Last Updated on July 3, 2021 by Fiona Maclean
Game, Set and Matcha Tea Doughnuts
Game, Set and Match is the name of the new, limited edition hamper from Crosstown. Themed for Wimbledon, the treats could be enjoyed while you are seated on Centre Court or, like me, you might take a picnic to your local tennis courts. Renowned for its yeast raised sourdough doughnuts as well as cookies, ice cream and craft drinks, Crosstown has a creative set of regular delights and a great array of limited edition boxes throughout the year. July spells Pimm’s and tennis. In keeping with the season, Crosstown has curated a box of goodies for tennis enthusiasts or those who simply love their doughnuts. Game, Set and Match Box includes a limited edition Pimm’s sorbet.
The tub of vegan Pimm’s sorbet opened to reveal a blush of orange ice, the hue of a prize bloom in Regent’s Park’s rose garden. It was refreshing being not overly sweet and having a distinct flavour of Pimm’s with back notes of cucumber, strawberry and mint. Serve with strawberries and your Wimbledon happiness will be complete. A glass of fizz on the side would go down brilliantly, so much so that Crosstown has curated another seasonal box which includes a tub of Pimm’s sorbet and a bottle of Gusbourne English Sparkling Rosé to make a luxurious sorbet float.
The six gourmet doughnuts sitting snugly in their elegant black box with the distinctive cross on top were too good not to share. How to decide between the flavours? We began with the simplest – a doughnut with Tongan vanilla bean glaze which was fresh and had just the right doughnut texture – those who love doughnuts know what that feels like, it is all in the chew. Next up was the Brooklyn Blackout about which I was most curious. As I bit into it I realised that this doughnut shaped delight was in fact a rich chocolate cake with a very dark ganache and dark chocolate sprinkles. Excellent pairing for my afternoon tea. Now my tasting team was on a roll and we divided up the vegan apple pie with crumbs. The inside of the doughnut was piped with apple purée which contrasted with the sprinkling of crumbs. It was delightfully fruity which cut through the richness and slight oily flavour that is the signature of doughnuts.
Having sampled three we had the second half of the game still ahead. This left chocolate truffle, vegan peanut butter with blackcurrant compote and Matcha tea. Game, set and matcha one might say. The Matcha tea flavour was our favourite – it looked so lovely in green, it had a subtle flavour of matcha and was not too sweet.
The Game, Set, Match box presents customers with two options. Both come with Pimm’s sorbet and the choice is between the doughnuts or cookies. Luckily I got to try both but when you order, remember to choose either doughnuts or cookies.
Six large, handcrafted cookies give plenty scope for choice. Mine is always going to be chocolate chip and the Crosstown version feels wholesome despite being chockful with chocolate. It is lifted with the addition of cinnamon and vanilla. They are so large that one cookie is very satisfying even though I am rarely known not to return for more. Other varieties include oat and apricot and peanut butter and chocolate chip.
If you like craft drinks or specialty water, Crosstown can also deliver these to your door. I tried a selection of drinks which were attractively packaged – I love a good-looking tin. As is often the case with Wimbledon weeks, the rain can be drenching, but for the warmer days in between, these drinks are quenching. Dash Water is calorie, sugar and sweetener free. They come in a good sized tin to pack for picnics and add some pizzaz to the hamper. You can choose between raspberry, lemon, blackcurrant or peach. Serve chilled, these drinks are very refreshing. I loved the vegan craft beers from Mondo Brewing Company. They are almost too good to open, the company has a wonderful designer, I don’t know when last I enjoyed a tin this much. The Dennis Hopp’r is Mondo’s flagship IPA. It is inspired by West Coast style and is deliciously crisp with a citrus note. Road Soda takes its inspiration from New England and has a gentle, silky feel with low bitterness in flavour.
The Crosstown Game, Set, Match Box is available for delivery across Greater London and Cambridge until 11 July. The box costs £30.95 in London and Cambridge and £35 nationwide. You can add to the box by ordering specialist drinks such as Served Hard Seltzers, St JOHN wines, Fix8 Kombucha and others that you can view online. You can order online at www.crosstown.slerp.com
If you’d just like to know how to make Pimms, do check out our recipe for a classic Pimms cup and for a Pimms Spritz
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