These drinks may have eyebrow raising ingredients or concoctions, but when you take that first sip, you can expect enough eyebrow raise because they are delicious. Great drinks aren’t afraid to experiment and innovate, and these do just that. Sometimes it doesn’t work, but here it most definitely does. So, if you’re after a curious bottle to gift for someone’s birthday, or perhaps a Valentine’s Present, then explore these tasty creations below.
Ukiyo Blossom Gin
Produced in the shadow of the Sakurajima volcano, the outcome is a delicate, fantastically floral gin. Shōchū spirit is distilled again with juniper, local mandarin orange, and a host of Japanese botanicals, the most stand out of which is aromatic cherry blossom. It’s light and bright but has earth juniper and angelica root too. The Sakura flower inclusion is strong no doubt, and won’t please everyone, but if you love it, you’ll really love it. We can’t not mention this bottle too, which is absolutely stunning and 100% a must keep once you’ve drained it.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £36.99 (usually more!)
Jaffa Cake Gin
This is one of those gins that will pique your curiosity, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be desperate to try. This timeless treat has been repurposed to flavour gin, but don’t go thinking it’s overly sweet and unnatural. Fresh orange peel is used, cocoa powder and get this, actual Jaffa cakes for that authentic, unmistakable taste. Far from being just a gimmick, this won the most prestigious award for flavoured gin in 2021, as well as other top awards, praised for its delicacy, balance and crowd-pleasing flavour. It’s become iconic for a Negroni so give it a go!
Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £29.95
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum - Roast Coffee
This is a really interesting sipper. It brings the sweetness of a cold brew Arabica coffee and therefore more of a liqueur vibe than a rum (though at 40%, be careful). If you’re into pure rums then this probably isn’t for you, but if you love coffee and sweeter rums, you have to try this. It’s unique in this space, with a dessert style to it. It’s smooth, the spice holds strong, particularly on the finish. The Kraken awakes!
Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Price: £26.90
Captain Morgan Tiki Mango & Pineapple Spirit
This is a full, unashamed celebration of tropical rum. Inside the devilish tiki bottle is a much lighter but still punchy rum spirit compared with the original, but don’t be expecting a dark rum like that. The pineapple and mango are sweet and vibrant, but there’s enough bitterness for balance too with a little pepper for warmth. If someone is into cocktails, then this would be a great addition for a splash of sunshine.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Price: £19.95
Tequila Rose Strawberry Liqueur
Tequila Rose has icon status by now, providing many a tequila shot alternative that actually tastes nice. Tequila spirit is joined by strawberry cream liqueur, a mix that won’t please too many agave purists, but the results are splendid. It’s deliciously sweet and creamy like a grown-up strawberry milkshake. Yes it’s not the most complex and challenging drink in the world, far from it, but if you want a tasty boozy treat that is guaranteed to hit the spot, tequila rose is tailor made for it
Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Price: £13.75
1800 Coconut Spirit
This is lighter, coconut spin on a silver Blanco Tequila, a flavour that you don’t usually associate with the Mexican spirit. Nonetheless, it works. The grassy agave still comes through, matching up with the natural coconut flavouring nicely. The smoothness is incredible, and there are all kinds of cocktails it would elevate. Imagine a less creamy Piña Colada and you’re getting there – curious and divine.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £39.49
Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Liqueur
How about this for an American delight? Whiskey with peanut butter. It’s nutty paradise and would be so good in cocktails. Imagine a peanut butter Old Fashioned? Creamy oak and vanilla come through as the nuttiness fades away on the finish, and it’s just so easy drinking. Don’t think of it as a flavoured whiskey, it’s very much its own thing, and if you like peanut butter and whiskey, it would be so difficult not to love this.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 35%
Price: £21.95 (usually more!)
Puschkin Nuts & Nougat Liqueur
Forget chocolate bars, we’re talking about nuts and nougat in booze. More specifically, vodka. Puschkin make award-winning vodka, so the base spirit here is fantastically smooth, and now it’s got this ‘Kinder Bueno’ esque twist, it is to die for. The balance is spot on with this one, and it really is dangerously easy to drink.
Size: 700ml
ABV: 17.5%
Price: £12.94 (usually more!)
If you want to take a look as some weird but wonderful bottles, have a gander at these.