Gin and Tonic? On your bike!
This summer the new social phenomenon seems to be pop-up bars which are springing up in the capital and beyond. These temporary fixtures are proving popular with drinkers and party-goers who are seeking something fresh and original from their experience.
From Richmond Park to the Olympic village there is a vast selection of exclusive and open-house events taking place if you require some quirk for your day in London. There are bars popping up all over the country offering anything from a generic selection of bar fare to drink–specific installations with Vodka and Gin bars tucked-away in not-so-secret locations.
Our favourite so far has to be Ed Godden and Joe Lewis’s Travelling Gin Company who dispense high quality Gin and tonic refreshment from their converted vintage butcher’s delivery bicycle. Since their inception during a trip to Amsterdam and launch last year they have seen their company expand to festival and exhibition appearances to jaunts across the water to Germany for a pop-up tour.
Using only the best Gins from Sipsmiths, Sacred and Bloom and tonics such as Fentiman’s Botanically Brewed as well as a selection of their own cocktail recipes, their philosophy is only to use the best ingredients to create the perfect G&T experience and what could be more refreshing on a hot day in London!
They are also licensed to cater for events, parties and even weddings – as long as you like Gin!
They are popping up all over London during the summer and their schedule looks like it will only get busier as the good weather continues and bookings are already rolling in for 2013. Catch them if you can!
Sunday 19th August - ‘Out Of Hours’ / Garden Of Reason. At the National Trust’s Ham House & Garden, Richmond. 5pm - 9.30pm
Saturday 15th September: GAIL’s Garden Party at Oriel Place, Hampstead.http://www.gailsbread.co.uk/
Sunday 16th September. Labour & Wait. Store Sample Sale. Redchurch Street E2.
More dates tba.
For more information on Ed and Joe’s Travelling Gin Company visit http://thetravellingginco.tumblr.com/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thetravellingginco or Twitter @TravellingGinCo.
Host Your Own Olympic Party
With less than a week to go to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games it's time to start organising your Olympic themed party! If you weren't lucky enough to get tickets to the Olympic opening ceremony this Friday then make sure you're on your marks for the best ever Olympics party at home. We've got a great range of Olympic party supplies and plenty of red, white and blue party products so you can support team GB.
Show your patriotic side and support the Great Britain Olympic Team with our range of Union Jack party supplies and Great British themed party accessories. Give your Olympic 2012 party a head start with our Union Jack party accessories, including the Union Jack Party Cups, Union Jack Shot Glasses, Inflatable Union Jack Beer Mug Cooler, Union Jack Cascade Picks and Husky Union Jack Refrigerator. Get in the spirit of team GB with our exclusive British Street Party Cup Set and British Street Party Napkin Set, specially colour co-ordinated for your British Olympic party.
Husky Union Jack Refrigerator
Best Beer Glasses:
Bronze: Ring For A Refill Bell Mug
Silver: The Ultimate Pint Glass CE Head Booster 20oz / 568ml
And the winner is...
Gold: The Great British Dimple Mug 20oz / 568ml
Best Party Cups:
Bronze: Stack-Cups CE 20oz / 568ml
Silver: Union Jack Paper Cups 8.8oz / 250ml
And the winner is...
Gold: Red American Party Cups 16oz / 455ml
Best Mini Fridge:
Bronze: Coca Cola Mini Fridge
Silver: ChillQuiet Mini Fridge 17ltr Black
And the winner is...
Gold: Husky Union Jack Refrigerator
Best Party Cooler:
Bronze: Inflatable Beer Mug Cooler
Silver: Beer Bag
And the winner is...
Gold: Inflatable Union Jack Beer Mug Cooler
Best Drinking Gadget:
Bronze: Gulp Beer Tower Bar Set
Silver: Plastic Yard of Ale Glass with Lid 2.4 Pint
And the winner is...
Gold: Ultimate England Beer Bong Funnel
Best Disposable:
Bronze: Bendy Straws Black
Silver: Biopac Sugarcane Disposable Large Plates
And the winner is...
Gold: Biopac Biodegradable Pint Tumblers CE 20oz / 568ml
Best Party Accessory:
Bronze: Light Sparkles
Silver: Ice Bag Cherry
And the winner is...
Gold: Wine Glass Plate Clips
Best Cocktail Equipment:
Bronze: Union Jack Cascade Picks
Silver: Professional Boston Cocktail Shaker Red
And the winner is...
Gold: Home Cocktail Set with Cocktail Book
Order now for Olympic party accessories with fast UK delivery direct to your door. See how the Olympic Games will affect your delivery.
Come on Team GB!
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Throw a Party for Euro 2012 Final
Unfortunately England may be out of the tournament, but that's no reason not to throw a party for the Euro 2012 final! Being hosted this Sunday 1st July, Spain will be playing the winner of tonight's semi-final Germany v Italy match. Here at drinkstuff, we've got everything you need to throw your very own football themed party for the Euro 2012 final. Whoever you'll be rooting for this Sunday we've got a great selection of Euro 2012 glassware, party accessories and drink coolers.
If you're in need of some inspiration for your Euro 2012 final party then we've got all the Euro party accessories you need for watching the big Euro finale with your mates! Liven things up with a drinking game, such as Beer Pong or a Yard of Ale, and make sure you're well prepared for all that beer with a Beer Belt or novelty Thirst Aid Helmet!
No one likes a warm beer so ensure your beer bottles or cans are perfectly chilled for the big match with our range of Beer Coolers, Drinks Pails and Mini Fridges. Perfect for sticking next to your armchair so you won't miss a second of the Euro final, our range of ChillQuiet Mini Fridges do exactly what they say on the tin with a quiet running thermoelectric cooler. If you're planning on hosting a BBQ or invite plenty of mates round a Party Tub is the perfect choice for chilling plenty of beers, and our Football Fan Inflatable Cooler is a must have for the Euro final!
Football Fan Inflatable Cooler
Obviously you're going to need something for your guests to drink from, so make sure you're well stocked up on plastic glassware for your Euro football party. Choose from a range of disposable plastic glasses and reusable plastic glasses. For beer drinkers we've got a great selection of plastic beer glasses, alongside a great choice of plastic wine glasses, plastic champagne glasses and plastic tumblers. If you're a landlord we also offer plastic CE mark glasses, including plastic pint glasses and plastic half pint glasses so there's no need to worry about breakages.
Biopac Biodegradable Pint Tumblers CE
So if you're planning a Euro 2012 party head to drinkstuff today to stock up on all your football party supplies! Don't forget to choose our UK Saturday delivery service and order before 4.30pm on Friday 29th June!
Cheers!
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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!
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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!
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The Ultimate Pint Glass Launched
On June 8th drinkstuff.com was invited down to the headquarters of the Design Council in London for the unveiling of Arcoroc’s brand new revolutionary piece of glassware, The Ultimate Pint.
The Ultimate Pint is 5 times stronger than any standard annealed glass and represents the first innovation in glass strengthening techniques since Arc International’s development of the now classic Nonic pint glass 50 years ago.
The Ultimate Pint is the result of a commission by the UK Government to address the presence of glass related crimes in the UK as part of the Design Out Crime initiative. Each year in the UK there is an estimated 5,500 glassings, with 973,000 cases of alcohol related violence costing the NHS up to £2.7bn.
The Design Council and Design Bridge have worked closely with international glassware manufacturer, Arcoroc, to research the implications of creating a tougher pint glass. The Ultimate Pint has a far greater resistance to mechanical and thermal shock, which means it cannot be broken as easily as a normal pint glass to be used as a sharp weapon.
John Goodman, Market Expert at Arc International, stated “By combining both the design and the technology processes, we have created a glass profile that is safer and stronger for use in busy public environments. Whereas normal glass, when broken, either breaks in to large shards or the base of the glass remains intact thus creating a weapon that can be repeatedly used.”
Helene Klimsza, Drinkware Product Director at Arc International, added, “To actually break the glass it takes a lot of energy and in most cases people give up after the first or second attempt.”
No matter how strong a glass is made, each knock and bump will naturally reduce the lifespan of the structure, but The Ultimate Pint features a lifespan 10 to 15 times longer than other standard glassware. When The Ultimate Pint finally does break, it utilises Stress Fracture Management which promotes Reverse Breakage, ensuring the entire glass shatters into small, blunt fragments, leaving no sharp edges which could be potentially used as a weapon.
At the launch of this innovative piece of drinkware at the Design Council offices in Covent Garden, London, drinkstuff.com rubbed shoulders with members of the press, members of the metropolitan police department and publicans from across the UK, all of whom were treated to a presentation to launch the glass into the UK market, which included a hands-on afternoon with The Ultimate Pint and the chance to talk through all aspects with the creators of this new development in glassware.
drinkstuff.com is proud to be among the first UK retailers offering The Ultimate Pint glass, which offers a highly preferable alternative to the increase of polycarbonate tumblers which tests prove have been berated by regular pub goers.
Available in the usual CE marked and nucleated options, The Ultimate Pint heralds a new era in safer glassware manufacture which drinkstuff.com is proud to be a part of.
For more information, and to order your Ultimate Pint Glass, visit drinkstuff.com.
The Ultimate Pint Glass CE
The Ultimate Pint Glass CE Head Booster
Grab Your Beer Stien For Gäubodenvolksfest!
We don't need much of an excuse to enjoy a beer, but we think a festival such as Gäubodenvolksfest, based in Bavaria, Germany, is a pretty good one. We've (just about) forgiven the Germans for that "minor incident" earlier in the year, so it's time to enjoy a couple of wheat beers.
Gäubodenvolksfest, one of the largest and oldest festivals in Bavaria after the Munich Oktoberfest, attracts around 1 million visitors, consuming an estimated 700,000 litres of German beer. Featuring beer tents from 5 breweries in the local Straubing and Straubing-Bogan districts, it’s a tribute to some of the world’s finest beers.
Beer Tents:
• Beck by Erl-Bräu, Geiselhöring
• Krönner by Irlbacher, Irlbach
• Lechner by Irlbacher, Irlbach
• Nothaft by Karmeliten, Straubing
• Reisinger by Arcobräu, Moos
• Wenisch by Röhrl, Straubing
We recommend donning a trachten (the traditional Bavarian costume), grabbing your beer stein and raising your glass to a more traditional brew. Yet Gäubodenvolksfest is much more than just a beer festival; it features plenty of family events, local food stalls, firework displays and Bavarian folk music. There’s also a wide range of fairground rides, including a large rollercoaster to compliment all the German beer you’ve just consumed.
The Gäubodenvolksfest runs from the 13th to 23rd August, and is definitely the place for any beer lover. To help you prepare for the event, we’ve got a wide range of drinking accessories, from beer glasses to beer books.
To appreciate your beer like a true connoisseur, we suggest opting for a specially designed wheat beer glass such as the Bavaria Weissbier Glass from Scott Zwiesel. If you fancy a slightly more traditional (and novelty) looking glass, try out the Glass Beer Boot or German Beer Stein Glass, which both hold 2 pints!
If you want to enjoy a beer at home, you can start perfecting your pouring technique with the Chambrer Draft Beer Dispenser, while the Beer Bag also comes in handy if you’re on the go. If you fancy brushing up on your beer knowledge, the 1001 Beers To Try Before You Die Book is packed full of information on beers and breweries from around the world.
In the meantime, we’ve even got some German beer facts for you to impress your friends with!
• There are over 1,000 breweries in Germany and over 50% of them are based in Bavaria
• The original text of the Reinheitsgebot only had three ingredients: barley, hops, and water. Yeast wasn't mentioned for another 35 years
• In Bavaria, beer is legally defined as a staple food
• In Germany, some pubs charge a flat hourly fee for customers to drink all the beer or wine they want!
If you're going to Gäubodenvolksfest this year, or have been previously, we want to hear your stories! Also, you might be able to tell us what this strange sculpture is? A hairy crown or a yeti from space prehaps?
Prost!
The Drinkstuff Blog
One Tequila, Two Tequila…It’s National Tequila Day!
There’s lots of national holidays to be celebrated throughout the year, some better than others. For instance, National Cherry Pie Day is a lot better than International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, unless you happen to be a dog of course. But what we’re getting excited about is National Tequila Day, celebrated by the good old US of A! We personally think it should be celebrated all over the world, so this Saturday 24th July, wherever you are, don your Mexican sombrero hat, fake mustache and grab the nearest bottle of tequila!
Here to help you on your tipsy way and get you singing along to that tequila song by ALT and The Lost Civilization, we have tips, cocktail recipes and of course everything you need to consume your tequila.
To Enjoy the Perfect Shot:
If you’re feeling hardcore, you can drink it straight like the Mexicans or try a bandera (named after the Mexican flag), which consists of a shot of white tequila, lime juice and sangrita (a sweet, sour and spicy drink), all drunk in equal parts.
The Tequila Cruda, often wrongly referred to as a Tequila Slammer, is one of the more popular ways to drink tequila outside of Mexico. The classic (and often messy) way of doing this is to lick the back of your hand and pour on salt, before licking it off, taking your tequila shot and biting into a lime or lemon wedge.
High quality tequilas, just like a glass of fine scotch, are best enjoyed sipped. Any tequila bottle labelled ‘Reposado’ means it’s been aged and should be enjoyed at length, rather than as a shot.
To Enjoy the Perfect Cocktail:
Just because it’s pricey, doesn’t mean it’s good. If you’re adding tequila to a cocktail, a brand like Sauza is great for adding a smooth flavour to your drink. For a simple cocktail, try making a Herradura Charro Negro:
• 60ml Herradura Anejo Tequila
• 120ml Cola
• Squeeze of Lime Juice
Pour the tequila and cola over ice in a highball glass, give it a good mix and squeeze in the lime.
Fancy something a bit more elegant? Try out this Turquoise Margarita recipe:
• 50ml Tequila
• 25ml De Kuyper Blue Curaçao
• 25ml Lime Juice
• Dash of Sugar Syrup
Shake up all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, before using a fine strainer to pour into a chilled margarita glass. Garnish with a citrus fruit wedge.
Obviously, you can’t serve up a margarita in anything apart from a classic margarita glass! Before pouring, run a lime slice around the rim of your glass, before tipping upside down and coating with salt from a salt rimmer.
If you fancy adding some decorations, a classic fruit slice always works well, which is made super easy with our Citrus Fruit Slicer. Don’t forget your Frappe Cocktail Straws and Cocktail Umbrellas for the finishing touches!
Make sure you have the right tools for the job, a Bar Knife for chopping, a Boston Cocktail Shaker for mixing up the all important ingredients, Stainless Steel Pourer for less mess and a Double Jigger Measure to ensure you don’t go overboard!
If it all seems like a bit too much hassle, do it the cheat’s way with Ice Republic’s Lime Margarita Cocktail Mix. Simply add water and tequila, then place it in your freezer for 6 hours, and it’s ready to drink!
If you're looking for more recipe ideas and tips check out our range of cocktail and tequila books. We hope you have a great weekend experimenting and celebrating National Tequila Day!
Salud!
Ta Bouche Cocktail Competition
We love to get involved in the local community, especially when it involves drinking cocktails! We were proud to be sponsors of the first Bartending Competition hosted by local Cambridge cocktail bar, Ta Bouche.
Obviously, we felt obliged to go along and sample the cocktail delights the contenders mixed up for the competition. Featuring 4 stages; mixology, speed, flip off and flair, we were blown away by the techniques, stunts and strength of the alcohol!
Contestants were awarded points for each stage, sampled and judged by cocktail experts including Simon Purchase from SupremeBeing, Will Lowe from Bibendum Wine and Spirits, and Tim Marcheney from Pernod Rickard. Everyone who took part was given a drinkstuff.com Flair Bottle and Vinyl Coated Bar Blade.
The lucky winners not only got all the fame and glory, but also won prizes given by us, including a Flair Starter Kit for the winner of the flair round and an Ultimate Cocktail Kit for the overall winner. JD from La Raza was the star of the show, winning the Mixology Havana Club round, speed round and was the overall competition winner. Honourable second place went to Lukasz Lankiewicz from the Hidden Rooms.
Mixology: Mark Pope from Ta Bouche
Mixology Havana Club: JD from La Raza
Speed: JD from La Raza
Flair: Chris Whelan from Ta Bouche
If you’re hosting a local event you’d like us to get involved with, let us know, especially if you’re hosting it in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire or Essex!