A Christmas Cocktail Recipe – The Ginger Swinger

A Christmas Cocktail Recipe – The Ginger Swinger

Time for your tastebuds to feel the light and the dark side with this new cocktail recipe.

Here’s my new Christmas Cocktail Recipie creation; The Ginger Swinger!

 

You will need

  • Martini glass
  • 1Tbsp Nutella
  • 1 measure of ginger cordial
  • 2 measures vodka
  • crushed ice
  • coconut water
  • 1 tsp lime juice

 

Method

  • Coat the bottom half of your glass with the tbsp of Nutella or other hazelnut chocolate spread
  • Add 1 measure of ginger cordial
  • Add 2 measures vodka
  • Crushed Ice and lime juice
  • Serve separated, stir before drinking

 

Christmas Cocktail recipie The Swinger

Having Christmas in Summer means that entertaining takes on a different twist and we need to come up with catering ideas that help us cope with the heat.

This Christmas cocktail recipie has both the sweetness and freshness that gives it a decadent, yet light finish.

Perfect for impressing your guests in no time at all!

The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai

The Address Hotel Downtown Dubai

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The Address Downtown Hotel Dubai

When was the last time you sparkled? The last time you felt like a diamond in the perfect setting, where the light could touch each facet of your face and throw a different colour? This is how I feel right now.

The last two weeks have been made up of the moments that change you forever. I cannot imagine a more perfect setting for my story than The Address Downtown Dubai; my personal castle with a glittering court of service staff.

While the castles of legend overlook a deep and treacherous moat, The Address Downtown plays host to the most spectacular view of the Dubai dancing fountains. From high up on the balcony of the cigar lounge, we watch as light and water interplay in a single dramatic song. The sandstone arches of the Souk tinged with the blue light of evening, the Burj Kalifa presides over all.

The Address Downtown Hotel Dubai

The Address Downtown Hotel Dubai

Desert Safari In Dubai

Desert Safari In Dubai

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There are only ever a handful of moments in your life that make such a deep and moving impression on you, that you know you will never be the same again. Last night this happened to me.

dubai desert safari

Even as I type this for you I can feel my chest getting tighter and my eyes welling up; such was my sense of awe in the desert of Dubai.

For every film you’ve ever seen or any landscape you have imagined of this golden landscape, nothing can adequately prepare you for what lies in wait for you in these rolling dunes. At once more vast than you can comprehend, yet the smallest ripple in the sand is nature’s perfect and transient work of art.

 

Meeting Destiny in Dubai

Meeting Destiny in Dubai

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Dubai Souk Mall

 Dubai is a city for the sophisticated.

It is a haven for those with a sophisticated palate, a sophisticated mind and a sophisticated aesthetic. It is a crucible of beauty in all its forms.

As I sit here resting my weary legs with the scent of a lily bouquet floating through my room, I hardly know where to begin with my stories of Dubai. But like a true connoisseur, I shall attempt to create each one with care so that you can see them for the individual jewels they are.

It seems the Dubai Tourism team were able to discern my style quite quickly. Before I arrived here I was selected to stay at The Address Downtown, a stunning hotel right next door to The Dubai Mall. From the moment I checked in, there have been so many little notions that this is just the place for me here, and this afternoon I experienced another.

 Souk Dubai Mall

After a morning of touring many wonderful offerings, I took a little time to myself to explore a place that had captured my imagination from the very first image I’d ever seen of it. The Souk, attached to the mall, is utterly entrancing. The lusty scent of incense trails through the amber lit alleyways, diamonds call to you from every store window and your inner Princess finds her head.

Dubai Souk Dubai Souk

With deep brown twinkling eyes, a fragrance salesman beckoned me over to sample his wears and my Princess agreed. Perched up on a soft leather stool, I sat and chatted about the passion the Arabic people have for fragrance. Golden flasks each stood ready to woo me, but I already knew I wanted only one.

 Dubai Souk Perfume

“Would Madam like to try this beautiful Rose perfume?” he asked. This Madame smiled and said, “Actually, I’d much prefer something smoky and dark. A rich tobacco.” It was as though I’d said a magic word, his eyes lit up and a single flask instantly selected. With a flourish he indicated towards my arm, “please may I? All perfume must sing with the skin to be true.” Perhaps this was a part of his usual sales manner, but in my current poetic surroundings it carried the perfect trace of fantasy.

There is a truth that appears in someone’s eyes when they truly love something, and that is what happened next. I was enveloped in a heady cloud of warmth and velvet, a scent you could almost stroke. As it rose from my skin I wanted to close my eyes and fall back into a deep leather sofa. I could not resist myself. He smiled at me, the crocked smile of a co-conspirator, “see?” he said. “On you, this sings.”

 Souk Dubai

Souk Dubai

I have searched for many years to find my signature fragrance. I knew just how I wanted it to smell. I had come close before, but not close enough. The mass produced synthetic perfumes of the big brands have left me cold with their soulless offerings. But here in Dubai, amongst the alleys of the Souk, I have found my fragrance. And even more exciting to me, is that my fragrance has a story.

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A great summer cocktail recipe – Papaya Pleasures

A great summer cocktail recipe – Papaya Pleasures

Vintage Current Papaya cocktail recipie

The perfect summer cocktail recipe for a tropical moment.

Dear tastebuds, you need a holiday. You need a new Summer cocktail recipe!

Here is one I prepared earlier….

 

You will need

  • Martini Glass
  • 1 tbsp Papaya – Fresh or tinned
  • 2 measures Cointreau
  • Crushed Ice
  • Coconut Water
  • 1 tsp Lime juice

 

Method

  • Muddle the Papaya into the base of the martini glass.
  • Add two measures of Cointreau and allow to rest for five minutes so the Papaya can absorb some of the liquor.
  • Add crushed ice.
  • Top off with Coconut water and lime juice.
  • Garnish