Events 2016

2.30pm - 5pm  Wednesday 17th February 2016  The Looking Glass, E2

History & Mystery of Absinthe with T.A. Breaux The History and Mystery of Absinthe with the legendary T.A.Breaux, including a tasting of the Sip Or Mix Absinthe Portfolio, followed by a Q. & A.

A research scientist, Absinthe Historian & Distiller, Ted is also famous the world over for being at the forefront of the recent absinthe renaissance. He will guide us through the complexities and misunderstandings of this much maligned spirit. This is coupled with a tasting provided by  Sip Or Mix  of:

La Maison Fontaine Absinthes and Jade Liqueurs Absinthes.

We will also have Ted Breaux's Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur and La Maison Fontaine's Chocolat Liqueur on tasting.

Please contact The Looking Glass to Book a place.  


6.30 pm -8.30 pm Friday 19th February 2016
The National Gallery
Absinthe, or 'the green fairy', fuelled 19th-century French artistic creativity. Van Gogh and Toulouse-Lautrec drank this wormwood liquor heavily, while Manet and Degas made it the subject of their paintings. Discover the scandalous history and enduring mystique of absinthe with master distiller Ted Breaux, and explore Manet's Corner of a Café-Concert in a talk by Jo Rhymer.
For those who would like to sample this alcoholic drink, we close with an absinthe tasting of La Maison Fontaine and Jade Absinthes  sponsored by Sip Or Mix       

Raffaelli's - Absinthe Drinkers          (pic)
 

10.30am - 6pm Tuesday 23rd February 2016

Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London.

Enotria and Coe Vintners Showcase Tasting

4.30pm - 7pm  Friday 26th February 2016 
Hedonism Wines, Mayfair, London 

We are very pleased to be back in Hedonism tasting both SW4 London Dry Gin and also St Nicholas Abbey Rum

Full of Eastern Promise...

Valentine's Day is nearly upon us and whether you are arsed or not, it's a good reason to design a new cocktail. 

We were planning to host a retail tasting on Friday 13th, we were asked to show a cocktail using SW4 London Dry Gin and Combier UK Rose Creme Liqueur....

This got me thinking about Turkish Delight, more specifically Fry's Turkish Delight. Which in turn, got me thinking about La Maison Fontaine Chocolat...  

Initially, I tried a layered shot with the Rose and Chocolat and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it worked rather well...  Then to the task of making a proper cocktail... Sour Styley and lo...    

Full of Eastern Promise... 

25ml SW4 London Dry Gin

20ml La Maison Fontaine Chocolat

20ml Combier Creme Rose Liqueur

20ml Lemon Juice

20ml Egg White

3 drops Dale DeGroff's Pimento Aromatic Bitters

These measurements are by no means fixed, more Gin, less egg white, more Chocolat etc. are all possible... It's all a matter of tasting and tinkering. These ratios worked for me. Maybe a tad more Gin... :-)

Method: Dry shake (without ice) all the ingredients together bar the Bitters, then add the ice and shake more vigorously. Strain into a chilled coupette. Garnish with quality cocktail cherries and add the 3 x drops of Bitters.
Profile: Good balance between sweet and sour, juicy acidity gets the palate salivating, quickly tempered by soft sweetness. SW4 is a solid Gin with good backbone, can't go wrong there. The rose is delightful and works well with the floral notes of the Grand Wormwood from the Chocolat. All the while, there's the unifying aromatic hint of the Bitters and a silky chocolate backdrop. So, is it "Full of Eastern Promise"? Well, given that's the tagline for Fry's Turkish Delight, I'd say this cocktail gets far closer to delivering...
No, that is not my Fry's Turkish Delight in the photo. Yes, of course you can have it.

Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure

Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure arrives following several years of historical sleuthing, botanical research, and patience.  This mature, handcrafted spirit represents the final release in the Jade Liqueurs® portfolio of historically accurate absinthes.  Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure was created as homage to one of the most interesting absinthes of the fabled Belle Époque.  What set this renowned product apart from its peers is that it was highly publicized as having been subjected to a specialized hot oxygenation process originally believed to render the final spirit hygienic, and therefore free of any potentially deleterious properties.  The original brand was the subject of widespread publicity, sold at a premium, and was exported to various ports around the globe. 

Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure is artisanally distilled from the same botanicals as the original acclaimed oxygenated absinthe, with the addition of a healthy dose of a particularly interesting species of wormwood harvested from the foothills of the Alps, which contributes to the bold flavor of this handcrafted absinthe.  Always true to the originals, Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure is also subjected to a bespoke hot oxygenation process that closely mirrors the original technique.  And while this twist from the past asserts its own character to the spirit, it’s only with long term maturation that it is ready for bottling.

Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure represents the most powerful expression of the spirit in the Jade portfolio.  Bold yet creamy, it features potent aromatics and a lengthy, stimulating aftertaste that recalls the medicinal origins of the spirit.   Jade Terminus Oxygénée Absinthe Supérieure is carefully distilled by T. A. Breaux, using the original 19th century absinthe alembics in the historical Combier distillery.   

T.A. Breaux loading Artemisia Absinthium , 1100L copper alembic, Combier 2013

The above text is taken straight from the Jade Website and offers us some insight into the unique production techniques used by Jade to ensure an historically accurate and truly authentic Absinthe.  

We at Sip Or Mix have now received our shipment into the UK and have already dispatched orders to Speciality Drinks and Master of Malt, with more to follow. If you would like any info about stocking any Jade products please contact jenny@sipormix.com.

Before Louching:

The colour is crisp, bright and crystal clear. An interesting 'chartreuse colour' which is a combination of both green and yellow. The nose offers up rich, deep anise, good wormwood and high herbal notes.  

The louche is thick, dense and very oily. Once the liquid is louched it becomes very viscous and creamy.

The nose after louching is naturally, softer than straight from the bottle, although it retains the big anise and herbaceous notes. 

The expectation on the palate is instantly fulfilled on tasting. Really big and bold anise and herbal flavours, quite dry to the point of being almost bitter. Incredible, viscous mouthfeel which starts to anesthetise the palate almost instantly. Great integration of flavours and complexity. The finish is long and uplifting with lighter floral notes kicking in.

In conclusion this is a fantastic addition to the Jade Absinthe collection and compliments the rest of the range perfectly. The Terminus Oxygenee is big and bold with a quite different flavour profile to any other Jade.   We are convinced this will undoubtedly become a new favourite for many veteran absintheurs.   On second tasting, a couple of days later, the Oxygenee has softened and shows even further integration of flavour and balance.

    

Tasting Diary:

Throughout the following tastings we will also have Dale DeGroff's Pimento Aromatic Bitters available to taste and purchase.

Wednesday 27th November 2013:

The Whisky Exchange - Vinopolis, London Bridge, SE1
1pm onwards - We will be tasting SW4 London Dry Gin 40% and also the Batch 47%.
We might even have some Combier Kummel with us to make some of our favourite cocktail the 'Silver Bullet'. 

Thursday 28th November 2013:

Amathus Soho - Wardour Street, Soho, W1
5pm onwards - We will be tasting both La Maison Fontaine  Absinthes and Chocolat & Jade Liqueurs Absinthes. We will be offering a special deal on La Maison Fontaine - buy any 2 x 70cl and get a La Maison Fontaine Blanche 20cl FREE of charge.

Friday 29th November 2013:

Gerry's - Old Compton Street, Soho, W1
1pm - 5.45pm - we will be tasting tasting both La Maison Fontaine Absinthes and Chocolat & Jade Liqueurs Absinthes.

Friday 29th November 2013:

City Beverage Company - Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1
 6.45pm - 8.30pm - We will be tasting Jade Liqueurs Perique Tobacco Liqueur, Combier Kummel and Combier l'Original Triple Sec.

Wednesday 4th December 2013:

The Whisky Exchange - Vinopolis, London Bridge, SE1
1pm onwards - We will be tasting Jade Liqueurs Perique Tobacco Liqueur, Combier Kummel and Combier l'Original Triple Sec, Elixir, Royal & La Maison Fontaine Chocolat.

Thursday 5th December 2013:

Gerry's - Old Compton Street, Soho, W1
1pm onwards - SW4 London Dry Gin 40% Batch 47% and Combier Kummel  to make some of our favourite cocktal the 'Silver Bullet'. We will have some other Sip Or Mix Liqueurs with us too...

Friday 6th December 2013:

The Whisky Exchange - Vinopolis, London Bridge, SE1
1pm onwards - We will be tasting tasting both La Maison Fontaine Absinthes & Jade Liqueurs Absinthes.

Tuesday 10th December 2013:

Hedonism Wines - Davies Street, Mayfair, W1
4pm - 8pm - We will be tasting St Nicholas Abbey Unaged,  White Rum and St Nicholas Abbey 10 Year Old Rum.

Tuesday 11th December 2013:

Hedonism Wines - Davies Street, Mayfair, W1
4pm - 8pm - We will be tasting both La Maison Fontaine Absinthes & Jade Liqueurs Absinthes.

Friday 13th December 2013:

City Beverage Company - Old Street, Shoreditch, EC16.45pm onwards - We will be tasting tasting both La Maison Fontaine Blanche Absinthe & Jade Liqueurs Esprit Edouard Absinthe.

Monday 16th December 2013:

The Whisky Exchange - Vinopolis, London Bridge, SE1
1pm onwards - We will be tasting St Nicholas Abbey Unaged, White Rum and St Nicholas Abbey 10 Year Old Rum. We will also have some of the extremely rare St Nicholas Abbey 15 year Old Rum to both sample and purchase.

Friday 20th December 2013:

Gerry's - Old Compton Street, Soho, W1
1pm onwards - We will be tasting both La Maison Fontaine Absinthes & Jade Liqueurs Absinthes.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

                        

SIP OR MIX - STAND C106

Register Here

Here is the full portfolio we'll be exhibiting: (the hyperlinks are to reviews)

SW4 London Dry Gin  & SW4 Batch 47 London Dry Gin

St Nicholas Abbey Unaged, White Rum

St Nicholas Abbey 10 Year Old Rum

Combier Kummel (1880's)

Combier l'Original Triple Sec (1834)

Royal Combier (1920s)

Combier Elixir (1852)

Jade Perique Tobacco Liquer

Jade Nouvelle Orleans Absinthe

Jade 1901 Absinthe

Jade V.S. 1898 Absinthe

Jade Edouard Absinthe

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat

La Maison Fontaine Blanche

La Maison Fontaine Verte

Dale DeGroff's Pimento Aromatic Bitters

We will have many of our Brand Owners on hand throughout the show and several Guest Bar Tenders.

La Maison Fontaine® Chocolat ‘Perfect Serve’

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat perfect serve is chilled over ice with a touch of Maldon sea salt.

The liquid is poured into a tumbler over ice & served with a pinch of salt over the top before being handed to the customer who takes the glass & swirls the contents to dissolve the salt.

 
La Maison Fontaine Chocolat served with a side of grilled orange & chilli salt

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat is served in a Pousse Café glass. The ritual itself is akin to salt, lime & tequila and is a familiar concept for most customers.

The customer firstly licks the back of the hand sprinkles on a pinch of chili salt. They then lick the salt, consume the liquid & eat a slice of the grilled orange.

 Optional: serve with a float of La Maison Fontaine Verte

The salt & chili compliment the sweet rich flavours of La Maison Fontaine Chocolat while also adding another layer of complexity to the drink. The orange, which has had its sugars caramelised during the grilling process, assists in removing any burn from the alcohol due to its natural sugars.

La Maison Fontaine® Verte ‘Perfect Serve’

The Pomtarlier

Refreshing, crisp & moreish, this drink is very quaff-able. The name is a twist on La Maison Fontaine’s hometown Pontarlier.

Ingredients:

35ml La Maison Fontaine Verte 

100ml pomegranate juice 

150ml soda water
-
Method:

Add all ingredients into a tall slender glass & filled with cubed ice. Squeeze lime garnish over drink & serve.
-
Garnish: 1⁄4 lime wedge

 

La Maison Fontaine and Sip Or Mix are excited to announce the introduction of two new Finest French Absinthe products.

Following the success of the unique multiple award-winning Fontaine Blanche Absinthe, La Maison Fontaine is continuing to forge a path into the realms of originality with the introduction of the unique:

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat (25% ABV, 70cl) – a chocolate absinthe liqueur. Inspired by a handwritten 1920'sCrème de Cacao recipe found in the recipe books of La Maison Fontaine's Pontarlier distillery, the Fontaine Chocolat has a sweet richness combined with apparent notes of absinthe and chocolate, which creates a unique soft liqueur.

The range is completed with the addition of a more traditionally recognisable green absinthe:

La Maison Fontaine Verte (55% ABV, 70cl) - that provides a classic complex floral Verte with rich herbal and peppery notes. A close relative to the World's most awarded blanche absinthe – Fontaine Blanche – characterised by the world famous Pontarlier–grown Grande Absinthe and the natural herbal coloration.

Mark Stringer a Founding Partner commented:

“Our aim has always been to drive a greater understanding of this exceptionally exciting, alluring yet often misunderstood category, but also to create products that offered a volume opportunity for the industry. La Maison Fontaine has established itself a class leader and launching a verte felt like a natural extension but we wanted to go further than that, and push the boundaries with a totally unique offering and opportunity for the industry".

Allan Gage, La Maison Fontaine's tastemaker and owner of Sweet & Chilli bar and Cocktail Consultancy said:

“outside of gin, absinthe is probably the most exciting category in the industry, and after playing around with these products it's unbelievable the versatility that both the Chocolat and Verte offer.

Tom Sodden and I have created signature cocktails and pours we expect to see adopted across the world, but Chocolat in particular has enabled us to develop drinks which are some of the most exciting drinks we have created in the last 5 years”.