Spring is coming?

Spring seems far away as another cold snap chills the market. Thin flurries of snow scurry along Wood St, salt and grit crunches underfoot on the pavements. No fruit to pick but in the orchard the rhubarb planted in November and December is emerging strong and rude after being nipped by the frost.

And my freezer stash of last autumn's sloes and damsons is being steadily raided to ensure a plentiful supply of gin next year.  All of the Christmas profits are being spent on enough spirit to keep me in production 'til May. Check out the recent Costco trolley load, my hands actually shook as I handed over the card to pay for this lot, convincing the man at the till that I was indeed a raging alcoholic. I was amazed I could buy this much alcohol in one go! The taxi driver asked me what kind of party I was having.

This weekend I'm bottling the very last of the the gooseberry and elderflower vodka, with blossom and the sun's warmth a distant memory the intense floral fragrance and rich golden liqueur will lift the spirits.

Seville Season Part 2 - up to my oxters

Three days spent in the vibrant aromatic company of boiling Seville oranges and rum, not a bad use of the dark February days. The house is infused with the smell of marmalade and I'm sure all that citrusy humidity is good for the skin. I've re-jigged the recipe a bit since last year's experiment as I'm keen to make it less cloudy, whilst keeping the deep bitter orange flavour.

30kg of oranges has made about 45 litres of rum liqueur, a drink so darkly decadent that I think it needs a serving suggestion of a small crystal goblet and a recumbent position on velvet cushions.

And as a reward for her heroic slicing and steeping labours, Mother's Ruin is taking a day off from the Gin Palace tomorrow to go to White Hart Lane and cheer for the mighty Spurs. COYS etc.