Hello, darlings!

​Anyone for tennis? Oh dearie me, the last hurrah of The Championships Wimbledon was on Sunday 15th of July 2018 (this year’s season ended on the 14th July 2019). But do not fear as Miss Windsor’s here to console you with a sup or two of her frightfully fruity Pimm’s cocktail – just the tonic to soothe one’s post-tennis blues. 

Or why not join Mrs Simkins (my culinary collaborator) and I for a jolly good quaff of the good stuff at our summer garden party- here’s the LINK: Mrs Simkins & Miss Windsor’s Summer Garden Party!

So, move over Mr Original Gin Sling, and make way for Miss Windsor’s intensely vibrant vodka-based tipple, which oozes a luxurious touch of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur.

By the way, my recipe tastes rather like “pink sherbet”, which funnily enough sparks many summery, nostalgic, childhood memories, as one recalls chasing Mr Whippy’s ice cream van down the road at full pelt until it screeched to a halt and served that poor little nipper whatever she desired – usually a “99 ice cream” smattered with pink sherbet and garnished with a Cadbury’s Flake.

Darlings, now a vivid impression that has lingered for years in one’s memory bank, is an enormous aura of glee and utter satisfaction – Miss Windsor has never forgotten that cool velvety; fizzy feeling of guzzling down a 99 ice cream bedecked with sweet pink fairy dust!

PHOTO CREDIT – Mr Mikey Ice Cream of Weston-Super-Mare

Moving swiftly on, I wish to share, that for a good few years now lurking around in one’s pantry was a rather dusty, yet sultry and slender looking figure, “Oh, please do elaborate more Miss Windsor!” I hear you chirp with immense intrigue.

​Well, darlings, I must confess that the mysterious figure turned out to be a bottle of the special edition – Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s – I bet you didn’t expect that, you saucy lot! 

This bottle of booze is not just any old Pimm’s, in fact, as previously mentioned it’s a fabulously fruity infusion laced with vodka, which boasts a bountiful taste of our English summer hedgerows.

​I must add, it was bestowed upon Miss Windsor many years ago by her darling friend Sir Brian – such a generous chap! 

And so with a recipe in mind for my pantry find, I wished to perform a bit of a Miss Windsor twist, and so I called upon my trusty Mrs Beeton (Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management, to be exact!) who suggested that a touch of her magic homemade lemonade should do the trick!

Therefore, the combination of Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s, Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, and Mrs Beeton’s Quick-Fire Fizz Lemonade created the most perfect post-tennis, well Wimbledon in this case, pick-me-up. ​

Now darlings, I expect most of you are familiar with Pimm’s No.1 Cup – a gin-based herbaceous cocktail, which during the 1800s Mr James Pimm’s of London originally invented to promote one’s health – I say, I do often wonder if he succeeded in that department? Anyway, you’ll be pleased to know, in total there are six varieties of Pimm’s (How fascinating!).  

Also, this refreshment was introduced to the UK in 1964 and goes by the grand title of Pimm’s No.6 Cup. In fact, this particular digit served as the perfect foundation for the divine creation of Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s, which first graced the market of fine liquor in 2012 (How spiffing!).

Tick tock, tick tock – it’s nearly Pimm’s o’clock! So without further ado, please dash off to your elegant drinks cabinet and have a jolly good go at recreating Miss Windsor’s cocktail!

Here’s the recipe for:

MRS BEETON’S QUICK-FIRE FIZZ LEMONADE!

Miss Windsor x

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISS WINDSOR 

Print

Miss Windsor’s Blackberry & Elderflower ​Post-Tennis Pimm’s Cocktail

Prep Time 10 minutes

Servings 1 delightful ‘you’! (or double the ingredients for 2, and so on!)

Equipment

• 1 x highball glass (capacity: 350ml / 12 US fl oz. or thereabouts)
• 1 x cocktail shaker
• for decoration: cocktail umbrella – Oh, how fancy!

Ingredients

• 100 ml (3 1/2 US fl oz.) – Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s
• 150 ml (5 US fl oz.) – Mrs Beeton’s Quick-Fire Fizz Lemonade or any fresh lemonade will suffice!
• 25 ml (2 US tablespoons) – Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur (also available in the US)
• Plenty of ice
• For decoration: some blackberries & raspberries or a slice of lemon

Instructions

• Darlings, ‘splish splash’ – please dash off to your hand basin and lather up those mitts of yours – Much obliged!
• First off, it’s time to prepare Mrs Beeton’s Quick Fire Fizz Lemonade – it’s ‘easy peasy lemon squeezy’ and takes no time at all! Or on this occasion, one may use ready-made lemonade.
• Now, simply fill your cocktail shaker to the top with ice – Ta very much!
• With a steady hand, measure out the Blackberry & Elderflower Pimm’s and Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur.
• Gently pour both alcoholic tipples over the ice, then add the lemonade.
• Darlings, in readiness for your frightfully fruity Pimm’s Cocktail – fill your highball glass near to the top with ice –– How exciting!
• Now, give your cocktail a good ol’ shake! So, pop the lid onto your cocktail shaker, and make sure one hand is firmly pushing down on the lid, then shake ‘like the clappers’ – for about 30 seconds or so.
• Pour immediately, but slowly into your highball glass – there’s a good, darling!
• Then before serving: to the spikey end of a cocktail umbrella, add a few berries of your choice. Oh, and why not plop one or two into your cocktail mixture while you’re at it!
• Alternatively, decorate with a zingy slice of lemon – Voila!
• Darlings – I’m sure this intensely vibrant, sweet n’ sharp fruity tonic will lift your spirits, whilst soothing away your post-tennis blues!

The post Blackberry & Elderflower Post-Tennis Pimm’s Cocktail! appeared first on Miss Windsor's Delectables.

Hello, darlings!

Miss Windsor presents her glorious, palate quenching cocktail, concocted using the very best of Somerset’s fruity produce, plus a smattering of Indian fizz (How spiffing!).

So, whatever your circumstance; maybe you’re embroiled in a muddle, or just fancy a refreshing tipple, Miss Windsor highly recommends her delectable, summertime beverage – Mr Miles Gin Berry Cocktail. 

Created with a “berryful” burst of Miles Berry Berry Loose Leaf Tea (in fact, I used the leftovers from the trunk of my beloved Brown Betty teapot), a botanical dash of Newton House Gin, plus a generous splash of Indian Tonic Water by Fever-Tree.

Darlings, during these seldom hot summer days, or the mediocre sort when the sky is full to capacity with blurry grey/blue clouds, whilst a stubborn ray of sunshine attempts to dazzle planet earth with its warm vigour and charm!

One presumes you’ll be spending your leisure-time lounging in the garden; perched on your balcony; or stuck to your sofa whilst you wish for more than a mere window-box to satisfy your outdoorsy type of nature (Oh, dearie me!).

Whatever your fashion, nothing beats the green-carpeted Somerset countryside bestrewn with “pick your own” fruit fields, bedecked with row upon row of vibrantly coloured berries – strawberries, raspberries, tayberries and redcurrants – fantabulous!

Darlings, without further ado, it’s time to crack on with my rousing recipe before the sun recedes behind the clouds – toot sweet!   

And before you do so, please take heed of Miss Windsor’s little time-saving tip: prepare and chill the key ingredient of “tea” the night before you plan on recreating my recipe.

Please enjoy my “Sup of Somerset” or “G & Tea”, created with oodles of LOVE in South-East London – frightfully fabulous in every way!

Miss Windsor x

Print

Mr Miles Gin Berry Cocktail

Prep Time 10 minutes

Servings 1 delightful ‘you’ or guest! (double ingredients for 2, and so on)

Equipment

• medium-sized Brown Betty teapot – or any ‘robust’ type of teapot you can get your hands on!
• tea strainer
• 1 x balloon glass for gin (420ml capacity or just over 14 US fluid ounces) or something of similar size.
• for decoration: cocktail umbrella – Oh, how fancy!

Ingredients

To make the tea

• 2 teaspoons of Miles Berry Berry Loose Leaf Tea, or any fruity tea will suffice!
• 3 or 4 ice cubes for a balloon glass (or of similar size)
• 35 ml (2 & 1/2 tablespoons US) for a balloon glass (or of similar size) – of Newton House Gin, but any brand of gin will do the job!
• A good splash of Indian Tonic Water or one may try the ‘aromatic’ type
• 25 ml (2 tablespoons US) of pure cane sugar syrup
• Optional: a dash or two of rhubarb bitters

For decoration

• A selection of summer berries (raspberries, strawberries, tayberries, redcurrants, or even a few blueberries!)

Instructions

• Darlings – clean hands at the ready, please!
• First off, prepare your beloved Brown Betty or any teapot of choice, and swill her trunk with boiling hot water.
• To the pot add 2 heaped teaspoons of Miles Berry Berry Loose Leaf Tea or any fruity loose-leaf tea, then immediately fill your darling teapot about half-way with boiling hot water.
• Allow to cool with the lid off. Once completely cooled kindly return the lid to your teapot and place in the fridge to chill.
• Once chilled, it’s time for a cocktail! So, drop 3 or 4 ice cubes into your glass, then add the gin – How spiffing!
• Using a tea strainer, fill the glass half-way up with the cooled tea.
• Add the pure cane sugar syrup, then top up with tonic water.
• If you're a fan of rhubarb, and enjoy the contrast of sweet and 'tart', then add a dash or two of rhubarb bitters.
• Darlings – now give your fruity, gin-laced concoction a quick stir – How exciting!
• Now, it’s time to add the finishing touch! So, reach for a cocktail umbrella and to the spikey end add 2 or 3 berries of your choice, then gently place the decoration into your glass – careful not to splash!
• Voila – your cocktail is now ready to be served!
• Darlings, the great thing is, I’m sure there’s enough tea left-over to indulge in another cocktail, and then maybe another!

The post Mr Miles Gin Berry Cocktail Recipe! appeared first on Miss Windsor's Delectables.