RAISE A GLASS

I went for a meal with my friend for her birthday and we doubled up on the onion rings as a side.

Did you know, said the lovely waitress, that the burgers also come with onion rings? That’ll be fine, we said. You can never have enough onion rings – turns out you can have enough onion rings.

Our Onion Ring Challenge (failed) needed a post-meal digestif.

And then, you know, you can never have enough Amaretto Sours.

The next day I remembered I could have another Amaretto treat, thanks to Adriatico Amaretto Roasted (RRP £28.99, Amazon, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt, and others).

I’m told Italian almonds are roasted before being macerated and distilled. The final amaretto is blended with cinnamon, cocoa and coffee and a pinch of Adriatic sea salt is added.

I love it.

To make an Amaretto Sour, the team from Adriatico suggests this: Shake together 50ml of Adriatico Roasted Amaretto, 50ml fresh lemon juice, 50ml fresh orange juice and one egg white. Then add ice and shake again. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with lemon zest.

I have an ex who hated almonds, which always meant more amaretto for me. Now I’m on the lookout for someone who hates juniper, so I can have more gin.

When the weather was decidedly warm (did you notice?), a couple of gins kept me refreshed and chilled, including this one.

The aptly named Martin Miller’s Summerful Gin (widely available, including £26.89 at Amazon) has extra rosemary and thyme in the distillation.

A simple super-fresh Martini? Well, yes please.

Pour 50ml of Martin Miller’s Summerful Gin and 15ml Fino Sherry over ice into a mixing glass. Stir well, until chilled and integrated, then strain into a cocktail glass. Add a sprig of rosemary.

Also in my glass …

Aldi is pretty proud that a couple of its whiskys – Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt Whisky and Glen Marnoch Islay Single Malt Whisky – have been awarded gold medals in the International Spirits Challenge 2022.

Both are £16.99, so they’re punching above their weight in a category which saw some big name contenders.

The Highland whisky is sparky, crisp and rich. The Islay is a classic for its style, with peaty smoke and fruit. Sip when dusk descends as the barbecue cools down.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.