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18th December 2018
01:01pm GMT
Christmas is coming and it's time to celebrate a year of hard work, good laughs and great memories.
One of the best parts of all is heading back home for the break blasting Chris Rea with a big smile across your face. Having a few days off and time to spend with friends and family is what it's all about.
I don't know about you but last Christmas I went home and opened my mam's drinks cabinet, hoping to find a nice bottle of my favourite spirit, and I was left disappointed. All that was there was a dusty bottle of gin that she probably hadn't touched in years.
Now I don't mean to be a gin snob, but I am a bit of a gin snob. If I'm going to have a G&T, I want it to be a good one. There's such a huge difference in flavour and quality if you just spend a little bit extra. Just like having the right bottle of gin, a good tonic and garnish is essential.
This year, I'll be bringing the gin supplies and I'll be showing my Irish Mammy how good gin can be without too much stress or effort.
Your ultimate cocktail guide for the winter season brought to you by yours truly and the lovely Schweppes.
This week we'll be showing you how to make an elevated version of your classic gin and tonic, the Light & Bright cocktail.
It's simple but effective.
Exactly what you need for nights at home. No time wasted and something special to bring to the table that everyone will enjoy.
This is one of the best G&T mixes around.
Learning what you like is vital in finding your perfect cocktail. This one is fresh, crisp and citrusy. The grapefruit brings a lovely sweetness to the bitterness of the spirit.
It's made from Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, a personal favourite of mine.
Not only is the iconic blue bottle stunning (I've kept every empty one as a candle holder) the spirit inside is glorious.
Drumshanbo is a hand-crafted gin made in the Shed Distillery, Co Leitrim. It's made from oriental botanicals and locally foraged meadowsweet.
Here's everything you need:
• 50ml Gunpowder Gin
• 200ml Schweppes 1783 Light Tonic Water
Garnish: slice of pink grapefruit
It's easy-peasy lemon (grapefruit) squeezy!
Take a copa glass or tall balloon style wine glass and fill to the top with ice. Pour in the Gunpowder Gin and mix with Schweppes 1783 Light Tonic Water.
Add a slice of grapefruit.
That's all it is, see, I promised it was simple but effective.
Christmas drinks are getting an upgrade.
Don't forget to ask Santy for a bottle of Gunpowder and some Schweppes 1783 this year!
As always, drink responsibly.
READ MORE: THE 12 TWISTS OF CHRISTMAS: THIS WINTERY GIN COCKTAIL IS THE IDEAL TREAT FOR NIGHTS IN
