With much of the population in self isolation, some people are finding there is little to look forward to each day. But happily, there are various retailers and producers offering home delivery - including alcohol retailers, wineries and gin distilleries.
While I must encourage responsible consumption of alcohol, self-isolation nevertheless provides an opportunity for us to get experimental with our drinking, not only with what we drink, but how we drink it. Think about dressing up for cocktail hour! Or consider virtually meeting up with friends to share a drink. We have discovered
Zoom video conferencing during this lockdown, and are impressed by its simplicity and capability; it's helping us to stay connected with friends and relatives.
Are you enjoying a virtual happy hour with friends? (Image credit: Photo by adyna from FreeImages)
Having worked out how you want to enjoy your drink, then let's turn to the drink of choice for 'quarantini'. The idea for creative drink pairing actually came from our having a meal with matched drinks at a five-star restaurant last year. We were served a slightly dry riesling with one course, and a fruity saké with the next course - and were encouraged to combine the two in one glass. This did seem a little like sacrilege, but when we tried it, it was a delicious combination.
What else could we mix up, we wondered? Take
Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin. While it's delightful on its own, on the rocks, we wondered what it would be like combined with shiraz wine. Answer - very drinkable! (But it's very potent, beware.)
Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin. Pair it with a shiraz wine for something different!
And while on the subject of gin, there are a raft of flavoured gins currently hitting the market. We've discovered the delicious
Verano Spanish Watermelon Gin, which again, stacks up on its own, or could be poured over ice with some chunks of watermelon, and a sprig of mint (if one can access such things).
Other flavours on our list to try include rhubarb and ginger gin like
this one from Edinburgh Gin, and a
blood orange gin from Australian distiller 36 Short. There's even an Australian
hemp gin if you're feeling adventurous!
Feeling adventurous? Try this hemp gin from The Natural Distilling Co!
But enough from me and over to you. What's your tipple of choice, and who are are you sharing it with?
