To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and its many festivities this summer, The Lady has spoken with Drambuie’s mixologist Freddy May, who has created a special twist on the UK’s trending Espresso Martini cocktail, inspired by Her Majesty’s love of both Drambuie and Scotland.
The Scots Guards Whisky Espresso Martini is a delicious celebratory drink that has been named after the iconic British Army regiment, who famously guard Buckingham Palace and perform the Trooping of the Colour on the Queen’s official birthday.
The Scots Guards Whisky Espresso Martini is presented with an edible cocktail topper and is best enjoyed at the end of a meal, as a 5th course option to extend the street parties or at-home celebrations with your loved ones. Freddy suggests pairing it with a rich and indulgent Drambuie Chocolate Mousse, a dessert her former personal chef Darren McGrady is widely reported to have shared as one of her favourite desserts.
I was shaking and making these cocktails in Edinburgh bars 20 years ago, during The Queen's Golden Jubilee, and it's a true Scottish twist on Dick Bradsell's original Espresso Martini,” said the drink’s creator, mixologist Freddy May.
“I’ve been making delicious and interesting drinks with Drambuie honeyed liqueur for many years. During that time, I’ve come to realise this unique spirit comes alive when we embrace its generous butterscotch aromas and rich texture. Drambuie is a luxurious treat fit for an Jubilee celebration and perfect for sharing with friends and loved ones.”
Drambuie chocolate mousse
The recipe originally shared here, by the Queen’s personal chef in the 1990s, has revealed it to be one of the Queen’s favourite desserts. It contains indulgent dark chocolate and warming Drambuie and can be prepared in advance, leaving the home cook time to also enjoy the occasion.
Darren McGrady has commented on his inspiration behind the recipe. "This is a chocolate mousse that I made for the Queen at Buckingham place for banquets and entertaining but also for Balmoral too, for picnics and BBQs in the hills.
“It's no secret that the Queen loves chocolate, and the darker chocolate the better. For the whiskey. I'm using Drambuie because I love the flavours in there. The gorgeous herbs, spices and honey in there all go together to create an incredible chocolate mousse". Recipes for both the Scots Guards Whisky Espresso Martini and the Drambuie Chocolate Mousse are below and available from https://www.drambuie.com/en-gb/
SCOTS GUARDS WHISKY ESPRESSO MARTINI
Ingredients:
25 ml Drambuie Honeyed Liqueur
25 ml Scotch Whisky
50ml Espresso or strong cold brew coffee, decaffeinated if preferred
Lots of ice
Method:
Pour all ingredients over ice and shake vigorously before pouring into a chilled martini glass.
The Queen’s Favourite Drambuie chocolate mousse.
Serves 8
Ingredients
6 ounces dark chocolate
10 fl oz Double Cream
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
1 tsp instant coffee
2 tbs Drambuie Honeyed Liqueur
1 tbs boiling water
Directions
1. Melt the chocolate taking care not to overheat it in a large bowl.
2. Put the coffee in a small bowl and dissolve in the boiling water.
3. Whisk the egg yolks into the chocolate and then add the dissolved coffee and the whiskey and mix well.
4. Whip the cream until stiff and peaks hold.
5. Whip the egg whites until stiff and the peaks hold.
6. Fold the cream with a metal spoon into the chocolate mixture followed by the whipped egg whites.
7. Keep folding until there are no white specks of cream or egg white and then pour into a decorative serving dish.
8. Put the mousse into the refrigerator for at least three hours to allow the chocolate to set.
9. The top can now be decorated with spoonfuls or rosettes of whipped cream and chocolate curls for table presentation.
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