This ‘Virgin’ option will stir the senses and perk up the palate during Dry January and beyond.

After Eight Martini

This is a real after-dinner treat, rich and chocolatey with a hint of mint - it doesn’t take long to make and is also delicious whisked into a cup of hot milk on a cold, grey afternoon.

Ingredients

1tbsp chocolate ganache (see below), 50ml double cream, 30ml simple herb syrup made with mint, mint leaf or sprig to garnish.

Chocolate ganache: 235ml double cream, 250g good-quality dark chocolate, grated. Put the cream in a pan and heat gently. Bring just to the point of boiling and stop it from boiling over. Add the grated chocolate and whisk until smooth. Transfer to a sterilised container and store in the fridge. It will keep happily for up to a month, but keep it well covered so it doesn’t absorb any fridge flavours.

Method

Put a tablespoon of ganache into a pan with the cream and mint syrup, and heat very gently until the ingredients are blended. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour into a shaker with some cubes of ice, and shake. Pour the drink into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a sprig or leaf of mint.