Friday Night Cocktail: Derwood's Rum and Raisin Iced Cream

Our good friend Derwood does like a creamy drink.  And he loves PX sherry.  We have no idea if he likes rum and raisin ice cream or not.  But we hope that he does, because that's what this drink tastes like, if a little boozier.  We hope you like it too!  I went all out and additionally soaked some raisins in PX for a few days before making the cocktail, the drink is no less raisiny without them but they are a delicious garnish.

YOU WILL NEED

(Enough for Merv too)

• 2 shots dark rum
• 4 shots Pedro Ximenez sherry
• 4 shots double cream
• At least 8 large black raisins soaked in a shot glass of PX for 3-5 days

AND TO MAKE

Add all your ingredients, except the raisins, to your cocktail shaker, along with plenty of ice.  Shake until icy cold.

TO SERVE

Spear your PX raisins onto a cocktail stick for garnish, 4 is plenty per glass.  Strain your chilled cocktail over the garnish.  Cheers Derwood!

Love Myrtle xxx

Friday Night Cocktail: PX Flip

We love a glass or two of sherry chez Myrtle and Merv, and our favourite in the winter has to be Pedro Ximenez - it's rich, thick, raisiny and sweet, like an oil pressed from extra virgin Christmas puddings.  Whilst it's great to drink on its own, it's surprisingly good as a cocktail ingredient.  This recipe was created by Timo Janse for fancy speakeasy Door 74 in Amsterdam, but you can just drink it at home.  It's not too sweet, spicy and velvety thick.  And it's delicious!  I want another one...

YOU WILL NEED

(enough for Merv too)

• 4 shots Pedro Ximenez sherry
• 1.5 shots lemon juice
• 1 shot sugar syrup
• 2 egg yolks (save the whites for a sour or fizz)
• 2 pinches ground cinnamon
• 8 cloves
• Nutmeg

AND TO MAKE

Muddle the cloves in your cocktail shaker.  Add the rest of the ingredients, except the nutmeg, and plenty of ice.  Shake long and hard!  I ended up wrapping a tea towel around the shaker as it got so cold.

TO SERVE

Strain into a chilled glass and grate a little nutmeg over the top.

Love Myrtle xxx