As far as festive drinks go, we think the clever folk at the Hilton group have come up with a corker with their 12 Drinks of Christmas menu. We’ll ignore the fact that there is a very, very tenuous link between the drinks and the section of the classic rhyme they’re each assigned to: Four Calling Birds for instance is summed up as “this drink is calling you…”! No matter, it’s the thought that counts and there’s no denying that Nelson Bernades and Daniel Carvalho from the Waldorf Hilton, London have put plenty of thought into this winter warming menu.
We sampled all twelve drinks, purely in the name of research, and we have to say they are all very Christmassy and carefully balanced.
Our favourites include A Partridge in a Pear Tree, Four Calling Birds, Seven Swans a-swimming and Ten Lords a-Leaping. If you like creamy, slightly spiced drinks there’s plenty to keep you happy here. We think you should give at least one a try or, even better, pop in each day leading up to Christmas and work your way through the entire list – it would be rude not to.
The twelve mighty fine drinks comprise:
A partridge in a pear tree
(Absolut pear, lemon juice, caramel syrup, apple juice and thyme)
Two turtle doves
(Appleton Estate rum, Frangelico, Baileys, espresso coffee, vanilla syrup)
Three French hens
(Appleton Estate rum, Advocat, Kahlua, cinnamon)
Four calling birds
(Buffalo Trace, Chambord, chocolate liqueur, lemon juice, vanilla syrup, fresh mint leaves)
Five gold rings
(Goldsclager, port wine, butterscotch liqueur, apple juice)
Six geese a-laying
(Appleton Estate rum, Martini Rosso, Frangelico, Amaretto, sugar syrup, cream)
Seven swans a-swimming
(Zubrowka, St. Germain, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white, rosemary)
Eight maids a-milking
Absolut vodka, Creme de Cassis, coconut cream, strawberry puree, fresh cream)
Nine ladies dancing
(Absolut vodka, Creme de Mure, lemon juice, sugar syrup, Champagne)
Ten Lords a-leaping
(Merlot, Martell VS Cognac, chocolate liqueuer, Grand Marnier)
Eleven pipers piping
(Glenmorangie, single malt whisky, chocolate liqueur, blackcurrant jam, cranberry juice, fresh chilli slices)
Twelve drummer drumming
(Port, peach liqueur, apple juice, Lagavulin
Available at 16 Hilton hotels nationwide throughout December, priced at £12 each. See www.hilton.co.uk for details.
If you’re feeling particularly clever, follow the links and try the recipes at home:
1. Partridge in a Pear Tree from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
2. Two Turtle Doves from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
3. Three French Hens from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
4. Four Calling Birds from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
5. Five Gold Rings from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
6. Six Geese A-Laying from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
6. Six Geese A-Laying from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
8. Eight Maids A-Milking from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
9. Nine Ladies Dancing from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
10. Ten Lords A-Leaping from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
11. Eleven Pipers Piping from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming from London Video Reviews on Vimeo.
