Charles Dickens has, it seems, been post-humously hired as a Courvoisier brand ambassador. This exciting move is based on the discovery of his impressive 18 dozen bottle stash of the stuff, and inclusion of numerous cognac punch recipes throughout his work. To celebrate this connection, the brand have put together the brilliant sounding Dickens Punch Tour, around London, set to take place in the run-up to Christmas.

Courvoisier's commitment to punch has been inescapable in recent years, with their annual Spirit of Punch competition catching bartenders' imagination and yielding some stellar results. Now though, the brand are embracing the classic that is winter punch, whilst simultaneously giving literary geeks and drink geeks alike, a chance immerse themselves in the history of the drink and, so too, of Dickens.

The hour-long walking tour includes a number of famous sites associated with Dickens and his books, and meeting a cast of characters along the way. It culminates with a visit to a pop-up Old Curiosity Shop, where visitors can warm up with a hot Courvoisier punch, based on Dickens' recipe – the Smoking Bishop.

The Courvoisier Dickens Punch Tour will run from 23 November until 3 December, from Wednesday to Saturday, with sessions held at 6pm and 7.30pm, starting at Bow Street Magistrates Court in Covent Garden. Tickets are available here.

Courvoisier Smoking Bishop Recipe (makes 1l)

140ml Courvoisier VS

275ml Light red wine

140ml Ruby port

50ml gomme

205ml blood orange juice

140ml pink grapefruit juice

8 cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

2 Seville oranges (sliced)

2 pink grapefruits (sliced)

Generous helping of ground nutmeg

METHOD: Put the cloves, cut Seville oranges and pink grapefruit slices into a pot. Add remaining ingredients, holding back on the cognac until later. Bring the mixture to a low simmer careful not to boil, stirring in the Courvoisier VS cognac as you go. Serve in insulated mug or cups with an orange slice and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

News item from Imbibe.com, 09-11-2011