A Roku Martini

This is a soft, subtle, interesting and mild Osaka-produced gin from Suntory that makes a very delicate and pleasant martini. Appearance The branding is understated but beautiful – as would be expected from a reputable Japanese producer. The hexagonal bottle is instantly recognisable, with the six sides each representing the six main Japanese botanicals of the drink (which join the eight additional and more traditional … Continue reading A Roku Martini

How to rapidly chill your gin, vodka or other bottles

I keep my gin in the freezer permanently, so I’m always ready to mix up a frosty, cold classic martini. Nonetheless, we can all get caught short occasionally. If you’ve only got an hour or two to try and cool down your gin from room temperature to sub-zero (centigrade) here’s a tip that can at least help speed up the freezing process. First, get two … Continue reading How to rapidly chill your gin, vodka or other bottles

Chilled scallop canapés with smoked paprika, seaweed-butter and lime

These sound fancy but they were quite easy to put together and can be made in advance, so they’re easy to serve if you’re having a party. Get about one scallop per guest (or two if you want to make it a more substantial dish than just a canapé). I love scallops. My dad was a scallop diver so they’ve never been far away from … Continue reading Chilled scallop canapés with smoked paprika, seaweed-butter and lime