Kraken Rum

Now that jugs of Pimms, white wine spritzers and lazy afternoons spent in beer gardens drinking just-pulled pints are but a distant, sun-drenched memory, now is the time to be indulging in winter-appropriate tipples. And while we're not yet ready to be sipping eggnog and mulled wine, the gang at The Amazing Blog has stumbled across the perfect tipple to see us through winter.

Named after a mythical sea beast, The Kraken is a spiced Caribbean rum aged and enriched with exotic spices including cinnamon, ginger and clove. Distilled in Trinidad and Tobego from sweet molasses, the ageing takes place over a two-year period in ex-bourbon whiskey barrels and is blended with an exotic combination of 14 spices, giving it a smooth and sultry taste.

Unlike many rums which have a sharp bite and a burn that lingers long after it's swallowed, Kraken Black Spiced Rum has a rich, caramel-like flavour with a gentle after-taste. Certainly none of the willing volunteers here at The Amazing Blog had cause for complain after drinking a generous serving on the rocks. Perfect on it's own, or mixed with coke for a great alternative to vodka, the rather lovely peeps who have spearheaded a successful campaign making The Kraken the fastest growing rum-brand in the USA have provided us with this rather lovely recipe (to be enjoyed in moderation!):

The Perfect Storm:

Mix together 50ml Kraken Black Spiced Rum with 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice, 5ml sugar syrup and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters.

Top up with ginger beer, serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with two squeezed lime wedges.

Kraken Rum is available to buy from leading retailers including Waitrose, Asda, Tesco, Selfridges, Majestic Wine and Sainsbury's. Cheers!

Egg-O Wine Cooler

So after two weeks of top-class sport in a very busy London, celebrations have finally come to an end and so has our 'Olympic' inspired blog ideas. So probably like you,  here at The Amazing Blog  we've  raised our glasses (many times!) to our successful  GB athletes;  be it in a bar, our living rooms or a park - but it's always challenging to try and keep the said tipple cool in the recent and shortlived heatwave. However, we have discovered an ingenious  Egg-O Wine Cooler which has helped us keep our favourite chilled white wines, sparkling waters and/or iced vodkas at the right temperature - brilliant.

This egg-shaped wine coolers is perfect for summer it is robust and also has a moulded handle on the side which is ideal for carrying it around.  Just put the chilled bottle inside the Egg-O and screw down the cap. So whenever you fancy a glass or two, just pick the Egg-O up by the handle and pour away - perfect. Nearly every wine bottle (including champagne) fit neatly into this wine cooler. Not only is the glass bottle protected from breaking, but it also keeps the wine at the perfect temperature (yes and even red wine warm). Egg-O Wine Cooler is a definite winner if you are looking for longevity and a stylish container for  your  picnic,  barbecue or even festival. It's truly one of our best  summer finds for the office (which has now found it's way into Edwina our Exec Eds home!)

Egg-O is available in 8 colours: Classic Black, Cool Blue, Country Kitchen Cream, Full Bodied Red, Ice White, Picnic Green, Sunshine Yellow and Zingy Orange. It's also a great present for someone who loves to entertain alfresco, to purchase one for £29.99 go to: Egg-O UK