Just Desserts
Dessert, sweet, afters... what’s in a name? That which we call a pud by any other name would smell as sweet. But would it get you sloshed? Well yes, if it included a strong dose of the good stuff. Even the lady of the ladle herself, Delia Smith, admits: ‘there’s nothing like an alcohol-laden pudding to elicit whoops of delight’. Perfect for autumn, an alcohol-soaked dessert should leave you feeling light and refreshed, not lumpy and lardy. So forget those traditional heavy-as-a-brick desserts and sickly-sweet trifles, we’re talking elegant, creamy, liquor-infused numbers, sure to make you drool.
Baileys Cheesecake Soft, airy and oh so creamy, the Baileys cheesecake at The Club Bar and Dining Restaurant in Soho is a perfect example of a sophisticated and indulgent alcoholic pud. The sweeter-than-sweet chocolate and caramel base with rich Irish cream filling twists the familiar creamy tipple and turns it into a fluffy, and incredibly moreish treat. www.theclubbaranddining.co.uk
Mojito Fudge Not technically a pudding but definitely a sweet treat that’s perfect for finishing off a heavy meal. The new Mojito flavoured version from Jim Garrahy’s Fudge Kitchen melts in the mouth and has a zingy and fresh taste that leaves you with a subtly sweet flavour on the tongue. Pair it with Pimms to bring out the flavour then just sit back and dream of white sandy beaches and sun-drenched rum parties. www.fudgekitchen.co.uk
Cocktail Sundaes Mmmmmm. Fancy a scoop or two of refreshingly cold alcohol-infused ice cream? Then head to The Parlour at Fortnum & Mason to satisfy these frosty cravings. Choose from raspberry ripple with liquor swirls, navy rum and raisin, and a delicious bellini sorbet, and allow yourself to be turned into a spoilt child. www.fortnumandmason.com
Red Wine Poached Pears Alcohol and fruit is a classic combo and one that leaves you feeling pretty much guilt-free. Check out Waitrose’s red wine poached pears for a dessert that will see you getting one of your five a day without you even realising. The red wine syrup is thick, sugary and so good you’ll find yourself camping outside the store for your next hit. www.waitrose.com
Classic Tiramisu An absolute classic that guarantees you’ll end up with a cream-covered face, and lips left tingling with marsala wine. Pretty much every supermarket worth its salt has its own version of this Italian classic, but we particularly like the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference version, as it’s both rich yet implausibly smooth. www.sainsburys.co.uk
Malbec and Berries Ice Cream Argentine ice cream is hitting the streets of London, and the flavour we can’t get enough of is Malbec and Berries. Created by Freggo, this ice cream incorporates one of Argentina’s greatest home-grown products – the Malbec grape. Its deep red colour will draw you in and the plump, full-bodied flavour will leave you pondering which is really better: a glass of red, or a bowlful of it? www.freggo.co.uk
Alcopuds
www.bluetomato.co.uk
33