no additives – Feasting Is Fun

Summer is here! Gorgeous sunny days, or warm, cloudy, humid days. We all need to keep hydrated and especially drink lots of cooling, refreshing drinks. So can you imagine how excited I am to bring you a brand new drink. In keeping with the rest of their soft drinks, this too is free from artificial additives and preservatives. Welcome to the 1886 Cola Franklins New Drink Review.

FF 1886 Cola Franklins New Drink Review — **1886 Cola Franklins New Drink Review** ice cold.

Since trying a sip of a major brand cola a few years ago, I have avoided it at all costs. While I’m not quite sure what happened between my teens and now, it absolutely affected my taste buds. Too sweet. Way too sweet and never would I consider drinking a diet version with all it’s Aspartame. So, in response I drink sparkling water. Refreshing but, at times, a bit boring. Until now!

What a revelation this new 1886 Cola with West African Kola nut and Colombian coffee bean is! On tasting, this drink definitely rings the familiar Cola bells. Yet the overwhelming sweetness is missing, as is the bitter, can’t quite put a finger on it, aftertaste that is present in most Cola drinks, diet or not. Resulting in a pure Cola flavour that leaves one’s mouth clean, refreshed and thirst quenched.

Rum and Cola is a classic combination that is even better using this new 1886 Cola. The hint of caramel and ginger, barely perceptible on its own, blend beautifully with a great quality rum. Appleton Signature Blend over ice with Franklin and Son’s 1886 Cola is completely delicious. If you enjoy Rum and Cola I urge you to give both of these drinks combined, a try. Disappointment will not be a problem.

FF Cola Franklins New Drink Review — **1886 Cola** with Appleton Rum Signature Blend.

While the summer weather continues to be warm, enjoying a drink outside becomes an extra pleasure. Sitting in the garden, listening to the birds chirping, drink in hand is a great way to relax.

At 40 calories per 100ml, with the perfect balance of sweetness, a diet version of this Cola is most definitely not needed. Chilled and poured over ice, with the addition of one, or two maraschino cherries is my favourite way to enjoy this drink. Great on its own or as a mixer, this Cola is available in larger 750ml bottles from Sainsbury’s.

Franklin’s are known for their natural approach to creating outstanding soft drinks and mixers. Why not ask for it next time you are out at a pub or club. More establishments are stocking the Franklin’s range. How great is it to sit in a beer garden, on a sunny afternoon and treat your kids to a great tasting drink that isn’t full of additives?

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Delicious, refreshing, natural soft drinks from a name I have learned to trust and enjoy.

I hope you have fun in the sun this summer. Baking, creating, picnicking and chilling in the garden with those you love.

Sammie xx

Franklin and Son’s provided me with samples of their new 1886 Cola for the purposes of a review. This post reflects my honest opinion of the drink that I reviewed. All opinions, content including photography are my own. I was not paid to write this post. Please see my Disclosure Policy for further information. No part of this post may be reproduced without my written consent.

Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream, perfect on it’s own or to accompany sweet, hot, fudge brownies.

FF Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream — **Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream** crowning a delicious homemade chocolate brownie.

Using Callebaut Dark Chocolate Belgian Chips ensures this ice cream has more than a touch of luxury to it.

Vanilla bean speckled ice cream, crammed full of dark chocolate chips is the perfect treat for those who enjoy a not-too-sweet-treat. It also is the perfect accompaniment for a sweet treat, such as my Vanilla Fudge Chocolate Brownies. Balancing out and complimenting the sweet, chocolate and vanilla fudge brownie with dark chocolate chips in a vanilla ice cream.

Ok so that’s the technical side to things, in my mind there is only one way to improve a brownie and that is by warming it slightly, 10 secs on medium, in the microwave and crowning it with one great big scoop of ice cream!!!!

The ultimate combination.

So much so, I actually created this Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream to go with Brownies. By all means serve it in a cone or bowl, but my recommendation is to serve it on top of a homemade Chocolate Macadamia Nut Brownies.

Just a quick note about the chocolate chips – I use chocolate chips that are designed for melting, that is they are not the chocolate chips you find in the baking isle with added stabilisers to make them bake stable. Alternatively use a couple of bars of good quality (70% cocoa) chocolate chopped up into chunks.

Recipe: Makes 750ml Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream

300ml/ 1/2pint Double Cream

300ml/ 1/2pint Milk – Whole or Semi Skimmed – not skimmed

1tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – I use Nielsen-Massey

4 Large Free Range Egg Yolks – freeze the whites in bags for meringues, for up to one month in the freezer.

6tbsp Caster Sugar

1tsp Corn Flour – I used certified gluten free by – Doves Farm

250g/9oz Dark Chocolate Chips – I use Callebaut

Method: Ensure the freezing compartment of your ice cream maker has been in the freezer overnight, or according to the manufacturers instructions.

For step by step photographs showing how to make the ice cream custard base please see Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Place the cream and milk together in a large, heavy bottomed saucepan, over a medium heat. Heat to scalding point – this is just before boiling and you will see a ring of bubbles appear around the rim of the liquid. Once scalding point is reached remove from the heat.
Meanwhile in a large bowl whisk together the egg yolks, vanilla bean paste, sugar and corn flour until pale and creamy.
With the whisk running on slow, gradually add the hot cream mixture to the egg mixture in the bowl.
Once combined pour the custard base back into the saucepan and place over a medium heat.
Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard is thickened and coats the back of the spoon.
Pour the cooked custard, through a sieve, into a clean bowl.
Cover the top of the custard base with cling film, so that it is in direct contact with the liquid, this prevents a skin from forming.
Allow the liquid to cool on the work top, I place the bowl on a trivet to aid air circulation.

When the liquid is just warm place the bowl into the fridge until chilled.
Set up your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.
With my Andrew James ice cream maker the machine must be churning as the liquid is poured in. If it is easier, transfer the custard base to a jug for pouring.
Pour the liquid into the ice cream machine and churn until you have a soft set ice cream.
Stop the machine, remove any paddle and scoop the contents into a freezer proof, sealable container.
Add most of the dark chocolate chips to the soft ice cream and swirl through using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Sprinkle the remaining dark chocolate chips on to the surface of the ice cream. Clamp on the lid and place in the deep freeze until fully frozen.

To serve, remove the Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream from the freezer 10-20 minutes before needed, so that it can soften and be easily scooped. One of the fantastic advantages of making your own ice cream at home, is, that no preservatives or additives are present. Yes this means waiting for the ice cream to soften a little prior to scooping. For me I’m willing to wait!

The contrast between the clattering, crunchy chocolate chips and the smooth, velvety, vanilla ice cream simply creates one of the best ice creams I have tasted so far. Trust me, that says a lot.

I have made plenty of ice creams this year with my beloved Which Best Buy Andrew James Ice Cream Maker, some haven’t made it on to the blog yet as they either haven’t delivered on taste and texture, or simply need tweaking. I really am tough on the recipes that I’m willing to post. They have to be excellent, not just ok!

Trust me this Dark Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream is excellent.

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FF Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream — **Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream**

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Making ice cream at home is so simple, the range of flavours are limitless and the cost of the ice cream maker justified by the quality of ice cream you can make at home.

I have put this Andrew James Ice Cream Maker, which has been awarded a Which Best Buy, through rigorous testing and I thoroughly recommend it.

Have fun, making, creating and baking in your kitchens.

Sammie xx

Andrew James provided me with the ice cream maker for the purposes of a review. All opinions, views, recipes, content and photographs are my own. please see my Disclosure Policy.