The festive season has arrived and we’ve put together some of our favourite sustainable and ethical gifts. From cruelty-free chocolate to snazzy socks that help the homeless, there’s something for everyone.

Socks that are going to change the world

Surprise Sock Subscription £19.99 a month for 2 pairs

Stand4 Socks started by this simple statement when founder Josh Turner said this amongst friends casually,

“A bold concept but when you stop and think about it, most of us wear socks everyday…. and if each pair could have a positive impact, then why can’t socks change the world?“

From that initial comment they have come a long way. They have donated a pair of thick, anti-bacterial socks for every pair purchased, having donated over 150,000 pairs of socks to vulnerable people in need to date.

 

Farmer-owned Fairtrade Chocolate

Hamper of 24 bars £50.00

Founded by Kuapa Kokoo Farmers’ Co-operative, Twin Traders and The Body Shop in 1998, with support from Comic Relief and Christian Aid. Divine Chocolate was created to help end the exploitation within the cocoa industry. 

Their scrumptious range of chocolates are perfect stocking fillers or to gift for a Secret Santa. Try a luxurious dark chocolate with hazelnut truffle or a smooth milk chocolate with pretzel & caramel, each bar improves the lives of farmers, is Fairtrade, palm oil free and made with natural ingredients.

 

Bags that battle plastic pollution

Hackney Backpack £75.00

All of Kind Bags products are made from 100% recycled plastic, saving bottles that were destined to float away in our oceans. Founded by Maria Rodriguez in 2019, all of their beautiful bags are 100% recyclable, machine washable and rain-proof as well as being super stylish!

For your fashion conscious friends, their range of gorgeous bag come in a wide variety of designs, from block colours to florals and a limited edition range featuring prints from British textile designer, William Morris.

 

World’s best coffee’s, in a way that’s best for the world

HALO Ristretto Coffee Pods £10.00

We are super fans of HALO, being an office full of coffee drinkers and environmentally conscious, their home compatible pods are perfect for us. In 2018 alone, the coffee capsule industry produced 60 billion capsules, HALO capsules address the negative effects of capsule production by utilising waste sugar cane to create their eco-friendly pods.

Their delicious range of coffee pods include a strong, intense Ristretto blend and also a lighter, milder Three Mountains blend as well as some tasty decaf options. Perfect for the coffee lovers in your life.

 

Make up brushes that make a difference

So Eco Luxury Brush set £45.00

So Eco are a PETA accredited brand, being cruelty free and vegan friendly, and on top of that they plant a tree for 100 products sold to off-set their carbon footprint and help towards tackling deforestation around the world. What can’t they do?

They have a stunning range of make up brushes, bath care, haircare and beauty accessories. All of their packaging is recyclable, using vegetable inks and water-based adhesives that are solvent free. Their accessories are great for your friends and family who want to look after themselves whilst looking after the planet.

 

And our gift guide wouldn’t be complete without our favourite One Gin

One Gin 70cl Gift Box £38 One Gin Miniature Gift Set £16.00

Giving back is at the heart of what we do and 10% of our profits are put towards supporting clean and sustainable water projects in some of the world’s poorest communities. 

Our range of award-winning gins are now available in our beautiful new gift boxes, designed to celebrate the natural wonders of the African countries that The One Foundation supports. The red rose of Rwanda, the lilac breasted roller bird from Kenya, the lotus of Malawi and the elephant ear plant from Ghana.

Apple month is one of our favourite times of the year as this very special fruit holds a dear place in our heart. That’s because the perfect garnish for our  G&T is a couple of fresh, crisp apple slices (and a sage leaf when in season). We loved this so much that we decided to put the apples into the gin for our second expression;  our Sage & Apple Gin uses the oil from the pip of Russet Apples for a crisp, orchard fresh finish.

We are so excited about Apple Month that we’ve decided to have some fun with it and create some delicious, exciting recipes that all incorporate our award-winning gin and British apples.

 

One Gin Chutney

 

 

Ingredients:

3 red onions

3 cloves of garlic

300g dark muscovado sugar

50ml One Gin

200ml red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard

¼ teaspoon crushed chillies

 

Method: 

Thinly slice 3 red onions, and place in a pan on a low heat. Dice 3 cloves of garlic and once the onions have softened add to the pan along with 300g of dark muscovado sugar, 200ml red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and one spoon wholegrain mustard. 

Cook for a further 5 minutes on a medium heat until sugar has dissolved, finally add 50ml One Sage Gin and a ¼ teaspoon of crushed chillis and then simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the chutney has reduced & thickened to a dark brown caramel colour.

Serve this delicious chutney with pork burgers garnished with apple and cheese slices and a rocket salad. Or try on a cheese board after dinner one night with sliced apple and grapes.

 

Sticky Toffee Apple Pudding

 

 

Ingredients – caramel sauce

50g butter

100g granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon water

Ingredients – cake

125g butter

225g self-raising flour

140g caster sugar

3 egg yolks (save the whites!)

8 tablespoons milk

6 apples peeled & thinly slices

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 lemon

Ingredients – sticky toffee sauce

15ml One Gin Sage & Apple

300g light muscovado sugar

150g butter

225ml double cream

1 tablespoon black treacle

 

Method:

1) Start by peeling, coring and thinly slicing your apples, cover in lemon juice to stop them turning brown.

2) For the caramel sauce add your butter to a pan and melt, then add your sugar and a teaspoon of water and wait until it has dissolved. Finally add a teaspoon of cinnamon and stir until well mixed and the mixture starts to bubble.

3) Pour your caramel sauce into the base of a well greased baking tray (we used a 24cm circular tin) and place your apple slices in a spiral pattern.

4) For the cake, start by creaming your butter and sugar together, then add your 3 egg yolks and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Next add your flour, we added this in 3 parts adding a few dashes of milk in between each time until well combined. Finally, remember those egg whites we asked you to save? Whip those babies until light and fluffy and then fold into your cake batter, being careful not to over mix.

5) Pour your batter into your greased cake tin on top of your gorgeous apple spiral pattern and place in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 45 minutes or until a knife comes cleanly out of the sponge.

6) Now on to the sticky toffee sauce, in a small saucepan on a low heat melt your butter, sugar and a tablespoon of black treacle (do not lick the spoon, it smells sweeter than it tastes). Once well combined add 20ml of One Gin Sage & Apple and 225ml of double cream and turn up the heat, once bubbling remove from the hob and leave to cool.

7) Time for the fun bit, place a board or large plate on top of your cake tin and flip, gently remove the tin and voila, your apple masterpiece should be all golden and delicious waiting for you. Prick a few holes throughout the cake and pour your delicious sticky toffee sauce on top and you’re ready to serve. Enjoy!

 

One Gin Toffee Apples

 

Ingredients 

15ml One Gin Sage & Apple

300g light muscovado sugar

150g butter

225ml double cream

1 tablespoon black treacle

6 apples

6 popsicle sticks

200g crushed walnuts

100s and 1000s sprinkles

 

Method 

1. Start by washing your apples and twisting off the stalks. Pat dry your apples and using a sharp knife score a cross into the top of each apple. Finally push in your popsicle stick into the cross and place your apples to the side.
2. On a low heat melt your butter, sugar and a tablespoon of black treacle in a small saucepan. Once well combined add 20ml of One Gin Sage & Apple and 225ml of double cream and turn up the heat, once bubbling remove from the hob and leave to cool.
3. Transfer your sticky toffee sauce into a large bowl, place your crushed walnuts on a small plate and sprinkles on a small plate.
4. Now for the fun bit, dip your apples into the sauce and then into your chosen topping, we’ve recommended sprinkles or nuts but you can get creative, why not try popcorn or smarties or even leave them plain?
5. Place the apples in the fridge for 1-2 hours to set and enjoy!

 

 

We hope you enjoy trying out these tasty Autumnal treats over the next few weeks, keep your eyes peeled on our social channels for our series of seriously delicious apple inspired cocktails coming this month.

Summer may be over but every cloud has a silver lining…Apple Month is here! 

What is Apple Month?

This annual celebration of apples and orchards has evolved from World Apple Day, traditionally held on the 21st of October; events are held across the country, ranging from apple games in public gardens to village fairs with cookery demonstrations, juice and cider, and the sale of many hundreds of apple varieties. 

 

Apples and One Gin

 One Gin will be joining in the with the celebration of Apple Month, as it’s a fruit that has special significance to us; That’s because the perfect garnish for our  G&T is a couple of fresh, crisp apple slices (and a sage leaf when in season). We loved this so much that we decided to put the apples into the gin for our second expression;  our Sage and Apple Gin uses the oil from the pip of Russet Apples for a crisp, orchard fresh finish. 

 

Apples and One Gin

To celebrate, we have created some exciting cocktails, one of our favourites is the Apple Spritz. What is there not to like !?

 

Apple Spritz

Ingredients:

37.5ml of One Sage & Apple Gin

20ml Cloudy Apple Juice 

25ml Lime Juice 

25ml Manzana Verde 

50ml Prosecco/ Sparkling Wine 

Recipe: 

Shake all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and strain into a vintage wine glass filled with ice. Top with prosecco and garnish with an apple fan and a dusting of cinnamon powder.

Our Apple Celebrations

Over the next month, to celebrate apple month we will be sharing with you some delicious recipes, weird and wonderful facts on all things apples, exciting giveaways and some truly gorgeous cocktails. Come and see us at markets and events in the coming month – We’ll be at the Duck Pond Markets in Chiswick and Gunnersbury most weekends and on Sunday the 3rd of October, we are off to Fulham Palace for more Appley-ness and celebrations in the orchard. Live music, beekeeping and woodturning demonstrations, a hotly anticipated baking competition, storytelling and more are on the cards .