussels and Asian inspired tuna ceviche with a hint of wasabi are literally to die for), stunningly crafted cocktails to combat the rising temperatures in London and lush foliage, adding to the glamour.
Until 30 September, the hotel’s expansive outdoor plaza will be transformed into the perfect sipping and people-watching spot. Serves include the signature St-Germain Spritz, a mix of St-Germain, prosecco, soda and lemon, St-Germain Hugo, a highball that is so deliciously French with fresh mint, soda, lime, prosecco and St-Germain, Espresso Martini and Patron Grapefruit Soda, all available on tap to enjoy as the sun goes down over the city.
If a sweet terrace treat is required after a long blissful evening (or indeed a long lunch) of catching up with friends or work colleagues, you can also enjoy a selection of ice creams including raspberry and chilli, apple wasabi (a must try) and sesame, kindly brought to the table by the attentive and fun staff. The Terrace on the Plaza is open throughout the summer from until 30 September, from 12pm – 9pm every day.
My trip to Pine Cliffs Resort was my first ever solo trip, a much needed getaway to unwind and indulge in the world-class Serenity Spa at the resort, a far cry from the fast pace of life in London. An international clientele, unlike other resorts in the Algarve, added an air of sophistication to the already extremely luxurious surrounds.
A solo getaway felt like a world to navigate all of its own but as soon as I arrived in the bright and beautiful hotel lobby with gorgeous hints of Portuguese heritage in the Moorish-style courtyards, countless lemon trees, lazuline patterned tiled and fountains, I realised I had indeed entered a world all of its own, right here at the five-star resort.
I was swiftly shown to my stunning room (pastéis de nata waiting for me on the huge plush bed) with sweeping views of the ocean from the balcony, lush gardens and expansive grounds. Pine Cliffs is open throughout the year and boasts world-class facilities including SPA Serenity – The Art of Well Being, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy; a nine-hole golf course with its infamous signature hole that is known throughout the region, sensational dining options (11 to be exact), eight swimming pools and direct beach access.
O Pescador was my port of call for dinner after I had explored the stunning resort and enjoyed some lunch-time people watching at Zest which offers a selection of freshly squeezed juices, ginger shots from the ‘Zest Pharmacy’, smoothies, light salads and healthy meals and brunch options. At the centrally located seafood restaurant, O Pescador, I chowed down on garlic, coriander and white wine clams followed by local sea bream which was one of the best dishes I have ever tasted in my entire thirty years.
A focus on delicious flavours runs deep at Pine Cliffs. The central square, peppered with fragrant lemon trees and water features holds host to MIMO Algarve, a cookery school offering relaxed classes that also acts as an event space with wine tasting and tapas.
The next morning started blissfully with a delicious buffet breakfast in Jardim Colonial, eating al fresco and sipping on fresh coffee with sweeping views of the sea and this continued with my wellness experience at The Serenity Spa. This wellness experience was a complete highlight of the stay and the 13 treatment rooms and the beautiful Thermal Oasis are the jewels in the crown at the resort. I was treated to a 80 minute signature treatment ‘Senses of Algarve’ which uses the best ingredients that the Algarvian region has to offer. The treatment started with a scrub of Fleur-de-Sel from Ria Formosa and sand from nearby Falésia beach. Skin is then prepared for the carob wrap (which looked good enough to eat), an ingredient that is recognised for its health-giving properties. The treatment ended with a full body hydration with sweet smelling essential orange-oil from the Algarve and then I relished a moment of zen in the relaxation room, with a lemon-grass tea, another product from the region. In addition to the spa, Pine Cliffs also boasts the Studio Active fitness studio, two gyms and the Bootcamp Active circuit training.
Pine Cliffs Resort is just above the Falésia, the longest stretch of sand in the Algarve, running almost four miles along the edge of the majestic Atlantic. Maré at Pine Cliffs is located at the end of the wooden boardwalk from the resort where guests can enjoy lunch and dinner in the sun with menus featuring light snacks, fresh salads, ice cold rosé and catch of the day dishes, caught earlier that morning. Guests lounged outside the restaurant in the bright sun with shady umbrellas, cocktails and good books, overlooking the rolling waves with only the choice of which freshly caught fish to pick at dinner on their minds.
After reading my first book of the year on the stretch of salty golden sand (the 21 year old English graduate in me would be very alarmed), Anya Hindmarch’s ‘If in doubt, wash your hair’ stated some life advice, ‘if you accept that you will never be satisfied, then you will be very happy indeed.’ I left however feeling completely and utterly satisfied, mind body and tummy and was happy to return to the big smoke, with all its failings, energised, happy, and ready to narrate every last morsel of my stay to friends!
And after a final dip in the sea, a send off from the gracious staff and a quick taxi straight to Faro airport, I absolutely needed to wash my hair.
HOW TO BOOK:
Rooms from £170.00 per night based on two adults sharing a deluxe room resort view, including breakfast. Flights with easyjet: www.easyjet.com, from £75.00 from London Gatwick to Faro.
The King’s Coronation sees pomp, pageantry and of course afternoon teas come to the streets of London. Start the Bank Holiday off right with these selections of scones and sparkling wine and raise a glass to the next monarch…
CORONATION CELEBRATIONS AT THE LANGHAM
To mark the King’s Coronation, The Langham, London will be suitably decorated with Union Jack flags and bunting, while guests will be able to indulge in special celebratory food and drink for the occasion, and even enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides around Regent’s Park from the hotel.
The Langham’s Fit For A King afternoon tea will be served in Palm Court, 3–8 May. For £75pp guests will be able to sample delicacies inspired by Royal favourites, including delicate finger sandwiches featuring Scottish smoked salmon, Coronation chicken, and Classic cucumber, cream cheese and chives. These will be followed by a Westcombe cheddar scone with tomato chutney, traditional sweet scones, and traditional desserts such as sherry trifle and Victoria sponge reimagined into contemporary pastries.
Also in Palm Court, there will be a cocktail incorporating the King’s favourite Laphroaig whisky with Chambord, pineapple and lemon (£18). Meanwhile, in The Langham’s traditional British pub, The Wigmore, guests will be able to raise a glass to the King with the Take This Waltz Coronation cocktail (£14), inspired by a classic English milk punch and named after the King’s favourite song by Leonard Cohen. The Coronation cocktails will be available until 8 May.
Celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation with your furry friend by your side at Gaucho Hampstead’s Coronation Garden Pawty, taking place on 7 May. Promising both pet and owner a royally good afternoon, treat your pooch to a complimentary canine afternoon tea fit for a king, with dog-friendly delights including pupcakes, mini quiches, and a pupaccino, served on Gaucho’s terrace from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
While your dog enjoys their afternoon tea, indulge in the ultimate Sunday Roast with a choice of three perfectly cooked cuts of meat, lashings of gravy, crispy roast potatoes and unlimited seasonal vegetables. Or, take your pick from the delicious array of Argentine dishes on the à la carte menu – think sea bass ceviche, ecreto iberico with Malbec jam; and a starring selection of sustainable steaks.
Connaught Village, just minutes from Oxford Street and Marble Arch, will be celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation in style with all the independent retailers transforming their windows into the most spectacular displays reflecting the campaign ‘Crown & Glory’ on 6 May. The village will transform into a royal spectacle with union jack bunting decorating the streets to royal neon tree art and activities such as children’s royal crown-making workshops and floral crown-making workshop sessions for the adults. Sprezzatura will create a window display centred around portraits of His Majesty the King and The Queen Consort.
Royal Lancaster London are offering a package which includes a stay, Coronation afternoon tea, and two Coronation cocktails until 9 May. Simon Carter will display a Coronation themed window featuring their crown cufflinks and lots of red, white and blue clothing and accessories. The Stablehand will be running a special cocktail for the King’s Coronation using only English ingredients – fittingly called ‘The King Charles’.
From cocktails by the water to relaxed wine menus and delicious feasting, we have rounded up the most romantic bars in London.
Benares Mayfair
Situated next to a beautiful lily pond, Michelin-starred Benares has the perfect Lounge Bar for a romantic date night. Catch up over cocktails or simply enjoy the exciting drinks list before heading to your table. The expert bar team are on hand to keep love birds well watered, as well as mixing up Benares’ twists on cocktails including the Passion Fruit Chutney Martini, Paan Fizz with Galangal Infused Spiced Rum or Royal Sour with Saffron Liqueur Green Tea Bitters.
Led by Head of Beverage and Assistant Manager Mariella Franciosi, the Aquavit London team have created a thoughtful and extensive wine list, perfect for any romantic date. With a vintage to suit every taste, each wine on the list has been selected to ensure its qualities and characteristics complement the Nordic-accented cuisine at Aquavit London. Cocktail connoisseurs are well catered for with an enviable selection of Classic cocktails and a dedicated list of concoctions inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, from Wrath with Whitley Neill, Fernet Branca, Antica Formula and liquorice to Gluttony with Antica Formula, Buffalo Trace, Campari, sweet honey and chocolate. Not forgetting its namesake, Aquavit London also offers an extensive selection of Aquavit options, served with tonic, including Nuet with grapefruit, blackcurrant and caraway. For a real taste of romance, sip away on the special lover’s serve – Lavender Haze – with vodka, Italicus, lavender syrup, lemon and finished with a lavender foam.
Reviving the name of the original hang-out at Flemings back in the 1930s, the plush bar recaptures the surreptitious spirit of a place where spies used to swap secrets and clandestine trysts took place. A dark and sultry colour palette of black upholstery, polished rose gold detailing and jewel red hints in tactile materials of soft velvet and supple leather exudes sophisticated opulence. For negroni aficionados in dark and in cosy corners, cute couples can explore the impressive menu of seven libations including the chocolate Negroni featuring: Portobello Road No. 171 Gin, Campari, Crème de Cacao white and Dolin Rouge.
Our London Editor Lydia Matthews has handpicked her top bucket-list Spanish hotels, both big and small, to visit this summer …
NOBU Hotel Ibiza Bay
NOBU Hotel Ibiza Bay’s idyllic location offers unparalleled views across the sparkling Talamanca Bay and the fortified old town of Dalt Villa. Slightly removed from the hustle and bustle and with access to Formentera, allows guests to slow down to a new pace and to prioritise their wellbeing – all within easy reach of the White Isle’s renowned nightlife. Nobu’s most popular curated events for guests include from local artisan workshops and complimentary fine wine and vermouth tastings to tapas workshops and Nobu sushi making masterclasses. No stay at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is complete without making the most of their renowned onsite gastro offering. Enjoy a visit to the world renowned Nobu Restaurant – where Nobu’s signature Japanese fusion cuisine is perfectly balanced with traditional Balearic products and delicacies.Expect great wellness facilities too, with the Spa, by Six Senses, and Holistic Hike Retreats.
Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and known across Europe as one of Mallorca’s finest hotels, ultra-luxe Castell Son Claret is a beacon of laid-back, Spanish hospitality. Just under half an hour from Palma’s city centre, the hotel is perched within 326 acres of lush Mallorcan countryside at the foot of the majestic La Tramuntana mountains.
Castell Son Claret is a Leading Hotel of the World, with a restaurant that highlights the culinary diversity in Mallorca and a wine list that has been masterfully curated by the sommelier, Sebastian Longo. I often dream about the delicious smell of fresh bread in the bakery that we were able to visit each morning, as well as the tart cocktails made with lemon juice from the estate at the hotel bar where we sipped whilst looking out across the pool and manicured gardens. Real hospitality is when everyone is welcomed with open arms. The level was set very high by the gracious staff at Castell Son Claret where nothing was too much trouble, we were greeted like family.
It was when my Catalonian friend said nonchalantly that if I ever headed to Barcelona that I must try the natural wine selection at Bodega Bonay, which maintains more than 250 references, at Casa Bonay that I knew it was my time to go, and this is where I would stay. The side of the city where Casa Bonay is located when it was renovated had not yet positioned itself as a place to visit and stay for tourists and locals and from the beginning, the hotel sought to distance itself from its tourist label by encouraging visits from the local community as well as new visitors to the city.
Casa Bonay, renovated from a breathtaking neoclassical mansion, is a hotel with a glance into the ultra-cool world of Barcelona. With chic groups of locals who have known each other for decades sipping on freshly made cocktails at the Libertine bar followed by a mother-daughter duo regaling their experiences in the city as they chow down on barbequed local produce in the balmy hotel rooftop restaurant, Chiringuito. Each of the stunning 67 rooms in the historic building offer ambient lighting by Barcelona-based designers Santa & Cole, bathroom products from Malin+Goetz, a minibar packed with goodies and the rooms have furniture designed by local designers, each oozing their own unique personality which radiate a sense of history and heritage.
The Hare & Hounds, Newbury is leading the way in the high-end ‘pubs with rooms’ trend. After months of careful restoration, this beautiful Georgian coaching inn now boasts a cosy traditional pub, dining space serving delicious seasonal fare and 30 characterful rooms donned with aged timber, exposed beams, racing-themed fabrics (due to the proximity of the year-round racing at Newbury Racecourse), some with roll-top copper bathtubs, as well as a covered garden terrace which is perfect for the warmer months.
The Hare & Hounds is set at the foot of Newbury in the pretty village of Speen in West Berkshire. The pub is steeped in history from the nearby horse racing community and lies within striking distance of Donnington and Highclere Castle (the filming location of Downton Abbey). The property follows the launch of Wild Thyme & Honey in Ampney Crucis in the Cotswolds. Both pubs are owned and managed by Myers and Ramsey and is the fourth property to join the group.
FOOD AND DRINK
The bar area is the perfect mix of newly restored sophistication and historic pub, with the relaxed & familiar service found in a country watering hole that is also impeccable and slick, just what you would expect at a boutique hotel.
After a long sunny country walk, we bundled into the warm entrance and into the bar with dogs sleeping in their baskets around the fire. I sipped on a Highclere Martini (named after the famous filming location nearby) and my travelling companion had a local ale. Next door is the Barn Dining Room with soaring ceilings and exposed beams; we meandered our way in after a few more cocktails, along the beautifully decorated corridors. To our delight, come dinner time, the restaurant was full to the brim with locals and guests alike.
The bright and airy dining space offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week; guests can expect seasonal menus as well as classic yet upmarket pub fare. We indulged on the Sussex Charmer cheese souffle which was as decadent as it was delicious followed by the luxury fish pie with lobster and Cornish crab cream sauce and the braised venison hot pot. This was frankly one of the best pub meals I have ever eaten. Considering it was nearing 10pm and other diners were still ordering wine, dessert and also laughing and clinking glasses, the feeling was universal.
The Hare & Hounds also offers two private dining rooms, which would be ideal for a special celebration.
ROOMS
The equine theme is reflected throughout; we stayed in the Bridle Suite in the Hunter’s Lodge, one of the surrounding buildings. There are also rooms in The Stables (formally a working stables) and The Paddocks. The Hunter’s Lodge is set slightly away from the beating heart of the property with the dining room and bar area.
The Bridle Suite includes a cosy living area with historic, low ceilings, a spacious ensuite bathroom and of course, a fabulous roll-top copper bath next to the grand bed flanked with antler artworks, where one can truly feeling like Lady Mary. There is a small built-in bar and complimentary sloe gin, perfect for an arrival tipple. The suite can also interconnect with Tally Ho in the Hunter’s Lodge, for larger groups.
END NOTE
The Hare and Hounds is a unique proposition. Gone are the days where the UK staycation involved packing the car and hunkering down in a bolthole miles from anywhere and miles from a decent meal and wine list. The British Isles are vast and guests at The Hare & Hounds treat the space much like a traditional coaching inn, a restful and well connected stop along the way but also now, a destination in it’s own right.
This spring, I cannot wait to return with my loved ones and try the sirloin of British Beef roast with ‘lashings of gravy’ and a gorgeously turned out Bloody Mary, followed by a trip to Highclere Castle. Homemade horseradish cream alongside, anyone?
We know we don’t need an excuse to try out some of the amazing drinks brands on offer, but with Valentine’s Day around the corner it is the perfect time to grab the girls and some fancy glasses. If going out this year isn’t the order of the day, we have rounded up some delicious tipples to have in the comfort of your own home that are perfect for a ‘Galentine’s Day’ celebration…
SPIRIT I Monkey Shoulder Premium Gift Pack Tube
This full-sized Monkey Shoulder bottle is packed carefully in a bold and colourful Gift Tube, making the perfect drink for any whisky lover on the day of love. Grab the girls and invent a selection of fun and flirty cocktails with a delicious spirit.
This triple malt is smooth and rich, making it ideal for mixing whisky cocktails such as an Old Fashioned, Pina Coladas and Espresso Martinis.
Monkey Shoulder Premium Gift Pack Tube (70cl) are available for RRP £34.23 onAmazon.
Sparkling I Chapel Down Rosé Brut
This Galentine’s, raise a glass with Chapel Down’s multi award-winning Rosé Brut. Made from 100% Pinot Noir and sourced from fruits yielded in Kent, Sussex and Essex, this English sparkling offers great balance and purity of character. Paired to perfection with fruit-based desserts, expect aromas of fresh strawberries, cherries, and redcurrants with background notes of toasty shortbread. The palate is crisp and fresh and the pink bubbles are picture-perfect.
Chapel Down Rosé Brut can be purchased by the case (6 bottles) for £180 from Chapel Down and by the bottle (70cl) for £26.99 at Waitrose and The Bottle Club.
Something Sweet I Lanique Spirit of Rose
Lanique Spirit of Rose has just launched two brand new canned cocktails. Perfectly balanced and ideal for any occasion, the Lanique Rose Fizz (250ml, 6% ABV) blends Lanique Spirit of Rose with premium sparkling wine; whilst the Lanique Rose Spritz (250ml, 5.5% ABV) combines floral and sweet rose flavours against a light tonic and a splash of dry sparkling wine. Simply enjoy ice cold and straight from the can or serve chilled in your very best glassware. Made from Attar of Rose, Lanique Spirit of Rose is a completely natural spirit with aromas of delicate rose, fresh raspberry and cherry, and hints of Turkish delight, available in 5cl, 50cl and 70cl bottles.
The drinks are currently available from the Lanique website.
