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Australia

3 of the best boozy brunch hotspots in Sydney

There’s no better way to spend a weekend with friends than over eggs and mimosas – swapping coffee for wine is totally acceptable when it’s part of a bottomless brunch deal, right? Right! The boozy brunch phenomenon – originally hailed from those sassy New Yorkers – has had worldwide success, and is now the preferred weekend meal of many Sydney-siders. Hot on the trend, many eating establishments in the city have stepped it up a notch and now offer that all-important accompaniment of bubbles with their weekend brunch menu. So whether you’re curing a hangover, or looking to get dressed up with the girls and kick-start your weekend in style, we’ve handpicked the best bottomless brunch hotspots down under…

Bondi Icebergs

The touristy one: perfect for taking in the beautiful views of one of the world’s most famous beaches. Great for a date, besties birthday or entertaining the family!

The most iconic location in Sydney needs an iconic brunch spot and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar doesn’t disappoint. Their boozy brunch offering is on a Sunday and costs $80 for the full prosecco-flowing shebang. With a selection of tasty pastries, fresh fruit, perfectly cooked eggs and smoked salmon, you’ll be enjoying the menu just as much as the view. There’s also a very high chance of some super hot surfers interrupting that view too. Fiiiiine by us!

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach NSW 2026, (02) 9365 9000, Sunday 10am-11.30am

The East Village

The cool one: a great excuse to get a dressed up with the girls! It’s instagrammable as hell and near plenty of other bars to continue the fun in after. Or, stay! There’s 3 floors and some great wines on offer.

Set in the heart of Darlinghurst, this newly renovated pub offers a terrace dining experience with city views and a super chic tropical vibe, making The East Village one cool bottomless brunch destination. The ‘Bloody Mary Buffet’ is from $40 and lasts for just under 2 hours, that’s plenty of time to enjoy the food, booze and probably the best Bloody Mary you’ve ever tasted!

The East Village

234 Palmer Street, Darlingurst, 2010 (04) 31 622 944, Weekends from 11am

Dead Ringer

The quirky one: not an egg in sight! Something a little different than your typical smashed avo style brunch. Take anyone! Just warn them about the no eggs rule.

Fancy adding an edge of creativeness to your boozy brunch? Then this is the place to be. This unique brunch menu costs $69 and goes against the grain as you’ll not spot a single avo on toast or egg option on the menu. Instead, you’ll devour fluffy omelettes, housemade savoury tarts and lots of fresh seafood – YUM. We love their break-the-brunch-rule attitude and as long as they still include the mimosas, that’s fine by us!

Dead Ringer

413 Bourke Street, Surry Hills 2010, (02) 9331 3560, Weekends from 11am

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Coco Kitchen

Coco Kitchen Weekend Bakes: Super Simple Sponge Cake

A simple recipe for seasoned bakers and novices alike

I’ve been using the same sponge recipe since I first baked a cake as a child with my mother. Robust, light, and airy, I’ve never had a bad bake out of it.

Ingredients:

170g self raising flour

170g caster sugar

170g baking margarine (you can use butter, but the cake won’t be as light)

3 eggs

600ml double cream

8 tbsp strawberry jam

Fruit, to decorate

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 165C/145C (fan)/gas mark 3. Grease and line a 15cm round cake tin in preparation.

2. Cream together the caster sugar and margarine until smooth. Fold in the flour and eggs before transferring the mixture to the prepared cake tin. Bake in the oven for 60 minutes.

3. Leave the cake to rest in its tin for 5 minutes before taking it out and leaving it to cool on a wire rack.

4. When the cake is fully cool, use a serrated knife to slice it into three layers.

5. Whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fill the cake with two layers of jam and cream, using any left over cream to cover the top. Decorate with fruit and serve immediately.

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Adventures

Top things to do in Muscat, Oman

There’s always that mid-winter lull that makes summer seem like a far and distant memory. Beach-weather in Europe is essentially a mirage in March, so we’ve got our sights set on one of 2020’s hottest travel trends: Oman. Highs of mid-20s promise the feeling of being whisked away to a far-flung destination that promises lazy afternoons spent in the sun.

Adventure is also at the core of Muscat for its multifaceted landscape made up of secret beaches, canyons and wadis (Arabic for valley). An average day might involve a hike in one of the surrounding wadis followed by a midday afternoon massage back at the hotel – right before sunset cocktails by the beach. What’s the catch? A one-off 6am wake-up call to squeeze in all of the action. That’s it – we promise!

Those clear blue skies make it the ideal time to visit, ridding you of any icky winter blues. These are the top activities we got to try on a recent #TeamCoco trip to Muscat.

Eat

Starting with food is always a good idea. Zale Lounge is a sophisticated and stylish beachside restaurant serving a blend of cuisines and pan-Asian inspired dishes. Highlights include succulent seafood options like sushi wrapped in sticky seaweed and a signature lobster salad. The mix of booths and sofas offer a laid-back vibe, cleverly softening the high-octane luxury connotative of Kempinski with a quiet palette of creams and whites. Fun features include an elaborate cocktail list that glows in the dark and live DJ sets to take you into the night. Venturing out to the city? Bait Al Luban is a top contender for Omani cuisine in a charming converted guest house overlooking the sea.

Adventure in the Wadis

The sheer beauty of the wadis makes any 6am wake-up call worth it. Witness sunrise and the arid Omani landscape light up as the sun-dappled mountains become more prominent in the eventual morning light. Wadi Tiwi’s rugged rocks and clear emerald pools beat any ordinary hike. Stumble upon mountain goats, secret coves and local villagers floating with ease from one rock to the next. #TeamCoco tip: Husaak Adventures have an excellent guiding team with extensive knowledge of Arabia’s landscapes. Don’t forget a waterproof phone case to capture the cascading waterfalls in real time.

Kayaking in Bandar Khayran

This can be adventurous or super chilled out depending on your mood. A leisurely sunset tour is as relaxing as it sounds, especially witnessing the sun’s rays sink slowly atop the surrounding mountains. The colours shift from ochre to sienna in simultaneity with the sky’s altering hues. Bandar Khayran is a top adventure location made up of several mini beaches for snorkelling and scenic beachside hikes along the rocky shorelines. Do it like the locals and picnic in between pockets of the towering cliffs for some shade and solitude.

Stay

A short 15-minute drive from the airport in Al Mouj Muscat, Kempinski Hotel is definitively luxurious, but not in terms of excess opulence. The sun-dappled lobby is perhaps the shiniest part of the hotel, but rooms have a refined elegance and a quiet palette. Having direct access to 6km of stunning coastline means you can go for a run or flop on a sun lounger. The 10 exquisite restaurants and lounge areas also promise an eclectic experience. Pamper your palate at Bukhara Restaurant for North Indian cuisine and tabasco-inspired cocktails, or The Kitchen restaurant for all-day dining on the sun-drenched terrace.

Explore the city by foot

Souks are a large part of Omani culture, offering aromatic sandalwood, fancy hookah pipes and other interesting trinkets. Taste honey-glazed dates in the vegetable market and pop your head in the buzzy fish market in Muttrah to blend in with the locals. The catch is delivered at sunrise and sells out by 11am, which is astonishing considering the sheer size and scale of the market. Muscat’s pristine streets are steeped in history; the mosques are monumental and tell stories from as far back as 627 AD. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the whole of Oman and happens to be handily located in Muscat, just make sure to book a tour in advance to secure your spot.

Extras

Royal Opera House

Arts and culture abound in Oman’s premier venue for lavish ballets and eclectic concerts, hosting performances from Jazz legends and Arab pop stars. The exquisite architecture replicates modern Omani palaces and is particularly striking by night when the surrounding lights give it an otherworldly glow.

National Museum

A trip to Muscat isn’t complete without understanding its rich heritage. Delve into Muscat’s history as far back as the country’s earliest human settlement in a series of interactive exhibitions and installations at the National Museum.

Al Alam Palace

Just across from the National Museum in the heart of old Muscat, Al Alam Palace is the original ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos and a tourist hotspot for its flamboyant design.

Kempinski Hotel (+968 24 985000) offers a starting nightly rate of £170 inclusive of breakfast for one.

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Food & Drink

#CocoFood: Chocolate Week 2018

Yassss, it’s the most fabulous week of the year for all chocolate lovers, it’s Chocolate Week between 15th – 21st October 2018 and #TeamCoco are literally salivating all over it!

From world famous chocolate shops to fine dining restaurants with bespoke chocolate menus, plus tasty chocolate cocktails and mocktails making appearances at the best bars in the UK, this week is everything and more than we could possibly want it to be.

Our focus for Chocolate week 2018 is Hotel Chocolat in Leeds and their exciting chocolate alternative to the usual afternoon tea. They have two different chocolate collections to choose from, exclusive to the Leeds Boar Lane Hotel Chocolat only and we are seriously into both, obvs.

The Salted Caramel Cocktail Collection

2 Salted Caramel Soothers

1 Salted Caramel Brownie (to share)

2 Salted Caramel Liquid Truffles

2 Billionaire’s Shortbread

2 Mousse au Chocolat Truffles

The Gin Cocktail Collection

2 Cocoa Gin and Tonic Cocktails

2 Cocoa Gin Truffles

2 Lady Marmalade Cocktail Truffles

4 Super Milk Puddles

1 slice Lemon Polenta Cake (to share)

Both cocktail collections are priced at £15 for 2 people and are available exclusively to Hotel Chocolat Leeds (Boar Lane cafe). Brownies and chocolates are available at all Hotel Chocolat stores across the UK.

Search for Hotel Chocolat online to find your nearest store.

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Food & Drink

Behind the Bar: Welcome to the City of London’s Only Gin Distillery

Here at House of Coco we love gin as much as the next millennial, but the City of London’s Gin Distillery is kicking it well up a notch. Following a hefty refurbishment, the Distillery welcomes a brand new underground bar for gin aficionados, liquor lovers and stressed city workers everywhere.

A hidden treasure burrowed under Bride Lane and just a stone’s throw from St Paul’s, the City of London Gin Distillery has all the hallmarks of a boujie, underground bar with one distinct feature; striking copper stills and stainless steel funnels overlook the speakeasy-style bar, and the feverish Friday night excitement of the City swirls with the citrusy aroma of the distillery’s authentic dry, signature murician orange and rhubarb & rose gins – to name just a few.

If it’s one thing us Brits have always loved, it’s gin. And here in the heart of London, the gin craze of the 18th Century blazed through London backstreets; Hogarth’s infamous “Gin lane” says it all. Distilleries propped up every corner and working-class Londoner’s feasted on “Mothers ruin” like it was going out of fashion. Eventually, it did. Following the Gin Act of 1751 which outlawed small scale gin distilleries in the capital, the gin craze fell out of favour and gin distilling ceased. Since its repeal in 2008, London’s love affair with the spirit has transformed into a fully-fledged “ginaissance” and last year alone, we purchased 55 million bottles of the stuff – up 44% from last year. That’s 1.32 billion gin and tonics. Since then, craft gin has led to the influx of blissfully ‘extra’ G&Ts frequenting every drinks menu in the UK. What a time to be alive.

Paving the way for craft gin in the Square Mile, the City of London Distillery has brought gin distilling back to the City for the first time in almost 200 years. First opening its doors back in 2012, its shining copper pots and vats are proudly on display for all to see. Guests can enjoy a tipple (or several) against the backdrop of the working stills, while official tours and tastings take place regularly for gin aficionados looking to refine their tastebuds. For a cool, distinctly British experience, the gin lab offers weekly workshops where anyone can curate their own botanical blend, distil their own gin and take home a bottle of their hand crafted elixir.

Gin has officially overtaken vodka as Britain’s most popular spirit once again, but why such a revived boom for premium and craft gins? Bombay Sapphire and Gordon’s are British staples, but its small scale craft blends that are fuelling the UK market’s insatiable appetite.

Anyhow, it’s safe to say that today’s image of your typical gin drinker is a far shout from working-class Victorians drinking themselves to death on cheaply distilled paint-stripper esque pints of the stuff. Gin has benefited from a huge PR makeover, facilitated by the market influx of better quality sprits, authentic brands and unique flavours.

The Distillery’s COLD bar fits right in with the latest gin fashions. Distilled on site by the master blender, the cool and crisp authentic dry gin is a staple tipple. For those like me, who enjoy gin best when infused with citrusy botanicals and floral flavored tonics sloshed into a chic balloon glass – then you’re in for a treat. The Murician orange gin is equally tart and sweet (I tried it neat – and I didn’t hate it!) and paired with rose vermouth, lemon and tonic for a sweet but light “Dome Spritz” – one of three cocktails concocted for London Cocktail week to celebrate the unique flavours of Square Mile gin.

So if you’re in the City and gasping for a truly authentic London Gin which encompasses all the hallmarks of Britain’s historical obsession with the stuff (but in a vastly more chic and cool scenario), you’ve stumbled on the right place. Chin Chin!

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Food & Drink

Where to Eat Pancakes this Pancake Day

Probably the most important day for some of us…Pancake Day (officially known as Shrove Tuesday) falls on 25th February – and I’ve got you covered on the best places to eat them.

Whether you like sweet or savoury; fluffy or stacked, I’m bringing you the best that London has to offer so you’re fully prepared for Pancake Day.

This list is worth keeping in mind post-Pancake Day too – you’ll thank me later when it’s your turn to pick where to go for brunch.

Where the Pancakes Are

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Pn6jIh-C2/

I mean, with a name like this, could you eat anywhere but this popular pancake spot come Pancake Day? Proud of their buttermilk batter, the restaurant also offers guests a vegan, dairy-free and wheat-free option with their 3-in-1 batter, made using organic rice and buckwheat flour, soy milk and chickpea water. This Pancake Day also happens to be Where The Pancakes Are’s 5th birthday and to celebrate, there’s a day-long pancake party – there’s even a pancake race!

I’m more of a savoury girl myself so the Boulder Breakfast is always appealing to me: vegan pancakes, smashed avocado, roasted pepper and cherry tomatoes, green herbs and chickpea salsa and tahini dressing. Other popular favourites include pancakes with banana, hazelnut-sunflower-cocoa-nib praline, basil marshmallow and sea salted caramel. Don’t miss out on the Dutch Baby either – a Yorkshire Pudding style pancake situation. Yummmmm.

Find them at Where The Pancakes Are, Arch 35a, 85a Southwark Bridge Road, South London, SE1 0NQ

My Old Dutch

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RGrZoFKdj/

The OG of pancakes in London. Who didn’t relish in their £5 pancakes on Mondays – this saved me during university. It’s now only £5.95 for the classic sweet and savoury options on Monday Madness – something to bear in mind post-Pancake Day! Top of my list has long been the classic My Old Dutch with smoked bacon, chicken, ham, red & yellow sweet peppers, mushrooms, sweet corn & cheese.

If you prefer sweet pancakes, the butterscotch ones with chocolate chip and chocolate sauce go nicely with a ‘create your own’ style of adding bananas, strawberries and Ferrero Rocher. My Old Dutch even has a selection of vegan pancakes – I’ve not tried them but hole crêpe does vegan cheddar and chorizo, spinach and mushroom sound great. There’s even vegan lavender honey!

Find them in Chelsea, Holborn and Kensington

Avobar

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7N492anchs/

This spot makes the list because HELLO matcha pancakes in both sweet and savoury form. Those with a sugar tooth can get theirs sweet with carmelised banana, maple syrup and avo-butter while there’s the savoury option with a choice of house-cured salmon or grilled bacon, turmeric poached egg and avo-butter if you’re a ‘two starters instead of dessert’ kind of person.

Find them at 24 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8ND

Granger & Co.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Q63Pwlt-A/

A solid breakfast spot, my go-to at Granger has always been the scrambled eggs – they’re folded so perfectly into a rose shape, how could I order anything else? But a strong contender also comes in the form of their pancakes. Not officially listed in the menu as pancakes, the ricotta hotcakes are served with banana and honeycomb butter. You can also add bacon – which, of course, I did in a heartbeat. You might be ordering these for breakfast long after Pancake Day, I’m just saying.

Find them in Chelsea, Clerkenwell, King’s Cross and Notting Hill

The Breakfast Club

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Celebrate Pancake Day this year with The Breakfast Club’s annual Pancake Challenge. Having been running for five years, try finishing a plate of 12 pancakes in 12 minutes. I can eat a lot in a short space of time but I’ve not tried this challenge myself yet! If you can finish it all before the timer buzzes, you get your Pancake Day treat for free – indigestion comes as a bonus. Don’t worry if you can’t – it’s only £20 so not absurdly costly for the amount of pancakes. Plus, I’m sure you’re friends will help you out if push comes to shove.

The Breakfast Club has also launched five pancake specials to celebrate the launch of the new ‘Breakfast Pub’ in Battersea. Celebrating popular pub favourites, these include the ‘ham, egg and chips’ pancake stack and the ‘lemon meringue mess’. Ready, set, scoff.

Find them in Angel, Battersea, Brighton, Canary Wharf, Croydon, Hackney, Hoxton, London Bridge, Oxford, Soho and Spitalfields

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Food & Drink

Dine Out: Duck And Rice Is Really Rather Nice

Isn’t Soho a total gem when it comes to food? From Fatt Pundit’s mission to bring Tangra to Soho, to Kiln’s counter-culture and queues out of the door, there really is something for everyone to scoff, which is why Duck and Rice was a visit I was very much looking forward to.

This intriguing Chinese restaurant, sitting on Berwick Street, ticks a whole load of boxes when it comes to atmosphere. Having opened in 2015, you know you’re in safe hands when learning that world-renowned restaurateur Alan Yau is behind the magic of the setting; the man who set up Park Chinois and Wagamama. Not only that, but his boast-worthy CV includes the first Michelin-star outside of China, with restaurant extraordinaire Hakkasan.

The space dictates a classic British pub style, partnered with Chinese inflections in the form of Maneki-Neko (those little head-bopping cats) and Honeycomb Lanterns. As soon as you’re out of the cold, the warmth of the restaurant usurps you and, as if by magic, you’re transported into a dimly lit treasure trove of Chinese fodder. The restaurant’s soundtrack is one of chatter, as post-work people sit bums on seats to grab a chopstick and dig in. Downstairs, some of the finest British ales are served alongside brewery-fresh Czech Pilsner and moreish cocktails – the perfect place for a drink with friends to wash down plates of delicious Dim Sum.

We were seated upstairs upon visiting, in a cosy booth that looked onto a busy walkway for waiting staff. The warmth of the room was emanated in the service, with all who greet you donning smart clothes and smiles. The modern upstairs space makes for the perfect setting for lazy family get-togethers on a Sunday, or Saturday date night.

The menu at Duck and Rice is large and wholesome – think dishes you’d see on tables at family homes across China and other parts of Asia. The rustic charm of the buzzy restaurant seeps into the menu, with traditional must-try’s paving the sheets as a result of Head Chef Hoong’s many years of researching and perfecting dishes.

Of course, we tried the duck and rice – it’s only fair to when you’re in the realms of a restaurant whose name champions just that. It was delicious, served in a deep blue bowl, with generous portions obvious; the sweet and savoury flavours of the dish playing delightfully on the palette. Dim Sum is also highly recommended upon visiting. From char siu buns to creative concoctions such as the goji berry and baby spinach dumplings, it’s evident that a whole lot of thought, and taste, has nestled into these small plates.

Hero dishes include the chilli Sichuan chicken which I was tempted by; the shredded pieces of tasty chicken are enveloped by a platter of crushed, delectable chillies. But it was the chicken with cashew nut in jiang bao sauce which caught my full attention and tasted delicious. My only qualm was that the meat verged on the fatty side, but this can be a popular addition for some and so I wouldn’t deter from the dish for this reason. I partnered this with jasmine rice which hit the spot.

Doing this the wrong way around, (but I just couldn’t wait to discuss the duck and rice), the starters I’d opt for include the sesame prawn toast, delightfully crunchy on the rims and cushion-y and soft on the inside. And the fried chicken wings are also an ideal amuse-bouche layered with zingy green peppercorns. For dessert, it simply had to be the black coconut ice-cream which came in the form of three balls, black in colour which had a strong vanilla taste to them.

Unfortunately for those who love a tipple, I can say little about the alcohol as a result of an attempt at dry January that saw me lasting until around the 22nd. This meant that during our Duck and Rice trip, a Guava Collins with guava, coconut, lime and lime leaf was the order of the day. It was delicious, refreshing and punchy, and I didn’t miss wine one bit whilst drinking it – score!

All in all, I’d highly recommend Duck and Rice for its sensational atmosphere, adventurous menu and great tasting food.

The Duck and Rice can be found at 90 Berwick Street, Soho, W1F 0QB. For more information, visit www.theduckandrice.com

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Food & Drink

RATTLE YOUR BONES WITH DIA DE LOS MUERTOS’ CALAVERA COOKIES

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for dressing up like a sexy vampire, zombie nurse – or, indeed, mouse but this Halloween, we’re all about Dia de los muertos . Not only is this a beloved Mexican fiesta of celebrating loved ones past and the community still living but also a great reason to get creative with your decorations, fancy dress and – of course, your calavera cookies!

You’ll need:

125g (4 ½ oz) Lightly salted butter, softened

125g (4 ½ oz) Caster sugar

1 Medium egg, beaten

225g (8oz) Plain flour

1 sachet / 25g (1oz) Dr. Oetker Fine Dark Cocoa Powder

1 sachet /5g (1 tsp) Dr. Oetker Baking Powder

6g (10ml/2 level tsp) Ground cinnamon

And to get creative:

Dr. Oetker Ready to Roll Regal-Ice Coloured

Icing sugar to dust

15ml (1 tbsp) Clear honey

Dr. Oetker White Designer Icing

Dr. Oetker Writing Icing Brights

Let’s get ready to rumble…

1. Line 2 large baking trays with baking parchment. In a bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar together until soft and creamy. Whisk in the egg.

2. Sift the flour, Cocoa, Baking Powder and cinnamon on top and stir well. Using your hands, bring the mixture together to form a firm dough. Turn on to a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable.

3. Roll out the dough to 1/2 cm (1/4inch) thick. Using an 8cm (3 inch) long skull-shaped cutter, cut out 16 skull shapes, re-rolling the dough as necessary. Arrange on the baking trays, prick with a fork and chill for 30 minutes. (If you do not have a skull cutter then a gingerbread man cutter or circular cutter can be used).

4. Ten minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan oven, 350ºF, gas 4). Bake the cookies for about 15 minutes until firm. Leave to cool on the baking trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. To decorate, using the Red, Green, Yellow and Blue Ready to Roll Icing, and working on each colour separately, knead gently to make pliable. Dust the work surface lightly with icing sugar then roll out each colour to the thickness of a £1 coin. Using the same skull cutter, stamp out 4 skull shapes from each colour, re-rolling the trimmings as necessary. Once you have 16 icing skulls, gather up and keep the coloured trimmings for decoration.

6. Brush the top of each cookie lightly with honey and carefully stick the skulls on top, smoothing them in place with your fingers to ensure a neat fit.

7. Knead the Black Icing as above, and then roll out thinly. Cut out 16 pairs of eyes using a small round cutter, and then use either a small heart-shaped cutter or another small round cutter, stamp out 16 shapes for the nose. Re-roll the trimmings and cut out 16 small oblongs for the mouths.

8. Secure the shapes on top of each cookie using a little water. Roll out the Ready to Roll Colour trimmings and cut out shapes to decorate the top of the skulls – we used half flower-shapes topped with smaller flower shapes, finished with a dot of Black Ready to Roll Icing.

9. Pipe dots and swirls to decorate your cookies using the Designer Icing and Writing Icing. Leave to dry for about 30 minutes before serving.

HOUSE OF COCO PRO TIP:

If you fancy a more daring Mexican flavour to liven up your Halloween celebrations, replace the ground cinnamon with 3-6g (5-10ml/1-2 tsp) chilli powder to taste (Go on, we dare you!) . Or if you prefer something more fruity, leave out the spice altogether and add 5ml (1 tsp) Dr Oetker Valencian Orange Natural Extract for a zesty note.

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Food & Drink

A Jing Tea Treat For Christmas

High-end tea brand JING has released a brand new range of teas just in time for Christmas. Our girl Rachael Lindsay tries it out…

As the temperature drops in the UK and autumn creeps in, I am drinking more and more hot tea. A rich and invigorating cup of joe to start the day, a refreshing green tea to break up the afternoon, a soothing camomile before bed. Every moment seems only improved with a hot mug in hand.

I had already heard about JING through its connections to luxury hotels like the Jumeirah group and Michelin-starred restauranteurs such as Heston Blumenthal and Joel Robuchon. So it was a real treat to try out their new Christmas sampler range, which looks set to be a popular Christmas gift this year.

It is called the JING Origins Explorer and includes a selection of five single-origin loose leaf teas that deliver a range of tastes. Also included is a guide filled with stories of origin, and how to get the best from the teas at home.

Having just returned from India, I start by sampling an Organic Darjeeling from the early spring first flush. It is fragrant, sweet and delicate, a nice choice to accompany an afternoon tea. In stark contrast is the other black tea in the selection, the Yunnan Gold from the rich soil of Yunnan province in China. This is a bold, full-flavoured tea, perfect with breakfast to start the day with a punch.

I love green tea so I am excited to try the two in this range: Japanese Sencha and a Chinese Organic Dragon Well Supreme. Fans of Sencha will appreciate this one which is picked in May on the banks of the Sasama River in Shizuoka. It is full of flavour thanks to the volcanic soil in which it is grown, and would make a satisfying after-dinner cup. The Organic Dragon, with its nutty texture, is best savoured alone, harking back to the early days of Chinese green tea cultivation.

My personal favourite in the selection is the Oolong Ali Shan from Taiwan. It is a lovely tea to both drink and watch as the rolled leaves unfurl into majestic flowers. A floral, light tea that can be enjoyed at any time of day, teas from this terroir are famed for their creamy, refreshing character.

An ideal gift for foodies at Christmas, each sample was selected by JING’s Head of Tea, Tom Price, who has spent more than a decade scouring Asia for teas of exceptional quality. The JING website is also a wonder to explore for tea aficionados, with stories of each tea’s origins, how they are sourced and the subtleties in flavour from each terroir.

Check it out and grab your set in time for Christmas at www.jingtea.com.

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Slowly does it – Let Bombay Sapphire entice you with their ‘Slow Artistry’ this Friday!

You know we love gin. We know you love gin, specifically a nice little Bombay Sapphire number. We’re delighted to be checking out the latest immersive event from the team behind the delicious Star of Bombay tomorrow night, all in the name of research for you, dear readers….

However, this is not just some conceptual event, you can be there too this Friday in London!

‘Slow Artistry’ is an exquisite dining experience, presented in partnership with Carousel London. You will enjoy a three course menu cooked by Carousel’s resident chef, Ollie Templeton, accompanied with a selection of Star of Bombay cocktails and jelly bitters!

So click over to https://www.carousel-london.com/starofbombay.html as quick as you can to nab your seat for this exclusive evening for only £40!

‘Slow Artistry’; Friday 31st March 2017; Carousel, London. 71 Blandford Street, W1U 8AB

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