The Frost Fair Toddy
Frost Fair on the River Thames in 1814 by artist Luke Clennell in the Museum of London
In 1716, the winter was cold enough to freeze the Thames, and a so-called ‘Frost Fair’ was held on the ice with hot gin and gingerbread being sold on the frozen river. In fact 200 years have elapsed since, and the Thames has never frozen solid enough for such hedonism to be repeated. But between 1309 and 1814, the Thames froze at least 23 times and on five of these occasions the ice was thick enough to hold a fair? In 1716 with the gin craze in full swing in London it was served hot and with gingerbread at the Frost Fair. At the last Frost Fair in 1814 an elephant walked across the frozen Thames to show how strong it was.
This is a surprisingly pleasant winter warming drink. We loved it - see what you think
INGREDIENTS
Thames Ditton Gin - original
Fever-Tree Ginger Ale
Slice of orange preferably blood orange
Whole cloves
Also: cinnamon, mint, fresh ginger
RECIPE PREPARATION
You will need three parts ginger ale to one part gin
Warm the ginger ale in a saucepan
Pour a double measure of gin into a tall cocktail glass
Pour three doubles of the hot ginger ale over the gin
Serve with a slice of fresh orange - blood orange if you can get them
Garnish with a couple of whole cloves
You can also add a sprinkle of cinnamon, mint or freshly grated ginger to your taste