Sip Or Mix Prize Draw

 

 

 

Happy New Year! 

We have yet to meet a bar tender, brand manager, human being etc. who has not shown a desire to own their very own absinthe fountain. We would love to furnish everyone with one but alas....

 

So, we've decided on a prize draw, with an Absinthe fountain and a bottle of  La Maison Fontaine as the prize. This fountain is not for your bar but for you to take home and enjoy!

 

The rules are simple:

 

1. Just show us you have La Maison Fontaine stocked in your bar.

 (All members of staff are welcome to enter)

If you do not have a bar - simply show that you ordered a La Maison Fontaine (LMF cocktails allowed) when out and about....

 

Pictures can be posted to:

 

https://twitter.com/SipOrMix

 

https://www.facebook.com/SipOrMixLtd

 

https://www.facebook.com/SipOrMix

 

 

There will be additional "Sip Or Mix" prizes for the best photos.

 

We will also run a draw for Jade with some 20cls as prizes...

 

Time to get snapping, sipping and mixing....

 

 

Draw closes Friday 15th Febuary 2013

Sip Or Mix to handle Combier UK

Sip Or Mix is an independent Importing, Distribution and Brand Management company based in central London. The company focus is on Small Batch, Hand-Crafted, Artisanal and Authentic Spirits and Liqueurs. The current portfolio consists of; St Nicholas Abbey Rum, SW4 London Dry Gin, La Maison Fontaine Absinthe and Jade Liqueurs.

Sip Or Mix is very pleased to announce they are now adding some key Combier products to their portfolio.

The Combier Distillery in 2012 - designed by Gustave Eiffel

COMBIER is the oldest distillery of the Loire Valley which is still active today and dates back to 1834. Jean Baptiste COMBIER and his wife were confectioners who wanted to add a little something 'extra' to their sweets in the way of a new flavoured liqueur. They consequently developed the worlds first Triple Sec which became so popular they gave up the confectionery side of the business to distill full-time.

“TRIPLE SEC” (an orange liqueur) nowadays named l’Original Combier

Dried bitter orange peels from Haiti and dried sweet orange peels from Valencia are still used today just as they were back in the 1830's. They are soaked in water overnight and are stripped by hand of the very bitter pith. These peels are then macerated in alcohol and run through the 130 year old alembic copper pot stills pictured above. Only the "heart" of the distillation is used which is then run through the alembics a second time. (Originally they would have produced the base spirit at the distillery as well, hence the name "Triple Sec" or "triple distilled") Sugar crystals are added and the distillate is finally reduced to 40% when bottled. In these modern times it's tempting to streamline production, buy cheaper ingredients and seek to cut costs through better technology. While we must admit that this is necessary for some producers in the 21st Century, it's always rewarding to come across a producer who retains an attention to detail and historical accuracy such as at Combier. The very first "Triple Sec" is consequently as close as possible to its' original recipe today, as it was back in the 1830's.

 “ELIXIR COMBIER” (a plants liqueur)

Another Combier product true to its historical roots is the newly re-released Élixir Combier dating from 1852.

"Jean Baptiste Combier’s acclaimed 19th century Élixir Combier is an exotic blend of herbs, plants and other botanicals from France’s Loire Valley, Africa, India and Southeast of Asia. It is unearthed anew from Combier’s 177 year old distillery’s very own private archives after having been discontinued for decades since its creation in 1852."

It's clear from the reproduced label that this indeed was very popular back in its heyday, it's festooned with medals; Angers 1852, Laval 1852 & 1857, Lemans 1857, Bordeaux 1859 & 1863 plus many more. Élixir Combier even seems to have played a role at the famous "Exhibition Philadelphie" of 1876 - the United States first World's Fair celebrating 100 years of Independence.

Élixir Combier is labelled as a "Liqueur Hygienique De Dessert"

Liqueur and Dessert suggest sweetness and after dinner.  'Hygienic' in this sense is simply a generic term for promoting and preserving health. Unlike some other 19th century 'preparations' wild health giving claims Élixir Combier was simply used as a pleasant tasting, after dinner digestif.  

The botanical mix is both exotic and eclectic with things like saffron, fennel and even myrrh - all of which were known for their respective healing properties in the 19th Century.

Royal Combier

"Royal Combier was created in 1910 by James Combier. Much appreciated by connoisseur drinkers in Europe it is blended from Combier’s old Elixir Combier, a type of « cure-all » medicinal plant drink very fashionable in the 19th century, and distilled sweet-orange spirits and Cognac. Its primary elixir base is strictly prepared following Jean-Baptiste Combier’s Elixir Combier recipe, a bitter tasting plant-based recipe typical of 19th century elixirs. Following Jame’s Combier 1910 changes to his father’s original recipe, several spices including Angelica, Saffron, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cloves are added to the elixir base. In keeping with James Combier’s 1910 indications, a separate distillation of sweet-orange spirits is also combined to soften the original plant-based infusion and create a sweeter, subtler liqueur where final character is bestowed by a touch of Cognac."

Doppelt Combier Kummel Extra

Kummel has been around since the late 1500's and is interchanged with meaning either Caraway or Cumin. Combier first made Kummel back in the 1850's and have again re-released an historically authentic product from their recipe archives of the 19th Century.

Doppelt Combier Kummel Extra is a blend of Caraway, Cumin and Fennel. 'Doppelt' translates as 'double' and simply means double the standard botanical bill is used which adds intensity and concentration of flavour. I would suggest that 'extra' simply means the sugar content and therefore the Kummel qualifies as a liqueur, even if it does weigh in at 38% abv. 

Bastille Day Festival Absinthe Sampling with Sip Or Mix

We are very pleased to be present throughout the whole day during the Bastille Day Festival, at Borough Market on Saturday 14th July, sampling the Sip Or Mix Absinthe Portfolio.

We will first be in the French Street Market in Park Street between 12 noon and 5pm.  After the Park Street Fair we will move into Borough Market for the party where we will continue sampling from 6pm till 12 midnight.

Will will have our white fairy La Maison Fontaine on sampling and available to purchase.

We will also have our green fairy Jade Liqueurs  on sampling and available to purchase throughout the day.

An added treat is we will have Absinthe Historian and Master Distiller T.A. Breaux available to chat to and to sign his reverse engineered Jade Liqueurs Absinthes...

We look forward to seeing you on the day!

Come visit us at Imbibe Live 2012 on Stand G112.

We will have all of the Sip Or Mix portfolio on tasting including the new additions!

St Nicholas Abbey's New Unaged, White Rum.

Also New is Dale DeGroff's Pimento Bitters, made by Ted Breaux of Jade Liqueurs who will also be present throughout the show!

New to us are some liqueurs from the Combier Distillery and we are lucky to have a small sample of Combier's New Elixir from a recipe dating back to 1852.

We will of course have all our favourite Absinthes available; La Maison Fontaine and all four Jades as well as St Nicholas Abbey 10 year old, Ted Breaux's Jade Perique Tobacco Liquer and SW4 London Dry Gin.

Cannot wait to see you there!

The House Of Tippler by Sip Or Mix

The House of Tippler

Having worked in London for some time now it's always a real pleasure to meet up with good colleagues in old stomping grounds, particularly if it's in a new venue and especially if it is their own!

Welcome to Tim Oakley's House of Tippler in East Dulwich.

We first went out a while back on a Monday (H. o T. is closed) to take The Tippler Team through the Sip Or Mix portfolio and talk specifically about Absinthe :-)

Like all good neighbourhood bars The Tippler is good to its' neighbours and had invited the Adventure Bar from across the road, formally known as Inside 72. They were particularly taken with SW4 London Dry Gin. 

This Thursday's visit was to run through some cocktails with Tim and the very competent Max Whitney. First up we conducted some due diligence and Max made a Daiquiri with the new Unaged, White Rum from St Nicholas Abbey - nothing to worry about there then :-)

Next up was Tim's drink:

Smoking H. o T.

by

Tim Oakley

50ml Tequila Blanco

15ml Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur

10ml Cane Syrup

25ml Lime

2 drops Abbots Bitters

2 drops Jade VS 1898 Verte Absinthe

Shake all ingredients in a Boston and strain into a coupette.

The nose of this Margarita style drink is surprisingly, really smoky (think Islay or Mezcal), the palate is clean and fresh with very distinct Perique notes throughout. The Bitters and Absinthe add more complexity and hold the whole thing together for great balance. All in all a fine drink and will be making it onto the new cocktail menu so you can try it for yourself. 

Probably a Swizzle

by

Max Whitney

25ml London Dry Gin

25ml La Maison Fontaine

10ml Creme de Mure

10ml Creme de Cassis

15ml Lemon Juice

50ml Apple Juice

Pile all the ingredients into a glass. The garnish is an ice cube float with raspberries and a lemon twist resting in. This will be a summer hit - if we ever get one of course... It's very easy drinking, fruity with a rich, creamy mouthfeel.  This is designed to make people re-think about Absinthe in cocktails, the flavours  and complexity of La Maison Fontaine come through nicely but in no way is the drink dominated by anise and fennel flavours. Nice one Max! Now you may have noticed the rather hefty amount of  alcohol in Max's recipe and perhaps the odd name? Quite simply this cocktail doesn't have a name yet and it will probably be pared-down to a Swizzle....

The design of House of Tippler is very cool, well thought out and draws on influences from the 1920's through to the 1960's. It also makes very good use of the space, with different parts of the bar offering a different ambiance.

The space is growing too with the newly opened garden at the back with a herb garden in progress to boot! The front of the bar opens out onto the street and offers an inclusive feel to smokers and the outside, which must be great in the sunshine....

 

The attention to detail at House of Tippler is very impressive throughout. It obviously going to be a big hit! So the next time you're at a loose end why not hop on the 176 bus and visit

The Horniman Museum (just an idea) and on the way back drop off at The House of Tippler on Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. You will not be disappointed, unless you go on a Monday of course, because House of Tippler is closed on Mondays.

Jade Liqueurs, Combier Distillery and Distil - 22nd-24th May

The London International Wine Fair and Distil

22nd - 24th May 2012, London Excel.

We are very pleased to be exhibiting Jade Liqueurs at 'Distil' the Spirits Section at The London International Wine Fair 2012.

Jade Liqueurs are made by Absinthe Historian and Master Distiller T.A. Breaux at Combier Distillery in Saumur France.

Combier Distilley in 1902

Combier Distillery dates back to 1834 and is world renowned for it's Triple Sec and Royal Combier products as well as it's vast range of hand crafted Liqueurs, Syrups and Eau de Vie.

Combier Distillery in 2012

Please come and visit us at Distil on Stand G30/4F where we will have a full selection from the Combier Distillery available for tasting.

Cocktails at Wax Jambu - La Maison Fontaine "Bloody Fairy" and Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur "Coffee and Cigarette"

The Bloody Fairy

This is pure genius! The glass is wrapped in a banana leaf. The Bloody mix is a combination of Wax Jambu's homemade Sangrita and Tomato Juice. Horseradish and Worcestershire Sauce to personal taste.

The syringe is filled with 50/50 Vodka and La Maison Fontaine Absinthe. The idea is the Bloody Mary has oft been cited as a great hangover cure and Absinthe was traditionally a medicine. Put those two ideas together and we get a Bloody Fairy where one self-medicates one's own 'dose' with the syringe on the side.

I'm a big fan of the Bloody Fairy (and Mary) but this is the best I've tried yet. Perhaps it's the syringe action or the complex flavour profile added by the depth of La Maison Fontaine and Wax Jambu's homemade Sangrita - either way, I suggest you hot tail it down there and give it a whirl! Whether you have a hangover or not!

Coffee and Cigarette by Pietro Rizzo

50ml Eldorado 5 year old

20ml Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur

15ml Santa Teresa Araku Coffee Liqueur

Bar spoon Laphroaig

Smoke the glass by lighting a cinnamon stick under it. Add all the ingredients apart from the Perique and stir over ice slowly for dilution. Add the Perique right at the end. Smoke the glass again just before loading and serve on the rocks. The garnish is some cinnamon sticks, broken cigar and three coffee beans.

The drink is rich and lucious with great coffee and smokey notes. It does exactly what it says on the tin - oh, apart from the caffeine and nicotine I guess... :-)

Another chance to attend a Masterclass with T.A. Breaux - Additional London Dates

After our very successful series of Sip Or Mix Masterclasses in March with Master Distiller Ted Breaux we are pleased to announce a few additional dates in April and May. Ted will take us through the History and Mystery of Absinthe while we taste all four Jade Absinthes and La Maison Fontaine. We will then taste the very unique Jade Perique Tobacco Liqueur also made by Ted Breaux. This will all be finished off with a tasting of the brand new pimento bitters made by Ted Breaux for Dale DeGroff. If you would like to attend any of the events below please email jenny@sipormix.com or contact the venue directly.

24th April - 3.30pm -5.30pm Bartender Masterclass, Paramount

25th April - 3.30pm - 5.30pm Bartender Masterclass, Karpo

26th April - Afternoon - in-store tasting, The Whisky Exchange

30th April - 3-5pm - Bartender Masterclass, Nightjar
                 - 7pm onwards - Members Monday, this event is for discerning drinkers who are members of the public and are interested in learning more about their libations. If you would like to sign up for this event please email info@barnightjar.com  

1st May - 3pm, Bartender Masterlcass, Wax Jambu

2nd May - Afternoon - Bartender Masterclass, Brighton
               - Evening - Consumer Masterclass, Brighton
Both of these events are hosted by Mixology Group If you would like to attend please email myles@mixologygroup.co.uk
                    
3rd May - Afternoon - in-store tasting - Gerry's

Absinthe Masterclass Roadshow with Ted Breaux - U.K. March 2012

We at Sip Or Mix are delighted to have Ted Breaux coming to the U.K. in March 2012. Sip Or Mix  has been managing and distributing Jade Liqueurs since Sip Or Mix formed in the summer of 2011. We have been working very hard with both Jade and La Maison Fontaine to educate and re-educate the industry and the general public at large as to the true nature of Absinthe.

During the last year we have noticed a real upsurge of interest in the category and consequently cannot think of a better time to bring you several comprehensive Absinthe Masterclasses.

Ted Breaux lives in the United States so this is a rare opportunity indeed to be presented with the Jade Liqueurs portfolio by the world renowned Master Distiller and Absinthe Historian himself.

Imbibe U.S. 2011

We will take this opportunity to also present to you the other Absinthe in the Sip Or Mix Portfolio - The multi-award-winning, Blanche from Pontarlier, La Maison Fontaine®; two time winner of the much coveted "Golden Spoon" Award of the Absinthiades, IWSC Gold and Best In Class and recent Double Gold Medal winner of The Absinthe Masters.

Ted Breaux is also the man behind Jade Perique

Tobacco Liqueur and we will have some available at each of the events organised with Ted on hand to answer any questions.

If you are interested in attending any of the Masterclasses below please email the contacts/venue directly.

Absinthe Masterclass Roadshow with Ted Breaux - U.K. March 2012

5th - Oxford Alcademic's - Raoul's, Oxford - Open Evening Masterclass, info at:

 oxford-alcademics and please register with Tim: tim@raoulsbar.com

9th - The Whisky Exchange, Vinopolis - Afternoon Bottle Signing. Just pop by.

12th - The UKBG - Afternoon Masterclass at Paramount, please email Vincenzo at calenzovincenzo@gmail.com

14th - Amathus Soho - Wardour Street.

Trade Only Masterclass - 3pm - 4.30pm

Consumer Masterclass  - 6.15pm - 7.30pm

Please register with tastings@amathusdrinks.com

16th - Gerry's Wines and Spirits - Afternoon Bottle Signing.

Just pop by.

18th - Zetter Townhouse - FBI (Food and Beverage Industry) From 6pm, contact venue to book a table or just turn up.

19th - Zetter Townhouse - Afternoon Bartender Masterclass. Please Register with Kamil at kfoltan@yahoo.co.uk or contact the venue on 020 7324 4567

20th - London Cocktail Society - Evening Masterclass. Please register with info@londoncocktailsociety.co.uk

21st - Reunion Bar @ The Grosvenor Hotel - Open Masterclass - 7pm - 9pm please register with info@reunionlondon.com

24th - Gerry's Wines and Spirits - Afternoon Bottle Signing.

Just pop by.

26th The Whisky Exchange - Consumer Evening. Please register with: tastings@thewhiskyexchange.com

Websites of interest:

Sip Or Mix

Jade Liqueurs

La Maison Fontaine

UKBG

London Cocktail Society

Reunion Bar @ The Grosvenor Hotel

The Zetter Townhouse

Raoul's Bar

The Whisky Exchange

Gerry's Wines and Spirits

Amathus

For further enquiries regarding any of the above please email:

hello@sipormix.com

The Year of the Dragon by Theodora Lau

At Sip Or Mix Towers we have all sorts of literature at our disposal. So, in honour of Chinese New Year 2012 - The Year of the Water Dragon, we found an old relevant book. The book in question was first printed in 1979 and was reprinted many times till this 1987 edition. This book is therefore from 25 years ago and it was first published 33 years ago. We raise these dates and numbers for a very good reason, this book is pre-internet...

It's quite spooky to read the following exact extracts from:

THE HANDBOOK OF

CHINESE HOROSCOPES

by

THEODORA LAU

The opening page starts with this:

THE DRAGON

I am an unquenchable fire,

The center of all energy,

The stout heroic heart.

I am truth and light,

I hold power and glory in my sway.

My presence

Disperses dark clouds.

I have been chosen

To tame the Fates.

I AM THE DRAGON

Well, fighting talk and we like it but none of us at Sip Or Mix Towers are Dragons. It's all about the Year of The Dragon and this is verbatim of what Theodora has to say:

 

THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON

A magnificent come back after the recuperative year of the Rabbit. We will throw caution to the four winds and roll up our sleeves for all sorts of grandiose, exhilarating, colossal, overambitious and daring projects. The indomitable spirit of the Dragon will inflate everything to larger than life size. Somehow we will find ourselves bubbling with excess energy. It will be wise not to overestimate ourselves or our potentials in this combustible year.

On the brighter side, business will be good and money can be generated or obtained easily. It is the time to ask your bank for a loan. Big spending and lavish plans are the rule of the day. The mighty Dragon sneers at the prudent and penny-pinching. He gambles for all or nothing. He will stimulate us to think and act big, even overstepping the bounds of caution.

Orientals (sic Chinese) consider this to be an auspicious year to get married, have children or start a new business, as the benevolent Dragon brings good fortune and happiness.

But caution is required, take nothing for granted, for both success and failures can bel be measured and magnified equally. (nb 1)

In the Dragon's year, fortunes as well as disaster will come in massive waves. This is a year marked by a lot of surprises and violent acts of nature. Tempers will flare the world over and everyone will be staging some real or imaginary revolt against restrictions.. The electric atmosphere created by the mighty Dragon will affect us, one and all.

Intersting stuff eh?.....