The King's Ginger recipes: four ways to make the most of this unique spirit
Earthy, spicy and gorgeously warming, The King's Ginger is a spirit like no other. Here's four King's Ginger recipes that make the most of this historic liqueur
Ginger's characteristic warmth and earthiness make it an absolutely glorious ingredient, so it makes sense that historic liqueur The King's Ginger makes for an equally glorious addition to your bar cart. Not sure how to use it? Read on for four The King's Ginger recipes and cocktails.
But firstly: what does The King's Ginger taste like? This spirit takes everything we love about ginger to the max, bringing the vibrant flavours of this humble root to drinks and even cooking (more on which later). It's spicy and not too sweet, either, making it pretty much pitch-perfect.
The golden-hued liquid sings with warmth of natural ginger, with a gentle hit of zesty citrus, creating drinks that last long on the palate – and in the memory.
It's the original winter warmer: the spirit has its roots as a liqueur made by Berry Brothers & Rudd for King Edward VII in 1903. The king would drive his beloved Daimler, whatever the weather, so the Royal Physician prescribed a warming liqueur to revive him after cold drives. And so The King's Ginger was born.
But despite this history, The King's Ginger is a drink for modern times. Whether it's the main event in a mixed drink or just playing a supporting role, it adds depth and vibrancy to cocktails – or even baking.
Read on for The King's Ginger recipes for hot chocolate, a mulled cider, a fiery take on the penicillin, and The King's Truffle, studded with crystallised ginger.
There's nothing like a mug of hot chocolate to take you straight back to your childhood, but this spicy, sophisticated King's Ginger recipe is definitely a drink for adults
Makes 1
Cooking time 5 mins
Ingredients
25ml The King's Ginger
30g rich dark chocolate
200ml semi-skimmed milk
Method
Melt 30g of rich dark chocolate into 200ml of hot semi-skimmed milk before adding 25ml of The King's Ginger.
Stir until fully melted.
King’s Mulled Cider
This King's Ginger recipe for mulled cider uses the finest Suffolk cider, blackberries and cinnamon for a fresher take on your usual festive mulled wine
Makes 1
Cooking time 5 mins
Ingredients
50ml The King's Ginger
150ml Aspall Suffolk Cyder
150ml apple juice
A wheel of lemon, a cinnamon stick and fresh blackberries, to garnish
Method
Add all the ingredients into a glass tankard. You can serve cold over ice and garnish with the lemon, cinnamon stick and fresh blackberries.
To serve the mulled cyder hot, add all ingredients into saucepan and heat gently.
Don't keep the pan on the heat for too long as you don't want the alcohol to burn off.
King’s Penicillin
The classic cocktail gets a fiery twist in this King's Ginger recipe. Just the ticket for when you need to warm the cockles of your heart, if you ask us...
Makes 1
Preparation time 5 mins
Ingredients
30ml The King's Ginger
30ml blended whisky
25ml lemon juice
10ml honey water (equal parts honey to water)
Method
Build all ingredients over ice and shake.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with crystallised ginger.
King's Truffles
Truffles are a festive favourite, and this King's Ginger recipe with chunks of crystallised ginger keep things sweet but spicy
Makes xx
Cooking time 20 mins
Ingredients
200g good-quality dark chocolate
175ml double cream
5 tbsp The King's Ginger
1 tsp of finely chopped drained stem ginger in syrup
Method
Line a baking tray with cling film. Break the chocolate into small pieces and drop into a heatproof bowl. Bring the cream to the boil and pour over the chocolate. Stir until all the chocolate is melted.
Add The King's Ginger and the chopped stem ginger. Mix well. Leave in bowl and allow to cool to room temperature (about 2 hours).
Using a melon baller or teaspoon, scoop out bitesized pieces and roll into even shaped balls. Roll in cocoa powder and place on baking sheet. Chill in the fridge.
Serve with after dinner coffee and a chilled shot of The King's Ginger.
