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FOOD & DRINK
Christmas crackers
A festive drinks outing may not be on the cards, but a raid of the cocktail cabinet certainly can be, and our local mixologists have plenty of ideas to crack on with at home
W
hile even a socially distanced trip to our favourite local watering hole doesn’t feel quite within reach at present, we’re going to try our hand at a few locally conceived concoctions – Christmas Day cold brews and other fine festive sips worthy of Santa himself – with the household bubble. Needless to say, stay well away from the sleigh – unless you’re on one of the lovely mocktails.
Cold Brew Martini
Hailing from the Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery on Park Street, Dead Man’s Fingers comprises a 10-strong range of rums that lend themselves well to a tasty Yuletide tipple. Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum – with hints of saffron cake, Pedro Ximenez ice cream, caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg – makes for a delicious base. Pop in a cocktail shaker with gingerbread syrup, lime juice and apple juice, and garnish with gingerbread man and fresh mint to dial up that festive feeling.
Paloma Fake – alcohol free
40ml Circumstantial organic vodka 20ml Psychopomp coffee digestif 5ml simple syrup This Circumstance Distillery vodka and coffee cocktail is a distant cousin of the espresso martini. The creamy organic vodka pairs perfectly with the chocolate notes in the coffee digestif, and a tiny touch of sugar lifts the flavours without making the drink overly sweet. It’s delicate and light on the palate but still packs enough punch to wake you up after your Christmas Day nap and get you ready to tackle the leftovers and dominate at charades. Stir the ingredients over ice and strain in to a chilled cocktail glass; garnish with a lemon twist.
50ml Mockingbird Spirit Pink grapefruit mixer Sprig of rosemary Wedge of grapefruit
50ml 6 O’Clock Gin – sloe or damson 200ml spiced apple juice
The Paloma Fake is a play on the original tequila cocktail, the Paloma, using Mockingbird Spirit’s tequila-inspired, alcohol-free alternative in a cheeky nod to Paloma Faith, too, of whom Mockingbird founder Fern McCoy is a fan. Made with a citrus mixer, it’s a great alcohol-free option to have in place of the usual boozy breakfast drinks like mimosas or buck’s fizz. “A perfect combination of sweet and sharp, and super simple to put together, it’ll set the healthy hedonists up for the day,” says Fern. Put plenty of ice in a highball glass, add Mockingbird Spirit, top with pink grapefruit mixer and finish with sprig of rosemary and fruit wedge.
A delicious winter warmer. Infuse the cloudy apple juice by gently heating with your favourite winter spices for around 20 minutes. Decant infused apple juice into a heatproof glass or mug and top with 50ml sloe or damson gin. Garnish with an orange wheel, cinnamon stick and star anise. Another option when making the spiced apple juice is to use a Pukka vanilla chai teabag per 500ml of apple juice.
50ml Caleño Dark & Spicy 15ml lime juice 25ml orange juice 25ml cranberry juice Lemonade top
50ml Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum 15ml gingerbread syrup (optional) 15ml lime juice 20ml fresh pressed apple juice
On a mission to bring joy to not drinking, alcohol-free spirit maker Caleño has a delicious new addition to its tropical line-up, Caleño Dark & Spicy – with warming pineapple tropical notes, ginger and kola nut spices. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the fruity flavours, top with lemonade and you’re ready for a fiesta. ■
Sloe & Spiced Apple
Ginger Bells
Winter warmer: 6 O’Clock Gin’s Sloe & Spiced Apple
54 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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DECEMBER 2020
Circumstance Distillery’s vodka and coffee cocktail is a distant cousin of the espresso martini
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No 195
Spritz of La Fiesta – alcohol free
Ginger Bells by Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery