Issue 01, August 17
August 2017 - £4.95
ISSUE 01 - Festival Edition
FEATURED SPIRIT
COMEDIANS
& COCKTAILS Top tipples from Edinburgh’s performers FESTIVAL FEV ER ! A guide to August’s hottest events
SHAKEN & STIRRED
The must-have tools for your home cocktail bar I N S ID E : E D I N B U R G H G I N | F E N T I M A N S | J U I C Y F U E L | P O R T L E B AY
M U D DL E
Issue No. 01 - The Festival Edition Editor: Claire White Co-Editor: Clare Walker Contributors: Clare Walker Claire White Erica Douglas Design: Stephen Spiers Photography: Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Erica Douglas Monbento
For all editorial and advertising enquiries please contact: Email: info@tipplebox.co.uk Tel: 01 314724733
TIPPLE TOWERS Welcome to the debut issue of Muddle, the new cocktail magazine on the block shaking up your summer. This month marks our festival edition so we’re raising a glass to Edinburgh as the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, transforms Scotland’s capital city into a hive of fun and frolics for one month. Our first issue embraces that festival spirit as we round up some of the top festivals across the UK and shine a spotlight on some of this year’s finest Fringe comedians and their favourite cocktails. From pop-up bars for sun-kissed sipping to foodie pairings for the perfect picnic, will you discover your new favourite summer bite thanks to Foodinburgh? Alongside our festival fever, we’re sharing some insider knowledge as we step behind the stills with Edinburgh Gin to discover the history behind the famous brand.
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Prepare to sit back, relax and sip as you make your way through our inaugural issue!
Cheers, Claire & Clare
INSIDE THIS MONTH’S BOX Edinburgh Gin
Made in small batches using traditional copper pot stills, the classic gin utilises plants native to Scotland, with a blend of 13 botanicals including lavender, pine buds, mulberries and cobnuts. Each liqueur takes the traditional Edinburgh Gin and infuses the spirit with fruits that have been macerated in pure sugar cane.
Norfolk Cordial
Norfolk Cordial’s Elderflower Cordial aims to capture the essence of English hedgerows in Spring with each sip. Handmade in small batches and with each flower hand-picked, every bottle is packed with a natural spring flavour.
CONTENTS 01
Welcome A letter from Tipple Towers
02
Inside This Month’s Box
03
Tippler’s Trends August Events Festival Fever
05
Tippler’s Tales Comedians & Cocktails
07
Tippler’s Time Edinburgh Gin Juicy Fuel Fentimans
11
Tippler’s Choice Al Fresco Cocktail Pairings
13
Tippler’s Treats Portlebay Popcorn
14
Tippler’s Tips & Tricks Your Home Bar Basics
15
Tippler’s Treasures Food & Drink Pop-Ups
17
Tippler’s Toast Competition Time #TagMyTipple
Fentimans
Fentimans Herbal Tonic Water utilises only natural ingredients to create a light and finely carbonated drink. The tonic water helps to open up the flavour of the gin, adding a bit of spritz and allowing the botanicals to flourish.
Luscombe
Using organic apples from orchards in Kent and Herefordshire, Luscombe presses the fruit into a classic blend to create its award-winning English Apple Juice.
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TIPPLER’S TRENDS
AUGUST EVENTS
ENJOY SOME FRESH SUMMER AIR WITH THESE O U T D O O R E V E N T S I N A U G U S T. Perseids Meteor Shower
Cosy up and watch the world go by with the Perseids Meteor Shower making an appearance this August. For peak viewing, try get to a suburb for a clearer sky in the late hours of August 12th to see what astronomers claim to be one of the best meteor showers.
Open Air Cinema
Why not enjoy your favourite film beneath the stars this summer? Open air cinema has taken the UK by storm, with a mix of contemporary, cult and classic films. From palaces to parks, there are multiple versions of the screenings across the country. Discover your nearest with The Luna Cinema.
Food Markets
Swap the supermarket for an outdoor adventure as you discover your local farmer’s market to treat your tastebuds to some fresh local produce. Head out early for the best buys and make a day of it by grabbing some lunch while you’re there so you can make the most of the summer air. 3 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
TIPPLER’S TRENDS
F E S T I VA L F E V E R
A S F E S T I VA L S E A S O N I S O F F I C I A L LY U N D E R WAY, W E D E LV E I N T O T H E D E TA I L S O F S O M E O F T H E U K ’ S T O P F E S T I VA L S A C R O S S A U G U S T F R O M C O M E D Y T O C A R N I VA L S .
Edinburgh Fringe
The Big Feastival
4-28 Aug | edfringe.com The world’s largest arts festival descends on Scotland’s capital city every August with thousands of shows in makeshift venues across town.
25-27 Aug | thebigfeastival.com The Big Feastival serves up a celebration of music, food and fun for the family with some of the UK’s top Chefs stepping up to the plate.
Notting Hill Carnival
Reading & Leeds
carnival parades, get ready to samba in the streets while grabbing a bite to eat from the street food stalls.
sunglasses in true British festival style and get ready to rock at Reading and Leeds Festivals.
Green Man Festival
17-20 Aug | greenman.net PJ Harvey, Ryan Adams and Future Islands will headline this year’s edition which intertwines music, comedy, literature and film.
For more festival 27-28 Aug 4-28 Aug | readingfestival.com inspiration, check out: With its renowned colourful Dig out your wellies and TippleBox.com/Blog
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T I P P L E R ’ S TA L E S
Comedians & Cocktails With festival spirit in the air, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will enchant Scotland’s capital city throughout August.
perform, the companies performed their shows on the ‘fringe’ of the Festival resulting in the first edition of the Festival Fringe.
As performers from across the globe shake up shows, it’s no surprise comedy still dominates the world’s largest arts festival which this year celebrates its 70th edition.
Anyone who has a story to tell, and a venue willing to host them, can join in the world’s largest arts festival combining theatre, music, comedy, art and cabaret.
Launching in 1947, the Fringe began with eight theatre companies who turned up without invitation to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival. With nowhere to
To combine our love of cocktails with the Fringe’s most featured show genre, we asked some of this year’s top comedians to share their favourite tipples with us.
Lucy Porter
Vegan White Russian
Just because you’re vegan that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a creamy cocktail. This recipe is based on a classic White Russian, but I’ve given it a nutty twist. I’ve used hazelnut milk and hazelnut liqueur, but I reckon Amaretto and almond milk would be equally delicious. The hazelnut milk gives the drink a slightly brown colour so maybe I should have called it a Vegan Beige Russian for complete accuracy... Lucy’s Recipe: 50ml Vodka, 25ml Frangelico, 37.5ml Hazelnut Milk Get a large glass, fill it with ice. Add the vodka and Frangelico. Pour the hazelnut milk over the top, stir and enjoy! Lucy Porter - Choose Your Battles The Pleasance: Forth - August 2nd - 27th at 5.30pm - edfringe.com 5 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
Matt Richardson Twinkle
It’s so easy to drink, and I’ve had countless memories made/lost drinking them! It’s good for any weather too. I used to make them at home with a full shot of vodka which was a bit strong… half is perfect! Matt’s Recipe: 12.5ml Vodka, Splash Elderflower Cordial, Champagne (To Top) Served in a champagne flute, add vodka and elderflower cordial, top with champagne and serve with a twist of lemon. Matt Richardson: Slash Gilded Balloon Dining Room - August 2nd – 27th at 9:30pm - edfringe.com
Sofie Hagen
Gin & Tonic with Cucumber And Peppercorn I Guess
So, it’s a G&T with cucumber and then peppercorn. Like a normal G&T, except this one has both cucumber and peppercorn. And ice, ideally. I like both gin, tonic, cucumber and peppercorn, so I love this drink the most. Please come see me gig. Sofie’s Recipe: Gin, Tonic, Cucumber, Peppercorn Sofie Hagen: Dead Baby Frog Bedlam Theatre - August 2nd - 28th at 2pm - edfringe.com
Hardeep Singh Kohli Cardamom Martini
Hardeep’s Recipe: 20 Green Cardamom Pods, 250g Soft Demerara Sugar, 250ml Water, A decent bottle of Gin, Prosecco or Cava In a mortar and pestle crush the cardamom until the black seeds within the green husks deliver themselves free. Carefully sort the seeds from the husks, the wheat from the chaff. Add the seeds to the sugar and water and bring to the boil. Bring to the boil and then allow to cool, preferably overnight in the fridge. You now possess the highly sought after cardamom syrup. In a martini glass add a tablespoon of the syrup to twice the amount of gin. (This is a very personal matter, so I suggest you make your own choices). Mix well and top off with bubbles. Toast the joy that is a Cardamom Martini. Hardeep Singh Kohli - Alternative, Fact Assembly Three - August 2nd - 27th at 5.15pm edfringe.com 6 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
TIPPLER’S TIME
EDI NBURGH Did you know Edinburgh consumes more gin per head of population than any other city in the UK? It’s no surprise therefore that the capital has a namesake gin, distilled in the heart of the city. Edinburgh Gin is a nod to the days when Scotland’s capital city was a hub of distilling, dating back to the late 1700s when eight licensed distilleries and up to 400 unregistered stills operated across town. Launching in 2010, Edinburgh Gin was founded by Alex and Jane Nicol who created a London 7 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
Dry gin to assist in bringing Edinburgh’s gin making heritage back to life. Originally made outwith the capital, Edinburgh Gin’s production moved to the city centre in 2014, before a second distillery was opened in 2016 at Leith’s Biscuit Factory - a fitting move as Leith was once known as one of Scotland’s ‘gin ports’ and is located near the site of Melrose Drover, Edinburgh’s last gin distillery which closed in 1974. Edinburgh Gin currently distills five gins and four liqueurs which are inspired by the city’s landmarks and landscapes.
GIN Made in small batches using traditional copper pot stills, the classic gin uses plants native to Scotland, with a blend of 13 botanicals including lavender, pine buds, mulberries and cobnuts. Each liqueur takes the traditional Edinburgh Gin and infuses the spirit with fruits that have been macerated in pure sugar cane. With production split across its two distilleries, Edinburgh Gin has found a winning botanical blend with its bottles securing accolades across the globe. Discover more via: EdinburghGin.com
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TIPPLER’S TIME
JUICY FUEL. Established in 2007, The Juice Shed Company has created a fizzy drink that is one of your five a day. Utilising natural ingredients, such as grape juice, lemon juice, kola nut extract and barley malt extract, Juicy Fuel create a healthy alternative to fizzy drinks, without impacting the flavour.
creating a natural craft cola that fuels and refreshes your body in the right way.
The focus on the drinker’s health and welfare is at the core of this drink, using only necessary ingredients to produce their signature flavours
They may be one of the world’s smallest cola companies, but just like their ingredients, they are growing.
Eliminating all harmful chemicals and preservatives, Juicy Fuel provides guilt-free sipping thanks to owner Andrew Webb’s experience as an Organic Farmer.
THE WORLD’S FIRST BLUEBERRY COLA
For J Info@ 0162
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FE N T I M A N S TIPPLER’S TIME
Fentimans Botanically Brewed Beverages was founded in 1905 in West Yorkshire by iron puddler Thomas Fentiman. Fentimans produces botanically brewed beverages and mixers. Their exquisitely crafted drinks taste rich and complex because they are brewed in small batches, with only the finest natural botanical ingredients using their time-honoured botanical brewing process. Botanical brewing is the time-honoured technique of making beverages and mixers using a combination of infusion, skilful blending and fermentation of natural ingredients. Thomas Fentiman’s approach hasn’t changed much in over 100 years, with the knowledge and expertise being passed on from generation to generation of the Fentimans family. The result is an authentic drink with a richness and a superior depth of taste. Fentimans Herbal Tonic Water, included in this month’s Tipple Box, uses only natural ingredients and is light and finely carbonated creating a complex mixer containing a delicate combination of floral and herbal flavours. Earthy notes of hyssop and myrtle are counterbalanced by a natural sweetness and the sharpness of quinine, opening up the flavour of the gin, while adding a bit of spritz and allowing the botanicals to flourish. 10 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
TIPPLER’S TIME
SUMMER
DINING
Summer is fleeting in Scotland so you’ve got to be ready to make the most of it. When it comes to your foodie choices, there are plenty of options across Edinburgh for a sun-soaked bite. To help you embrace those rare sunny days, Foodinburgh’s Erica Douglas has shared some summer food inspiration from across the capital.
1. Scotch Eggs Scotch Eggs are having a bit of a moment. Recently, I’ve had the original version made with sausage meat, as well as a couple of interesting variations: a black pudding version, and another made with nduja - a spicy salami from Italy. Make your own Scotch Eggs or head to one of Edinburgh’s food markets to buy some for your next picnic!
2. Teppanyaki Grill Our best purchase this year has been a Teppanyaki Grill. Forget the mess of barbecuing, a Teppanyaki Grill can be used indoors or outdoors, and doesn’t need any coal or BBQ Lighter - just plug it in and you’re good to go. I marinade meat, prawns, and vegetables and serve with a variety of different salads for a fun ‘make your own’ dinner that everyone can get involved with. 11 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
3. Sliders Hot dogs and burgers are so last year. This summer is all about sliders - miniature burgers with a variety of toppings. Why not make your own burgers with beef mince, and slow cook a pork shoulder for delicious barbecue pulled pork topping?
4. Sorbet If ice cream is a little rich for you, lighten it up with sorbet. You can buy some great flavours in the shops, or you can always experiment with flavours yourself. I love an elderflower flavoured sorbet!
7. Street Food Head along to The Pitt, The Food & Flea Market, or Stockbridge Market to enjoy some of Edinburgh’s best street food platefuls.
8. Eat Al Fresco in Edinburgh When the weather is fine, Edinburgh is one of the best places to be. I love the new Honeycomb & Co for alfresco dining in Bruntsfield. Other good spots include George Street and the Grassmarket.
5. Monbento Box
I hope that has whetted your appetite and you’re brimming with inspiration for a summer full of delicious food and cocktails!
I use my Monbento Box as a ‘picnic for one’ during the summer. Whether it’s crudites with a dip, or a couscous salad, my Monbento Box seems to be getting used several times a week.
Check out Erica’s Foodinburgh blog for more top foodie tips from Edinburgh this festival season:
6. Iced Loose Leaf Tea Switch calorific Frappuccinos for iced loose leaf tea. I like the White Peach tea available at Eteaket.
instagram.com/foodinburgh
facebook.com/foodinburgh
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T I P P L E R ’ S T R E AT S
Portlebay
Portlebay’s healthy and natural popcorn range includes their special Kracklecorn range, featuring flavours from Wasabi & Sweet Ginger to Crispy Bacon & Maple Syrup.
Portlebay takes its name from a beautiful beach in Portlemouth in South Devon, where co-founder Jonty White sails with his daughter Tilly. Inspired by their Devonshire seaside destination, their crew of Popcorn Flavoursmiths believe that Portlebay is “the place you go that makes you happiest”. Made in Devon, Portlebay Popcorn aims to scoop up that cheerful feeling and pop it into every bag of popcorn. This ethos takes centre stage in every detail from the pop to the packaging, which reflects a traditional beach scene. From sailor’s clothes to beach huts, each flavour category takes on its own profile. 13 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
Kracklecorn transforms the traditional popcorn into a crunchy bite of deliciousness, by adding raw cane sugar into the pot just as the grains are popping to create a brittle and crisp texture, which is then sprinkled with a little sea salt or natural flavourings. With each kernel popped by hand in the Devon Poppery, each bag aims to add a little ray of Devonshire sunshine to your day.
TIPPLER’S TIPS & TRICKS
Shaken & S T I R R E D Your Home Bar Basics
Cocktail Shaker
Shake your way into happy hour with a cocktail shaker, combining all your delicious ingredients into the perfect tipple.
Jigger
Pour the perfect measures into your cocktail with a jigger, allowing you to easily get your drink started.
Bar Blade
Pop your bottles open the right way with a bar blade, an efficient and easy way to open beers, ciders or soft drinks.
Bar Spoon
Stir like a professional with a bar spoon, an elongated tool to expertly mix your drink from top to bottom.
Check out Tipple Box’s range of bar tools to get you started with cocktail making at home!
Available now at TippleBox.com/Shop
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Pop-Ups TIPPLER’S TREASURES
Neverland London
May 10th - October 3rd
neverlandlondon.com
Want to get away from the city this summer? Neverland has you covered. This Thames-side beach pop up is bringing a Summer paradise to London so grab your favourite tipple and head on down to Fulham’s very own beach. With an entry fee of £10, you can sit back and relax on the white sandy ‘beach’ in the BYOB alfresco drinking and street food dining experience. Visitors can create their own cocktails from the Unleaded Bar or have mixologists compose drinks with the ‘beach butler’ service shaking up bespoke summer sunshine tipples.
Cocktails in the City Glasgow - August 25th Edinburgh - October 12th-13th
cocktailsinthecity.com
Bringing the city’s top bars to one location, the nation’s leading cocktail event will guide you through the art of mixology. Enjoy the company and knowledge of local cocktail experts, sample the spirits changing the industry, blend your own drinks and taste signature serves made just for you. Discover your new favourite bar and experience new flavours that will change your outlook on cocktails. Remember to book online before you visit as it’s bound to be a sell-out! 15 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
August is synonymous with the emergence of trendy pop-ups transforming unlikely locations into Instagrammable havens - but don’t get too attached, these pop ups only last the summer!
B.EAT Street MCR
April 28th - August 28th
beatstreetmcr.co.uk
Enjoy #SummerWeekenders courtesy of the Great Northern Warehouse when it opens its doors for the return of B.EAT Street this summer, offering a mix of top quality eats, beats and booze every weekend from 12pm-12am and 5pm-12am Wednesday to Friday. This year, two new cocktail bars will serve beers, wines and a stellar mix of classic cocktails, alongside pop up food vendors and rotating DJ line-ups providing the soundtrack to the beer garden and terrace.
56 North Secret Garden Edinburgh August 4th - August 28th
fiftysixnorth.co.uk
Showcasing the best of Scotland and returning for its fourth year, this secret garden is hidden away in 56 North’s car park and pops up as part of the Festival Fringe. The secret summer garden transports you to the Mediterranean with olive trees, coloured lighting and street food nibbles. Drink-wise, its bar stocks cocktails, beer, whisky, wine and plenty of gin. Teaming up with Tanqueray Gin, they have secured some extremely rare versions including vintage bottles and Tanqueray Bloomsberry. Don’t miss out on their expertly crafted drinks to enjoy your much needed tipple in the Scottish sun this summer. 16 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION
TIPPLER’S TOAST
COMPETITON TIME
We’ve teamed up with this month’s featured tipple Edinburgh Gin to offer one lucky reader the chance to visit Edinburgh Gin’s distillery! The winner will receive two tickets for a Gin Connoisseur tour at Edinburgh Gin’s distillery on Rutland Place so you can experience up close how they make their famous gin, before enjoying a tutored tasting with their gin experts and relaxing with a classic G&T. Better yet, the package includes a 20cl bottle of Edinburgh Gin to take away so you can sip to your heart’s content! To enter, simply visit Tipple Box on Facebook and enter via our Giveaway section! T&Cs apply. Competition open to those aged 18 & over.
NEXT MONTH’S
MUDDLE!
to make you the envy of all of your friends when it comes to stylish sipping.
We have tailored September’s edition to capture the essence of London Fashion Week.
Our September Tipple Box will feature two rum-tastic cocktails as we take you through the transition from summer to autumn with our Treacle and Ting-Sling.
Featuring couture collaborations and dapper drinks, you can discover the perfect match to all of your favourite tipples, primed and prepped
Not only that, there’s a juicy addition with Fentimans Rose Lemonade and added crunch with Clearspring’s Organic Seaveg Crispies.
T H E FA S H I O N E D I T I O N
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TIPPLER’S TOAST
# TAGMYT I P P L E
Enjoying your Tipple Box? If you’re getting creative with your cocktails, make sure you send us a quick snap on social media using #TagMyTipple so we can share your drinks with the world! Whether you fancy yourself as a mixology master or just enjoy dabbling in a drink or two, we want to see your take on our recipes. Better yet, each month one lucky winner will be selected to receive a free Tipple Box to help flourish their cocktail love. Last month’s winner was subscriber Alison Sherris who shared this alfresco snap of her Stairs cocktail from her latest Tipple Box! For more inspiration, visit our Instagram to see our latest photos from cocktail lovers across the UK who have enjoyed a tipple or two!
@TippleBox #TagMyTipple
J O I N T H E U K ’ S # 1 C O C K TA I L C L U B At Tipple Box, we curate monthly cocktail kits delivered to our subscribers across the UK. Our boxes contain everything you need to make cocktails at home, featuring two delicious recipes using premium spirits sourced from distilleries across the UK. There’s still time to sign up to enjoy our August box with Edinburgh Gin - visit TippleBox.com today! 18 - MUDDLE - THE FESTIVAL EDITION