MOTHER’S RUIN

50ml tea-infused gin 10ml sugar syrup dash Angostura bitters

For the tea-infused gin, measure out the gin and leave a scant teaspoon of loose-leaf tea to infuse in it for five minutes or so – about the length of time it would take to brew tea. Earl grey is good for this but camomile, lapsang souchong and green tea also work. So experiment! You can infuse a whole bottle if you like.

To make the cocktail, take a large squat tumbler, stir in the sugar syrup and the gin, add a dash or two of bitters and copious ice. Continue to stir gently so that the ice melts to dilute the drink. Add a dash of cold water if it’s too strong (or you can even use milk). Garnish with a lemon zest twist.

HH

6 (and 17 across and 5 down and

18 down) Proverb illustrating the importance of food to the military (2,4,7,2,3,7)

8 Alluring, beguiling (8)

10 A set of principles or beliefs (8)

11 Eskimos (6)

12 In a state of temporary postponement or delay (2,4)

13 Surname of a 17th century diarist (5)

15 The administrative centre of the Isle of Wight (7)

17 See 6 across

19 A place where legal matters are decided (5)

20 Shade provider (6)

22 Switzerland’s largest city (6)

23 City in 20 down on the St Lawrence river (8)

24 Sensitive, affected, susceptible (to) (8)

25 (Of a sound) soothing or pleasant; sweet (6)

DOWN

1 Meet – however briefly (9)

2 Having a large number or great variety (6)

3 Proof of purchase (7)

4 African country (8)

5 See 6 across

7 Exhibition devoted to an artist’s entire career (13)

9 System that automatically keeps a car’s speed at the same level (6,7)

14 Nickname for Mars (3,6)

16 That which provides bulk to the diet and aids digestion (8)

18 See 6 across

20 Commonwealth country which was established as a dominion in 1867 (6)

21 Simple brass musical instrument that looks like a small trumpet (5)

SOLUTION TO NO 1,698