This hot weather has proved to be the perfect moment to crack open the new bottle of Rhubarbe Liqueur. We were offered this at the recent Thos Peatling summer wine tasting, along with a Barbados Rum Sixty Six and Taylor's Velvet Falernum... more of that later! The liqueur is quite simply like drinking sweet, liquid rhubarb. It's made by macerating (in alcohol) both green and pink rhubarb for two months. Delicate, light pink colour and with the smell of freshly cut rhubarb, it's sweet and sherberty and reminiscent of those childhood rhubarb and custard boiled sweets. Delicious over cracked ice, or try one of these cocktails below - all measures used are 1 oz, or use your own friendly measures, but remember, drink responsibly!

Gin and Rhubarbe

1 measure Rhubarbe Liqueur
1/2 measure lime juice
1 1/2 measures gin
1 measure soda water
lime slices, for garnish

Combine rhubarb syrup, lime juice, and gin in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a glass.  Top with the soda water.  Serve with lime slice.

Rhubarb n’ Rye

1 1/2 measures Rye Whiskey
1/4 measure Rhubarb Liqueur
1/4 measure Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 measure Sweet Vermouth

Stir, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a curl of orange rind.

Rhubarb Caipirinha

2 measures Cachaca Cane Spirit
1 measure Rhubarb Liqueur
½  measure Gomme syrup
1 full lime ( quartered, squeezed and muddled into the liquid)

Shake vigorously with ice and strain into glass.

Strawberry Rhu

4 measures Rhubarb Liqueur
3 measures Tequila
3 Strawberries
1 measure Lemon Juice
half measure of Gomme syrup

Muddle the strawberries in a cocktail shaker, add ice followed by all the other ingredients. Shake, filter and pour and serve.

A visit to Cro-o-mer would not be complete without going to the Bob Davies Crab Shop in The Gangway, these crabs are famous for being among the best you can buy. Watch Gary Rhodes with Bob Davies, showing Gary how to prepare them in his shop. I made my two huge dressed crabs into Crab Linguine for the whole family.  You can find the recipe along with others on our recipe page here,

Below are the contents of the Jubilee Hamper served at Buck House before the concert - Heston came up with the ideas and Waitrose packed it - no doubt it's now all available in their stores.

• Chilled British Country Garden soup
• Tea-smoked Scottish salmon
• Diamond Jubilee chicken
• Vegetarian option: Mushroom Parfait
• Fresh bread rolls
• Country Life butter
• Crunchy seasonal crudités

• Lemon and caraway Madeira cupcake
• Chocolate indulgence cupcake
• Sandringham strawberry crumble crunch

• Waitrose West Country farmhouse cheddar and Red Leicester
• Duchy Originals Oaten biscuits
• Duchy Originals Harvest chutney
• Extras: 12 hand wipes, clear plastic cutlery and napkin, Diamond Jubilee poncho, Union flag!

Meanwhile in Sudbury we joined friends in the park and ate our own home made couscous, watercress, orange and smoked mackerel salad, pheasant and bacon terrine, fresh strawberry cake and pretty white chocolate cake pops.

Bought this fab plateful this morning at their table sale in Norton, what a selection for £1.30, featuring madeleines, chocolate mandarin buns, walnut cake and pretty decorated sponge slices.

You should go to Suffolk's newest deli and bistro at the Chilli Farm in the heart of Suffolk right on the main A140, an incredible oasis of food and deliciousness. Stop and make up a picnic from the vast array of goodies for sale, because it's all being made by the well known Earsham Street Cafe in Bungay. The team behind it are enthusiastic and friendly and the Portuguese Custard Tart, made with unwaxed lemons was scrummy - and what with free wifi and a great cappuccino - what better place to stop for a working tea break?

Daydream Believer at The Framlingham Country Show today was Laura Cotton of Daydream in Cupcakes with some original and beautifully packaged home baked goodies. Laura started her business this year and is keeping up with the current trends in cakes.  The cookiepop was delicious. I want to see whoopie pies and cakepops next time Laura!

Fancy taking your doggie out with you for a cup of tea or light lunch? Try The Animal Health Trust cafe in Newmarket which is open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Their homemade soups, quiches, salads and cakes are all very good.  The courtyard is also delightful on a sunny day, with ride-on toys provided for the kids.

The  French lady in our village has started a frog patrol.  She goes out in the evening to rescue frogs from the traffic. We are not quite so sure of her intentions.

Wow.  I have just made sweet chilli prawns with a recipe sent by the Suffolk Chilli Company, using their Extra Hot sweet chilli sauce. The sauce really is extra hot, it reminds me of the fiery Durban curry called Mother in Laws Tongue.  Needs a little respect! Look out for the recipe on our new Dish of the Day.