2 August 2019

What I drank on British Airways this month

I've noticed on the last few flights I've caught, that airlines seem to be upping their booze game. 
I loved the theatre of
mixing my own cocktail
at altitude 

I was especially impressed with the range of British and exclusive drinks ranges that were available on a recent British Airways flight. 

Did you know your taste-buds are impacted by flying? No, me neither. Air pressure, lack of humidity, and even the noise of the plane's engines can apparently impact how we taste things. So British Airways has introduced a selection of exclusive drinks that have been blended specifically to be enjoyed at 30,000 feet. And, the best thing? A whole load of them are British.
OK, so the plastic cup didn't
exactly dress the drink.
But the Gin Jam was lovely
and the drink was v special

On the flight to Spain, I very much enjoyed a glass (well a plastic) of Pickerings Small Batch Raspberry Gin. This was presented with a very funky "Pinkster Gin Jam". This mildly alcholic jam is made from the leftovers from the production of the Raspberry gin and is designed to be poured into the G&T to turn it into more of a cocktail. I absolutely loved it. There was also the option of a Pickerings Small Batch London Dry Gin which was apparently blended especially by "ginventors" who trialled different recipes at different altitudes and this blend is exclusive to BA. 

I think I would like a job as a ginventor.

Whilst I tried to stop my gin cocktail from being knocked over by my children, the husband chose a Scottish beer. He opted for the Brewdog Speedbird 100 IPA which had been "specifically brewed to work perfectly in the air and adapt to the reduction in taste and smell sensitivity at high altitudes." I'm not sure whether it tasted better at high altitude, but he definitely enjoyed it and we always love a Brewdog Beer. I practically lived off their Nanny State when I was pregnant.
Great to see an English
wine challenging
more standard in flight
wine brands

Then, on the way back to a very rainy Heathrow Airport after a three-hour delay at Barcelona, we treated ourselves to a glass of Chapel Down English Bacchus

OK, so this wine wasn't a BA exclusive blend and not specifically made for the mile high club, but I've never tried Chapel Down wines before and it's so nice to find an English wine being displayed on an international sphere like this. And, we both absolutely loved it and I'm considering booking a winery tour at Chapel Down so I can see what else they have on offer.

Overall, we were really impressed and it's great to see British alcohol being sold by a British Airline. Maybe it's the new collaboration with M&S or maybe it's BA being brand faithful and supporting British. Either way, I'm a big fan and long may it continue!


18 July 2019

Review: Craft Gin Club

I've been looking at gin clubs for a while. I love the idea of getting a different gin through my door each month with a selection of goodies to accompany. 

There are lots to try - some are less money each month, some come with smaller-sized bottles, some with full 75cl bottle, some with more goodies etc etc. It was a minefield! 
Of course I shared my
gin box to Insta! 

So, I turned to my friend Sarah who is the Gin-Guru behind the blog Gin a Ding Ding for advice. She has a handy review on her website of Gin Subscription services and I subsequently decided on the Craft Gin Club.

I officially bought the subscription for Father's Day (but you know it's mine) and my first box had a £12 discount so cost £28 instead of £40. I liked the fact it came with a full-sized bottle and I could switch the subscription on and off when I liked.

"Our" first box arrived in July. It was really exciting because we got lots of emails telling us it was coming and we didn't know what the gin would be or the extras included within it. And then, it finally arrived and I obviously couldn't open it because it was technically the husband's. It was so exciting I even sent him a photo of the box.

And, we were really pleased with our first box. The full-sized gin was Theodore Pictish Gin from Scotland which we had never heard of but came in a fabulous bottle. The goodies were really interesting with everything from dried Grapefruit to Salted Caramel Marshmallows. There was also a magazine packed with information about the gin and different cocktails to make using the ingredients provided.

The recommendation was to drink the Pictish gin with Fentimans Pink Rhubarb tonic water and a slice of the dried grapefruit. It was so delicious! The gin is quite spicy and, for me, the strong flavours were of cardamom, ginger and pink pepper which coupled perfectly with the rhubarb and grapefruit.

I especially loved the 3/4oz Spritz Syrup. I love an Aperol Spritz so it's nice to try a non alcoholic alternative as well as the different suggestions for cocktails using the syrup. 

Overall, we were very impressed and felt the box was exiting, interesting and represented good value for money. Can't wait for the August box!