Cocktails 5
Limited Edition Cocktail Kit Launched
Maker’s Mark® and Swift Bars Launch Limited-Edition Cocktail Kit
London, March 2020: Maker’s Mark®, the premium handcrafted American whisky, has collaborated with Swift Bars to launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit.
Created by Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat, Nicole Sykes, and the team of female bartenders at Swift, the cocktail kit includes two 220ml cocktails: The Green Brand (12.2%) and The Ambassadors Reception (23.8%). The cocktail kit also features the iconic hand dipped Maker’s Mark® wax seal, a nod to the handcraftsmanship first employed by founder Bill Samuels Senior and his wife, Margie Samuels.
A twist on a Southern style ice tea cocktail, The Green Branch combines Maker’s Mark®, Moscato, pineapple, ginger and lemongrass tea to create the perfect spring serve. With notes of peach, orange blossom and ginger the refreshing cocktail is best enjoyed in a tall, chilled glass over lots of ice and lemon.
Made using Maker’s Mark®, Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, Cream Sherry and Chocolate Bitters, The Ambassadors Reception is a rich creamy serve, best enjoyed in a short glass over ice alongside your favourite sweet treats.
As Bourbon continues to be one of the fastest growing and most dynamic drinks categories in UK, the cocktail kit demonstrates the exponential demand for American whisky across the UK. With more shoppers buying bourbon in the off-trade, this has resulted in growth of 27% in value and 21% in volume over the last 52 weeks. Maker’s Mark® even outperforms these category numbers as it sees value sales increase by 47% to just shy of £5m.
Inspired by Margie’s invaluable contributions to Maker’s Mark® and, in turn, the entire bourbon industry, the one-off cocktail kit is available for delivery across the UK and can be purchased online via Speak Easy at Home for £20. 15% of all sales will be donated to The Girls Network, a charity dedicated to inspiring and empowering girls from disadvantaged communities by connecting them with professional female role models.
Nicole Sykes, Maker’s Mark® UK Brand Diplomat commented: “The craft credentials of Maker’s Mark® have been at the very heart of the brand’s success since it was co-founded in 1958 by Bill Samuels Sr. and his wife Margie Samuels. We say that Margie Samuels is the reason most folks buy their first bottle of Maker’s Mark® and Bill Samuels is the reason they buy their second. The shape of the bottle, hand cut label, signature hand dipped red wax topper and even the name itself are all thanks to the pioneering spirit of Margie. We are therefore very excited to collaborate with Swift Bar’s co-founder Mia and their team of female bartenders from two of the most prestigious bars in London, to continue on this journey with the launch a limited-edition home cocktail kit throughout March and to raise some money for a great charity.”
For more information on the collaboration please visit: https://www.speakeasyathome.co.uk/swift
Thomas Lowndes Launch Handcrafted Cocktails
NEW PREMIUM COCKTAIL RANGE, 1826, LAUNCHED BY THOMAS LOWNDES IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
- Thomas Lowndes has launched a new range of handcrafted cocktails, made with premium ingredients
- Included in the range is ‘The Mint Julep’, ‘The Old Fashioned’, ‘French Martini’ and ‘Espresso Martini’
- Priced at just £25, they are available exclusively at Master of Malt, Drinks Supermarket, Whisky Shop and Whisky World
Thomas Lowndes, the food and licensing division of Edrington-Beam Suntory UK, have launched the new 1826 range of handcrafted cocktails made with premium ingredients to create the ultimate experience at home. Founder Thomas Lowndes started the business by importing and exporting spirits around the globe, all the way back in 1826 which is where the brand gets its name.
Moira Jacques, General Manager of Thomas Lowndes said: “This exciting new range by 1826, associated with premium whiskies, cognacs and bourbons gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase how easily bar quality cocktails can be created in the home. We want to show customers that you can create premium, top quality drinks in the comfort of your own home.”
The classic serves are brought to you in a bottle so you can enjoy bar quality cocktails at home. Each bottle includes 5 serves, allowing 1826 to be the perfect drink shared with loved ones. The full range includes the Old Fashioned, Cognac Espresso Martini, Smoky French Martini and the Mint Julep:
Old Fashioned
Made with premium bourbon Maker’s Mark and the highest quality ingredients, this particular tipple allows you to enjoy the ultimate Old Fashioned at home.
Simply fill a rocks glass with ice, add a measure of 1826 Old Fashioned and gently churn together. Snap a twist of orange peel over the drink then add to the glass as a garnish.
Cognac Espresso Martini
If you’re more of a Cognac lover, then why not try an indulgent twist on a modern favourite with the Cognac Espresso Martini from 1826.
Expertly handcrafted with the highest quality ingredients and Courvoisier cognac, all you need to do is shake, pour and enjoy.
Smoky French Martini
A smoky twist on a classic, handcrafted with Laphroaig, peated whisky and quality ingredients to re-create your favourite cocktail from the comfort of your own home.
This particular tipple is best enjoyed in a chilled martini glass, simply shake and pour from the bottle. To really elevate your cocktail, why not add a raspberry as a garnish.
Mint Julep
A refreshing American classic expertly created with Maker’s Mark. For the perfect serve, just add a measure of the mint julep together with crushed ice.
Available online at Master of Malt, Drink Supermarket, Whisky Shop and Whisky World with an RRP of £2
Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit & Gin Cocktails
The Queen’s Gambit: House of Suntory Unveil
The Roku Gibson
Although Not a Whisky… Exceptions Can Sometimes be Made For a Rather Fine Gin!
Since its arrival on Netflix a couple of weeks ago, The Queen’s Gambit has attracted a staggering 62 million viewers worldwide.
If you’ve seen it, or even heard about it, you’ll know that The Gibson cocktail is featured throughout, and now its inspiring people to make their own version of the classic at home.
Made using Gin, vermouth, and fresh ginger with a pickled onion garnish, it’s an interesting and delicious take on its cousin, the ubiquitous Martini. Now, James Bowker, House of Suntory Brand Ambassador, has released a recipe for people to try themselves, using Japanese gin, Roku.
Indeed, with more people than ever drinking cocktails at home (according to CGA, 50% of cocktail drinkers now make serves themselves at home, up significantly from 37% pre COVID), sales of spirits are booming. With us 6 weeks into the Christmas trading period, Roku gin has seen sales grow an incredible +69% YoY.
The Roku Gibson:
Recipe:
50ml Roku Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
1 Slice Fresh Ginger
1 Drop Sushi Vinegar
Glassware:
Martini / Cocktail Glass
Garnish:
Pickled Onion
Method:
Stir
Roku is available to purchase Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose.
Cocktails with Waitrose and the House of Suntory
Waitrose Launches Cocktails At Home Experience Boxes in Partnership with The House of Suntory
Monday 19th October 2020: Waitrose is introducing a new interactive service with its exclusive ‘Cocktails at Home’ Experiences Boxes, in partnership with John Lewis and premium craft spirits brand, The House of Suntory.
The two limited edition boxes, which launch on the 21st October, include the key ingredients and kit to make either gin cocktails with a bottle of Roku gin, or whisky cocktails with Toki whisky.
The kit includes two John Lewis high ball glasses, cocktail spoon, jigger and a booklet containing two cocktail recipes and a range of garnishes. Inside each box is an invitation to an online masterclass with a Waitrose drinks specialist, where the recipient can find out more about their chosen spirit and learn to mix House of Suntory cocktails like a pro.
The House of Suntory in Osaka, Japan, has a long history in crafting exceptional quality premium spirits, carefully crafted by Japanese artisans with skilful precision and meticulous attention to detail in creating the perfect balance of flavours in harmony with nature.
The boxes are part of the extensive programme of virtual events hosted by John Lewis and Waitrose experts, including online wine tastings, cookery school classes, personal shopping and home styling. They have proved incredibly popular during lockdown; our experts have hosted over 583 virtual experiences and customers have bought over 23,000 tickets to online events.
Andrew Riding, Waitrose Drinks Experience Manager says: ‘Gin and whisky are the two biggest spirit categories at Waitrose – gin is still our customers’ number one spirit and imported whisky is in strong growth, with sales up 50% year on year. We love sharing our knowledge and experience with customers, and cocktails are the perfect online masterclass as everyone can deepen their understanding of their favourite spirit from the comfort of their own home.’
Shelley Maddock, Brand Manager for The House of Suntory, says: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing this unique at-home mixology experience to Waitrose customers with our range of premium Japanese craft spirits. Both Roku gin and Toki whisky have perfectly balanced and refined flavours which make them an ideal choice for enjoying in cocktails. We also look forward to seeing customers perfect their cocktail-making craft in the series of online masterclasses, and enjoying a taste of Japan in the process’.
The Experience Box: Gin Cocktails at Home (£69)
The Suntory Roku gin is made with six Japanese botanicals, each one harvested at the peak of its season to capture the best flavour. The result is a gin with the essence of Japan: floral and sweet on the nose, smooth and silky to taste, with citrusy top n es and a spicy finish.
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Pink Peppercorns, Yuzu Juice and Dried Rose Petals, San Leo Prosecco, FeverTree Tonic Water, Boudoir Cherry Brandy and Bonne Maman Honey.
Cocktail recipes: Roku Spritz – an elegantly effervescent gin serve with a subtler and more floral bitterness than traditional spritzes
Roku 75 – a delightfully refreshing yet sweet serve, complete with a teaspoon of honey and a touch of cherry brandy, topped with Prosecco
The Experience Box: Whisky Cocktails at Home (£69)
Made by Japan’s renowned Suntory distillery, Toki whisky brings together old and new – traditionally crafted, but with grain whisky lifted from its usual supporting role to create perfect balance and harmony. The result is silky-smooth and exquisitely refined, with a subtle sweet and spicy finish. Cocktail recipes:
Toki Highball – the most popular drink in Japan, outselling beer, this serve brings the bright orchard flavours of Toki to the forefront
Toki Old Fashioned – a classic whisky serve with the addition of yuzu juice and honey, finished off with a dark chocolate garnish for added indulgence
Ingredients included: Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Yuzu Juice and Dried Lime Leaves, Waitrose No1. Single Origin Spiced Orange Dark Chocolate, FeverTree Ginger Ale, Angostura Bitters, Bonne Maman Honey
Smooth Whisky Summer Cocktails
Enjoy an Auchentoshan, Laphroaig and Bowmore With a Slight Twist
Whether it’s relaxing in the garden or enjoying an aperitif with friends, why not taste a twist on a classic and try a whisky based cocktail this summer? Bringing together the finest ingredients and flavours, here is a selection of delicious summer tipples featuring stand-out single malts from Auchentoshan, Laphroaig and Bowmore.
Auchentoshan and Laphroaig 3 Way Cobbler
A different take on a familiar cocktail, this Cobbler is sweetened with peach puree rather than sugar. A delicious summer treat with smooth Auchentoshan Three Wood and Laphroaig Select Cask
- 45ml Auchentoshan® Three Wood
- 5ml Laphroaig® Select Cask
- 15ml white chocolate fat washed white port
- 30ml sweetened white peach puree
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 5ml Campari
Shake all ingredients and strain over crushed ice, then garnish.
Auchentoshan® Three Wood available for £44.90 at Master of Malt. Laphroaig® Select Cask available for £32.90 at Laphroaig.
Auchentoshan A Different Thyme
You can quickly make this cocktail to enjoy with friends as it only needs a few ingredients, yet it has a refreshing and smooth whisky taste.
- 30ml Auchentoshan® American Oak
- 30ml fresh grapefruit juice
- 60ml lager beer
- 15ml sugar syrup
Auchentoshan® American Oak available for £24.90 at Master of Malt.
Laphroaig Garden Grove
A surprising fusion of new flavours in the Laphroaig Garden Grove will make it a firm favourite for the summer. Not for the faint hearted, this drink is for the cocktail aficionados.
- 50ml Laphroaig 10 Year Old
- 30ml PX vinegar & fig shrub
- 5ml Fernet Branca
- 10ml Dry Orange Curacao Liqueur
- 2 dashes black walnut bitters
- Mist Laphroaig® 10 Year Old
- Fig and rosemary, to garnish
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a double old-fashioned. Mist the glass with Laphroaig 10 Year Old and garnish with fig & rosemary.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old available for £44.90 at Laphroaig.
Bowmore 12YO Sour
A sweet and sophisticated sip, get ready to impress your guests at your summer garden party with this cocktail featuring the Bowmore 12-Year-Old Whisky
- 60ml Bowmore® 12-Year-Old
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml sugar syrup
- 1 dash of egg white
- 3 Skewered brandied cherries
Add ingredients into a shaker and dry shake. Then, add ice and shake. Double strain into a Coupe and garnish with a cherry skewer.
Bowmore 12-Year-Old available for £35.95 at The Whisky Exchange.
