Despite that ambivalence towards ginger I really do like the King's Ginger - a really pokey liqueur from Berry Bros and Rudd. The label says they invented it for Edward the seventh in 1903 to help keep the cold out when he was driving. Drunk neat it certainly does that, the first sip is take your breath away ginger (hence the courageous drinker - it has a kick like a mule, in a good way), but after that it mellows out with lemon zest and something sweet.
It's very good on its own, especially after a cold walk but it's also an extremely versatile cocktail ingredient (for both summer and winter drinks). It's website recommends using it to mull wine or cider with, to add to champagne Kir Royal style, and to use instead of ginger wine in a whisky Mac. A measure in a hot chocolate doesn't go amiss, or simply mixed with ginger ale if you want to keep it simple.
In terms of a book choice it seems only fitting to stay with the Edwardian feel of the thing - maybe it's the picture of Edward on the label that does the trick (it's a good enough drink to be able to play up to a mildly eccentric image) but it makes me reach for Dornford Yates, John Buchan, or similar.
I had a binge on Yates about a decade ago - I'm hazy about the details but generally it was all smart young men dashing about the continent in their customised Rolls Royce's rescuing damsels in distress and sorting out dastardly foreigners (not for those in a sensitive or politically correct frame of mind). Reading Buchan's 'The Three Hostages' a couple of months ago reminded me strongly of Yates - it's the same sort of boys own adventure, silly, but essentially entertaining. They're also books that I can share with D who likes this sort of thing so they make good holiday reading.
I have a copy of Buchan's 'A Lost Lady of Old Years' that's been hanging around unread for a while now - I can see myself getting stuck into both the book and the King's Ginger over new year.
Ooh, that sounds lovely. I love ginger. Pity I didn't read this at any time during the past four days when I have been languishing at home with a flu type virus, instead of today when I am back at work, still feeling grim, but with no opportunity to partake of restorative alcoholic drinks ...!
ReplyDeleteIf you like ginger there's a very good chance you'll love this, and it would almost certainly give a cold what for.
DeleteThat sounds like a good drink to have on hand when feeling cold and shivery or even nauseous. The idea of some in hot chocolate also appeals. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much it would do for nausea, I know ginger is meant to help, but the alcohol wouldn't, but for warming you up its a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI have only got into Dornford Yates recently, and love his books, just finished 'Berry & Co' a few weeks ago (so amusing) and am collecting more; and John Buchan is wonderful, one of the best. I'm collecting his books as well. Excellent books!
ReplyDeleteThey're fun, and gloriously old fashioned. I've not read much Buchan, but had a huge Yates binge when I found his books being printed by the House of Stratus about a decade ago. I cleared some out recently but kept a good handful for when the occasion demands.
DeleteI finished 'Huntingtower' about three weeks ago (should really do a blog about it), and it was wonderful, one of my favourites now; and hunted out old copies of the two books that follow on from there. I see that you like Scott as well, he's another favourite of mine. I'm all for fun and old fashioned books!
DeleteMe too, they're the best sort! I find I need to take a bit of a mental run at Scott, but so far I've loved everything I've read by him. It's a shame he's not more widely read for pleasure.
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