Father’s Day Gift Guide – Bookblock’s Ultimate Father’s Day Gift List

June 21st isn’t the only important date for us next month. In complete coincidence and perfect timing, the Sunday just before, the 20th, is Father’s Day in the UK. Perhaps all they wanted for Father’s Day was for Covid restrictions to end? In either case, make all their Christmases come at once, because Bookblock’s here with their ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide, featuring snacks, tipsy tipples and impressive personalised stationery!

An Old Man’s Tipple, for a not so old man?

Within the Bookblock company walls, the Old Man’s Tipple is stuff of legend. This blended Scotch Whiskey is produced with a selection of whiskies aged in oak ex-Bourbon barrels and blended together. It’s incredibly smooth, yet rich and complex, thanks to years of maturation. This 20cl blend of heaven creates spiced and orchard notes, the perfect Father’s Day treat if you ask us! Like what you see, but not sure if Whiskey’s his thing? Naturally, there’s a few things we could otherwise recommend. True to its name, the Toreador Cocktail is one for the bullfighters. But this miniature masterpiece puts a fruity twist on a Margarita. It’s out with the Triple sec and in with the zesty combination of Olmeca Altos tequila, apricot brandy and orange bitters. A Forty Liquors showstopper, we promise you, it’s fiery! 

Personalised Stationery, fit for a King?

This year at Bookblock it’s been all systems go launching one of our favourite ranges, Stone x Bookblock. Partnering up with stationery brand Stone to create an exclusive range of notebooks that have an innovative and practical twist, these specialised designs are perfect for the dads with a boozy passion! Bringing Stone’s intelligent design features together with Bookblock’s unique personalised covers, this is one for the food and drink professionals and at home fanatics alike! With five show stopping ranges including the Brewers Journals and Wine Tasting Journals, this really is notebooks reimagined. Dotted with aroma wheels, taste profiles and origin maps plus heaps of space to jot down their own concoctions, this is specialities done to the spectacular!

Fancy Finishing touches

There’s a lot of talk that dogs really are a man’s best friend. But what about socks? These bundles of fun are sure to keep dad entertained and on his feet for those long walks! Thankfully Bookblock’s sock collection is something to behold. Always premium cotton blends, why not try our larger than life The Rockies? Or take a trip to the 70’s with our Poolside socks? With a whole collection to choose from, go colourful or keep things simple, whatever he wants on his special day! Or perhaps Dad needs something special for an upcoming occasion. Why not add some flavour with our Blue Paisley Silk Handkerchief Scarf, or for a touch of red our Red Floral Tile Print Silk Handkerchief is always a go-to.

Savoury Snacks to spoil him silly!

With snacking being a fundamental necessity in life, it’s a good job that Bookblock Deli know flavours and fusions like the back of their hand. Their new Truffle Nuts collection boasts a mix of Almonds, Cashews, Macadamias and Pecans flavoured with a blend of premium Dried Black Truffles. Roasting and seasoning to perfection, it’s not just nuts that these guys have under control. A new fav in the office, their Savoury Pumpkin Seed & Cranberry Biscuits really are as good as they sound! Designed to be the perfect match for a hot and spicy cheese, (why not try Snowdonia Cheese Company’s Extra Mature Cheddar with Sumer Truffle) this is snacking in luxury. Sound good? They’ve also conjured up the incredible Chilli and Garlic Savoury Biscuits to keep you wanting more!

Pamper him like a Prince?

It’s only a once a year treat, so why not pamper him to the max? Keep dad looking and feeling great with our range of featured grooming care just for them. Captain Fawcett’s Gentleman’s Stiffener Malt Whisky  Moustache Wax is as delectable and decadent as it sounds. Old fashioned yet perfectly on trend, just like dad! For those sporting bigger beards these days, Ferris & Harding’s Beard Care Serum is the solution for him. Enriched with 7 revitalising oils including Argan oil, Jojoba oil, Sweet almond oil and Vitamin E, this beauty leaves beards irresistibly soft and tamed. Someone’s got to keep him in check! Or maybe Milk’s amazing handmade completely natural soap bars sound like just the thing? From Activated Charcoal and Goat’s Milk to Apricot Kernel Oil, Milk’s natural wonders will have him thinking, just how do they make them so good?

For more gift ideas this Father’s Day, why not check out our premium curated gift boxes? Just for Dad!

 

Forty Liquors Guide to Home Cocktails

With pub doors across the country firmly shut for a lot of this past year, we’ve all had to get creative when it comes to fancying a tipple. Thankfully, there are some brands out there that do all the trying and testing for you. Forty Liquors is one such brand. Knowing mixers and flavours like the back of their hand, to help get you off on the right path they’ve prepped the Forty Liquors Guide to Home Cocktails!

To kick things off we’ve got the Forty Liquor’s Spritzes to whet your appetite. Perfectly parcelled into convenient on the go travel pockets, these little wonders mean you don’t have to worry about a thing. To enjoy, simply fill a wine glass with ice, pinch the corner of the sachet to tear, and pour into the glass. All that’s left to do is top up with your choice of Soda or Prosecco! Plus with the release of Forty Liquors’ ‘Aperitivo Hour’ Spritz range, theres a flavour for everyone. From Alfonso’s Spritz Strawberry Sherry Cobbler, to London’s Calling Zesty Gin Fizz, these on the go cocktail mixes are ready if you are!

The London’s Calling Zesty Gin Fizz is a citrus forward spritz mellowed by Fino sherry. Designed to put a spring in your step, it is lifted by grapefruit zest and honey notes. A drink that packs a punch in a sleeve that’s equally as impactful and forward thinking, we think this spritz makes a great gift for any occasion. But if something more fruity is to your liking, why not try our Alfonso’s Spritz Strawberry Sherry Cobbler. A subtle fruity spritz inspired by Alfonso X111 King of Spain’s quest to make sherry fashionable in England, this delicious spritz is punctuated by dry sherry and herbaceous dill. Rounded off with French vermouth, this little firecracker is guaranteed to make you fall in love with Sherry, if you hadn’t already!

Next, we thoroughly recommend The Queen’s Martini. Inspired by the New York classic, this delicate martini has an abundance of class. Fit for royalty, Forty Liquors have smoothly blended London Dry Gin with orange blossom bitters and a subtle hint of Lillet Blanc with elderflower essence. Simply stir with ice and strain for a cocktail that’ll take you to the beating heart of the Big Apple. Cheers! And if something a little more fruity was on your mind, then we have just that. The Forty Liquors Summer Cup is based on a classic Pimm’s style drink. But this fruity, slightly bitter summer drink is a more elegant version of its better-known cousin. Great with soda, lemonade or sparkling water, poured over lots of ice and mint, heaven!

For those who like their drinks on the stronger side, there’s the ever exotic Grapefruit Negroni and the classic Maple Old Fashioned. Infamously Stanley Tucci’s drink of choice, it’s the Negroni. But we’re bringing it to you how you’ve never seen it before. Wonder what could happen when Turin meets Soho? The result, a Modern twist on this timeless classic. An incredible aperitif with carefully curated ingredients London Dry Gin, Sweet Vermouth and Grapefruit, this pocket rocket delivers elegance with a zesty kick. Simply add ice and stir, finishing with a slice of grapefruit. Salute! But what if a touch of Maple sounds more your medley? This modern take on an Old Fashioned is perfect for those who like to take their time. Master mixers Forty Liquors have jazzed up the combination of bourbon and bitters with a subtle hint of warming maple syrup and a touch of peat. The result is a cocktail that’s deep, smokey and incredibly smooth. Best served with cubed ice and a twist of orange peel, this taste of tradition will warm you up in all the right places!

To finish, we’ve got the Forty Liquors take on the iconic Pornstar Martini. Delicate and soft while maintaining all the associated sauciness, this blend carefully mixes Passionfruit, Vanilla Vodka, Passoa, Pineapple Rum, Verjus and Champagne cordial. In a perfect on the go 20cl size, this little gem is primed for any occasion. With layers of sophistication and handfuls of fun, the Pornstar Martini is a staple of any good cocktail soirée. To that, we say chin chin!

Browse our full range of Forty Liquors here.

With love,
Forty Liquors at Bookblock x

 

Meet The Makers – Olivia Brazier

To celebrate the launch of Forty Liquors’ Pornstar Martini cocktail, we travel behind the scenes to get to know the talented artist commissioned with creating the striking packaging design. Exploding with historic art references and snapshots that challenge ideas of voyeurism and the female gaze, the work of Olivia Brazier is as intelligent as it is creative and quirky. With cheek and charm both key characteristics of the iconic Pornstar Martini Cocktail, Olivia’s work fits the bill completely. Olivia’s use of collage really made an impact with us here at Bookblock. Going far beyond references from the online digital age, Olivia’s interest in the female nude and its representation throughout art history has a huge influence on her work. Empowering, seductive and commanding common themes of Olivia’s work parallel that of the Martini. Join us as we sit down with Olivia to get to know more about her as an artist, and her working process.

Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up and how that may have influenced your work?

I grew up in the South of France in an area that is famous for its lemons and light. It used to be a really trendy place for artists such as Matisse and Jean-Cocteau to come and work so there’s a lot of art built  into the history of the region. There is a great deal of natural beauty too and an endless amount of colour. In the summer months a relaxed lifestyle takes over and many businesses shut for their holidays making it feel carefree. It is an appealing concept for life to be stripped back to the basics of eat, drink and be merry. This utopian idea is the underlying feeling I hope for my collages to encompass.

Do you have a favourite artist, designer or movement that has inspired your work/Direction?

The Italian Renaissance is really inspiring as this is a period when artists such as Raphael and Caravaggio were painting still lifes with visual puns and sexual symbolism imbedded into the fruits and vegetables. I love the idea of these super sexually-charged paintings being hung in ‘respectful’ locations under the disguise of being an innocent painting of a bowl of fruit.

I also draw a lot of inspiration from the female nude and its representation through-out art history. I am especially intrigued by the mythological genres painted by the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood in the 19th century when nudity was a popular feature.

Has collage always been your main medium to work in or has your work developed over time?

I began working with collage about seven years ago. Before that I studied painting at university and by my final year I was building metal sculptures from layers of found metals. I’d like to say collage was a planned move but I fell into it (well, more like tripped into it!) and haven’t looked back since. I am drawn to the idea of being given something that already has its narrative and then manipulating it and morphing it into a new purpose.

When you begin a new project do you tend to create a detailed plan of what you want to do, or is your work process relatively experimental?

Each of my collages have three main components; the food, the human figure and the background. I pick one of these to begin with and then try to combine it in with a second component. Once I have a good fit I then seek out the third component. It is an elimination game as I can only work with what has already been printed. I source these from a bunch of different books and magazines ranging from cook books, gardening manuals to vintage and interior design magazines.

Forty Liquors’ Pornstar Martini

Created in 2002, the Pornstar Martini has become the UK’s favourite cocktail. This Forty Liquors twist is delicate whilst maintaining all the associated sauciness. The ingredients are as follows; Passionfruit, Vanilla Vodka, Passoa, Pineapple Rum, Verjus, Champagne cordial, and Citric Acid. With layers of sophistication and handfuls of fun, the Pornstar Martini is a staple of any good cocktail soirée. To that, we say chin chin!

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