Review: Fentimans Mixers 500ml

I've been testing out Fentimans new 500ml size mixers* (£1.80 from Waitrose) which are perfect for sharing. I've found that you get 4 or 5 drinks per bottle. See my thoughts on their Sparkling Lime & Jasmine* HERE.

Their Naturally Light Tonic Water* is botanically brewed and made with 30% fewer calories than the normal version and makes a delicious G&T! The Premium Indian Tonic Water* is blended with herbal infusions and lemongrass extract which makes for a unique and refreshing G&T.

Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water* is made with ruby red grapefruit which makes a delicious tart, zesty and slightly sweet tonic. Perfect mixed with your favourite gin or vodka. I love this one!

Rose Lemonade* is an all-time favourite of mine which is made with lemons and pure rose otto oil. Deliciously floral it's perfect on it's own or mixed with gin, vodka or bourbon. Ginger Beer with muddled Lime* has a firey kick. It's made with aromatic ginger and natural botanicals. Serve with vodka and a wedge of lime for the perfect Moscow Mule cocktail.

What's your favourite Fentimans mixer?

*complimentary

Craft Gin Club: June 2016: NB Navy Strength Gin

My June Craft Gin Club box arrived at the end of last week. It's definitely one of my favourites!

Inside this month is a bottle of NB Gin Navy Strength (57%), a bottle of Fentiman's Sparkling Lime & Jasmine (review) a miniature of Martini and a jar of Alco Olives which are infused with NB gin and of course the fab Ginned! mag.

A smooth and delicious gin (with a kick) made with botanicals of Juniper, Coriander Seed, Angelica root, Grains of paradise, Cassia bark, ground Cardamon, Lemon peel and Orris root powder.  It makes a delicious martini.

Sign up HERE. Remember you can get a tenner off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM.

Fentimans: Sparkling Lime & Jasmine

Fentimans launch a delicious new drink - Sparkling Lime & Jasmine on 1st March (tomorrow) and I was very kindly sent a few bottles* to try and review. This is their first new product since 2013.

It is zingy with a gentle floral note and is a great alternative to alcohol (although I think it would mix well with a shot of gin or vodka).  Made using a time honoured botanical brewing technique which delivers body and depth of flavour.

Light and finely balanced it is refreshing and slightly tart. Sweetness comes from Hyssop Lime Flower and Juniper berries give it a clean and dry citrus note. A botanical infusion of white jasmine flowers give it a floral edge.

It really is delicious and thanks to Fentimans for sending me some to try.  I'm also a huge fan of their Rose Lemonade.  You can see the other drinks in the range HERE.

*complimentary

Craft Gin Club: February 2015: Edinburgh Valentine's Gin

Louise, showed a photo of her Craft Gin Club subscription (£40 a month) on one of the beauty groups on Facebook. I rushed off to look (being a huge gin fan) and saw that February's Valentine box included a special bottle from Edinburgh Gin.

Jon and John, the club's founders are so helpful (and reply to emails almost immediately!) I was lucky as they had one February box left - so it was fate that it was going to be mine.

Get £10 off your first box with code BEAUTYBALM

Inside is:

A bottle of Edinburgh Valentine's Gin (70cl - £35) which is made with botanicals of lemon balm, chamomile, lemongrass, juniper, their signature Scottish botanicals along with rose and hibiscus. It really is delicious and perfect mixed with the Fentimans Rose Lemonade (27.5ml - £1.35).

Also inside every box is a enjoyable magazine Ginned! with information about the brands included this month, cocktail recipes and a bit of gin history.

Other extras include: An Edinburgh Gin miniature (5cl - £5), a branded Edinburgh Gin key ring (£3.50) with bottle opener and a bar of Coco Gin & Tonic Chocolate (90g - £4.50).

I like that there is a choice of subscriptions - Every month (my favourite), bi-monthly (1 box every two months) or quarterly (1 box every 3 months).  You can also skip a month if you let the guys know by the 25th of the month.

Previous months have included: West Wind Distillery, The Sabre (not heard of this one!) and Sibling Distillery's The Sibling Gin (another new one to me!) Ones I have tried include the amazing Makar Glasgow Gin and Dunnet Bay's Rock Rose.  You can see the full line up of previous Gins of the Month HERE.

See the website HERE

Follow on Twitter @craftginclub