Haven’t you heard?! Port is trendy now. No longer just the fortified wine that you bring out while stuffed full on Christmas Day when you realise you seem to have drunk everything else. No, port is back in fashion. Heralded as a cost-efficient and adventurous alternative to a G&T, a port and tonic (or a P&T that is) is a drink that needs to be on your radar!
What is a Port and Tonic?
It’s already extremely popular in Portugal, and depending on what type of port you go for, a P&T can be quite varied as a drink. It’s mainly white port that is put into a port and tonic, but we’ve decided to mix it up a bit and throw in some red ports too! We’ve recommended some tonics to go with the different ports, but remember that at the end of the day it’s always down to your personal preference.
Here are our favourite ports for a GREAT port and tonic:
Barros LBV 2015
Barros LBV is a ruby port in a beautiful deep red colour, making for a very stylish drink. It’s very full-bodied and has flavours of ripe fruit and wild berries. The aromas are reminiscent of figs and plums, so you’ll find yourself feeling wonderfully indulgent with one of these in your hand. Try with Fever Tree Mediterranean to give a bitter edge to those rich fruits, and why not garnish with a few berries?
Size: 75cl
ABV: 20%
Find here: £17.83
Portal Fine White Port
White port makes for a more traditional G&T alternative than a red port, and not just because of its colour. White port has a more citrusy zing than a red port and is often less sweet. Portal Fine white port is quite floral and has notes of white peaches, so if you’re looking to be adventurous you could try an elderflower tonic alongside it.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 19%
Find here:£16.75
Kopke 10 Year Old White Port
This port is elegant and refined, with notes of dried fruit threatening to push it towards the flavour profile of a red port. That would make sense, as the white grapes are treated like red grapes in this port, having an extended maceration to increase the aging potential and giving it a stunning gold colour. The flavour is very complex, so much so that you may not even want to drink this port with tonic. If you do, use a light tonic so as to not overpower the flavours of spice, dried fruit and wood.
Size: 75cl
ABV: 20%
Find here: £29.99
Quinta Do Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port
Another 10 year old port, this tawny port is wonderfully smooth on the tongue and its notes of figs, raisins and caramel are perfect for this time of year. As it’s aged, this is another port you should try on its own before slamming in the tonic water, just to experience that complex flavour profile. If you still want the tonic, we’d recommend a lighter one.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £22.20
Graham’s Blend No. 5 White Port
The crispness of this port is really what makes it shine in a port and tonic. The modern bottle design is something you don’t often see with ports, but perhaps it is a sign that port is now in! Graham’s Blend is definitely aimed at gin lovers and port sceptics, with its aromatic and fruity flavours reminiscent of a flavoured gin. This is a port that takes to tonic like a blanco tequila to a hen party, so get experimental with what you pair it with.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £21.25
Not sure you fancy a port and tonic? Then how about having a read of The Best Gins For A Martini or The Best Vodkas For Espresso Martinis?