Get Grilling for National BBQ Week!
It's not often we're blessed with fine weather in the British Isles so we always love an excuse to bring out the BBQ! This week so far has been a scorcher, good thing too as it's National BBQ Week! Running from 26th May till 3rd June, it's time to don that novelty apron, fire up the BBQ and get grilling those steak burgers! This week is the perfect practice for hosting a barbecue for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, which is set to beat last year's Royal Wedding's 7.5million BBQs as Britain's biggest BBQ day of all time. To help you host the perfect barbeque, we've got a great range of barbeque's and BBQ accessories for a sizzling summer.
National BBQ Week
There's always been a big debate about using charcoal or gas for barbecues, with charcoal being a cheaper option, while gas is often considered an easier option. Whichever option you prefer, drinkstuff has you covered for a range of gas BBQs and charcoal BBQs. Our consistently popular Son of Hibachi Barbecue is an ideal option for families, camping, festivals and holidays as it lights quickly and comes with a snuff out pouch so you can pack up and go. If you're catering for a family or event, we've got a great range of charcoal and gas Landmann BBQs.
Son of Hibachi Barbecue
Obviously no BBQ is complete without some tasty food, and the National BBQ Week website features recipes with some gourmet twists on the classic burger, sausages, chicken and kebabs! We're loving the look of Gorgeous Gastro-grilled Chilli & Pineapple Spare Ribs!
Nostalgia Mustard Squeeze Dispenser
Ensure you're well prepared for al-fresco dining with our range of barbeque accessories. Don't forget all the essentials; disposable plates, disposable cutlery, foil platters, napkins and plastic glasses. Also new to drinkstuff, we've got a range of squeezy sauce bottles for ketchup and mustard, ideal for family BBQs as well as larger events. We've also got a whole range of British themed Queen's Jubilee party accessories if you're planning a Diamond Jubilee street party.
Happy Grilling!
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Your Guide to hosting a Jubilee Street Party
It's 2012 and there's never been a better time to be British; we've got the London Olympic Games, Euro 2012 and of course the Queen's Diamond Jubilee! With celebrations happening up and down the country from 2nd to 5th June, you'd better don your party hat and get ready for a good old fashioned British street party. We've got the ultimate guide to making your Jubilee street party one to remember and a great range of Jubilee street party accessories.
Royal wedding street party in Percy Road, Horsham. Photo by Derek Martin. Sourced from wscountytimes.co.uk.
Step One - Location, Location, Location
This might be quite an obvious one, but ensure you have the appropriate permission to close or part close your road if you're planning a street party. Alternatively, hosting a Jubilee party in your home or garden is also a great option.
Step Two - What to Eat?
Of course no Jubilee street party is complete without plenty of food, and what's more British than sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches and Victoria Sponge cake? If you're stuck for inspiration then the BBC Good Food website is packed full of ideas.
Jubilee Party Cakes. Sourced from bbcgoodfood.com
British Street Party Cup Set
Step Three - What to Drink?
In the Great British climate you have to be prepared for all weather, from rain or shine. Hopefully the sun will be shining on the Jubilee weekend, and you'll be able to serve up a selection of refreshing drinks. Our British Street Party Cups Set is ideal for serving up lemonade and squash for the kids, and beer and cocktails for the adults. Pimm's and lemonade is also a great choice for the adults and we've got a great selection of Pimm's Jugs and Pimm's Glasses. If you're serving afternoon tea, our Union Jack Party Cups are ideal for both hot and cold drinks.
Step Four - Stock Up on Party Essentials
Our great range of Jubilee party decorations will ensure your Jubilee party is appropriately themed with a selection of red, blue and white colours and Union Jack flags. Keep drinks cold with our Inflatable Union Jack Beer Mug Cooler or Husky Union Jack Refrigerator! Add some Union Jack decoration to your food and drinks with our Union Jack Cascade Picks and Cello Frill Cocktail Picks. Ensure all mess is cleared away with our Union Jack Luncheon Napkins or British Street Party Napkin Set.
Step Five - Invitations
Invite your friends and neighbours of course! You can always invite the Queen and Prince Phillip if you wish, but we can't guarantee they'll turn up.
Queen unable to make it? Simply use our Mask-arade Personalised Masks!
Don't forget to visit us for all your Jubilee party equipment! We hope your 2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Street Party is a roaring success!
Cheers!
The Drinkstuff Blog
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The Great British Tea Party
Bring out the buttercream! The Great British Bake Off has all inspired us to start baking again, and now it's the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, making it official: tea parties are fashionable again! Whether it's sponge cakes, cupcakes, fairy cakes or celebration cakes, nothing beats a slice of cake with a cup of Afternoon Tea. It doesn't matter whether your a domestic goddess or prefer to rely on Mr Kipling, we've got a great selection of different cupcake stands and cupcake decorations for your tea party display!
Indoor Sparkler with Cupcake
If you're looking for a unique cupcake stand to display your elegantly iced cupcakes, the revolving Ferris Wheel Cupcake Holder might just about be the most cute and unusual cupcake stand we've seen. With UK exclusive, drinkstuff.com is the place to buy! Holding 8 medium to large cupcakes, we think it's perfect for tea parties, baby showers, weddings, fates and fairs!
Ferris Wheel Cupcake Holder
No tea party is complete without a classic Victoria Sponge cake and our Stainless Steel Cake Stand and Metal Handle Cake Dome offers an elegant cake stand for displaying your baking creations. The classic design means it can be used for all types of cakes and sweet treats for any occasion.
Stainless Steel Cake Stand and Metal Handle Cake Dome
Jubilee Cupcakes
If you're hosting a Jubilee tea party or Jubilee street party we've sourced a cute Jubilee Cupcake Recipe for inspiration:
Ingredients:
150g caster sugar
150g butter
130g self-raising flour
20g cornflour
3 medium eggs
30ml milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the buttercream:
250g butter, room temperature
500g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
30ml milk
To make the cakes:
1. Preheat your oven to 160°C/320°F/Gas Mark 3. Place 12 cases in your muffin tin.
2. Beat the sugar and butter with the vanilla essence until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
3. Combine the flour and cornflour.
4. Add 1 egg, 1 third of the flour mix and a splash of milk and beat until just combined and repeat until all the ingredients are added.
5. Divide the batter between the 12 cases and bake for 20-25 minutes depending on your oven.
6. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes before moving to a wire cooling rack.
To make the buttercream
1. Add butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract to a large mixing bowl, then beat for about 5 minutes with an electric whisk until smooth.
2. Pour the milk gradually if you need to loosen the mixture.
Piping a swirl
1. Attach the nozzle to the piping bag and place in a tall glass, pulling the bag down around the glass. Fill the bag 2/3 full with the buttercream and twist at the top of the bag to close.
2. To pipe a swirl, apply pressure to the top of the bag and pipe a star shape in the middle of the cake. Release the pressure and pull up quickly.
3. Then, start at the outside edge of the cake and pipe around the star and build up into a swirl. When you reach the end of the swirl press down slightly, release the pressure and pull up quickly.
4. Add the sprinkles and Union Jack decoration.
Jubilee Cupcake Recipe and image sourced from goodtoknow.co.uk.
If you've used any of our stylish cake stand or decorations for your party feel free to leave a photo review at drinkstuff.com.
Cheers!
The Drinkstuff Blog
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Geek your beer with the Android Kegerator
Beer and technology don't often mix well...think inappropriate Facebook pictures and your phone drowned in a pint of beer. However, geeks can now rejoice with the invention of the Android Kegerator (not suitable for Apple users)! This Android tablet operated kegerator, known as the KegDroid has been designed by Google employee Paul Carff. The KegDroid uses a Motorola Xoom tablet running ICS for primary processing and an Ardunio board which links the mechancial pumping processes and an NFC reader to the tablet. Users then swipe their NFC badge over the reader, which pulls information from their Google+ profile to ensure you're old enough to be served by the KegDroid. The user can choose their glass size and beer type, then open the tap while the Android mascot dispenses the beverage straight into a glass. Now that's what technology was made for!
Cheers!
The Drinkstuff Blog
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