Top Gintime buddy, Gaz Regan, has just let us know that he’s got even more stuff about Pink Gin on his magnificent website. It’s all here http://ardentspirits.com/cocktailpost.aspx?PostID=720

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Word has reached us that the historic Plymouth Gin Distillery at Black Friars in Plymouth is about to launch a new series of Distillery Tours where visitors will be able to explore the finer points of this historic artisan gin. No details yet but keep checking in with us.

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Beefeater 24’s recent US Cocktail Comp required contestants to create a new drink containing Beefeater 24 plus 6 other ingredients. Here’s the winning recipe created by  Preston Eckman, and a damn fine drink it is too!
Matcha Fizz
Adapted from a recipe by Preston Eckman, Apothecary Lounge, Philadelphia

• 1oz Beefeater 24
• 1oz Gyokuro (green tea shochu)
• small pinch matcha
• half of an egg white
• 0.5oz lemon juice
• 0.5oz honey syrup
• 1 medium sized sage leaf
• 1 sage tip tossed in matcha, as garnish

Shake over ice and strain into a chilled  champagne coupe

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Hendrick’s Gin has just been named “Distiller of the Year” by the prestigious US Wine Enthusiast Magazine, another impressive accomplishment in a great year, which has seen the brand grow in volume by approximately 33%.  The honour was awarded in recognition not only of the tremendous quality of the liquid itself, but also for the revival in the Gin category that Hendrick’s has sparked. The “Distiller of the Year” honour was presented to Hendrick’s Gin as part of the magazine’s annual Wine Star Awards programme at an event on Monday, January 25 at the New York Public Library.

Simon Hunt, President & Managing Director North America, William Grant & Sons accepted the award on behalf of the Hendrick’s Gin US team (pictured below). “We are both thrilled and honored to receive this recognition from such a distinguished publication.” Simon Hunt later said.  “To be acknowledged in this way truly validates the position of Hendrick’s Gin as one of the most exciting spirits on the market today, and shines light on the exciting developments in the Gin category. The honour is especially significant for William Grant & Sons given our distillery tradition with our roots in the Scotch whisky business. It’s wonderful to be continually recognized for the quality of our Single Malts Glenfiddich and The Balvenie but also for another product of Scotland – Hendrick’s Gin!”

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Here’s a welcome break from the hurly burly of the West End. Between January and April Palm Court at the Langham Hotel at the top of Regent Street will be serving a  delightfully refined afternoon tea with a twist. Based on the botanicals in Beefeater 24 , the bespoke afternoon tea menu offers finger sandwiches made with smoked Scottish organic salmon with horseradish and watercress and Castle of Mey Beef with Savora mustard,  home baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream and Duchy Originals Strawberry Preserve, miniature French pastries and English classics such as mille feuille, Victoria sandwich, Bakewell tart and chocolate gateau. The tea itself is based on the Beefeater 24 recipe which uses a unique mix of Chinese green and rare Japanese Sencha teas . Natually there’s an equally delicious Beefeater 24 G and T creating the ideal mix of two quintessentially British drinks.

Palm Court is famous as the birthplace of the afternoon tea , serving tea to the cream of London since 1865. It is the dazzling new centrepiece of recently refurbished  Langham Hotel and the perfect place to put your feet up, have a cuppa and relax. Priced at £39.00 per person, the Beefeater 24 G and Tea is available in Palm Court from 1 January 2010 until 30 April 2010. Advance reservations are recommended on: 020 7965 0195 or for more information visit: www.palm-court.co.uk

Keep checking in with us as we’ll be giving two lucky Gintimers the chance to experience the Beefeater 24 G and Tea for themselves soon!

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This Valentine’s Day year forget all that silly flowers and chocolate stuff. If you really want to be appreciated by your SO a bottle of Hendrick’s Gin will make far more of an impression. And if you buy it at Selfridges, you’ll receive a special Valentine’s card for you to scribe your affections before parting with the rose petal infused gift of love.

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Here’s something to warm you up in these dank days – two lovely new tea based cocktails from Caorunn Gin.

Caorunn G&Tea

• 35ml Caorunn
• 15ml rosemary infused gomme syrop
• 250ml hot Apple & Pear green tea (Twinings) infusion

To prepare the tea infusion add the following to 1 litre hot water

• 3 Apple & Pear green tea bags (Twinings)
• 3 broken cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
• 9 cloves
• 1 inch square piece of fresh ginger, sliced
• 5 ‘grates’ nutmeg

Leave on just enough heat to keep the mix hot (do not need to simmer or boil) for 30 min. Strain thoroughly before using and serve hot in a 10oz glass/cup. The mix can be re-heated as appropriate.

Highland G&Tea

• Add 1 bag of Camomile & Spiced Apple tea (Twinings) to hot water, steep for 1 min and remove.
• Add 25ml Caorunn
• 15ml fresh lemon juice (approx juice of ½ lemon)
• 15ml Heather honey

Stir thoroughly before serving and serve hot in a 12oz cup/glass

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Those Hendrick’s boys are always thinking up new ways to have fun and the inaugural Hendrick’s Bartender Curling Championship was a great way to make the most of winter weather. A host of the UK’s top bartenders took to the ice to demonstrate their curling skills and the winners were ‘Slippery When Wet’, a team from a mix of London Bars. 

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Following on the huge success of the last year’s Masterclasses at Miller’s Residence in Notting Hill, the Martin Miller team are organising a new series of Martin Miller’s Gin Masterclasses for the Gintelligentsia in London this year. Hosted by Martin Miller himself and Brand Ambassador Craig Harper, the classes will focus on the history of the Martini and give guests the opportunity to mix their own perfect Martinis around the dining table at Martin’s boutique hotel on Westbourne Grove. And great news for those gin fans who don’t live in the Smoke, the Masterclasses are hitting the road, travelling to Bristol, Oxford, Birmingham and Edinburgh to reach out to Gintelligentsia all over the country. For details on dates, times and venuea just drop an email to: masterclass@martinmillersgin.com

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Gintime was heavily involved at the first Bibulous at Vinopolis and it was a brilliant showcase event for our participating brands – the gorgeous Beefeater 24, Caorunn, Hendrick’s Gin, Martin Millers, Plymouth and The London No. 1. In a supremely glamorous setting Gintime editor Geraldine Coates conducted a Master Class and tasting of our featured gins to an audience made up of bar professionals and interested amateurs. Check out the gorgeous Gin Lane girls’ independent opinion here.

And no we didn’t pay them although we have to say they are our new best friends!

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