The Dish: Sweet treat

Lisa and Verity from Garnet Station. Photo / Antoine Rabate

Lisa and Verity, the fabulous gals at Garnet Station, are always on the look out for heavenly treats to stock in their gorgeous neighbourhood cafe. Along with their homebaking and the oh-so-cute kiddies' cupcakes they sell to passing schoolchildren, they are now also stocking tubs of Lemon Z icecream.

Mouthwateringly delicious, it is made from the award-winning Lemon Z limoncello which itself is made using the peel of Yen Ben lemons from the Bay of Islands. This is macerated in pure alcohol to ensure the release of all the lemon oils and flavour. Because icecream can only have 1.1 per cent alcohol content it is then macerated again with fresh peel. The result - extra zesty, extra yummy ice cream. Serve it up at dinner parties with a drop of limoncello - or just eat it on your own! $14.95 from the Garnet Station, 85 Garnet Rd, Westmere, www.garnetstation.co.nz or go to www.lemon-z.co.nz for other stockists.

Shake it up

Next week the world's best bartenders - or mixologists as they like to be called - will be converging on Queenstown for the 42Below Cocktail World Cup. The event has been running for six years but the host nation team, New Zealand, has never won. Will this year be the one? Our team is made up of Auckland's James Goggin of Racket bar and Wellingtonians Josh Crawford of Hooch and Calum Chadwick of The Matterhorn. The international teams arrive on Tuesday for a week of cocktail challenges before the final is held in Wellington on March 27. To follow the action go to www.cocktailworldcup.com

A fashionable drop

Everyone who attended the highly anticipated New Zealand Fashion Festival last night was treated to a flute of sparkling Pelorus NV by Cloudy Bay which set the tone for an evening of fashionable fun. With tasting notes that include citrus fruit aromas and a bouquet of apple and lemon we highly recommend you try it. Plus, it's only $34.99 a bottle. From all good alcohol outlets.

Hot stuff

If you haven't had the time - or inclination - to make your own preserves this season, we suggest you nip out and get yourself a jar of Moutere Gold Plum and Chilli Chutney. Made with black doris plums, sugar, vinegar, onions, mixed spice, salt and chilli, it gives a delicious little kick when served with meats or cheese and crackers. $8.99, from Farro Fresh, 80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington, ph (09) 570 7071.