If you are Scottish, forgive me for preaching to the already knowing - but this part of the post is written for my non-Scots readers or those who may not have come across Irn Bru before. Irn Bru pronounced Iron Brew is Scotland's unofficial national drink, a fizzy bright orange non-alcoholic beverage.
Such is its popularity in Scotland that not a day went by when I saw a young Scot guzzling it down his throat at the bus stop, as if it were milk. When I lived in Glasgow, I would often witness a young man in a tracksuit on his way to work strutting a large bottle of Irn Bru under his armpits. Or in the evening on my way back home, ned and nedettes eating curry'n'chips and swigging from a can of Irn Bru. Oh such sights I do not miss. I had enjoyed watching the humorous Irn Bru ads though, many of which can be found on youtube.
I was also always amused when our American friends come over, they always take back a can of Irn Bru - I am surprised its gets past customs and then surprised it didn't burst on the journey.
Before I go on to share more about the Irn Bru Jelly, I must make a point about soft non-alcoholic drinks. You know the way some alcoholic beverages are not suitable for vegetarians and vegans, well this can also be the case for soft drinks. A number of soft drinks for example may use food dyes such as cochineal, which gives drinks a orange glow in the dark colouring. I know it sounds a bit silly, but I would never had thought that sweets contained animal products such as gelatine in wine gums animal rennet in crisps - remember Walkers cheese and onion; and don't get me started with Mars Bars, so nowadays I do my utmost to always check the labels. There is still some uncertainty as to whether Irn Bru is suitable for vegans, but I have been assured that it is suitable indeed.
Okay, having acquired my rather large bottle of Irn Bru for Burns Night - my Scottish theme night, I had great plans of creating lots of Irn Bru recipes, such as the Irn Bru ice-cream I had in Inveraray, Irn Bru Sorbet that I had in a Glasgow chip shop, Irn Bru Tablet somewhere in Ayrshire which I thoroughly enjoyed and Irn Bru Cake. However, the only one I managed to create was Irn Bru jelly. Well I was real chuffed with myself, it truly did taste like Irn Bru, the only bit missing was the bubbles, fizz and burps!
Maybe for my next Scottish evening I will try Buckfast!
I had two Irn Bru glass dishes left from my evening, on hearing this, one of my nephews took one for himself, the other he took home for the family to taste. When I went over I asked them how they found it, my youngest brother was surprised at the idea of Irn Bru Jelly and excited to try it, then he learned that he missed out, so he was a bit mift with my nephew for not sharing a taste with him, so I may just have to make some more again - for a big kids party, his Birthday is in February!
Recipe will be posted later this week
