Celebrate Christmas with Highland Nectar

What is Highland Nectar? It’s an absolutely delicious and utterly sumptuous Scotch whisky liqueur that celebrates the flavours of drams from the heart of the Scottish Highlands. 

Crafted by the expert at Elixir Distillers, it marries five-year-old Scotch whisky with interesting botanicals including ginger, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla, and bitter orange, for a golden liquid that’s rich, aromatic and fruity. Delicious neat as an after-dinner sipper, or in a Hot Highlander:

What, you may ask, is a Hot Highlander? We have the very special recipe here for you to try:-

Ingredients:

50ml Highland Nectar Liqueur

150ml peach tea

A slice of fresh ginger

5ml Scottish honey

Cinnamon stick and dried orange wheel to garnish

Mixing instructions:

Steep a peach tea bag in 150ml of water for 3-5 minutes with the slice of ginger. Remove the teabag and the ginger slice before adding Highland Nectar and a spoonful of Scottish honey. Stir, garnish, and enjoy!

Learn more here:- https://elixirdistillers.com 

Mixologist's Garden launches range of fruit garnishes to boost your Christmas home bartending

An innovative new range of exciting ready-to-use fruit garnishes, which is designed to help create eye-catching drinks infused with natural fruit flavours and colours at home, has been launched by Mixologist’s Garden.  

The five delicious fruity options, Lemon, Lime, and Strawberry slices, plus whole Raspberries and Blueberries, act as bar-ready condiments, instantly transforming the appearance and taste of any drink, without having to buy, store, prepare and potentially waste, fresh fruit ingredients.  

Hand selected for their superior quality and freeze-dried to capture 100% of the fruits’ flavour and appearance, Mixologist’s Garden garnishes are convenient and easy to use. The fruits quickly rehydrate on contact with liquid, providing the ultimate at-home bar hack for creating classic and experimental cocktails, plus enhancing fizz, spirits and soft drinks.  

And there's no need to refrigerate as the fruit garnishes have a long shelf life and are available in handy 10g resealable pouches, each one containing the equivalent of approximately 100g of fresh fruit, meaning the perfect serve is always at hand with no slicing or prep needed.  (So no need to keep plasters handy as there are no sharp knives required!)

When faced with a party full of thirsty guests or you simply fancy a tasty aperitif, Mixologist’s Garden provides an effortlessly quick and inexpensive way to elevate any drink at hand. 

Even more versatile than fresh fruit, the garnishes can also be used as a sweet and sour swizzle, a powder for stencilling and a crunch for the glass rim, meaning Instagrammable pours are only a shake or stir away. They can also be mixed with spirits to create bespoke liqueurs. 

For those looking for ways to make their drinks a little ‘extra’, Mixologist’s Garden has a range of serve suggestions to enjoy at home, including a cosmo updated for Autumn/Winter 2023, a party punch perfect for entertaining and even luxury winter truffles.   

Mixologist’s Garden Lemon, Lime and Strawberry slices and whole Raspberries are now available in selected Asda stores nationwide. RRP £2.75 per 10g pouch.  

Mixologist’s Garden Strawberry slices, whole Raspberries and Blueberries are now available in East of England Co-op stores. RRP £2.75 per 10g pouch.  

For more information, please visit them at www.mixologistsgarden.com 

Looking for a different take on traditional Christmas cakes and more? Then Wanis International Foods has the answer

Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake: RRP £12.99

Tortuga "Original golden" Rum cake with walnuts; a superior quality gourmet gift cakes that makes the perfect gift or crowd-pleasing dessert to take along to your festive event host. 

Using only the finest high-quality ingredients, including specially 5-year oak barrel Tortuga Gold rum. is applied by hand. Baked fresh in the Cayman islands, then vacuum sealed to lock in the delicious freshness. Available at Ocado, independent retailers and online.

HoneyBun Christmas Cakes: RRP £14.99 for large and £9.99 for small. Fruit Cake, Black Cake, Rum cake, Christmas cake! Whatever you call it, no Christmas is complete without it! 

You will love their Honey Bun Christmas Cake, made in Jamaica using traditional methods and an authentic recipe. Moist and delicious, with the perfect blend of fruits, Jamaican rum, wine and spices to give that homemade taste.

Honey Bun Jamaican Spiced Bun: RRP £3.99

Honey Bun have been baking traditional Jamaican treats in the heart of Kingston since 1982. Jamaican ‘bun’ is traditionally served with cheese and is full of flavours synonymous with Christmas like aromatic orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg). Can also be served warm or toasted.

Nutmeg Jam: RRP £1.99

A speciality from Grenada and the Caribbean, nutmeg jam is a wonderfully unique and delicious way to enjoy one of the world’s favourite spices. Made from the freshly picked fruit surrounding the nutmeg seed, it is sweet and fruity with the unmistakable warm and aromatic flavour of nutmeg for a truly tropical twist to your breakfast, baking, desserts and hot or cold meats.

Nice Up Your Cheeseboards!

Perfect for Christmas grazing boards, Boxing Day Buffets and Left-over turkey sandwiches.

Caribbean Mango Chutney: RRP £1.99

Nice up your curries, sandwiches and cheese boards with Tropical Sun Caribbean Mango Chutney. Hand-prepared in Central Village, Jamaica, our chutney is packed with fresh mangoes, raisins, peppers, onions and spices. Give your meal the fruity, tropical twist it deserves!

Caribbean Pepper Jelly: RRP £1.99

Prepared by hand in Central Village, Jamaica, Tropical Sun Sweet & Spicy Caribbean Pepper Jelly is made with fresh limes, fiery ginger and of course, spicy red peppers. Whether eaten with cheese and crackers, in a sandwich or as an ingredient in a delicious glaze for Christmas Ham, road pork, salmon or hot wings, let this tantalising tropical treat give your meal the sweet and spicy twist it deserves!

Caribbean Honey Thyme Glaze: RRP £2.49

If you are hosting a Christmas roast and don’t want a bland Turkey or ham, then you have just discovered your new secret ingredient: Tropical Sun Caribbean Honey Thyme Glaze! A sweet and aromatic blend of honey, thyme, red pepper, onion, garlic and pimento, this glaze will elevate your Christmas roast meats or vegetables to another level. Perfect on turkey, pork, ham, chicken and lamb, or root vegetables such as parsnips and carrots, this glaze is guaranteed to amaze. Baste for that Caribbean taste!

Rose Hall Egg Nog: RRP £4.99

A luxurious drink made with fresh milk and cream, Rose Hall Eggnog is full of festive cheer! Loved across the USA, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America their deliciously creamy eggnog is traditionally relished at Thanksgiving and Christmas. For extra, cheer, add a dash of rum, brandy or bourbon. Fill up your glass, raise a toast and celebrate life to the fullest! 

I'm unsure as to why Egg Nog isn't as popular in the UK as it should be. Let's see if we can address this situation and help make Rose Hall Egg Nog as popular here as it deserves to be!

Rose Hall Luxurious Eggnog 1Ltr Carton - DrinkSupermarket

Sorrel (Hibiscus) - 100% Natural, Dried: RRP £1.99

You might know it as hibiscus, in West African it’s called Zobo, in Mexio they call it simply ‘Jamaica’.

Sorrel, is made from dried calyces of the roselle flower and is commonly used to make drinks, including teas, tonics and festive punches. Boasting a beautiful ruby red colour and tart, cranberry-like flavour. In Jamaica, Christmas is not complete without sorrel punch, why not give out recipe a try:

Festive Sorrel Punch

From mulled wine to hot toddys, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without festive drinks, of which Caribbean sorrel punch is undoubtedly one of the most delicious! Made with Tropical Sun Food’s dried sorrel, its unmistakable vibrant magenta colour gives it a Christmassy glow and its tart and tangy flavour perfectly complements the dark rum that warms you up from the inside out. Perfect hot or over ice, served with a slice of Caribbean Christmas Rum Cake!

Happy Skin Kitchen Festive Sorrel Punch Tropical Sun Sorrel.

To learn more about these and other fantastic products please visit www.wanis.com.

Have a spirited Christmas with G&I Spirit Group's Mis Amigos creamy tequila range

I'm personally a really big fan of trying new spirit based drinks for Christmas and I feel that the G&I Spirit Group's creamy tequila range "Mis Amigos" will make an excellent addition to your Christmas drinks cabinet or the kitchen shelf next to the toaster where you keep your bottles of spirits. 

Mis Amigos is currently available as a tequila liqueur in several flavours: Coffee, chocolate, chocolate & lime (25% abv) and their creamy tequila in flavours strawberries & cream, chocolate cream (15% abv).

Their popular Neapolitan selection box contains three bottles of their creamy tequilas to mix together. It's proving to be a great alternative to traditional creamy whisky/rum for tequila lovers this Christmas!

You'll certainly find yourself a popular destination for friends and family over this Christmas period!

You can find G&I's full range here: https://www.gi-spiritgroup.co.uk

Wren Kitchens Show How to style creative Christmas tablescapes to impress your guests

The experts at Wren Kitchens has revealed the most on-trend tablescapes perfect for all the Christmas festivities this year.

Whether you prefer to go all out or something that's perhaps more minimalist, there’s a tablescape to suit everyone’s tastes.

It’s no surprise that searches for ‘Christmas table setting ideas 2023’ have risen 2,850% in the past 12 months, as people get ready to celebrate the festive season with family and friends.

With Christmas just around the corner, Wren Kitchens have collated a list of the best tablescapes to ensure your kitchen is Christmas visitor ready!  

The relaxed look: clementine & grey

This simple, rustic theme is perfect if you’re a lover of grey. Not only does it look great, but the sweet clementine’s also make it smell good too.

To achieve a frayed effect on your napkins, use a material like linen, which has the perfect fibre composition to be able to fray easily. Simply grab your grey material, cut and stitch a line across the edges leaving a gap to fray the material with a seam ripper or needle.

Bring it all together by adding some foliage around your silverware or clementine’s.

Rocking tradition: berry reds

What colours say Christmas more than traditional red and greens?

Simply place your favourite red baubles and Christmas tree decks in the centre of your table along with some candles (battery powered if you’re worried about little ones!) Using a black tablecloth beneath will really make the colour palette pop!

The rustic look: foraged décor

Bring the outer elements inside this Christmas with berries, pinecones and holly. Make sure to add dried out oranges for a splash of colour.

Using battery powered fairy lights will brighten up your table by giving a warm glow. Don’t forget to add name card holder to your table either using pinecones or baubles.

Glam it up: frosty whites

This icy white theme is perfect if you love sparkle and neutral tones.

For the plate setting, layer your placemats and add glittery decorations sticking to your colour theme. Make sure to tie your silverware together with a piece of white ribbon.

To really give your table that WOW factor, add faux snow and glitter on top of your tablecloth.

Scandi statement: fir centrepiece 

If you’re into more minimalistic décor, maybe opt for a floral centrepiece. Use berries and fauna to create a striking circular wreath to sit in the middle of your table.

To keep the greenery together, either use florist wire or if you don’t have one to hand carefully bend a wire hanger into place.

Don’t forget to brighten it up further with some mini festive ornaments or Nordic candles.

For more inspiration, please visit https://www.wrenkitchens.com/blog/creative-christmas-tablescapes-to-impress-your-guests

Christmas cheer brought to vulnerable children by Frankie & Benny's

Iconic and popular Italian American diner restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has pledged to be Secret Santa to vulnerable children, which could help them feel the magic of Christmas.

They've joined forces with charity Action for Children and have pledged to support their Secret Santa Christmas campaign backed by actor Larry Lamb.

This year, the team at Frankie & Benny’s felt a strong desire to support children and families who need it the most. Whilst many families will be celebrating the festive season, others will be struggling to even feed their children and to keep them warm.  

Action for Children support vulnerable children every day. They see children without a bed sleeping on the floor with just blankets, families with no money to feed their children or who are left shivering in the cold because they can’t afford to top up the gas or electric meter, let alone buy presents and put Christmas foods on the table.

Action for Children is a vital lifeline for desperate families with nowhere to turn and that’s why this Christmas Frankie & Benny’s ‘The Big Give’ will help children and their families up and down the country. And Frankie & Benny’s want their customers to get involved too!

Gavin & Stacey star, Larry Lamb, said: “The magic of Christmas begins in childhood. Hanging stockings, sharing festive food, presents under the tree. It’s a time for children to make precious memories and for them to feel happiness and love, the kind of magic that lasts a lifetime. For vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food, maybe no food at all. I’m really pleased Frankie & Benny’s has partnered with Action for Children to help make a change. Your gift could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas. Children across the UK need a Secret Santa like you!”

Frankie & Benny’s The Big Give is simple. Customers dine in, Frankie & Benny’s donate cash - and become Secret Santa for vulnerable children! 

When guests dine at Frankie & Benny’s between now and Chirstmas Eve,  December 24, they'll receive an email triggered by their booking inviting them to be part of The Big Give.

Guests select a virtual gift which Frankie and Benny’s will donate in kind. In total the company will donate £10,000 to Action for Children. Customers even get a FREE Starter to use in January as a thank you.

Alexandra Gaunt, Frankie & Benny’s Marketing Chief Head of Marketing, said: “Frankie & Benny’s is a restaurant brand with families at its core, so it’s really important for us that we support other families and children in need at this time of year. The cost of living crisis will be hard for so many and we must remember to try to help others now and in the future as best we can which is why we are proud to support Action For Children.”

In the UK 4.2 million children now live in poverty, that’s 600,000 more than in 2012. Last year Action for Children helped to support over 765,905 children, young people and families in the UK.

To donate to Action for Children and be a Secret Santa: www.actionforchildren.org.uk/give

Be part of The Big Give this Christmas and help us spread some magic.

https://www.frankieandbennys.com/terms

Check out the menus and more here www.frankieandbennys.co.uk  

Go nuts over Christmas with Wonderful Pistachios Roasted and Salted!

Thinking about boosting your Christmas snacking this year? Then look no further than Wonderful Pistachios Roasted & Salted!

California grown Wonderful Pistachios are absolutely perfect for every Christmas occasion; from sharing at your Christmas party, enjoying with colleagues at a relaxed works or office Christmas event, or adding some flavour and texture to your favourite festive recipes, and of course, for those all-important Christmas movie snacks! (Our favourite is the 1951 Scrooge!)

And with added health benefits, Wonderful Pistachios are the snack that really keeps on giving! 

• Wonderful Pistachios contain 21 grams of plant protein per 100g

• … They are a source of potassium 

• … Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• … Vitamin B6

• … And contain 10 grams of fibre per 100g!

So, if you want a unique and delicious snack that the whole family can share, pick up a bag of Wonderful Pistachios Roasted & Salted from Asda, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. 

Wonderful Roasted Salted Pistachios 220g RSP: £5.00

• £4.00 at Ocado until 27/12 and Waitrose until 01/01 (£1 off)

Wonderful Roasted Salted Pistachios 115g RSP: £2.15