Blog
Stories, recipes, and the craft behind Elusa.
Best Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martini (UK Guide)
Which coffee liqueur makes the best Espresso Martini? What matters (coffee, sugar, base spirit), five UK options compared honestly, and the recipe we use.
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What to Drink With Oysters: Beyond Muscadet and Champagne
Wine is the default with oysters, but a cold, clear spirit is the older answer and often the better one. What works, what clashes, and why.
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What to Drink With a Charcuterie Board: Smoked Fish, Blue Cheese and Cured Meat
A board covers salt, smoke, fat and funk all at once, which is why one wine rarely handles it. Here's what works across the whole thing.
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Christmas Spirits Gift Guide UK: What to Buy for Who
A UK Christmas gift guide for spirits, organised by the person you are buying for. What actually makes a good bottle to give, and what to leave on the shelf.
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What to Drink With Christmas Pudding: A Guide That Isn't Just 'Port'
Christmas pudding is sweet, dense and heavily spiced. Here's what actually works alongside it, and why an unaged brandy beats the usual dessert wine.
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The Best Coffee Liqueur for Tiramisu (And How Much to Actually Use)
Coffee liqueur has quietly replaced Marsala in most home tiramisu. Here's why the base spirit matters, why sweetness is the thing that ruins it, and a recipe for six to eight.
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The Best Orange Liqueur for Baking: What Actually Works in a Cake
Orange liqueur does real work in baking. Here's what to look for, and why ABV matters more than you think.
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Orange Liqueur for Mulled Wine: The Step Most Recipes Get Wrong
Most mulled wine recipes boil off the thing that makes them good. Here's how to use an orange liqueur properly, plus a full recipe for a bottle of wine serving six.
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Best Coffee Liqueur UK: A Proper Guide for People Who Actually Like Coffee
A no-nonsense guide to the best coffee liqueurs available in the UK. What to look for, what to avoid, and which bottles are worth your money.
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Armagnac Cocktails: 9 Recipes That Prove It's the Most Versatile Spirit You're Not Using
Armagnac works in cocktails where you'd normally reach for gin, vodka, or tequila. Here are 9 recipes that prove it.
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Coffee Negroni Recipe: The Darker, More Interesting Negroni
The Coffee Negroni swaps sweet vermouth for coffee liqueur, creating a bitter, complex, deeply satisfying cocktail.
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Armagnac vs Cognac: What's the Difference and Why Should You Care?
Armagnac and cognac are both French brandies, but that's where the similarities end. Here's what separates them.
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Best Orange Liqueur for a Margarita: Why Your Choice of Triple Sec Matters
The orange liqueur in your margarita matters more than you think. Here's what to look for and how upgrading transforms the cocktail.
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The Best Cointreau Alternative in the UK: Real Orange, Real Spirit
Looking for a Cointreau alternative? Here's what to look for in an orange liqueur and which UK option delivers the best flavour.
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Artisan Coffee Liqueur UK: What to Look For and Why It Matters
Not all coffee liqueurs are created equal. Here's what separates artisan from industrial, and how to find the best in the UK.
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Espresso Martini Without Kahlua: Better Alternatives for a Better Drink
Kahlua is the default coffee liqueur for espresso martinis. But better options exist. Here's why switching could transform your favourite cocktail.
Read more Espresso Martini with Armagnac: Why Your Next One Should Be Different
The espresso martini is everywhere. Here's how to make one that actually stands out, using Armagnac instead of vodka.
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What is Blanche Armagnac? France's Most Exciting Spirit Explained
Everything you need to know about Blanche Armagnac: the unaged spirit from Gascony that's changing how people think about French brandy.
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