Bubbles Cocktail Demo

If you came to our Campfire Old Tom cocktail demo you'll remember that we almost needed branded Campfire Gin waterproof ponchos to protect those in the front row and they were almost needed again for our latest demo. The theme of bubbles or more specifically carbonation meant we were treading on dangerous ground – opening bottles of cider and sparking wine without drenching everyone!

We began the session with a cocktail called Square Pear. We used pear cider for the bubbles element but you could equally use perry. We also used Aromatic Bitters from Bitter Union (available in the distillery shop – open Fridays and Saturdays!). Secondly we presented a cocktail Ben has devised for The Grove Hotel in Chandlers Cross near Watford. It's called the Fire Extinguisher and combines our Campfire Cask Aged Gin with lime juice, Carpano Antica Formula Rosso Vermouth (Ben's favourite), Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic and strawberries. It's a deliciously light, refreshing and fruity tipple without the over sweetened taste of say Pimms and lemonade. Finally we ended the session with a sparkling wine cocktail with a lemon twist. We used the award winning Brut Reserve from our friends Harrow & Hope whose vineyard and winery is in Marlow – a Chilterns-based sparkling wine producer who are achieving great things from their young vines.

Square Pear

To make (serves 1)
50ml Campfire Old Tom Gin
200ml Koppaberg Pear Cider
Bitter Union Aromatic Bitters
Sugar cube
Fresh mint for garnish

Soak the sugar cube in the Aromatic Bitters. Add ice, gin and pear cider to a serving glass. Drop sugar cube into the glass and allow the bitters to infuse. Add a sprig of fresh mint to garnish.

Fire Extinguisher

To make (serves 1)
50ml Campfire Cask Aged Gin
15ml Lime Juice
15ml Carpano Antica Formula Rosso Vermouth
Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic
Strawberries for garnish

Stir all ingredients (except the garnish) with ice in a cocktail glass. Strain into a highball. Topup with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic and garnish with two slices of strawberry.

Sparkling Bees Knees

To make (serves 1)
70ml Campfire London Dry Gin
70ml Honey Syrup
20ml Lemon Juice
Harrow & Hope Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine
Lemon twist for garnish

Combine the gin, honey and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a coupe or flute glass and top up with sparkling wine. Add the lemon twist to the side of the glass.