Romance is in the air so it’s time to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a distinctly different way. Forget champagne. Awake your loved one’s taste-buds with a new take on a classic aphrodisiac.

For years oysters have been regarded as promoting romantic stirrings and, whilst we can’t vouch for whether this effect is real or imagined, we urge you to turn up the heat and try Gin and Oysters on 14 February. Instead of the usual lemon, vinegar and shallots, serve the oysters in ice cold Brockmans Gin and fresh chilli, brought to life with lime juice.

The spectacular berry and botanical notes in this particular gin marry beautifully with seafood.

Ingredients

  • 1 lime
  • 1 tsp finely chopped or grated lime zest
  • 1 fl oz Brockmans Gin
  • 1 tsp mirin
  • 1tsp caster sugar
  • ½ bird’s eye chilli very finely chopped (seeds removed unless you want a very fiery Valentine’s evening)
  • 2 dozen fresh oysters.
  1. Place all the marinade ingredients in a jar and shake to mix then either drizzle a teaspoon over each oyster just before serving or for a more intense hit of flavours marinade the oysters in the mixture for about an hour before serving, keeping them refrigerated.
  2. Chill two glasses. Serve the oysters with some romantic words and neat Brockmans Gin on the rocks, garnished with a twist of lime peel or pour a Brockmans G&T, with pink grapefruit zest and two blueberries.

Brockmans Gin, in its stylish black bottle is the perfect after-dark romantic drink. Brockmans is available at good specialist drinks retailers or online via TheWhiskyExchange.co.uk & Drinksdirect.co.uk priced at around £31.99.