Tasked with taking something we all know and adore, then turning it on its head and reinventing a classic, what is clear is that this month’s entrants are one creative bunch of bloggers!

For June Janine entrusted me to take the hosting hot seat of her wonderful challenge, Baking with Spirit, and I’m pleased to say that there have been a record number of entires (at least it is as far as I’m aware) with seven different creations making the cut. We’re going to see gin, amaretto, champagne and more, in cakes, desserts and treats galore. Let’s get on with it, shall we?

First up we have Laura from I’d Much Rather Bake Than… who improved the concept of butterfly cakes no end by adding some champagne! I’m always open to new ways to consume champagne and strawberries, so down with these Strawberry and Champagne Boozy Butterfly Cupcakes.

Next we have Choclette, who decided to up the ante on Father’s Day with these nifty looking Whisky and Walnut Cakes - I’m not sure that there are many dads out there that wouldn’t have appreciated these.

Coming next we have Alida from My Little Italian Kitchen, who took a whole next twist on the challenge with this Chocolate Torte. I’m not sure I’d be able to resist eating all this in one go.

Linzi of Lancashire Food was the next to email in an entry, coming up with this utterly scrumptious looking Amaretto Chocolate Torte, which also happens to be gluten free. I absolutely adore the combination of amaretto and chocolate, so would really like to devour this one.

Despite all my excitement about hosting the challenge I was actually in two minds about what to make myself. There were so many different options floating around my head of how to reinvent the traditional Gin and Tonic (the inspiration behind the theme). In the end I opted for twisting the rules to make a dessert, rather than baking. I came up with this G&T Jelly - it didn’t last long once the idea of gin jelly was realised.

Gin & Tonic Jelly

Our regular host, Janine opted for a wonderful spirit-to-mixer ratio for her Malibu and Coca-Cola cake - I’ve a feeling it might be a controversial pairing for a cake, but looks-wise it’s certainly a winner!

Last, but certainly not least, it’s a big welcome back to the world of food blogging to Mel of Sharky Oven Gloves! After a spell away she’s back and baking up a storm as always - I’m not sure anyone could resist this Apple, Ginger and Gin Upside-down cake, I certainly couldn’t.

And there we have it, all the boozy deliciousness you could possibly ask for! Thank you to everyone that entered. If you didn’t quite make it, but wish you had, then fear not! July’s edition of BwS will be here very soon indeed, this time with Laura from I’d Much Rather Bake Than… taking the hosting hot seat. You can find her on Twitter at @mustbakecakes and no doubt she’ll be Tweeting about her theme on the 1st.

Craig Craig (145 Posts)

Edinburgh-dwelling, baking and food-obsessed, twenty-something adventure enthusiast. Runs on liberal amounts of coffee, cheese, cake and gin; bribable with same.