Dan Thwaites - Make Something Bloody Marvellous : The Gentle Art of Mixing Gin

Many people nowadays are drinking less but becoming a lot more particular about what passes their lips. And a bloody good thing, too. Theres nothing quite like a splendidly made drink whether you find yourself in town or the country. This book is about an unashamed love for marvellously made flavours that people enjoy more. About making the most of the flavours of the British countryside. Its wonderful to create and combine flavours. Its wonderful to create and combine flavours.

The best bartenders will tell you that theres (nearly) as much pleasure in making a great drink as there is in sipping one. And obviously its even better if you can do both. This book is about exquisite tastes whether you want to spend a few moments or a bit longer or whether its a drink for one person, or several.

Faye & Dan founders of Jam Jar Gin infuse their keen experimentalism with the cocktail expertise of Keivan Nemati, renowned bartender (The Zetter Townhouse & The Drink Factory). Together, they combine their gin with the flavours of the British countryside. This book is about gin, the British countryside flavours and the craft of making great drinks.

But we dont stop at the drinks, were also joined by innovative Harvey Nichols chefs Stewart Mackie and Megan Roberts to share edible along with drinkable results of our experiments together. So you can make something bloody marvellous.

Theres nothing quite like the British countryside. An idyllic sunny day, walking through lush green grass, verdant woods and flowering botanicals. Or a misty autumn morning, the fresh dew on your boots as you swish through the grass. Or huddling from a rain shower under a tree, whilst the damp woody aromas fill your nose.

For countless generations, people have enjoyed the sights, sounds, smells, as well as the flavours, of rural Britain. The ancient rural kitchen garden, and the timeless classic skill in caring for and growing herbs, plants and vegetables for the table. The loamy soil nourished and weeded; meticulously tended plants and botanicals. And then theres the less domesticated fare. The woodlands and surrounding countryside provide a wonderful array of offerings for the gastronomically inclined. Armed with a local expert, of course, to point out the delicious from the deadly, theres all the more enjoyment from having hunted out and gathered your own ingredients.

Its amazing the treasures you find springing up. Do look around when youre in the country or even in a new garden (obviously with permission!) you may find anything from roses to forget-me-nots. Rosemary & thyme, blackcurrants. Perhaps even a magnificent rhubarb thriving in a corner. Spending time in the countryside has always been a pleasure, rain or shine. The different seasons offer up different discoveries. The different seasons offer up different discoveries.

From springs roses to summers raspberries and autumns apples, interspersed with glimpses of deer, pheasant, muntjac and owls. A walk in the British countryside is always rejuvenating, whenever it happens whether its a wander through the woods to the local pub or a longer ramble that works up more of a thirst and appetite. And, of course, inspiring something marvellous to satisfy them both. Alongside the delicious things youll find are some very poisonous plants so do be very careful when foraging. If you are in any doubt at all, ask an expert or just dont eat it. Better safe than sorry.

Faye & Dan Thwaites, the founders of Jam Jar Gin, have always been keen experimentalists.

So perhaps it was no surprise when, after years of growing and using the produce from their ancient garden, they dared each other to make gin. It took over two years of crafting, experimenting, tasting and refining before they were happy with their work. Along the way, they discovered plenty of recipes that were just okay but they werent satisfied until they got to one they adored. This book is the upshot of their continuing experiments in taste, flavour and gin. One friend described them as the charm and the harm contrasting Fayes painstaking tending of botanicals and creative, caring demeanour with Dans more wilful ways, love of bonfires and occasional unintentional rudeness.

Next page