FOOD + DRINK
THE BEST OF KENT ’ S CHRISTMAS TIPPLES CONT .
THREE MAKERS FOR CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS
Cocktail in a Bottle , from £ 30 , www . cocktailinabottle . co . uk
World-class premixed cocktails made right here in Kent by one local with a passion for sensational drinks . Perfect as both a gift and to serve at a party , Karl has invented every type of bespoke cocktail from the wonderfully wacky to the tempting traditional . For example , Cigarettes & Coffee is an award-winning Rebel Espresso Martini made with bourbon , Perique tobacco , mezcal and Brazilian Bourbon coffee , whereas the Blackcurrant Negroni is is made using an extremely delicious French blackcurrant bitter aperitif called Amerisse . Karl also uses Merlet Cassis with this to add more fruitiness and balance . To serve , freeze the bottle for an hour then pour over block ice and garnish with a lemon twist or slice .
Anno Distillers , from £ 5.50 , www . annodistillers . co . uk
Multi-award-winning artisan gin , spirits and distillery experiences , you can discover the spirit of alchemy in Kent ’ s very own Maidstone . As well as distillery tours , you can purchase some absolute dreams for your Christmas drinks trolley from Anno , which have been inspired by the Kent countryside . For example , Anno has selected sweet , pale Kentish rhubarb to create their Candlelit Pink Rhubarb Rum . Picked traditionally by candlelight , this versatile fruit is blended with fresh ginger to give this Kentish rum a kick to stimulate the senses . Pair with a cold lemonade , add an exciting twist to a Mojito , or drink neat on the rocks to savour this distinctive flavour .
Maidstone Distillery , from £ 20 , www . themaidstonedistillery . com
An historic distillery crafting botanical gins , unique liqueurs and dry gins in the heart of Kent ’ s county town . Reflecting all things Kent and celebrating its heritage , delight in a beautiful bottle such as the Kipsi Rosé Gin . For centuries , Kent ’ s delicious soft fruits were harvested in traditional wicker baskets known locally as a kipsi , which is the Romani word for basket . Kipsi Rosé Gin is distilled with a distinct selection of fruity botanicals before being barrelaged in ex-Bourbon oak casks to add creamy notes of sweet vanilla and delicate spice . Finally blended with Kentish morellos , dark cherries , strawberries and raspberries to create a remarkably robust and sophisticated rosé gin , Kipsi Rosé Gin is best served with premium tonic water and garnished with soft fruits for a light and fruity Christmas G & T .
BEERS AND CIDERS FOR A CHRISTMAS CHEERS
Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale , 12 bottles from £ 32 , www . shepherdneame . co . uk
Kent ’ s Oldest Brewer , Shepherd Neame have specially crafted their own Christmas Ale which was a hit last year and is set to be again in 2022 . Christmas Ale is brewed using 100 % natural ingredients , drawing chalk-filtered mineral water from the artesian well deep below Shepherd Neame ’ s site , along with the finest malting barley and Kentish hops . The seasonal ale boasts warming notes of fruits and spices , blending pale and crystal malts with Target and Challenger hops for bitterness and Goldings hops for aroma . In keeping with Shepherd Neame ’ s long heritage , the festive ale has a traditional packaging design with a vintage , Dickensian-style bottle label and pump clip .
Turners Cider , boxes from £ 38 , www . turnerscider . co . uk
A family business based in the village of Marden in the Weald of Kent making a range of craft ciders in the ‘ Eastern counties ’ style from only eating and cooking apples . Only selecting each type of apple for its flavour , Turners use many traditional varieties such as Cox , Worcester , Bramley and Russet in their creations . The result is a range of clean , light and refreshing ciders with a balance of sweetness and acidity - perfect for festive drinking , served as an aperitif and paired with plenty of Christmas foods . A festive favourite is the Apple Pie Cider ; gently spiced with cinnamon , nutmeg , ginger and cloves , it really is like apple pie in a glass ! It can also be warmed up as a mulled cider as a welcome drink for guests .
Kentish Pip Cider , boxes from £ 28.50 , www . kentishpip . co . uk
Based at Woolton Farm near Canterbury , Kentish Pip Cider uses dessert and culinary apples from their own farm and a handful of trusted local growers in Kent and Sussex . Only ever using 100 % fresh apples and pears in their craft , their cider has optimum taste and is never made from concentrate . Their Skylark sparkling cider is popping with big notes of fresh Kentish dessert apples followed by a flourish of complex cider tannins . Slow fermentation of this special blend of dessert and cider varieties creates a deeply refreshing , medium-dry cider for people who expect the beyond . This makes a perfectly refreshing drink to quench the thirst at Christmastime , ideally before meals or served chilled at toasty dinner parties .
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