Dresses

G and Tea (and Dress) Time

Are you a gin lover?
I know it’s not for everyone.
To me, Gin is sweet fragrant nectar and my tipple of choice.

And thankfully the people in my life know this; so at Christmas I was gifted a Gin-tasting masterclass with afternoon tea included.

Gandteatime

Last weekend, my fair gent and I packed ourselves off on the train and visited the Lady Anne Middleton Hotel in York for our G and Teatime class.

We started with a warm gin punch made using gin, berry tea, sugar and hot water. It was divine.

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Then we tasted 5 gins – Beefeater, cucumber infused Gordons, Spanish Citrus Larios, Brokers with our own choice of unusual garnish (I tried mint and fresh grapefruit – delicious) and Pink 47 (a highly alcoholic variation). We also learnt classic techniques for dry, wet and dirty gin Martinis.

The afternoon tea consisted of delicious sandwiches with chutneys, plus scones with jam and clotted cream, sticky date cake and tangy lemon posset… This is making me hungry just talking about it again.

Our presenter shared hilarious and fascinating facts about the history of gin and the production of gin. Did you know that there was a time when most people were paid their salary in gin because it was what they were going to spend their wages on anyway?! Hmmm Interesting.

All this was shared in the beautiful historic surroundings of York

lady annesAfterwards we took a lovely stroll by the river where I made Mr AR take some photos of my latest dress. It’s nothing special but I’m rather happy with it.

I used a heart print polyester from Leeds Market in a lovely violet/cerise colour and Simplicity 2444 since I can’t seem to escape that pattern’s clutches.

Polyester adds a nice touch to this pattern. It makes it far more relaxed and kind of stream-lined in my opinion.

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We would have had photos taken in the pretty courtyard at the hotel but a wedding party was just arriving and I dare not interfere with a Bride’s big day. Eek!

So that was last weekend. This weekend I’m in London, partying with a fabulous Birthday girl and relaxing with some of my delightful family, plus squeezing in a bit of fabric shopping and gossip with lovely sewing ladies. More on that to come!

Happy weekends to all!

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(22) Comments

  1. Linda says:

    Really interesting about the gin tasting! We went on a whiskey tasting class last Summer in Brighton. It too was fab\! Love your dress, lovely colour:)

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! Mmm whisky tasting sounds compelling too!

  2. I LOVE gin – there’s a restaurant in Cardiff that has 29 types of gin on the menu – who cares about the food when there’s that much gin to be had (although the food is great too!) Your dress is very cute too – looks like a great colour on you x

    1. almondrock says:

      Ahhh thanks. 29 gins sounds perfect! Maybe I need to visit Cardiff 🙂

  3. Wow, that sounds like so much fun! I’m a gin lover as well. 🙂 I love the dress- it’s really, really cute, and the color is gorgeous!

    1. almondrock says:

      “Cheers!” Always nice to hear so many of my fave sewists love gin too

  4. Gin tasting?! Sounds like a great way to spend some time! I love your dress too, the colour really suits you!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! I totally recommend the company for a really fun day out 🙂

  5. Mmm gin! Someone k ow you well. Lovely dress. I may have to make another one myself

    1. almondrock says:

      Oooh yeah? It is a very addictive dress!

  6. I love a G and T, and afternoon tea what a perfect combination. Pretty dress the colour is really good on you.

    1. almondrock says:

      I really recommend it for a day out! Especially as it gives you chance to wear a pretty dress

  7. bimbleandpimble says:

    That is such a gorgeous colour on you- and a gin celebration sounds truly wonderous!

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you! It was such a great way to spend an afternoon and break in a new frock

  8. Gin and a new frock, heaven

    1. almondrock says:

      Heehee you said it! A truly brilliant afternoon

  9. ooh lovely, lovely gin hmmm yummy. I think I would have happily been paid in it. Nice frock ducky xxx

    1. almondrock says:

      Haha you make a good point. Not sure I could have resisted gin payment if it was on offer! X

  10. I heart your new dress Amy…gorgeous colour and I agree that the fabric choice gives the pattern a more relaxed vibe! Also, your gin-tasting weekend sounds like it was stupendous!

    1. almondrock says:

      Awww thanks! I do love making dresses in a drapey fabric for that slinky vibe.

  11. Wow, that sounds like my idea of heaven, I do love gin! Great dress too, you look fab in that colour.

    1. almondrock says:

      Thank you so much! I totally recommend the class. They run it at 30 locations around the country so look it up.

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