We’ve got you covered. Food, drink, nibbles, gifts, dogs, cats, even kids and birds; and something for all budgets. Food and drink ideas for Christmas across the board.

This guide pulls together a mix of food and drink treats for Christmas. You get gifts that land well, plus things you’ll want for your own table.

You’ll find standout bottles, clever kitchen kit, and small luxuries for your pets. There are rich chocolates, ready to pour cocktails, and bubbles that lift any gathering. What will you bring home this year, and what will you wrap for someone else?

Tables

Clawson Farms cheese collections, prices vary

If you’re looking for a great cheeseboard selection with all the biscuits and chutneys etc as part of the package, head to Clawsons. Each of their cheeses has its own unique story to tell, whether you’re looking for something light and fresh to serve alongside slices of ripe pear and honey, or a bold, expressive, decadent blue to pair with a fine red wine. The 1912 Stilton is something else.
Shop selections here

Tracklements Farmer’s Market Gift Pack, £14.05

Because Boxing Day is nothing without pickles. Love this carefully curated selection of Tracklements’ favourite condiments. For the best-tasting cheeses, cold cuts, hand raised pork pies, and hunks of warm bread for the finest picky plate in town. Contains Green Tomato Chutney 200g, Particularly British Piccalilli 170g, Tomato & Chilli Chutney 190g
Get it here

Umai Modern and Heritage caviar, 50g £75

There are few things that feel quite as luxurious as caviar. And Christmas is definitely the time for indulging in a spot of luxury. Umai caviar simply offers two distinct flavour profiles; Umai Modern and Umai Heritage. Umai Modern has a great savoury nuttiness with a clean umami finish on the palate and a lovely firm texture. Umai Heritage offers a more classical and full flavoured profile; ocean breeze and a delicate soft texture – one for the Oscietra lovers.
Get it here

Unearthed Brie & Pavé, £4 and Spanish Pickles, £5

Creamy Brie and Pavé au poivre, a rustic, pepper-coated dry-cured pork sausage, is a fabulous pairing – velvety richness and gentle peppery heat. Whack onto a warm baguette and quaff with a light Pinot Noir for party snacking. We also love these Spanish Style Pickles, inspired by the traditional Banderilla pintxo, a vivid mix of cornichons, red pepper, silverskin onions and Manzanilla olives which gives a tangy, crunchy, savoury flavour in every bite. Bring Spanish bar culture into your home. Thread onto skewers for instant pintxos, or if you’re heathens like us, scoff straight from the bucket.
Available Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc.

Josephinenhütte No4 Champagne glasses, set of two glasses £140

Gorgeous bubbles deserve an elegant glass like the Josephine N° 4. Its balanced shape, with a large surface area and a shortened aroma chimney, allows even complex sparkling wines to shine while ensuring a long-lasting, fine mousse. Sweet wines like Auslese, Ice Wine, Tokaji, and Sauternes also benefit from the form of this unique glass. These are light, elegant, and feel special to drink from. A lovely pressie, it’s not all just food and drink ideas for Christmas, but the bits around it too.
Get them here

Tipples

Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, £42 for 75cl

We couldn’t have that caviar and those beautiful glasses without some fizz to go along. We’ve picked this one because it came top for English bubbles in our wine tasting feature over the summer. A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier and a perfect balance of elegance and intensity. The blend includes wines from all the Nyetimber vineyards (West Sussex and Hampshire) and also from several vintages. Comes in a nice box too.
Get it here

Tácnbora Sauternes cask finish whisky, 58.2%, £57

A great Christmas gift idea for both men and women who love whisky. Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery’s limited edition in the Tácnbora cask finish series: the Tácnbora sits for nine months in ex-Sauternes oak, infusing the naturally sweet, cask-strength Tácnbora blend with luxurious layers of honeyed apricot, ripe stone fruits, toffee, and almond. Delish.
Get it here

Kennet Crayfish gin, prices vary starting £6.50

If gin is more your thing, this is something a bit different. The Kennet Crayfish Co gin is actually made using crayfish, although it doesn’t taste of shellfish, there’s something of the fresh seaside about it, and the crayfish gives it a bit of sweetness. Savoury notes of dill, a peppery hit from watercress, a burst of fresh zest from ripe lemon… we bet this would pair well with Clamato, but it’s lovely with tonic!
Get it here

Letterbox Christmas Cocktails Box, 3 x 275ml bottles, £41.95

Fabulous gift to send to a friend if you’re not going to be able to see them. Cocktails that will fit through the letterbox! You get Candy Cane Martini – Premium Brand Vodka, POLAR Peppermint Liqueur, Raspberry Syrup & Fresh Lemon Juice – 10% ABV, Gingerbread Whiskey Sour – Premium Brand Whiskey, Gingerbread Syrup, Bitters and Fresh Lemon Juice – 13% ABV, and Rum Rum Rudolph – Premium Brand Rum, Cherry Syrup, Bitters and Fresh Lime Juice – 12% ABV.  Plus festive gift wrap complete with tissue paper, ribbon, star confetti and a candy cane. There are also hand-made fruit garnishes and serving instructions.
Get it here

MOTH festive snacking selection box, £59

A full-strength festive cocktail celebration, delivered. MOTH has teamed up with Brindisa to create the ultimate cocktail hamper. A dreamy selection of MOTH cocktails, paired with moreish Perelló olives and snack mix, savoury Torres truffle crisps and rich Tony’s chocolate. A perfect way to say thank you. Congrats. Or Merry Christmas. Gift-boxed and ready.
Visit the Moth store

Chocolate

Lily O’Brien Shoe Box Hamper, £55

A stylish chocolate hamper filled with several of Lily O’Brien’s most popular assorted milk, dark and white chocolates collections. Expect mixed selections, caramel truffles, toffee pouches and honeycomb crispy hearts in the mix, as well as lots of other bits.
Get it here

Baileys Chocolate Caramel Whirls, RRP £2.75

One for those with an extremely sweet tooth and a love of Baileys! Milk chocolate whirls filled with the famous Irish cream liqueur flavour, soft mallow, and a caramel flavour sauce. Whirls with a hint of Baileys.
Available in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc.

Catherine’s Originals vegan chocolate selection tin, from £33

Still on the chocolates but this time it’s for the vegans. If you’re sad not to be able to dive into the Quality Street tin, this is for you! A chocolate selection tin (it’s even got an option to personalise by engraving the name of your loved one) packed with approximately 81 delectable vegan chocolate treats, featuring their original nine flavours and delivered in good time for Christmas.
Get them here

Kitchen bits

Hokan bowls, £90 for the set of three

Love these bowls – ideal for the enthusiastic Asian-inspired home cook. Hokan Bowls are stoneware bowls which have a multitude of uses. Robust and durable, they’re multi-purpose, going from freezer and fridge to oven or microwave, to landing on the table. They’re designed to stack to fit neatly in the fridge or cupboard. Even better, the lids are one-size-fits-all. You can also order spare lids. Small bowls start at £25.
Get them here

Hexclad Hybrid wok with lid, from £129

This viral fave now also has a small version for home cooks, singles, lighter eaters… Perfect for stir-fries, pasta dishes, soups, deep frying, and much more. The best thing about Hexclad is the non-stickery. Perfect sear, perfect for frying eggs, perfect for tossing stir-fries. The famous TerraBond ceramic non-stick coating means it’s perfect for hob to oven cooking too. Believe the hype.
Get Hexclad here

Swan Retro 8L Dual Basket Air Fryer, £129.99

Look at this fabulous retro colour, and the versatility of this ‘double garage’ air fryer. Loads of pre-settings take the hassle out of working out cooking times – one touch cookery at its easiest. And having two trays means you can cook an entire meal all at the same time. Dishwasher safe baskets and clear LED displays. A cracking gift for a young adult striking out and leaving home, we thought.
Get it here

Our little friends…

Pooch & Mutt Christmas treats, from £2.49

We love this brand, and so does the boss’s pug, Alice Pickle the Duchess of Pickleton. You will be pleased to know that Alice has tested a few things out for this feature and has given the seal of approval. There’s lots to choose from and we love the brand for its vet-recommended range, with high quality natural ingredients free from grains and junk. Lots of tail wagging and good for them too. Also stuff for kitties.
Get it here

Ruffingtons Artisan Baked Dog Treats, from £5

Quite possibly in the ‘more money than sense’ bracket, we absolutely adore these treats for dogs. Ruffingtons has created an exquisite new range of luxurious patisserie-style treats, just for doggies. Hand-decorated, edible works of art, free from artificial additives, all beautifully packaged and sealed with love, ready for gifting.
Daft? Yes. Did we get a load and squeal excitedly about them? Also yes.
Get yours here

A Little Bird Co, Little Birder Set, £24.95

The Little Birder Set is the perfect kids bird feeder kit, designed for children to start learning to recognise birds at the feeder, and spot plants and wildlife beyond the garden. In this set, you’ll find a lightweight feeder made for smaller hands, a no-grow seed blend chosen to attract robins, blue tits and sparrows, and a copy of Little Moments Outdoors, a nature spotting book for kids filled with fun facts and things to look out for on walks and in the garden. This is a lovely pressie for kids and grandkids – and a tasty meal for the birds!
Get it here

Webbox Lick-e-Lix cat treats mega pack, £15

Loved by cats everywhere, and who can blame them when they come in such a delicious array of flavours? Thanks to the handy packaging, your cat can lap up Lick-e-Lix straight from the packet and they go nuts for the smooth creamy texture. This mega pack contains no artificial colours or preservatives, with grain free recipes and no added sugar. This kitten friendly pack comes in an assortment of three flavours per pack: 20 x Chicken Flavour, 15 x Salmon Flavour and 15 x Liver Sausage & Cat Grass Flavour.
Get it here

silvermagazine

If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post Food and drink ideas for Christmas gift guide appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Fear not, we have done the research on the best bargains and luxury drinks for stocking your cellar up. From champagnes and wines to brandies and the best vodkas, we’ve got them all here. There are also some amazing deals on luscious low and no alcohol options. What are you waiting for? It’s time to treat yourself to a sparkling night in. After all, hoppy hour is the best hour.

Gorgeous gins

Gin is a clear spirit, flavoured with juniper berries and botanical ingredients. This premium spirit offers a refreshing and smooth experience with every sip. Served best with tonic or lemonade or shaken into a creative cocktail – I’m certain one will catch your eye. Elevate your senses and indulge in these delicious gins. A little bit of gin-spiration goes a long way.

Chase Distillery Pink Grapefruit and Pomelo Gin – 40% 70cl

Roku Suntory Japanese Craft Gin Cherry Blossom, Yuzu and Sansho Pepper 43% 70 cl

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, 70cl 46%

Warming whiskies

There’s no whisky-business involved when buying these drinks, we highly recommend you try them. Whether served neat, on the rocks, or as the foundation of a timeless cocktail, these whiskies promise an unparalleled experience for those who indulge. Cheers to golden hour. Add a little something to your cocktail evenings with custom coasters too. Your friends will each have a personal keepsake

Think you know your drinks? Take our fun quiz

Aberlour A’Bunadh Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70 cl

Lagavulin 16 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 43% vol  70cl

Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey, 70 cl

Vibrant vodkas

For many, vodka embodies the essence of refinement. Commonly known as liquid confidence, what’s stopping you from treating yourself? These selected spirits have a crisp, clean finish, making them ideal as the foundation of your favourite cocktails. Or take a shot before heading out to your favourite bar, who are we to judge?

Ciroc Premium Vodka, 40% Vol, 70cl

Crystal Head Vodka 70cl, 40% ABV – Award-Winning Premium Distilled Vodka

Grey Goose Le Citron, Premium Lemon Flavoured French Vodka

Tangy tequilas

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor. Get ready to party. Each sip transports you to sunny beaches and festive celebrations, capturing the essence of Mexico’s vibrant spirit. Impress your gathering guests and ignite your senses with the unmistakable quality of these discounted tequilas.

Patron Reposado Premium Tequila

Don Julio Anejo Tequila, 38% vol, 70cl

Herradura Anejo Tequila, 70 cl

Breathtaking brandys

Age is just a number, but a good brandy is timeless. Life is too short to settle for anything less than the finer things, and brandy embodies sophistication in every sip. Delicate notes of spices and vanilla dance on the palate, delivering a warm, velvety finish. Whether enjoyed neat by the fireside or as the centrepiece of a classic cocktail. Get ready to make a toast this Prime Day.

Volare Apricot Brandy Liqueur, 70 cl

Torres 30 Jaime I Brandy, 70 cl

Baron De Sigognac 10 Ans Bas Armagnac Brandy 70 cl

Ravishing rums

Cupboards rumming a little empty? Time to restock on this gorgeous selection of rums. Every sip of these smooth, spiced drinks guarantees to transport you to tropical beaches and sunny breezes. With a rich amber hue and a complex flavour profile of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice, rum offers delight to the senses. Time to get ship-faced!

Kraken Black Cherry and Madagascan Vanilla Black Spiced Rum 70cl

Salcombe Rum ‘Island Street’ 40%

Kadoo Club 8 Year Caribbean Rum, 40% 70 cl

Charming champagnes

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy good Champagne. It’s time to treat yourself, put your feet up, and pour yourself a glass of bubbles. Whether toasting achievements, celebrating milestones, or simply indulging in a moment of luxury, Champagne elevates every occasion with a symphony of crisp notes. Make ordinary moments feel extraordinary, life is better with bubbles.

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Non-Vintage Champagne, 75 cl

Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut Champagne

Taittinger Brut Réserve Non-Vintage Champagne 75cl

Wonderful white wines

White wine provides the ultimate grape escape for all who indulge. Fresh, classic, and fruity, these wines are crafted for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Filled with delicate aromas and crisp acidity, enjoy on a sunny balcony or as the perfect accompaniment to a gourmet meal.

Canti – Italian White Dry Wine 12%, 6×750 ml

Telmo Rodriguez ”Basa”, Rueda, Spain, white wine – 75cl

Radiant rose wines

Want to feel on cloud wine? Fresh from sunny vineyards, rose wine is always a crucial ingredient for having a good time. Rose embodies relaxation and luxury, two things you deserve. Embrace the beauty of a sunny afternoon and treat your family and friends to these sweet and delicate rose wines.

Bottega Rose Gold Pinot Nero Brut Rose Sparkling Wine Magnum – 150cl

Beronia Rioja Rose – Spanish Rose Wine, 75cl Bottle

Remarkable red wines

You had me at merlot. Rich in colour, flavour and history, these red wines are crafted for those who appreciate the depth and complexity of fine wines. Each sip elegantly lingers on the pallet, give the glass a swirl and indulge. These wines can be paired with a hearty meal or enjoyed by a dancing fire. Just try not to spill any…

Batasiolo, BAROLO DOCG, 75cl, Still Red Dry Wine Barolo

Bottega Venedika Rosso Venezia DOC Italian Red Wine – 75cl

Bubbly beer

Ale you need is love. And these beers will certainly provide that hoppy feeling. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast, or just starting your journey into the world of craft beer, these pints are all brewed with the absolute best ingredients. Bursting with flavour, these refreshing lagers will quench your thirst. Often hailed as the world’s oldest and most beloved alcoholic beverage, give these beers a try.

Camden Town Brewery Hells, 12 x 330 ml

Modelo Especial Mexican Lager Beer, 24 x 355 ml

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Stile Capri Lager, ABV 4.2%, 24 x 330ml

Amazingly alcohol-free

Fancying a night out whilst attempting to avoid pour decisions? Try these 0% spirits. Crafted for those who want a sophisticated drinking experience without intoxication. Carefully created to work in a variety of different alcohol-free cocktails, why not try them.

Seedlip Spice 94, Non-Alcoholic Spirit with Distilled Aromatic Botanicals, 0% vol, 70cl

Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Alternative Spirit- The Livener, 50cl

Abstinence Blood Orange Non Alcoholic Aperitif distilled in South Africa, 75cl

Isabella Poderico

Overly enthusiastic and obsessed with everything a little nerdy, Isabella has written about everything from movie premieres to politics. She can often be found, as many writers often are, sitting in front of her laptop typing away obsessively in an extortionately priced independent coffee shop.

The post Get ready to refill your luxury party drinks cabinet appeared first on Silver Magazine.

And he’s got a point. Think of Scotland, and you probably think of haggis, kilts, the Loch Ness Monster, whisky… and yes, possibly shortbread. Even Sean Connery, probably. And in fairness, all of these things are really rather Scottish. But I went for a short break in Inverness recently and discovered there’s a whole lot more going on.

So what was I doing in Scotland?

I had a lovely invite to go and see a new hotel, the AC Marriott Inverness. Ordinarily it would be a bit of a stretch to entice me to travel so far for a hotel launch (I live in Sussex). But chuck in some whisky tasting, dolphin-spotting, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and I’m your girl.

…chuck in some whisky tasting, dolphin-spotting, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and I’m your girl.

I had desperately wanted to travel up on the Caledonian Sleeper train, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE sleeper trains (like the Riviera Sleeper down to Cornwall)!

But the rotters wouldn’t cough up for a press ticket, and the price was just too ridiculously high – either for me or the client to pay. So I flew. A very efficient and pleasant flight from Gatwick to Inverness, thanks to Easyjet. Yah boo sucks to the Caledonian Sleeper.

Landing in bonnie Scotland at about 8.30pm, I leapt straight in a cab and headed for my host – the new AC Marriott Inverness.

The bar area at the hotel

First impressions of the hotel?

Most favourable – a huge open space for the bar, restaurant, and fireside area, which feels both grand and cosy at the same time. I could see people bustling around having food and drink. Great, I thought. Dump bags, freshen up, and have some dinner.

Unfortunately, whilst checking in, nobody thought to inform me that the kitchens close at 9pm – and it never occurred to me to ask. So by the time I came back down for dinner, access denied.

You all know what it’s like to be tired, and hungry, and just want to eat and drop. So you can imagine my reaction when the incredibly young-looking bar steward suggested I get some crisps from the snack counter in reception!

Fortunately, someone with a bit more hospitality experience recognised my imminent explosion and organised a delicious platter of meats and cheeses etc. Word to the wise though, dinner orders stop at 9pm.

Photo: Sam Harrington-Lowe

What about the hotel though?

Very happy with the hotel. First impressions count, and there’s a lovely buzz when you walk in. It feels light, and airy, but at the same time not that sort of airplane-hangar feel that some venues have. I think it’s the lower ceilings. It manages to convey a sense of intimacy, even though the floor space is pretty big.

My bedroom is great; clutter-free and gentle on the eye with muted tones. I was lucky enough to have a Superior Room, so I had a view over the River Ness, which I loved. As you’d expect from a new hotel, it’s clean and fresh, and I’ve got a coffee machine and a fridge, which always pleases me. Nice new bed stock – I slept like a log – and an excellent shower. These things are important.

Superior Room at the AC Marriott Inverness

The reason for my being at the hotel – along with other journalists and influencers from all over the UK and beyond – was to see its official grand unveiling, and party with them. Hence the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, who were playing at the launch do. So whilst I was there, there were a lot of ‘firsts’ going on around the hotel, and a feeling of growing excitement as the party night drew nearer.

Day 1 – Singleton Distillery visit and private dining

Meantime, we were treated to some local fun! I posted on my Facebook page something to the effect of ‘I’m at a whisky distillery in Scotland, what could possibly go wrong?’ which drew predictably hilarious responses.

Singleton Distillery – the tour and tasting. Photos: Sam Harrington-Lowe

But actually the visit to the Singleton Distillery in the Muir of Ord was more educational than libational. I learned an awful lot about the making of whisky, and had a fascinating tour of the works. But genuinely the most intriguing part for me was the tasting.

Did you know that three drops of water from a pipette can COMPLETELY alter what whisky does in your mouth?

Did you know that three drops of water from a pipette can COMPLETELY alter what whisky does in your mouth? I didn’t; I’m not really a whisky drinker. Having tasted a mouthful of the Singleton 12-year-old single malt and noted its fire – all front-of-mouth action, slightly tingling – we then added three drops of water to the whisky, and the difference was extraordinary. And I expect whisky aficionados will know all this, but this was a revelation to me. It transformed it. Much smoother, far less prickle.

And yes, we tasted all their single malts, and oh my word yes, I brought some home. Not that there’s much left now. Turns out I rather like decent Scotch.

The hotel really pulled out the stops for a wonderful evening, once we’d got back and changed. Kicking off with cocktails and canapes in the loungey fireside area, there followed a stupendous meal in a private room.

Canapes, cocktails, and the private dining room. Photos: Sam Harrington-Lowe

AC Marriott’s Head of Commercial, John Farrelly, over from Amsterdam for the knees-up, had been kicked out as he was using it as his office! But what a cracking meal. A treat-filled, Scottish-inspired tasting menu, with perfect wine pairing, and an astonishing dessert (pictured far right in the top image).

Our menu for the night. Photo: Sam Harrington-Lowe

Day 2 – Dolphin spotting

I didn’t know you could go dolphin spotting in Scotland. But in the Moray Firth, sightings of bottlenose dolphins are common, which is exciting. The stretch that the Dolphin Spirit guys sail in is home to heaps of other wildlife too. There’s a lot to see, like seals, otters, and birdlife.

The guides on the boats are extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna in the area. And they can recognise different dolphins, affectionately giving them names. The experience we went on is called the Mischief Wildlife Experience, and the boat we went out on travels through Chanonry Point where dolphins are spotted.

Dophin Spotting on Mischief

It’s worth noting that dolphins are spotted on over 90% of Mischief trips, so if dolphin spotting is your thing, this is a jolly good bet.

We were also extremely lucky – the sun shone brilliantly for us. What a day to be out on the water. Dolphins were spotted, and lots of birds etc too. The Mischief, as you might expect from such a name, is a fast and fun ride (pictured). But if you wanted something more leisurely, there are cruises as well.

Party time

Back to the hotel, where everything was madness! Staging, lighting, food stations, hundreds of people all charging around setting up for the party ahead. The kitchen had very sensibly organised a little lunchbag of food for us in our room to keep us out of the way. I shook out my gladrags, leapt in the shower and tried to make myself presentable for the do.

Stepping out of the lift on the ground floor was like walking into a completely different place! I always love how magical it is when event experts do their thing, and transform spaces. There was a guy playing a grand piano and singing jazz numbers, people dressed up to the nines. Wine and drinks on tap – all the makings of a great start.

Just a tiny section of the party food

Once I’d circulated a bit and met some of the team, including the hotel general manager Dianna Bruce, I got properly stuck in. The food was heavenly – such an exciting smorgasbord, of exceptionally high quality. I’m not sure I’ve ever reached a point before where I have had enough seafood and serrano ham, but there you go. Thank you AC Marriott Inverness for finding my breaking point.

I’m not sure I’ve ever reached a point before where I have had enough seafood and serrano ham

Actually I will just talk about the head chef here, Ian MacKenzie, 42, who grew up in Inverness and has joined the AC Marriott. He’s headed ‘back home’ following a 15-year stint catering as private chef on tour with the likes of Lizzo, J-Lo, Elton John, Beyonce, Paul McCartney and Jayzee.

The demand for luxury food that he’s been used to meeting is clear from the standard of fare throughout the whole hotel. Whether it’s breakfast with its homemade baked bean, frittatas, and slabs of honeycomb, or the brunch options with classic hints of Scottish tradition throughout, the food at the hotel is exceptional. And I don’t say that lightly.

Time for a dance

After an enormous amount of food, and gallons of cocktails and wine had been consumed by the great and good of Inverness and beyond, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers hit the stage and piped up a storm. Yours truly, capering around at the front of the crowd, half-cut, predictably got picked out by the singer and brought up on stage to join in. In heels too. I’m just impressed with myself that I didn’t fall over. No I’m not showing you the photo.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers kicking it. Photo: Sam Harrington-Lowe

But it was all over far too soon; I could have capered for Scotland for hours. The Pipers departed the stage to huge cheers, and, energised by the rousing noise, the party continued at a vastly increased decibel rate.

The next morning I woke up, tongue like Gandhi’s flipflop and so forth, and staggered into the shower. I had a chaotic morning and breakfast.

My chaos, not theirs, I should add – I tipped a glass of water into my phone charger blowing up the plug, and filling one of my trainers at the same time. Crushed a boiled egg being clumsy, and covered myself in yoke; dropped brown sauce in all the other condiments; and split the teabag in my cup, filling it with tea leaves. But I made it back to the airport, and on to the plane in one piece and flew home, mostly snoozing loudly with my earplugs in.

Thank you Inverness, and good night!

The useful stuff

AC Marriott Inverness website
Room prices vary throughout the year, but I found some starting around £120 per night (July ’23)
Largest hotel in Inverness with 191 rooms

Singleton Distillery website
The distillery is located in the beautiful Muir of Ord, a stone’s throw from the Highland capital of Inverness.
The ‘Experience’ is a 90-minute round trip, with a tasting, and there’s a bar, and a huge shop packed with a stunning collection of whiskies to buy.

The Dolphin Spirit website
Cruises start at £21 pp and take 75 mins. The speedy RIB trip on Mischief starts at £49 pp and is a couple of hours.

Sam Harrington-Lowe

Sam is Silver’s founder and editor-in-chief. She’s largely responsible for organising all the things, but still finds time to do the odd bit of writing. Not enough though. Send help.

The post A short break in Inverness is a feast for the senses appeared first on Silver Magazine.

The first definition of a cocktail was described in 1806, on 13th May. A New York publication, The Balance and Columbian Repository, defined a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters…” And now we celebrate cocktails – if not every day, then at least once a year. Because it’s World Cocktail Day! And yes that’s a thing, but you can make this excellent cocktail any day of the year.

We’re here for this, and definitely here for making our own cocktails at home. So we asked our cocktail expert friends at the Mixology Group for a classic recipe with a modern update. And they’ve come up trumps. You’re welcome.

Ginger Whiskey Sour

50ml bourbon whiskey
20ml ginger syrup
20ml simple sugar syrup
30ml lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

This one couldn’t be easier. Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

We use the delicious House of Broughton syrup range from Fentimans, but you can make your own syrups. Create your own ginger syrup using 1:1 sugar and water boiled up with a chunk of fresh ginger for 15 mins. Sugar syrup you know how to make. You ought to.

Shake it all together and pour over ice. Garnish with orange, or sliced orange peel, or go crazy and use some candied ginger. Sip and ahhhhhhhh…

* * * * * * * * *

silvermagazine

If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post Celebrate with a new twist on a classic – Ginger Whiskey Sour recipe appeared first on Silver Magazine.

Consistently seen as a quality, high end tipple, whiskies are starting to remarket and even repackage (Glenfiddich we’re looking at you) to attract a younger market. Whilst cocktail pods that dissolve in your mouth might be fun, surely the secret of the drink’s enduring appeal is about its quality and class? The experience of drinking it slowly, and savouring it? We wanted to find out.

As the nights get darker, longer and colder, there is nothing more enticing than a warm, amber drink by the fireside. We spoke to Myles Cunliffe from The Mixology Group to find out more about one of the longest-standing favourites in the world of spirits, and where it’s going.

TELL US ABOUT WHISKY AND HOW IT’S MADE

Put really simply, whisky is made from beer. Beer is made from a grain which is processed into a rough flour, and mixed with hot water. The hot water dissolves the starches and sugars in the grain, making a sugary liquid.

This is fermented into an alcoholic liquid via the addition of yeast. It can then be distilled in various types of stills; from copper pot stills for single malt whisky through to continuous stills for bourbon. The still concentrates the alcohol and adds to the flavour.

A minimum of two years in the barrel is used for a straight whisky from the States, whereas Scotch requires a minimum three-year sitting in the barrel

Then the alcoholic liquid is aged in a variety of barrels which may have previously held bourbon, sherry or even port and dessert wine, lending the drinks yet deeper and more complex flavours.

The time it spends in the barrel varies from country to country, but it can be anywhere between a matter of weeks or years. A minimum of two years in the barrel is used for a straight whisky from the States, whereas Scotch requires a minimum three-year sitting in the barrel.

One thing to remember when looking at a Scotch whisky bottle is to look at the label. The label always features a declaration of the malt or grain whiskies used. A single malt is one that is wholly produced from malt in one distillery.

When it comes to blended whiskies, and if it has an age statement, that refers to the youngest whisky in the bottle.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘WHISKY’ AND ‘WHISKEY’?

Strictly speaking, the difference between the two is where they’re from. Scotch is always spelt ‘whisky,’ and bourbon and Irish is ‘whiskey’, although you’ll find people who might disagree. It’s because of the similarities between Gaelic – both Irish and Scottish – with regards to pronunciation.

WHAT MAKES WHISKY SO PRESTIGIOUS?

The days of 15- and 20-year-old whiskies ruling the shelves of a bar are over

Generally, it’s due to the time it takes to produce. It’s also to do with the continual barrage from marketers that the older the whisky the better it is, making it harder for producers to sell younger whiskies.

However, the days of 15- and 20-year-old whiskies ruling the shelves of a bar are over. The increase of new distilleries brings an increase in young whiskies being released as limited editions, and new markets opening up.

HOW SHOULD WE BE DRINKING IT?

This varies from person to person; it’s about finding what works best for you. A little water, perhaps a crystal-clear ice cube, or even a splash of your favourite mixer all work just fine, as long as you enjoy it.

A big trend at the moment is serving whisky in the ‘High Ball Serve’. Essentially, whisky served long over ice with soda water. A very refreshing change from highly sugared gin and tonics. I also love a Ginger Whiskey Sour, a really tasty twist on an absolute classic.

MYLES’ FAVOURITES

If you’re a whisky drinker, you’ll already have your own favourite way of drinking it. Traditionally it’s generally been served neat or with a drop of water, and in the UK, without ice. But times change, and so do our habits. Here’s a few new ways to enjoy the amber fire…

NAME: Islay Malt Old Fashioned

TASTING NOTES: Smokey, bittered with the addition of Angostura bitters or the Aromatic Bitters from Mrs Better’s Bitters, with a hint of sweetness by adding the sugar of your choice. It could be honey, agave or even golden sugar.
BEST TO HAVE WITH: Great after dinner but exceptional with a great steak.
NEVER DO THIS: A common garnish are those horrid cocktail cherries. Ditch those in favour of some orange zest squeezed over the top.

NAME: Speyside High Ball with Fentimans Soda Water

TASTING NOTES: Tall and refreshing. Depending on your choice of whisky, it can be rich and complex or light and floral.
BEST TO HAVE WITH: Bar snacks. Have fun making your own, from candied nuts and bacon bits to hand fried crisps with white truffle mayonnaise. Be as decadent as you like.
NEVER DO THIS: Always use fresh bottles of soda water. Avoid the temptation of using the bottle of soda in the back of the fridge from last week. Instead, looking for smaller bottles, and don’t forget to store it in the fridge.

NAME: Bourbon Manhattan

TASTING NOTES: I make mine with the full-bodied red vermouth from Bolney Wine Estate, but look for a rich red vermouth to make this with to give the drink proper depth.
BEST TO HAVE WITH: Cheese!
NEVER DO THIS: Don’t use old vermouth. Treat your vermouth like wine – keep in the fridge once opened and safely consume within four weeks.

Myles Cunliffe is a specialist mixologist and viticulture expert who has worked globally, opening venues for clients all over the world, creating cocktail menus and training teams. A qualified WSET trainer, his work in the industry and training field has seen him awarded an Imbibe Educator of the Year gong. Thanks to him and The Mixology Group for their help with this feature.

silvermagazine

If you’d like to receive a regular mini-magazine direct to your inbox with a selection of editorial features to read at your leisure, please sign up for our newsletter. We also run the odd competition and offer and whatnot, and newsletter members get the heads-up first.

The post It was bound to happen… whiskies are undergoing a revamp appeared first on Silver Magazine.