Gin Explorer Box & Gin Truffles!

I personally love the idea of subscription boxes. They make fabulous gifts either for a loved one or for yourself! How fabulous is it to receive something through the post which isn’t a bill and which even when you knows it coming is going to be a surprise?

One of my favourite ideas is the Gin Explorer. There are so many different gins around the world and even in our country and it seems so little time to explore them. Well this is where the gin explorer sub box comes in.

Each month the box pops through letterbox disguised as a suitcase full of exciting gins, tonic, nibbles and treats. I received Augusts box to review and despite having been to various gin festivals I have not come across any of the four which came in the box. Included in the box is a rather cool leaflet tell you about the gin, this months the gins came from all of England & Belgium. Included in the leaflet were cocktail suggestions and discounts if you fall in love with a mini bottle and want a full size one!

What a fabulous way to discover the different gins out there? I loved the cocoa nibs and biltong added in the box and also loved the way the tonic water included was chosen for the gins in the box that month.

I loved exploring the gins and especially the Tiger gin which was fruity & floral. However not only did I try out the gins I decided to mix them with some chocolate and produce some truffles. The X-Gin in the box recommends the cocoa nibs as garnish so what better gin to mix up with chocolate?

Gin & Lime Truffles

100g Dark Chocolate (break into small pieces)

2tbsp Double Cream

50g Unsalted Butter

2tbsp Gin

½ lime

Cocoa powder to dust

Over a simmering saucepan of water place a heatproof bowl (my go to is pyrex) and make sure the bowl does not touch the water! Place the chocolate, without eating any, into the bowl with the cream and stir gentle allowing the chocolate to melt. Add the butter, pref in small pieces to melt quicker, and stir the mixture. Keep stiring until all the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.

Add the gin and the zest and juice of half a lime. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth again and slightly thicker. Spoon into a sealable container, pop on the lid and leave to chill in the fridge overnight.

In the morning sieve some cocoa into a bowl, then grab a teaspoon and scooping out the mixture roll into balls (or if still slightly soft pop in an large icing tube and squeeze out) and then roll in the cocoa before placing them on a tray of baking parchments. If you can bare it pop back in the fridge to cool for an hour!

The Gin Explorer box allows you to order a one off box for £24.99, alternatively you can purchase a 3 month subscription at £69.99 or a years worth at £279.99. Enter TAKEOFF at the checkout to receive £5 off your first order.