Jessica McCallin, pictured far left, travelled to Copenhagen from her home in South London to be inseminated with the donor sperm that produced her daughter, Freya. This omission from her child's family tree was the one concern that preyed upon her mind. For sperm donors in Denmark - unlike those in the UK who may be contacted by their offspring when they reach 18 - have a legal right to remain anonymous. Men who donate sperm there can't be traced by any potential offspring. ...read
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The person who will dress more of us than any other, and shape our wardrobes over the next few years is 51-year-old Belinda Earl, the new style director at Marks & Spencer.
IN FEMAIL TODAY...
- Day in the life of the Queen From diamond crown jewels to a humble headscarf
- Zara mucks in Royal changes tyre as she supports drive to get women into engineering
- Katie Hopkins The secret to being a happy mother? Hire five nannies to do the boring bits
- The Great British (Fake) Bake Off We put fake tans to the test
- Well-heeled Mary Beard says there's nothing like a new pair of shoes to bring out your inner sex goddess
STYLE FILE: The latest fashion and beauty news
Click on each image for the full story...
Skin enhancing BB creams took the beauty world by storm. And now, No 7 at Boots have unveiled what we've all been waiting for: BB lips. These ultra nourishing glossy tubes come in a variety of pink hues and are perfect for glam girls on the go. £8.50 at Boots
BIANCA LONDON
Move over, Vans, Supra are the new fashion skate shoe. Rihanna, Cara, Heidi Klum and Lindsay Lohan are all fans. These super versatile monochrome sky-tops are RiRi's actual choice - and our favourites. £75
DENI KIRKOVA
They call it a sarong but it's so much more versatile. The Conran Shop present a selection of sarongs from supermodels' favourite Lily & Lionel. Elle Macpherson, Alek Wek and Edie Campbell all own a selection. This flamboyant flamingo design is our favourite. £85.
DENI KIRKOVA
It's almost time to bear your legs this season, almost. Simply Bare 7 denier moisturising tights from Charnos claim to provide that happy medium. They're sheerer than sheer and designed to look bare while keeping you feeling unexposed - perfect for pairing with a summer dress for the office. They come in S,M and L and are available in Nude and Natural tan. RRP £5.65
DENI KIRKOVA
Chanel's exquisite new eye collection comes out 3rd May. Their Le Volume De Chanel mascara is super thickening, non-clumpy and comes in three shades: Noir, Bleu and Prune. They're all highly pigmented and ultra-dark. The blue is unique in that it's inky rather than cobalt and brightens your eyes while it lines them. The prune is a gorgeous, muted chocolate wine shade with a lot of depth, cleverly resisting making eyes look tired and instead accentuating warm, earthy make-up brilliantly. £24
DENI KIRKOVA
Barry M bring out a colourful range of High-Shine Gelly Nail Paints just in time for spring in eight fruity shades. They have a plastic gloss finish for super healthy looking nails. This tangerine hue, Papaya, is our favourite. £3.99
DENI KIRKOVA
If Katie Holmes' smouldering Bobbi Brown campaign images weren't enough to convince you about the magic of the brand's Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick, listen up. The beauty of these convenient little pens is that they glide on smoothly and effortlessly and can be used to shade, define, smoke up and highlight eyes; a stroke of genius. £20
BIANCA LONDON
As summer heat and tired feet make the skin on our heels hard and dry we reach for a pumice stone or foot file to scrub away. But now there's no need to put in the manual work with the new Scholl Express Pedi. This nifty device encompasses a gentle rotating foot filing roller which never scrubs off too much and gives even, soft and silky smooth results. RRP £39.99, Refills: RRP £12.49
DENI KIRKOVA
Jo Malone, the masters of sweet scents, have unveiled these clever little Scent Surround Hangers. So now you can scent your clothes with their delicious limited edition hangers infused with the enticing and summery smells of English Pear & Freesia. Perfect for a gift or just for making your favourite blazer smell amazing. £40
BIANCA LONDON
The beauty world is saturated with BB creams but this one knocks the rest off the shelf. Light and refreshing, Decleor's offering provides you with all the benefits of a 24 hours moisturiser whilst naturally enhancing and complementing your skin tone and it smells amazing too. Get ready to glow. Available on QVC
BIANCA LONDON
Striking the perfect balance between Parisian chic and Bohemian-flair, the new Mariella Bag from Aspinal of London is guaranteed to be the perfect summer accessory. Give hippy chic Vanessa Hudgens a run for her money with the Mariella Bag, £545.00
Butter London's latest nail varnish offering has got us swooning for spring. Their Sweetie Shop Collection, which brings six candy hued lacquers, has the perfect buttery smooth formula. The perfect springtime accessory for when the sun is shining.
BIANCA LONDON
Designed for those who chase the sun, this Damien Hirst beach towel will without doubt get you in the mood for summer. Real romantics will be pleased to know it is easily big enough for two people, and ideal for desert islands.
£65, conranshop.co.uk
Analeena's gloriously summery Chancellor bags make the perfect statement in exquisite ostrich and finished with a chunky gold chain. From bright orange to deep purple, Analeena has the right colour for every fashionista.
£5,700 , analeena.com
L'Oreal's new Top Coats will let you reinvent your nails inspired by the latest runway trends. Play with light and textures with four fantastic textures to choose from Confetti, Gold Lurex, Diamond Lurex and let's not forget Saphire Lynx.
£4.99, Superdrug
It’s official! Summer is on its way. Want to know how we know? Harvey Nichols has just announced it will be exclusively launching the YSL Summer Look on 17 April. The collection includes hot hot hot golden hues with flashes of violet, coral fuchsia and green. The collection will include the new eyeshadow palette, £42, Top Secrets BB Cream with SPF20, £38, Rouge Pur, £23.50, and La Laque Couture, £18, pictured – all of which are worth buying for the sensational packaging alone – but know that it is not just looks. The products really do more than match up… and the colours are To. Die. For. Start saving now…
ww.harveynichols.com
DEBORAH ARTHURS
These super stylish headphones are a girly girl's answer to Beats by Dre. Available in a range of pretty hues, they are perfect for glamorous girls-on-the-go. iLuv Sweet Cottons, £19.99. www.iluv.co.uk
With celebrity fans such as Jessica Simpson and Kim Kardashian, you simply can't go wrong with ORLY nail polishes. We love these pretty pink hues, which are perfect for getting in the spring spirit. If the bubblegum tone is too girly for you, ORLY Mani Minis are available in a huge range of colours at Boots and Boots.com for £5 each.
BIANCA LONDON
- Can these clothes save M&S;? LIZ JONES meets the woman paid £1m for a two-day week to perk up Marks' dowdy designs - and gets an exclusive sneak preview
- Is the Queen's money on a baby boy? Candid royal family photographs could hold a clue to the sex of Kate and William's baby
- Top of the locks: Cheryl's waves beat Holly's curls to most copied hairstyle crown
- Beauty confidential: Catwalk glamour at Poundland prices
- Middle-class motherhood in crisis: The single career women who wish their donor babies had fathers
- As more teenagers have weight-loss surgery, a horrifying insight into the terrible price they pay as they grow up: Agony of the children given gastric bands as young as 13
- The Great British (Fake) Bake Off: Is there any fake tan that won't turn you tangerine? We put them to the test...
- As more teenagers have weight-loss surgery, a horrifying insight into the terrible price they pay as they grow up: Agony of the children given gastric bands as young as 13
- We fought for equality. So why do greedy wives still sponge off their ex-husbands?
- Is the Queen's money on a baby boy? Candid royal family photographs could hold a clue to the sex of Kate and William's baby
- Now that's a real punk moment! Model Abbey Lee Kershaw supports gun control with flash of body paint at Met Gala
- 'Kate and Pippa were cool, and their parents really looked after me': Singer Bo Bruce remembers her Marlborough College days playing hockey with the Middleton sisters
- MOST READ IN DETAIL
MUST READ
FOOD BITES: This week's wish list
Click on each image for the full story...
- GROWN-UP CHOCOLATE
- BISCUIT BEYONCE
- FLORIDA FANTASY
- NUTS ABOUT THINS
- WILLY WONKA
- PERFECT MATCHES
- CLEVER COOKIES
- Buy GOOD EARTH
- SUNSHINE SAUCES
- SOFT AND SWEET
- Buy THYME
- TASTE OF SUMMER
- Buy Sprite
- ZERO NOODLES
- GUAVA GOODNESS
- Buy ZOILO
- Buy LES DEUX SALONS
- HEAVENLY HAMPERS
- FUNKY FLAVOURS
- SPRING YOGHURT
- STYLISH KETCHUP
- LIGHT & CRISPY
- MILE HIGH
- GUILT FREE SWEETS
- SWEET 'N SALT
- SWEET AS SUGAR
- ROCKY ORANGE
- ADD VARIETY TO VEG
- 'SKINNY' MUFFIN
- GROWN-UP CHOCOLATE
- BISCUIT BEYONCE
BISCUIT BEYONCE
Here's Queen of pop Beyoncé as you've never seen her before - immortalised in cookies. The 5ft by 8ft portrait was created by food artist Michelle Wibowo using nearly 4,000 Oreo Pops. The edible work of art required eight hours of careful construction on the day and more than six weeks planning.
To be in with the chance of having your own Oreo pop-trait created, visit www.facebook.com/oreo
Many people dismiss grapefruits for being too darn sour - but that is because they haven't tried Florida grapefruits. Pink flesh, oh-so-sweet and unfeasibly juicy, they can be eaten like an orange - no need to cut and serve with sugar in the old school way. The season is short and ends soon, so head to the shops now and stock up before they run out.
Visit www.facebook.com/floridagrapefruit
DEBORAH ARTHURS
Possibly the most moreish biscuits in the world. Fact. Made to a secret Belgian recipe, these snappy Jules Destrooper almond thins are just the right balance of crunchy, sweet, spicy and nutty that you just. Cannot. Stop. Eating. I opened a pack for friends and am not proud to say they did not get a look in. Bad hostess. Buy them (in bulk) for £1.54 from Co-op, Ocado, Tesco and Waitrose.
DEBORAH ARTHURS
Try these amazing new flavours from Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations- you'll feel like you've been transported to Willy Wonka's lair in no time.
PERFECT MATCHES
What could be better than indulging in a bar of chocolate? Lindt believe they have come up with a way to make the experience even more delicious by pairing your chocolate with a glass of wine or cup of coffee. On their recently launched website, they reveal which chocolate flavours complement certain red or white wines or coffee varieties. So to become a fully-fledged chocolate connoisseur, visit www.lindt-excellence.co.uk/welcome
The newest member of the Ben & Jerry's ice cream stable is the devilishly indulgent Clever Cookies, a swirly-twirly combination of vanilla ice cream, chocolate cookie chunks, chocolate chip cookie crumbs and a chocolatey cookie swirl. The Cookie Monster would give one of his furry legs for just a spoonful.
Available from Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose, RRP £4.99
If you've been searching for really sumptuous Chinese food in London for too long, the search is over. Say hello to your new favourite haunt: Good Earth, Wandsworth. The Good Earth, a family run business who have been cooking up a storm for 30 years, have just opened a new restaurant on Bellevue Road in the heart of Wandsworth Common. A beautifully upmarket location without the pretension of central London, this is the perfect place to spend your Saturday night. Make sure you try the dover sole and the chicken satay. You'll never venture to China Town again.
Island Cuisine are bringing a spot of much-needed sunshine to meal times in the UK with their Creole curry-style sauces. Available in four varieties – Yellow Creole Curry, Green Creole Curry, Red Creole Curry and Sweet & Spicy Creole - all four are suitable for vegetarians and free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives. The range draws on influences from Asia, Africa and France to add some Seychellois seasoning to dishes.
Available from selected Sainsbury’s stores and Tesco stores RRP £1.99.
If your sweet tooth can't resist the nostalgic taste of Swizzels Matlow's fizzy Refresher chews, Double Lollies, Drumsticks and Lovehearts, just wait until you try their new Squashies range which puts a soft, squishy spin on all your favourite treats.
Available from retailers including Asda, Ocado and Co-Op, from 45p
Fancy brushing up on your culinary skills? The Cookery School at THYME has a pop-up Cookery School at Harrods all this week, running a series of fantastic courses from only £50. From bread-making to authentic Thai and rustic Italian, you can learn a host of cookery skills in the heart of the city. But if you're a city girl looking for a country retreat, we can't recommend a visit to THYME in the heart of Gloucestershire more. With gorgeous cottage accommodation and foodie pub The Swan at Southrop in the village, it makes for a leisurely getaway with plenty of country jaunts on offer. Hunter wellies at the ready ladies!
Summer might seem a long way away thanks to the recent cold weather but a sip of Brothers' cider will take you there in an instant. The Somerset based company have unveiled their 2013 range which includes strawberry, pear, toffee apple and wild fruit flavours. Grab a bottle for the RRP of £2.09 and pretend the sun is shining.
Rediscover Sprite with 30% less sugar and calories but the same refreshing taste, £1.98
Crussh's Zero Noodles come in chicken, prawn and tofu varieties - all under 250 calories each and are super filling and flavoursome. They're 96% Water but you'd never tell as they seem rammed full of delicious ingredients, plus they're low fat and contain 4% dietary fibre, which sweeps your intestines clean.
£4.95, Crussh
Glacéau vitaminwater 'sunshine' is a vitamin-D enriched drink with a summery citrus-guava taste so delicious you'll forget about the fact that youʼre likely to see as much sunlight as a vampire bat this summer. Sold in supermarkets and all good independent stores, from £1.49
Possibly the most mouth-watering Argentinean food you'll ever taste in London. Zoilo is the perfect haunt for couples and groups of amigos alike to share some fine wine and sample all the delicious tapas on offer. We can't recommend the Provoleta, almonds & honey nor the selection of empanadas more if we tried. Hurry down now before everyone discovers the secret of Zoilo.
Theatregoers stop here! As the third venture from Michelin–starred duo Anthony Demetre and Will Smith, Les Deux Salon is a delightful Parisian brasserie situated in the heart of Covent Garden. The French cooking is robust and we highly recommend the fish (it's deliciously fresh) and the buzzy atmosphere is second-to-none. If you love Boulevard Montparnasse in Paris, you will love it here.
Hackney Hamper is a new approach to the traditional hamper; an original array of high quality products made in Hackney by small producers, presented in a bespoke recycled case. Pack yours with beautiful products from local foodies and creatives including Molly Bakes, Go Go Coctails, Breamfold Packaging, Love Jam Kitchen and London Fields Brewery. Charm in a box.
From £20, www.hackneyhamper.com
The master blenders at Douwe Egberts have created a brand new range of premium instant coffee infused with a variety of tantalising flavours. The Flavour Collective is available in Delicate Vanilla, Smooth Caramel and Roasted Hazelnut. And at just two measly calories per serving, you could try all three in just one morning...
Available in Sainsburys and Tesco, RRPP £2.99 for a 50g jar.
Replacing the previous Limited Edition apple & cinnamon yogurt, Rachel’s invigorating new Limited Edition low fat lemon & ginger yogurt (£1.75 for 450g pot) combines whole, fresh Sicilian lemons and chunky pieces of warming crystallised stem ginger to deliver a delectable flavour that tastes great enjoyed straight from the pot or to add a touch of zest to culinary creations this Spring.
BIANCA LONDON
Heinz is set to spice up family mealtimes with the taste-bud tingling new flavour of Heinz Tomato Ketchup blended with Sweet Chilli. Heinz has also produced a special accessory to spice up your bottle which is available exclusively on Facebook! Heinz has teamed up with International Pop Art artist Orla Walsh to design bespoke bottle jackets to make this new addition to the ketchup family even more unique. These super-sweet jackets, inspired by the chillies in the new flavour, zip around your bottle making Heinz Tomato Ketchup blended with Sweet Chilli the perfect new addition to your family dinner table.
BIANCA LONDON
The Cadbury Crispello bag contains twelve little pieces of lovely naughtiness; delicate crispy shells with a creamy chocolate filling, covered in delicious Cadbury milk chocolate. Perfect to share amongst friends as you chat over coffee, after dinner, or on the sofa with your favourite film or TV show. The Crispello Bag (RRP £2.03)
BIANCA LONDON
Tyrrells is taking to the skies with the arrival of its new ‘Plane Crisps’. Tyrrells have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to create a bespoke 'Little Red' pack to enjoy on-board Virgin's new Little Red domestic routes. Unique to Virgin, the specially created miniature packs will be handed out to all passengers on the new domestic flight routes, set for lift-off from 31st March.
BIANCA LONDON
www.goodygoodstuff.com
Giving popcorn, the snack du jour, another twist, Metcalfe’s skinny topcorn release a Sweet n’ Salt flavour. The healthy snack is a great alternative to crisps with only 115 calories a pack.
79p from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s or www.metcalfesskinny.com
Tate and Lyle Sugars has created the first range of eight distinctly different brown and golden sugars. The ‘Taste Experience’ range offers home bakers and budding chefs the opportunity to experience a whole new world of flavour, with the taste of each sugar drawing inspiration from across the globe. Naturally we love the British golden syrup flavour!
Giving an old favourite a new lease of life, Rocky Double Choc Orange boasts a chocolately base and the sweet flavour of orange cream, all wrapped up in a delicious milk chocolate layer. This new limited edition range is the perfect treat for a tasty snack on the go. Rocky Double Choc Orange is available for a limited time only in all major supermarkets, RRP £1.59
While we all have the best intentions to eat healthily, getting your five-a-day of fruit of veg can be a bit boring. So Colman's have come up with a way to jazz up your carrots and spuds with their Season & Steam range. Simply pop your favourite vegetables into the microwavable steam bag provided, pour in the seasoning mix and microwave for a tasty burst of extra flavour. RRP 95p
LUCY WATERLOW
Let's be clear about one thing. A muffin is never going to be genuinely 'skinny', even if Greggs label it as such. But if you are attempting to cut back on calories and you're finding it hard to resist sweet treats, you may just as well scoff a slimline muffin than a full fat jobbie. Try the blueberry version, 85p from Greggs. There's 300 calories (this ain't a weight loss cake...) but only 3.1g of fat, which is pretty darn low for a muffin, which would usually pack more like 10 to 15g. If you genuinely are on a diet, eat it - then hit the gym.
DEBORAH ARTHURS
Who said chocolate was just for kids? The thoughtful Grown Up Chocolate Company have created four delicious bars that provide a taste of childhood with an adult twist. The decadent delights of Fruit and Nut Hunky Dory, Crunchy Praline Wonder Bar, Salted Peanut Caramel Cracker and Glorious Coconut Hocus Pocus will transport you right back to days of dancing in the mud and playing kiss-chase.
£2.50 per bar, thegrownupchocolatecompany.co.uk
MARTHA DE LACEY
Two crowns, 3,000 gems, an 18ft robe and a recycled dress: Queen Elizabeth II looks regal alongside Prince Philip at her 60th State Opening of Parliament
The Imperial State Crown - which includes 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies, and weighs 2lb - is the most famous of all the British crowns, and was re-made for the coronation of the Queen's father, King George VI, in 1937. Other than the coronation, the only time the reigning monarch wears it is for the State Opening of Parliament. When not used it is kept with the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
THIS WEEK WE'RE LOVING...
Click on image for details
CELEBRITY STYLE WATCH...ALESSANDRA AMBROSIO
CELEBRITY STYLE WATCH...ALESSANDRA AMBROSIOShe is arguably the best dressed Victoria's Secret Angel and when she isn't flaunting her bikini body on the beach, she is looking just as glamorous on the red carpet. Here we show you how to get her look for a fraction of the cost...
Fierce and fabulous: Alessandra Ambrosio
It’s a dangerous road to go down when you start trying to justify what is the ultimate betrayal.
heebey_geeby
HOME NEWS: GIFTS FOR COFFEE LOVERS
Click on an item for more info...
IN GOOD HEALTH TODAY
- ATTENTION LADIES - IS YOUR HAIR THINNING?: This simple test could reveal why
- A VERY UNUSUAL REASON WHY MEN CAN STRUGGLE TO BECOME FATHERS: And it can all date back to childhood...
- DOES YOUR CHILD REALLY HAVE A BEHAVIOUR DISORDER?: Millions of us are wrongly labelled with psychiatric problems
- WHY BRITAIN'S NO PLACE TO BE A MUM: We fail to rank among the best 20 nations to give birth in
- WHY DOES LUNG CANCER STRIKE SO MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE NEVER SMOKED?: Robert Peston's wife was another victim
SCENE IT
The places to drink, dine and dance
SEX ADVICE
I think our new friends are swingers
Block to basics: Accessories set the tones with a blockbuster choice of brights
DON'T MISS
Life-size dollhouse inside New York's Grand Central train station lets visitors take a tour of Target's new homeware line
The 1,540-square-foot installation, which was open to the public on Tuesday for just one day, has two floors and seven rooms, all of which are decked out with the retailer's products. The front walls were left off the house so that spectators could peek inside each of the rooms. Visitors could even take a tour of the interior to get a closer look.
BEAUTY NEWS
SPRING BEAUTY
Le Vernis nail colour in Fracas
£18.00, Chanel
Lipsy London Love
£18, lipsy.co.uk
Hypnôse Eyeshadow palette in Rosé du Matin
£37, exclusive to Selfridges
Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Favorite
£25.00, Chanel
False Lash Flutter Mascara for butterfly winged effect lashes
£10.99, lorealparis.co.uk
Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush in Healthy Mix
£7.49, Boots or Superdrug
Poudre Signeé de Chanel Highlighting Face Palette
£46.00, Chanel
Bourjois So Laque So Glossy in Adora Bleu
£5.99, Boots or Superdrug
Elvive Smooth & Polish Aqua Serum, 24h weightless anti-frizz hair serum that polishes each hair fibre
£6.12, lorealparis.co.uk
Wigs for GUINEA PIGS? The pets' fancy dress site selling outlandish costumes for the smallest of furry friends
The brainchild of Tokyo-based designer Maki Yamada, Guinea Pig Fashion, offers a selection of wacky clothes and accessories for rodents ranging from $3.50 to $18.50. Some of the bolder creations include a black-and-red ninja suit, a lace wedding dress with matching veil, and a straw hat with clip-on hair human-like hair extensions.
FOOD, RECIPES & COOKING
COFFEE COCKTAILS: Rebecca Seal's De'Longhi recipes for a perfect pick-me-up or after dinner drink
Click on image for recipe...
Getting lost salts and sugars back into the body when you've overdone it will help you feel better straightaway, and this drink also contains a little protein to help you back on your feet (without making anyone drink a raw egg!)
1 shot espresso
240ml ice cold milk (you could use almond milk to make this dairy free)
½ to 1 tbs smooth peanut butter
½ tsp agave syrup or 1 tsp sugar syrup
Blitz everything together in a blender and strain to serve in a tall or hurricane glass. Can be served over cubed ice and garnish with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt.
2 scoops quality vanilla ice cream, made with real vanilla
2 shots espresso
Blitz all in a blender, serve over ice as desired.
Garnish with a couple of whole coffee beans. (If you use normal milk then you might want to add a little honey, say ½ a teaspoon or to taste)
Cherry vodka is perfect with coffee, bringing out the red fruit notes in many coffees. Kahlua coffee liqueur is a classic match for coffee in cocktails. If you can't find cherry vodka, try this with cherry liqueur instead.
1 shot espresso
30 ml cherry vodka
20 ml Kahlua
Shake all ingredients hard over cubed ice. Strain into coupe or martini glass
This is a brilliant way to get the day going. If you prefer, you can leave out the cocoa and cinnamon.
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cold milk
1 shot espresso
120 ml Greek plain yoghurt, chilled
¼ vanilla pod, split and the seeds scraped out (or ½ tsp real vanilla extract instead)
1 banana
pinch of cinnamon
½ tsp agave nectar, or 1 tsp sugar syrup or honey, or to taste
Mix the cocoa and milk together thoroughly to form a paste. Add it along with all the other ingredients to a blender and blitz until smooth. Serve in a tall glass.
Cardamom is a natural partner for coffee and also works deliciously with orange flower, making this delicately spiced coffee cocktail.
3 cloves
4 cardamom pods
Half stick/4cm cinnamon
1 shot espresso
30ml dark rum
25ml single cream
4 drops Valencia orange flower essence
Ice
Bash the cloves, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick lightly in a pestle and mortar. Add them to the shot of espresso and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Add to a cocktail shaker with a scoop of cubed ice and all the other ingredients. Shake and fine strain (using a fine sieve or tea strainer to catch the spices) into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel twist.
You can detect blackcurrant notes in many coffees, so it makes sense to pair the two. I've used a blackcurrant tea that also contains blueberry and Acai berry to really ramp up the goodness in your glass (available in supermarkets). Matcha is a powdered green tea that is absolutely packed with antioxidants, however if you find you don't like the earthy taste of it on its own, this recipe is the perfect drink for you.
100 ml strong brewed blackcurrant tea
1 shots espresso
1/8 tsp Matcha tea powder
1tsp agave syrup, or to taste
Let the blackcurrant tea brew for at least 10 minutes. Add the espresso to the tea and then, along with a scoop of ice, add it and the rest of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or large kilner jar with a well-fitting lid and seal) and shake hard but briefly, to chill. Strain into a tall glass over good quality cubed ice to serve and drink straightaway (don't allow the ice to dilute the drink).
BRING HOME THE BAKE OFF
- Almond and Pear crown torte Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite’s delicious desserts
- Tropical fruit pavlova A fruity feast of a pud
- Salted peanut and chocolate florentines Inspired by Nigella Lawson’s Nut Bars
- Bunch of roses madeleines Baking these for someone is a better 'I love you' than flowers