Pinkster - Gin and Goodies Hamper

Are you a self-professed gin lover like myself or do you know someone who's partial to a G&T or three? Then the Pinkster - Gin and Goodies Hamper is the answer to your prayers!

If you're a keen gin drinker, like myself, you may well have already sampled Pinkster gin but in case you haven't here's a bit of background info. Pinkster is an artisan gin, hand-steeped in fresh raspberries, locally grown near Cambridge. The raspberries give the gin a subtle pink hue as well as a delicious mild fruit flavour. Best of all they recycle the raspberries and sell them in farm shops and food halls as Boozy Berries and Gin Jam (genius!).

The Pinkster wicker hamper contains a bottle of gin, a jar of their scrummy Gin Jam and two Fever-Tree tonics. As tonics go I'd always opt for Fever-Tree as the perfect accompaniment so this got a big thumbs up from me. Teamed with the Pinkster gin and a sprig of mint you really can't go wrong.

Then we come to the boozy Gin Jam which is literally amazing! I may have had a couple of spoonfuls straight out of the jar when first opening it. Just the thought of having it on toast had me salivating but then the idea of a gin-soaked raspberry cheesecake or punchy Eton Mess started to sound more appealing. Pinkster even recommend adding the jam to the gin (I know, another genius idea!) to create their signature 'Gin 'n' Jam Cockail', recipe below.

Gin 'n' Jam Cocktail

50ml Pinkster Gin
10ml Lemon Juice
2 tbsp of Gin Jam
Handful of Raspberries

Shake the gin, lemon juice and jam together and serve over crushed ice. Garnish with a second spoon of Gin Jam and raspberries. I'm yet to try this but will be sure to let you know my thoughts when I do.

So if you're looking to treat yourself or the gin lover in your life I'd definitely opt for this. Refreshing fruity gin, great tonic and yummy alcoholic jam all in a delightful picnic hamper that you can use time and time again, what's not to love?

Joe's Southern Table & Bar - Covent Garden

Joe's Southern Table and Bar is located in the heart of Covent Garden. The former warehouse now serves up American comfort food and quirky cocktails. Spread across three levels, including a basement bar, this place has a fun and vibrant atmosphere.

I'd heard good things about their signature fried chicken so opted for the Buffalo Bun which consisted of a Southern fried chicken thigh, hot Buffalo sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, blue cheese cream and pickled cucumber. Now I have to say the chicken was pretty damn good as was the side of mac 'n' cheese. Unfortunately the fries seasoned with 'chicken salt' were not so great, bordering on bland, maybe they'd forgotten to sprinkle it on...

Then came the cocktails. I'd spotted their cocktail sharer's on Instagram a little while ago. We're talking drinks served in tin teapots, popcorn cups and ceramic heads! Yes it sounds a bit insane but it was right up my street. I went for the Cherry Lincoln and I wasn't disappointed. Jim Beam Red Stag bourbon, Disaronno amaretto, lemon juice and pineapple juice, served up in Abraham Lincoln's head. It was a cocktail sharer but I may have *accidentally* drank it all to myself... hiccup!

If you're in Covent Garden I'd definitely recommend checking this place out for a drink or two. It did get quite noisy as the evening went on so I'd say it's the perfect destination for a few beverages on a Friday night rather than a quiet meal with the family.