Forget Pimm's: The Best Summer Cocktail for Your Next Picnic Is Here

There’s a new picnic essential in town, and it’s filled with history, a splash of sophistication and a whole world of flavour. Meet Port & Tonic (aka Portonic): the summer serve that’s been quietly making waves in Portugal and is finally ready for its moment in the UK sunshine. 

Port & Tonic is refreshingly crisp and super simple to make, and yet it packs a punch of complex flavours that rival any of your classic spritzes. Whether you find yourself on a sunny rooftop or at a delightful garden lunch until sundown, the Port & Tonic is the chilled-out hero you didn’t know you needed. Until now. 

Has Port Always Been Popular in the UK?

Let’s get one thing straight: while port is famously Portuguese, it’s also very much a British drink. Back in the 17th century, when political tensions between England and France caused trade disruptions, British merchants turned their attention to the Douro Valley in northern Portugal.

Enthralled by the region’s bold red wines, and in a bid to stabilise and preserve them for the voyage home, they began to add a neutral grape spirit (aguardente). Thus, the fortified port wine was born, and in quintessential British style, it quickly became beloved.

Since then, a centuries-old tradition has evolved, with British names still dominating the biggest port houses to this day. Taylor, Graham, Dow, Sandeman, and Cockburn are all names that highlight the long-standing Anglo-Portuguese connection made manifest in port wine. Today, port wine is no longer just a digestif reserved for after-dinner cheeseboards. Port has evolved, and tonic is its bright and bubbly new companion. 

One Size Does Not Fit All: The Different Types of Port

Whether it’s a dusty bottle from your grandad’s cupboard, or a sleek and mysterious number fresh off the shelf, it’s worth understanding that port isn’t a one-flavour-fits-all. There’s a surprising amount of variety in these fortified wines, which is exactly what makes Port & Tonic such a customisable drink, perfect for picnics. 

Here’s a little cheat sheet: 

White Port
The go-to for a classic Port & Tonic and best suited for the ‘aperitif’ style of drinks. White port is crafted from white grapes from the Douro Valley (popular varieties include Malvasia Fina and Rabigato), with neutral grape spirit added to stop fermentation and boost the alcohol content, resulting in a fortified wine between 16-20% ABV that preserves much of the natural fruitiness from the grapes.

White port is typically semi-dry, balancing an inviting sweetness with hints of elderflower, citrus, green apples, and light nuttiness reminiscent of almonds or macadamia. 

Dry White Port
Not to be confused with its sweeter sibling, dry white port is crisp and herbal, with a more botanical-forward flavour and hints of salinity instead of sweetness.

Made from similar grapes, the fermentation process is longer to remove more sugar before the neutral spirit is added, making it drier (less sweet) and a little higher in alcohol content (18-22% ABV). After adding some tonic, a lemon peel and handful of mint to the glass really elevates the herbal and crisp savoury notes. 

Ruby Port
In the Douro Valley, it’s typical to hear the phrase: “Red wine is the true wine,” and so it follows that ruby port is classically the port of choice. Crafted from Douro Valley grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz, the fortified wine is typically aged for no more than three years, with Reserve Ruby Port ageing extending up to six.

It’s youthful, deep red, full-bodied, and fruit-forward, boasting a ton of character that often offers a combination of red and dark fruit, spices and easygoing tannins. Coming in at an average ABV of 19-20%, ruby port’s lively character makes it great to drink on its own, and its flavour holds up when mixed with tonic and a slice of orange or berries. 

Tawny Port
Tawny port is the fortified wine equivalent of wisdom born from graceful aging and slow mornings. Like its ruby cousin, tawny port is crafted from red wine grapes and is aged in oak barrels for at least three years, but is commonly found as a blend of young and old fortified wines, sometimes ten or twenty years old and at times even older.

Its amber to brick red colour sets it apart, and where ruby port is vibrant and bold, tawny is mellow and complex.  Typical tasting notes are toffee and caramel, more nuttiness and sometimes fig. Whilst it has similar ABV content to ruby, tawny is one of the two renditions of port I’d recommend trying on its own, or mixed with sonic (a mix of soda and tonic) so you can let the more subtle flavours shine.

Aged Port 
Aged port is like the Rolls-Royce of port varieties. Crafted from a carefully selected blend of grapes and aged for extended periods of time (sometimes beyond 40 years), these are the pinnacle of Douro Valley’s fortified wines.

Aged ports also tend to be higher in ABV, closer to 22%, but still much less than fully distilled spirits. They offer incredible depth, much more nuanced flavour, and although they can be pricey, they are often well worth the investment. Best enjoyed on their own or with soda, a more neutral mixer that allows the layered character of the fortified wine to shine through in a subtle and stylish way.

Why Port Deserves To Be In Your Picnic Basket

Okay, knowing all about port is great, but why should Port & Tonic be a serious contender for your next summer drink? 

1. Simplicity. Two ingredients, that’s all. It’s low-fuss yet infinitely rewarding. Ice, a healthy pour, and you’re set.

2. Versatility. Thanks to such a wide range of port varieties, it’s guaranteed there’ll be something for everyone - whether they enjoy it light and floral, juicy and red-fruited or rich and nutty.

3. Lower ABV. Perfect for all-day sipping at a picnic or garden party. Since most ports sit at around 19-20%, when added to tonic, it becomes a refreshing and sessionable serve.

4. Value For Money. You can get your hands on some really good bottles without having to break the bank, not to mention you don’t need to pour very much to taste the full flavour. Then again, an extra splash is always worth it.

5. Elegance. It’s new, it’s chic, and it’s got staying power. We all deserve a good-looking glass in hand, and if you go for a garnish, it’s giving ‘picnic glow-up’. 

Which Port is Best for a Port and Tonic?

By now, you are hopefully on the hype train and keen to try some port & tonic for yourself. While Pimm’s will always have a place at the British summer table, your picnic deserves a new cocktail for this summer. Port & Tonic is fully customisable, pairs wonderfully with sausage rolls, and makes a flavourful beverage that also elevates freshly cut fruit.

Best of all, it’s easy to get hold of, but if you don’t know where to start, below is a recommended trio of options to seek out, so you know where you’re going when the picnic is on. Cheers to the new kind of summer spritz! 

Your Everyday Hero: Sandeman Fine White Port

A classic entry point to white port and one of the premier choices for your Port & Tonic. A little dry but holding on to its natural sweetness, Sandeman offers fruity aromas with gentle vanilla and light fresh finish. Enjoy it chilled on its own or mix 50/50 with tonic and a slice of lemon. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £11

Some Middle Shelf Magic: Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port

Made from a selected blend of dry white ports crafted from the Douro Valley’s Malvasia grape variety, Taylor’s offers mellow aromas, with a touch of minerality and acidity on the palate and a crisp dry finish for the perfect aperitif. Enjoy it chilled on its own or mix one-third port with two-thirds tonic and garnish with a lemon slice and crushed mint. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £18

The Top Tier Treat: Cockburn’s Ruby Soho Port

Inspired by London’s iconic Soho district, Cockburn’s delivers a rich and fruity ruby port that’s bold in character. Crafted from premium vintage red grapes in the Douro Superior region, this blend is full of jammy aromas of blackberry and toffee, with succulent notes of black cherries, red forest fruit and a peppery finish that lingers. Enjoy it neat or with a splash of tonic and an orange slice. Pairs perfectly with chocolate or cheese. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £23.95

If you like the sound of a martini, then make sure you check out these stunning versions here.

What Should I Drink With Christmas Cake, Pudding and Mince Pies?

If you’re not gorging on at least one of these this December, then are you even doing Christmas? Of course, mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding have their differences, but they’re all based around rich fruits, usually dried, or candied, as well as nuts and spices. Because of this, the same kind of drinks tend to work with them, and work they certainly do – these pairings are mouth-watering, and exactly what Christmas indulgence is about.

Sherry

Sweet, luxurious sherry is such a perfect match. Stick to Pedro Ximenez or Oloroso styles, and the dried fruits, nuts, and silky, rich chocolatey notes will pair up like a match made in taste heaven. It’s a traditional pairing too, so fully embraces the season. We’ve just uploaded our sherry guide for Christmas too, which details recommendations and information about all the styles.

Size: 375ml (half bottle)
ABV: 17%
Find here: £13.65

Port

Tawny Port in particular is a great way to go, brimming with red and black fruits, and if it’s got decent aging, nutty undertones too. The tawny is slightly less sweet than ruby ports, so the richer, nuttier, treacley flavours work well, especially if you’re using brandy butter. This Kopke Tawny is lovely and rich, with a velvety mouthfeel complimenting any cream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

Madeira

Part of Madeira wine’s fundamental manufacturing is heat, giving tonnes of stewed fruits and burnt sugar notes, as well as delicious nutty flavours. I mean, the nose often smells of Christmas cake even! They also keep their acidity nicely, which helps to avoid everything becoming a bit weighed down and cloying. It isn’t as traditional as a glass of sherry but works just as well.  This Blandy’s number is full-on and fruity, but most decent sweet Maderia wines will do the job.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £12.99 (usually more!)

Muscat

Dessert wines with carrying hints of apricot or orange work nicely, playing into the festive fruits nicely. Spanish Moscatel de Valencia is a good option – it’s a honeyed wine that’s also fresh and fruity, with lofty florality. It also provides a bit of refreshment and tang if the richness is getting a bit much,

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £7.99

These Christmas sweet treats are all similar in profile, but the same cannot be said for other desserts, where they may be sharp citrus, custard or other difficult to match flavours and textures. Luckily, we have a whole guide on what to drink with Classic British Puddings here!

Your Perfect Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide

Cheese and wine are an iconic match for good reason, so if you’ve never got round to pairing them or just want some mouth-watering combinations to try, then what better time than Christmas time?

From fizz to reds to whites and sweeter wines, we’ve paired your favourites with delicious cheeses that bring the best out of both of them and serve as great ambassadors for what the fuss is all about. Let’s get stuck in.

SPARKLING WINES

Champagne

For a luxurious pairing, try pairing Champagne with Truffle Brie. Brie is deliciously fatty, which coats the mouth and the super-fine bubbles of the Champagne slice through and cleanse with their sharpness, setting you up for another bite of brie, and so the heavenly cycle continues. Flavour wise, the earthy, creamy richness of the truffle brie compliments the toasty, brioche notes of Champagne. Aged Comté would go deliciously too, playing up to Champagne’s buttery and nutty notes. Any good, biscuity Champagne with mature, lively acidity would work, like the one below.

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve - £55

Cava

For Cava, look to hard sheep milk cheeses like Manchego, or Berks well. You get the nutty characteristics from the aging, with a slightly granular texture, caramel notes, and a tang to the finish. Similarly, to Cava, the toasty, nutty and caramel flavours develop with age, so the two converge somewhat. The gentle sweetness in the cheese is a natural partner for sparkling wine. An aged Cava like below brings gorgeous pastry and pear flavours, with refined fizz and fresh acidity.

Bodegas Sumarroca Brut Reserva 2019/20 - £13.95

WHITE WINES

Chardonnay

For Chardonnay, look to alpine-style cheeses. However, be aware that unoaked Chardonnay is crisp, and lean, whereas oaked chardonnays are more associated with toasted or vanilla notes. Provenance matters too, as the grape is malleable. From cool-climate citrus and minerality, to hotter California ripeness and full-bodied fruit – this affects the pairings. Think Beaufort for unoaked/mildly oaked cool-climate Chardonnay, with smooth, creamy texture and distinct, earthy aromas. For warmer-climate, oaked Chardonnay, go big and bold. Think buttery, creamy alpine-style cheeses like Comté Vieux with full, nutty richness and fruits or Aged Gouda for its intense, nutty flavour and crumbly texture. The oaked Coonawarra Chardonnay below from Australia has great buttery complexity.

Hollick Bond Road Coonawarra Chardonnay - £16.99

Sauvignon Blanc

Alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, look to goat’s cheeses with rich. Sauvignon, with its acidic, citrussy mineral-driven chisel, slices through the rich and gamey cheese perfectly. Their acidity match, creating a refreshing and invigorating feeling. You can look to the Loire Valley, famous for both Sauvignon Blanc and ash-coated aged Chévre, for a regional pairing of mineral, grassy notes, and for Selles sur Cher, a succulent and velvety cheese with nuts, citrus, salt, and a hint of sweetness – the Sauvignon will make those bright lemony flavours sing. Check out the fresh, well-balanced number below.

Cabriz Dao Sauvignon Blanc 2021 - £12.24

RED WINES

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir notes are full of light, fruity notes that make it a versatile dance partner for delicately flavoured cheeses. The lighter the Pinot, the creamier and softer the cheese – so, Brie and Camembert for a dreamy red fruit punch that won’t overpower the subtlety of the cheese. Elegant, light and fruity, the Walat Pinot below is perfect. For Pinots with a bit more body, really good Premium Cheddar is fantastic, where the body is full of warm toasted nuts.

Walt Pinot Noir Pfalz - £11.99

Tempranillo

Like the Loire Valley with Sauvignon Blanc and goat’s cheese, Tempranillo and Idiazabal adhere to the old saying, ‘if it grows together, it goes together’. The full-bodied Tempranillo works a treat with the harder, grainy texture of the cheese, the high tannins contrast with the buttery flavour, and both are Spanish with savoury flavours and wafts of smoke.

ROSÉ

Pale French Rosé

Pungent cheeses can easily overpower a Rosé, but there is still enough tartness to cleanse the palate of flavoursome cheeses, and Rosé is actually a flexible pairing, particularly if the Rosé has acidity, dryness, and bubbles. Fresh, young cheeses like Feta, Mozzarella and Baby Swiss all nuzzle up to the berry notes nicely, and the wine can cut through and reset the palate. We recommend a pure, smooth Havarti though, because the flavours are mellow and delicate, and the steely minerality of Provence Rosé counters the soft cheesy texture wonderfully. Check out the zippy bittersweet fruits of the bottle below, which also brings a cool saline tang.

Barbebelle Rose Fleuri Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose 2022 - £8.95

SWEET WINE

Port

Port and Stilton is a bonified classic pairing, and for good reason. Port brings full body, sweetness, and rich boldness – so you need a cheese stinky enough to stand up to it. A salty Blue Stilton brings pungent complexity to pair with the sweetness. A Christmas classic. The sweet but complex Tawny below is perfect.

Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port - £25.95

For more cheese and wine pairings and tips on how to get the most out of tasting them together, explore our in-depth tasting guide here.

What Should I Drink With Classic British Puddings?

The perfect tipple with your favourite dessert – is there anything that hits the spot more? There are plenty of differing textures, flavours and of course, a lot of sweetness at play with British puddings and desserts, so a sip of the wrong drink can easily clash.

Of course, the right drink and every part of the experience can be enhanced. We’ve listed some of the drinks that work best with classic British puddings below, and as a general rule, you want your drink to be sweeter than the other dishes – especially when it comes to wine.

There are lots of other factors at play though, so scan for your favourite dessert in bold below and see what takes it to that next level.

White Wine

Riesling

We’re looking for two things – sweetness, and acidity, so that the wine doesn’t taste bitter, and so that there’s no overbearing cloying sweetness. Riesling is the most versatile food-friendly wine, and for any plain cheesecakes, it’s spot on. Also, lemon drizzle is a tough one to match with the central flavour being so bold, but a sweet Riesling works well. Lastly, if it’s a dryer Riesling with lots of citrus and green apple notes, then it will be able to slice into the sweetness of an apple crumble without clashing. This Dr. Loosen Riesling is from the Mosel Valley, which produce sweeter expressions. It also has pronounced fruits so it’s ideal.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 8.5%
Find here: £8.20

DESSERT WINE

Muscat

Muscats provided a lovely golden sweetness, slight florality and spice, as well as a lot of fruits. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you get sip on Muscat with chocolate cake and other sweet chocolate puddings. The same goes for Bakewell tart and bread and butter pudding, which, if you’re a fan of the sweetness, you can pair with Muscat – though this might be a little too much for some. This Italian sweety is a good place to start.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10

Fortified Wine

Madeira

During its production process, Maderia wine is heated so there’s plenty of stewed fruits and burnt sugar notes, as well as nutty flavours. In fact, the nose often smells of fruit cake, so they make a heavenly couple. It’s also usually highly acidic. Madeira generally works well with chocolate cheesecake, and particularly if there are any nuts involved too. It’ll also take on the intense rich sweetness of sticky toffee pudding for a dreamy marriage of indulgence. This one from Blandy’s is full-on and fruity.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £14.99

Port

Tawny Port in particular is a great way to go, full to the brim with red and black fruits and like Maderia, those nutty flavours. It’s not as acidic as Madeira, but there’s still enough to cut through. Tawny Port provides a somewhat drier option for luxurious dark chocolate desserts, toffee/caramel cheesecakes, and sticky toffee pudding. Tawny Ports over 20 years old are also known to be complimentary with coffee cake, when the nutty nuances have really developed. This Kopke Tawny is lovely and rich, with velvety smoothness enriching any creaminess.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

SPARKLING WINE

Moscato d’Asti

Sparkling Moscato tend to be low in alcohol and higher in sweeter than Prosecco, so pair well with a few desserts. Most trifles in the classic format will go nicely, with the bubbles breaking up any heavy custard and cream. Moscato d’Asti is also a good choice for lighter, spongier cakes without loads of intense flavours – so almond cakes, pound cakes and Victoria sponge.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99

Cocktails

Kir Royale

A nice strawberry or raspberry liqueur topped up with Champagne works a treat for berry and meringue desserts – think Eton mess and pavlova. The cassis is an obvious dream pairing for the berries, complementing the flavour and sweetness, and the Champagne provides a pleasant acidic crunch, with those bubbles refreshing the palate.

Beer & Cider

Fruit Flavoured Beers like Belgian Fruli, Kriek, and Frambozen

Raspberry or cherry beers are plentiful in the Belgian style, and pair nicely with any berry cheesecakes. Also, if you’re enjoying a chocolate pudding on the lighter side, these kinds of beers go surprisingly well, particularly if those fruits are in it of course. You could also look to these beers for Bakewell tart and cherry trifles because they have a refreshing tartness that both matches and offsets the sweetness simultaneously.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 3.5%
Find here: £2.05

Apple Cider

You can probably tell where this is going. Part of the cider resurgence has been down to their sweetness, which makes them perfect for apple desserts – especially traditional apple pies and apple crumbles. Make sure it’s a bubbly cider, and the fizz and crispness marry the warm richness of the crumble deliciously.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 6.8%
Find here: £2.50

We’ve got a few pairings guides up on the site now, so for more sweet options specific to pancakes go here!

Heavenly Chocolate and Drinks Pairings

We love drinks, and we love chocolate (who doesn’t), but just lumping together two delicious things in their own right doesn’t guarantee a hit. There are lots of strong flavours involved here, but if you get it right then it’s magical.

Don’t get us wrong, ‘getting it right’ is whatever tastes good for you, but these matchups below are ones we love. White, fruit and nut, dark, truffles, mint, orange... all of these chocolates will be made even better when washed down with these delicious drinks.

WHITE CHOCOLATE

Martini - Asti Spumante

A sweet and bubbly Italian Asti like this is the perfect complement to the creamy richness of white chocolate, which can become sickly disappointingly quickly. The wine's light, fruity notes and refreshing effervescence help cut through the sweetness of the chocolate, creating a perfectly balanced pairing. Plus, the wine's crisp acidity helps cleanse the palate between bites, making for an indulgence experience that can go on that bit longer!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 7.5%
Find here: UK £7.49 (usually more!) // US $15.99

Fruit & Nut Milk Chocolate

Kopke Tawny Port

A glass of Tawny Port to wash down fruit and nut milk chocolate is sublime. From the oldest port house around, this is quite light as ports go, with those gorgeous, dried fruits notes brought to the fore by the chocolate flavouring. It’s also richer and less sweet relative to similar styles, which is ideal because that milk chocolate will still bring plenty of sweetness on its own. The chocolatey, vanilla character subtly running through Kopke’s velvety smooth texture really enriches the creaminess of the chocolate too. An elegant combination if ever there was one.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

Fruit & Nut Dark Chocolate

Croft 'Quinta Da Roeda' Vintage Port 2004

For a darker fruit and nut choc, we go from one Portuguese port master to another in Croft. Elegantly structured, this decade-old ruby red has opulent notes of raisin, black cherry, vanilla, and crucially, dark chocolate. Not only do the fruits play into the chocolate perfectly, but they’re also just sweet enough to offset any dark choc bitterness. Ports also get nuttier with age, so after 10 years of aging those nutty notes will only be elevated even further here. Delicious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20.5%
Find here: £24.99 (£21.99 Mix Six Price)

Dark Chocolate & Truffles

Fonseca Reserve Ruby Port

Dark Chocolate, Truffles and Ruby Port – the nights that dreams are made of, right? Again, there’s a sophisticated sweetness here that suits the bittersweet chocolate perfectly and the same goes for the truffles. The full-bodied complexity and luxurious depth of purple fruits suit dark chocolate and truffles so indulgently well. This is a world away from easter eggs now (not that there’s anything wrong with them either).

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: UK £13.99 // US $19.99

Orange Chocolate

Courvoisier VSOP Cognac

With its incredibly rich history, Courvoisier has had years to perfect its style and as a result, they have a gorgeous VSOP that is a benchmark in the region. Around a decade of aging gives amazing depth with fragrant oakiness, soft warmth from coffee, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and most relevant of all, delicate vanilla and citrus. A glass of chilled Courvoisier in one hand, and a chocolate orange ball in the other, oh, yes.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £36.95 // US $45.99

Mint Chocolate

Ardbeg An Oa Scotch Whisky

Mint chocolate is a more challenging pairing. As anyone who’s made the mistake of mixing mint choc with other flavours knows, it’s a dominant force. Therefore, we need a whisky that isn’t for the faint of heart. Islay Scotch is known for its power, and Ardbeg is no exception. Smooth sweetness sits under bold smoke and peat which creates an extremely memorable menthol profile with the mint, and the dark chocolate notes obviously pair well too. A glass of An Oa Scotch and some mint chocolate? Now that’s how you end a meal.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46.6%
Find here: UK £43.90 // US $68.99

There’s more to Easter feasting than just chocolate though, so if you want more amazing flavour marriages for the rest of your Easter grub go here!