MY LIFE IN DRINKS: Carol Kirkwood on her teen tipple, tea with the Queen and her most memorable drink ever The weather forecaster and author, 62, tells Scarlett Dargan about her teen tipple, tea with the Queen and the champagne to serve at her funeral By Scarlett Dargan For You Magazine Published: 12:00, 13 July 2024 | Updated: 12:00, 13 July 2024 e-mail View comments My favourite drink as a child was cola. Not the proper stuff, but a knock-off version made from my dad Malcolm’s soda machine. It would probably taste revolting to me now, but as a child of eight or nine growing up in the Scottish Highlands, it was the height of luxury.
We weren’t allowed it most of the time – it was a treat for Sundays with our roast dinner. The first alcohol I tasted was sherry. When I was a little bit older, say 12 or 13, my parents would sometimes let me have a thimble of sweet sherry.
I remember the first time I went to the pub with my friends and one of the boys asked what I wanted to drink. They were all drinking cool young-people drinks, but the only alcohol I’d ever tasted was sherry. I asked him for a sweet one, and he refused to order it.
He got me a lager and lime instead and it was disgusting. I was the laughing stock for quite a while after that. I always start off my morning with a cup of tea.
My husband Steve [Randall, who Kirkwood married last year] makes it for me when I get up for work at 2.45am. I call mine ‘baby tea’ because I have it so weak with loads of milk.
My favourite is Tetley, but if you make me a cup of any brand I’m grateful. I met Steve at a work function about seven years ago. I was drinking an espresso martini, and Steve very sensibly wasn’t drinking because he’s a policeman and had work the next day.
We went on our first lunch date shortly after and had sandwiches and tea. It’s strange to think that neither of us had planned on going to the function but we changed our minds at the last minute, and if one of us hadn’t, we’d never have met. It was a real Sliding Doors moment.
Carol was Starstruck at the Beverly Hills Hotel My most memorable drink ever was in the Polar Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel in 2014. It was so special because growing up I used to love Jackie Collins novels, and there was always some clandestine meeting between movie stars in the Polar Lounge. I was there with my friend Sue and we were drinking Sauvignon Blanc.
I looked over to the table next to us and there was Lionel Richie! Sue and I were nudging each other and giggling; I was completely starstruck. The most famous person I’ve had a drink with is the late Queen Elizabeth II. Carol met her husband over an espresso martini It was at an afternoon tea in 2012 at Sandringham, and I was giving a talk for some ladies from the Women’s Institute.
The Queen was lovely. At the beginning of the talk, I told everyone to raise their hand and interrupt me if they had any questions. The Queen asked me loads, including why can’t you wear green when you present the weather.
She was an amazing lady, and it’s true what they say: she had such a great sense of humour. After I’ve had a few drinks, you’ll catch me singing along to ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran. It’s mine and Steve’s song because it came out around the time we met.
It was our first dance at our wedding, and it always reminds me of that special day. At my funeral, I want them to serve Winston Churchill’s favourite champagne, Pol Roger. I’ve only had it once at Christmas when my friend pushed the boat out and bought a bottle.
It can be around £200, so way out of my price range – I’m used to an £8 bottle of white wine – but it is delicious. It’s so robust and bubbly, but because it’s so expensive I haven’t had it since. I’d want everyone to be able to try it at my send-off.
Once Upon a Time in Venice by Carol Kirkwood will be published on Thursday 18 July (HarperCollins, £16.99). To order a copy for £14.
44 until 28 July, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
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