Halloween Cocktail Recipe using Kingmaker Vodka from Warwickshire Gin Company

Halloween Cocktail Recipe using Kingmaker Vodka from Warwickshire Gin Company

Warwickshire Gin Company, cocktails, Halloween

Distilled using a small batch method in Leamington Spa and using a traditional copper pot, the inspiration behind the award-winning drinks collection of gin, rum and vodka, comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to truly represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the hand-crafted flavours to life.

This cocktail includes WGC’s Kingmaker Vodka which has a unique hint of frankincense to provide a regal smooth finish.

Available to purchase in 70cl bottle HERE.

VAMPIRE’S KISS

Fill a shaker with 2-3 ice cubes

Add to shaker:

75ml Kingmaker vodka

50ml lychee juice

2 pumps of cane sugar

Splash of lime juice

Shake and pour as a martini

Add grenadine in a pipette to glass

 

The Story of Kingmaker Vodka

The recipient of a IWSC Gold Award 2024, Kingmaker 41% ABV vodka celebrates Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick.

More info HERE.

Halloween Cocktail Recipe using Ghost Rum from Warwickshire Gin Company

Halloween Cocktail Recipe using Ghost Rum from Warwickshire Gin Company

Warwickshire Gin Company, Witches Brew, Halloween cocktails

Distilled using a small batch method in Leamington Spa and a traditional copper pot, the inspiration behind the award-winning drinks collection of gin, rum and vodka, comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to truly represent the county’s own unique story and bringing the hand-crafted flavours to life.

This cocktail includes WGC’s 37% ABV Pugilist Ghost White Rum – perfectly balanced with Rosehip Peel, Rose Petals, Apple and Cherries.
More info HERE.

Available to purchase in 70cl, 20cl and 5cl bottles HERE.

WITCHES BREW

Fill a shaker with 2-3 ice cubes

Add to shaker:

50ml Pugilist Ghost Rum

50ml pineapple juice and 25ml lime juice

A tiny drizzle of Blue Curacao

One teaspoon Coconut Cream

Shake and pour into a tumbler filled with mini ice

Add dehydrated lime to garnish

The Story of Pugilist Ghost White Rum

The rum is inspired by Randolph Turpin, who went down in British boxing history for sensationally winning the World Title from the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson earning himself the memorable nickname ‘The Leamington Licker’.  Born in Leamington of Guyana heritage, Turpin became a hero overnight!

Guyanan rum spirit is being used as a base to commemorate this fabulous son of Leamington, with special Warwickshire spice blend added to create a warming, rich rum.

Warwickshire distiller promises new ‘spirits’ at Halloween experience

Warwickshire distiller promises new ‘spirits’ at Halloween experience

Warwickshire Gin Distillery, Halloween cocktails
From left: Witches Brew, Vampire’s Kiss and Zombie Brains

‘Spooky spirits’ will be satisfying visitors’ thirst for horror at a local distillery’s new Halloween-themed cocktails experience this month.

Visitors to Warwickshire Gin Company over the next two weeks can expect plenty of creepy creations as part of their Cocktails At The Distillery Experience – including the limited-edition Witches Brew, Vampire’s Kiss and Zombie Brains.

The fun seasonal recipes are made using three of the Leamington distillery’s signature drinks from the gin, rum and vodka collections. The inspiration behind the drinks collection comes from a desire to capture a moment in history, developing flavours to fully represent the county’s own unique story and bringing them to life.

Warwickshire Gin Distillery, Halloween cocktails

Witches Brew is made using WGC’ Pugilist Ghost White Rum as a base spirit. The rum, balanced with rosehip peel, rose petals, apple and cherries, is inspired by Randolph Turpin who went down in British boxing history for sensationally winning the World Title from the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson earning himself the memorable nickname ‘The Leamington Licker.’ Born in Leamington of Guyana heritage, Turpin became a hero overnight!

Vampire’s Kiss is made using WGC’s gold award-winning Kingmaker Vodka, inspired by the story of Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick and containing a unique hint of frankincense to provide a regal smooth finish.

The distillery’s multi-award-winning Kingmaker Gin is central to the Zombie Brains cocktail recipe. Like the Kingmaker vodka, the gin celebrates Richard Neville, The Earl of Warwick, using fruits of the forest, which would have been accessible and growing freely in the hedgerows of England at the time of his power.

Warwickshire Gin Distillery, Halloween cocktails

Cocktails at The Distillery is one of three popular experiences offered by Warwickshire Gin Company, including their Gin Tasting and Afternoon Gin & Tea sessions.

Over two hours visitors can enjoy three cocktails of their choice from the menu as well as learn more about the distillery.

The business recently shot to the envied top spot on Tripadvisor thanks to over 165 five-star reviews from visitors. Internationally it’s also made its mark, achieving the “Travellers’ Choice Award” which puts the Warwickshire distillery in the top 10% of businesses listed in the world based on reviews.

Owner David Blick said: “Our Cocktails at the Distillery sessions have been a huge hit, and with seasonal themes we can add even more fun to the menu experience in our super relaxed environment. Hassle free with table service, guests can enjoy their evening with friends and family in our truly unique distillery space underneath the Railway Arches at Victoria Business Park.”

Visit HERE for more information.

Leamington restaurant vying to win Asian Curry Awards for third consecutive year

Leamington restaurant vying to win Asian Curry Awards for third consecutive year

Receiving the Asian Curry Award last year
Mohammed Ajad and Shamim Uddin proudly display their award last year.

A Leamington restaurant is vying for a hat trick of accolades in the 15th Asian Curry Awards again this year.

Paprika Club, which marks its 31st year in the town, has made the prestigious shortlist for the third year running, selected as one of the finalists for Best Asian Restaurant in Warwickshire and The West Midlands.

Shamim Uddin, who heads up the family-run business, said: “When we opened our small business on December 1st 1994 we had a dream and it has been quite a journey. To win again for the third year running would be an incredible honour.”

Paprika Club vies for a hat-trick of awards.

He added: “Our aim is to provide a unique dining experience serving exquisite Indian cuisine representing our culture and legendary gastronomy with typical dishes using a creative touch. We pride ourselves on quality, and most importantly, our customers. A huge thank you to our amazing team and loyal guests who continue to support us every step of the way.”

The award winners are chosen from all over the UK by the Asian Catering Federation’s esteemed panel of judges from a list of finalists voted for by the spice loving public.

The Asian Catering Federation (ACF), which represents the nation’s 30,000 Asian and Oriental restaurants organises the only awards open to all Asian cuisines: Bangladeshi, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Singaporean, Sri Lankan, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese.

Paprika Club in Leamington

The proud 10-strong team, in Regent Street were also, in July, listed among the Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, selected from more than 10,000 curry houses in the country. The restaurant also boasts the title of The Curry Life Awards’ Best Restaurant in Warwickshire in 2021 and 2022.

Shamin and the team will find out if they’ve made it three out of three at the glittering awards night, at Grosvenor House in London’s Mayfair, on November 16th.

Votes can be registered for Paprika Club HERE.

Meet the Brazilian foodie at Kenilworth Bookshop Saturday Signing event and try her brigadeiros!

Meet the Brazilian foodie at Kenilworth Bookshop Saturday Signing event and try her brigadeiros!

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, Bia's Kitchen Show, cookbook, book signing, Kenilworth

Food lovers are being invited to an exclusive book signing event in Kenilworth later this month hosted by author, chef, presenter and entrepreneur Bianca Rodrigues-Perry.

Bianca will be on hand to sign copies of her exclusive recipe book, ‘Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude,’ at Kenilworth Bookshop on Saturday, October 18th – and even have examples of one of the recipes available to try!

It is the first in a collection of cookbooks celebrating food, resilience and community being launched by Brazilian-born Bianca, who also fronts the successful Bia’s Kitchen Show on YouTube.

And every purchase makes a difference, with all profits supporting the mental health charity, MIND, a cause close to the author’s heart following years of her own personal struggles.

Rooted in Bia’s own journey of overcoming personal challenges through her passion for cooking, this beautifully crafted collection invites readers to embark on a flavourful adventure. Featuring recipes from her popular online TV series – as well as some of her own creations – the book introduces some of the best independent food businesses in Warwickshire, showcasing talented chefs, nutritionists, and food artisans who bring their love of culinary art to life.

From comforting family meals to exotic dishes, the recipes in this book are both accessible and inventive, allowing home cooks of all levels to recreate the magic of these local chefs in their own kitchens.

Alongside these mouth-watering dishes, Bia shares her heartfelt story of how cooking became her path to happiness, making this book a deeply personal and uplifting read.

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, Bia’s Kitchen Show, cookbook, book signing, Kenilworth

She said: “I’m incredibly honoured and excited to be signing copies of “A Culinary Journey of Gratitude, cookbook in Kenilworth. It means so much to partner with a bookshop that shares my values around community, wellbeing, and the power of storytelling through food. I can’t wait to connect with readers and celebrate this journey together.”

Bia’s journey of reinvention began when she left behind her family and a high-flying marketing career in 2009, emigrating to Leamington from her native Rio de Janeiro as the newly married Mrs David Perry – her future now devoted to a new role as mum of three.

It was also to signal the start of a turbulent period in her life, spending much of her pregnancy in hospital with crippling sickness and battling with chronic post-natal depression and a series of health scares involving her children.

 

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, book signing, Kenilworth

The book also includes a heartfelt dedication to her brother-in-law Oli Perry who took his own life in 2021 and has been published in his memory.

It’s Bia’s combined passions of cooking and entrepreneurialism that became a lifeline – even going on to win Channel Four’s Couple’s Come Dine With Me. Buoyed by her early business success running a thriving food delivery service during lockdown, it was in January last year that the Bia’s Kitchen Show brand was born.

Since then Bianca and her show, which is streamed regularly on YouTube, have won the affections of a loyal and growing UK audience, even winning the entrepreneur two national awards.

Visitors to the event will also be entertained by talented pianist Robert James Grey who is playing some of his favourite tunes on the community piano outside the shop.

The Coventry based singer-songwriter describes his music like a memory half-remembered; melancholic, honest and quietly vast. Blending coastal nostalgia with cosmic wonder, his songs trace the emotional maps of the places we leave behind and the spaces we carry within.

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, Bia's Kitchen Show, cookbook, book signing, Kenilworth
Photo by Dave Perry Photography.

Previously featured on BBC6 music, national press and having played festivals across the country, Robert will be performing a special stripped back acoustic set on the piano. He’ll be returning to his classically inspired routes to provide some beautiful accompaniment for this special event.

Kenilworth Bookshop owner Judy Brook, said: “We are really looking forward to having Bianca with us in October. This is an amazing book which celebrates food and brings people together in a beautiful way. At its core it is supporting local businesses, which aligns to our passion here at the bookshop.”

People have the chance to meet Bianca and get their hands on a signed copy of her book at the event at Kenilworth Bookshop in Talisman Square on Saturday, October 18th between 10.30am-1.30pm.

There’ll also be the chance to enjoy complimentary refreshments, including brigadeiros -Brazilian truffles that appear in her book.

Further information HERE.

Bia’s Kitchen Show: The Cookbook – A Culinary Journey of Gratitude is published by Birmingham-based The Book Chief and is now available for order from Bia’s Kitchen Show HERE and through Amazon HERE.

Bianca Rodrigues-Perry

Here, Bianca shares her brigadeiros recipe for you to try at home:

Bia’s Classic Brigadeiro Brazilian Truffles
(Makes 8-10 servings)

These traditional Brazilian sweets are the perfect dessert for any occasion! Made with just four ingredients, these brigadeiros are rich, creamy, and delicious. Great way to get the children involved and an interesting alternative for Easter.

INGREDIENTS

50g butter
14 oz sweetened condensed milk (395 g)
¼ cup dark cocoa powder (30g)
1 cup chocolate or multicoloured sprinkles (160g), as needed to decorate.

HOW TO MAKE IT

In a pot over low heat, melt the butter, condensed milk, and cocoa powder, stirring continuously until you can see the bottom of the pot for 2-3 seconds when dragging a spatula through.

Pour onto a greased plate, then chill for 1 hour.

Shape and roll the chilled mixture into balls.

Roll the balls in chocolate sprinkles.

Enjoy!