The Holy Grail found

Prunus spinosa

  In a quiet sheltered sunny spot on the Tottenham allotment my search for the first sloe blossom and any sign of spring have finally been rewarded with Easter bonnet beautiful sprigs of creamy flowers. Possibly the first in the UK as the freezing weather continues.

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In celebration a cocktail, first created in 1908, to ease us throught the bank holiday:

Ruby Cocktail

Ingredients per cocktail
2.5cl Sloe Gin
2.5cl Sweet Vermouth
1 dash cherry liqueur
1 dash orange bitters
twist of lemon peel

Stir all together, strain and twist lemon peel over the top to release oil

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