Fun Drinks Choices for Valentine’s Day

Drinks picked by Helena

Valentine's day, Galentine's day or ‘I'm just going to give myself some love’ day can be a stressful time with all the pressure to HAVE FUN. Fear not, though! I have donned my cupid cape and found 8 fun drinks and drinks gifts that are perfect for Valentine’s Day, whichever element of it you are celebrating!

Spirits

Personalised London Dry Gin & Single Malt Whisky

The Whisky Exchange are offering a customisable London Dry Gin and a stunning, customisable, Sherry finished, single malt whisky for you to gift a loved one this V day. For each, you can choose from six label designs and ten messages - or simply write your own text! The gin is crisp and refreshing; a classic London Dry with lots of citrus and juniper. The whisky is rich and round with notes of dried fruit, caramel and Christmas cake. Prices include personalisation and gift tube.

Gin: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £39.95
Whisky: ABV 48%, Size 700ml, £54.95 

Ballycastle Red Velvet Cream Liqueur

Fans of Baileys Irish cream will love this, especially those who have enjoyed their new Red Velvet version and are looking for something less pricey. Aldi’s version is an indulgent blend of double cream, spirit and red velvet cake, serve it chilled over ice with a strawberry if you can find one. Forget dessert, This IS your dessert!

Find it in-store for £7.25 (700ml)

Mermaid Pink Gin Gift Set

The Isle of Wight Distillery is rapidly building an excellent reputation thanks to their stunning range of gins, vodka and rum that are all plastic-packaging free. This pink gin combines the flavour of fresh, Isle of Wight strawberries with their famously smooth, aromatic and complex gin and the bottle could not be prettier! If you want to take your gifting to the next level, however, then seek out their gift set, which includes a bottle of the Mermaid Pink Gin (70cl) and two gold-plated, gorgeous, copa glasses. 

Gin: ABV 38%, Size 700ml, £39.90
Gift pack: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £65.50

Wine

Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz

A sparkling red? Yes, for something a little different. Try this slightly chilled. It’s one of the rare style of red wine that goes with chocolate too (the darker the better). Sparkling Shiraz has been an Aussie no-so-well-kept-secret for a while! It will take you for Valentine’s day into summer barbecues in the sunshine too and this onen is awesome value.

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £6.99
Find here: Aldi

Coral Ethical Rosé Wine

This delicate, Spanish pink is an organic and vegan-friendly rosé wine with Tempranillo grapes in a carbon-neutral winery and packaged in an ultra-light bottle that uses recycled and recyclable materials. Think aromatic notes of grapefruit and strawberry with a refreshing, peachy palate. 10% of its profits are also donated to the restoration and conservation of coral reefs, which represent 25% of marine biodiversity. A rosé with heart!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £9.99
Find here: Abel & Cole, Adnams, Amazon.co.uk

W/O Frappato, Terre Siciliane, IGT 2020

A little taste of Sicily in a ‘wild glass’, which means glass bottles that are 100% post-consumer recycled. The first in the UK to do this! It does mean that each bottle is slightly different with a minimalist,easily  biodegradable label. Frappato is a native grape to Sicily and it offers a comforting, rustic red that’s all about spicy red fruit compote notes. It’s an unpretentious, comfort  blanket of a wine! Your new go-to week day favourite. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £11.99/bottle or £9.99 for 6
Find here: Laithwaites

Specially Selected Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C.G 2018

Amarone is a great choice for those looking for a rich and velvety red wine this Valentine's day. Think dark cherries dipped in melted dark chocolate and spice. Delicious! This is part of Aldi’s impressive ‘Specially Selected’ range and for an Amarone, it is excellent value. It even sounds like the Italian word for love: ‘Amore’. Yes please! I’ll have a glass of that.

ABV: 15%
Size: 750ml
Price: £19.99
Find here: ALDI

Bubbles

Codornìu Cava Rosé  NV

Codornìu is the big name in Cava, producing a fantastic range of traditional method bubbles in all sorts of styles and at all price points. It is fantastic value for some classic Spanish bubbles, with a herbaceous nose and a crunchy, red cherry tang. This is definitely a winner with all sorts of food.  

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Price: £9
Find here: Ocado

Splash out: Veuve Clicquot Rosé

The widow ‘Veuve’ Clicquot invented rosé wine so this really is the original! A super special bottle where the Pinot -Noir dominant wine is the most elegant pink colour and super silky, with delicately complex aromas and flavours of brioche, summer fruits, toast and apricot. This is truly a fizz to savour; give it time to let it open up in the glass and enjoy!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £49
Find here: Tesco

If you enjoyed this, then don’t forget to have a look at our other wine and spirits recommendations!

The Best Gins To Gift This Christmas

Words by Leigh Andrews

With the big day fast approaching and with such an amazing choice of gins and gin gifts on the market, choosing can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming - especially if you’re not clued up on the latest trends and releases. Fear not! We have put together a list of little beauties for you. There are all sorts of gins and gin related gifts in here for gin liqueur lovers to the super geeky gin collectors. Each will make sure that you stay on Santa’s good list for next year!  

TARQUIN’S FIGGY PUDDING GIN

This needs no explanation as a great gin gift for Christmas. it’s called Figgy Pudding after all! The flavours in this little Cornish beauty invoke thoughts of nights sat next to the fire, toasted marshmallows and just one more mince pie (once they’re gone they never existed, right?). Christmas spices, citrus zest, dried figs and even blow-torched, brandy-soaked cherry wood chips are all infused with Tarquin’s original London Dry Gin so yep, that makes this a full strength gin woohoo! Try it with ginger ale, lots of ice and a wedge of orange. Oh, and just one more mince pie!

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £35.95

ANGEL FEATHERS APPLE GIN

Angelic Angel Feathers is perfect if you’re looking for an eco-friendly gin gift for that special someone, with the flavour to back it up. Produced in Wales using only seasonal fruits and botanicals from their own micro fruitery, the bottles even have compostable seals and are returnable/reusable. You can even contact Katharine, the owner at www.angelfeathers.co.uk, she is full of suggestions for your empties that go way past the usual fairy lights! Also available in a stocking filler size of 200ml, meaning you could try some of her other flavours too. This gin is gorgeous with mulling spices in hot apple juice or over ice as a sipper. 

ABV: 39%
Size: 200ml, 500ml
Find here: £23 - £43.50

ATLAS SHICHIMI GIN

Atlas Gins are inspired by exotic flavours from all around the world and we love them for their complex, unique flavours. Their Shichimi gin (try saying that after having a couple) is inspired by 17th Century, Japanese spice blend, which combines seven spices and is used in traditional cooking. Botanicals in here include Sichuan peppercorn, gyokuro green tea, ginger and nori seaweed, giving it a warm kick with moreish umami notes all freshened up with the juniper and citrus. This is a proper gin to savour!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £48

CABBY’S GIN

This small batch gin was distilled in London by almost by mistake! Cabby’s are well known for their rum and they were debating whether or not to put in some juniper, when they discovered an ideal botanical blend for gin. It’s incredibly refreshing and delicately aromatic with notes of lemon balm, dried herbs and lavender, balanced by more exotic spice notes and all underpinned by just the right amount of Juniper. Buying this will also support a black-owned business. Try the rum too!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £28.49

TEMPLAR SPIRIT GIN (Daniel Hooper Joker Edition)

If you’re fortunate enough to know a gin collector (they always want to let you taste their latest find!) but are stumped on what to get them for Christmas, then you can’t go wrong with a rare bottle. This striking bottle not only contains a fantastic, classic, smooth London dry gin but how about an actual work of art on the bottle?! Templar Spirits commissioned British artist Daniel Hooper to design and then hand finish each label on this very limited run of 50 bottles of Templar Spirits Gin. If you miss out on this one, fear not, Dan will be working on future limited editions with Templar Spirits.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £100

GLASWEGIN CHRISTMAS CRACKER

Now, this is the kind of Christmas cracker every gin lover wants to find on the tree! Feel free to add several, dear husband (I hope he’s reading this!). We’ll even let you off that there’s no bad joke or quality plastic jewellery inside! With 8 botanicals including Scottish milk thistle, coriander, orange flower, Italian juniper, angelica, chamomile, bay leaf and pink peppercorns, this smooth and distinct gin is definitely an absolute cracker!

ABV: 41.1%
Size: 50ml
Find here: £7.95

MARKS AND SPENCER SNOW GLOBE GIN

If you’re looking for a gift for that person who loves Christmas, lots of sparkle and a wee liqueur after dinner (gin purists look away!) then they’ll love to receive one of this year’s Marks and Spencer’s collection of Snow Globe Gin Liqueurs. Since they first introduced their sell-out bottles last year, they have expanded their range to include new flavours and even a monster 1.5L bottle that not only lights up to show off the shimmering 24ct edible gold leaf but also plays a festive Christmas tune! From cracker sets to mixed cases, there’s something for everyone on your Christmas list!

ABV: 20%
Size: 50ml to 1.5L
Find here: £32 - £120

CRAFT GIN CLUB SUBSCRIPTION

The gift that keeps on giving! It will give your gin lover surprises all through the year and you MAJOR brownie points! You can purchase a no-contract subscription to the Craft Gin Club that will send that lucky person a gin box from every quarter to every month. This box is great not only for the fabulous gins which are always full size, and often exclusive distillery releases for club members, but the amazing range of extra snacks, cocktail ingredients, tonics, garnishes and the gin magazine that comes with it.

ABV: Variable
Size: 700ml
Find here: £40 per box

ROCK ROSE REFILL REWARDS CLUB

Following on from the subscription idea, Scottish distillers Dunnet Bay have gone one step further and have set up a refill club. All you need is an empty Rock Rose Gin bottle (buy them a full bottle to go with their refill subscription if they don’t already have one) and at intervals of your choosing from 3, 6 and 12 month memberships, they will send a refill pouch along with some other goodies for less than the cost of a bottle. The recipient can change the gins they receive (their Navy strength gin ROCKS) and once they’ve refilled just put the empty pouch directly back in the post to be fully recycled at source….make sure you have drained that pouch!

ABV: 41.5% - 57%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £30-£34 per refill

SECRET GARDEN CHRISTMAS GIN

Working hand in hand with nature being their ethos and with 600 herb varieties in their distillery garden at the foot of the Pentland hills, the folks at The Secret Garden distillery have created this absolute beaut of a Christmas gin that anyone would love to unwrap on the big day. It’s got all of those gorgeous warming Christmas spices, 100% natural ingredients and no added sugar which obviously means extra chocs can be consumed with no guilt, right?! A really simple serve is all that’s needed as this gin speaks for itself so add lots of ice, light tonic and a slice of orange for that perfect festive tipple!

ABV: 39%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £36.95

See our other Christmas guides on red wines, rum, white wine and more!

The Most Popular Gin Cocktails

The distinct, botanical taste of gin is not only something to be admired - but also something that can be built upon in a tasty cocktail. Whether you want something fruity, something bitter, or just something to appreciate the deep flavours of gin, a cocktail is a perfect way to show your love for this beautiful spirit. We’ve lined up our favourite gin cocktails and given you some recipes so you can get cracking!

Martini

Gin at its utmost classiest: the martini is one to drink pensively while sitting in a hotel bar (though a living room will do) thinking of your lost lover and the expanse of poetry yet to be written… Basically, it’s a bit dramatic but seriously cool. Learning how to make the perfect martini is an impressive skill to be proud of, so start practicing now!

Ingredients
50ml gin
12.5ml dry vermouth
lemon twist or olives for garnish 

Method
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with cracked ice, stir (sorry James B) vigorously for 30 seconds and strain into a pre-cooled martini glass. Garnish with either a twist of lemon or a couple of olives. Enjoy!

Negroni

The negroni, another simple but perfect gin cocktail that’s boozy, bitter and moreish. The blend of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari is enough to make your mouth water just at the stunning, scarlet sight of one! Cheers!

Ingredients
25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
orange slice for garnish 

Method
Add ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass. Add large ice cubes and garnish with a slice of orange.

Gin Fizz

If you like frothy, foamy cocktails then the Gin Fizz is for you. It’s sweet with a tart kick from the lemon and a delicate botanical finish from the gin. In our opinion, it’s a bit like a lemon meringue pie in a cocktail! If you love that dessert and also love gin (like us) whip up one of these today for something delicious that will quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients
50ml gin
25ml lemon juice
2 tsp sugar syrup
1 egg white or 2tbsp aquafaba
lemon slice for garnish 

Method
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain into a tall glass and carefully garnish with a lemon slice!

French 75

New fact for the day, the French 75 is actually named after a gun that was used by the French and Americans in WW1 and was noted for its speed and accuracy. Why, then, is it used to describe a cocktail?! According to the inventors, this drink hits you as accurately and quickly as the ‘French 75’ - so watch out! Champagne and gin might at first seem like a weird combination, but seeing (or tasting) is believing! Mix up some of these at a party for a proper show stopper!

Ingredients
25ml gin
12.5ml lemon juice
12.5ml simple syrup
champagne
lime twist for garnish 

Method
Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Double strain into a champagne flute and top up with champagne. Garnish with a lime twist and enjoy!

Gin and Tonic

This is the simplest and simultaneously the most customisable gin cocktail EVER. You won’t have to go hunting for expensive ingredients or spend hours crafting the perfect foam, the G&T is all about you. There’s so many different tonics out there now that we’re certain you’ll find something you’ll adore. If you’re a gin connoisseur, try working out the best pairings of tonics and gins! When it comes to garnishes, it’s again all about personal preference (and what you have in the cupboard/fridge/garden). Go wild and have fun! 

Ingredients
25ml or 50ml gin
any tonic that takes your fancy
any garnish that takes your fancy 

Method
Add the gin to the bottom of a large glass and fill with ice. Top up with tonic until the taste is to your liking, give it a gentle stir and garnish with anything you want! You do you!

Aviation Cocktail

Despite its name, this cocktail won’t induce instant flying abilities. We’re yet to find a cocktail that does - but in the meantime why not crack out the crème de violette and make this beautiful purple cocktail that’ll at least have your heart soaring!

Ingredients
50ml gin
12.5ml crème de violette
12.5ml maraschino liqueur
20ml lemon juice
brandied cherry or lemon twist for garnish 

Method
Add ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously until cold. Strain into a glass of your choice and garnish with a brandied cherry or lemon twist. Up, up and away!

Bramble

If you want to make the very best version of this cocktail, we suggest you make it with foraged blackberries, but if that’s not an option store bought is completely fine! This cocktail will have you feeling like you’re sitting in the garden of your tiny remote cottage in the woods communicating with your animal friends, dressed head to toe in gingham. Bring out the checkered tablecloth, make a blackberry pie and enjoy this Bramble cocktail with all your foresty foraging friends…

Ingredients
50ml gin
25ml lemon juice
6 blackberries
25ml sugar syrup
lemon slice and blackberries for garnish 

Method
Muddle blackberries in a rocks glass and add gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup. Fill the glass with crushed ice and mix with a bar spoon. Garnish with a lemon slice and blackberries!

Clover Club

Legend has it that the Clover Club is named after a top-secret organisation concerned with, and only with, raspberry liqueur. Okay, maybe that’s made up - but that doesn’t stop this cocktail being our favourite way to use raspberry liqueur! It’s fruity, bright and a little sharp, guaranteed to having you party all night long…

Ingredients
75ml gin
1½ tbsp raspberry liqueur
25ml lemon juice
1 egg white or 2tbsp aquafaba
lemon twist or raspberry for garnish 

Method
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice for 15 seconds. Add ice and shake for another 30 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist or raspberry!

Not found anything you like here? Make sure to have a look at The Best Gins to Try This Year and What Are Colour Changing Gins?!

What is Sloe Gin?

The most quintessentially British liqueur - sloe gin has been made for hundreds of years all across the country. But what is it exactly? Sloe gin is high-proof gin that has been infused with sloe berries and a little sugar to create a rich, warming liqueur perfect for autumn and winter!

The reason this liqueur is so popular in Britain is because, to put it simply, we’ve got a ton of sloe berries around! Very common in hedgerows, the sloe berry is a purplish blue colour and has a sharp and extremely astringent taste. Perhaps this not so tasty flavour is why they started being used in gin rather than in pies! Because they are so common, they’re quite easy to pick yourself to make a lovely home-cooked liqueur! If that sounds up your street, that’s great - we’ve got a recipe for you. If that sounds incredibly scary, however, fear not, we’ve got a list of some of our favourite pre-made sloe gins! 

How Do You Make Sloe Gin?

Ingredients
500g ripe sloe berries
250g golden caster sugar
1l gin
patience 

Method
Rinse the sloes under cold running water and examine them for any mouldy ones. Pat the sloes dry with a dry tea towel and, using a fork, prick the berries*. Tip the berries into a cooled, sterilized 2L jar, or split between two 1L jars. Add the sugar and gin and close the jar. Shake well. Every day for a week, pick up the jar(s) and give a good shake.
Store the jar(s) in a cool, dark place for 2-3 months to infuse. After the months are up (phew), line a plastic sieve with a muslin cloth and place over a bowl. Strain the gin through the cloth and decant into sterilised bottles. Seal and label! 
You can drink this gin right away, though the flavour will improve over time. If you’d like, try leaving the gin bottled for a year!

*Handy tip - if you freeze the berries they will naturally split themselves.

Which Sloe Gin Should I Try?

For those not feeling the foraging vibe, fear not. There are plenty of places where you can pick up a bottle of ready made sloe gin. Here are four of our favourites…

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

Hayman’s is the longest serving gin distilling family in England, starting in 1863. Their sloe gin is made by steeping their original recipe gin with sloe berries and sugar in the traditional way. Hayman’s is a perfectly balanced, smooth sloe gin with a bittersweet plum flavour that tastes great with lemon, a little sugar syrup and tonic.

ABV: 26%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.20

Plymouth Sloe Gin

Plymouth Sloe Gin is a version of their original Plymouth gin steeped in sloe berries and blended with Dartmouth water. It’s a wonderfully crisp and fruity sloe gin and has a natural berry flavour. Plymouth is one of the most popular sloe gins out there and a big favourite of bartenders and sloe gin lovers alike.

ABV: 26%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £25.39 // US $54.99

6 O’Clock Sloe Gin

6 O’Clock Sloe Gin doesn’t have to be drunk at 6pm, but it’s quite cool if you do. Using the tried and tested method of a high sloe to gin ratio, 6 O’Clock Sloe Gin has a dry and fruit flavour with warming spice. All the sloe berries are handpicked near the distillery in Gloucester, Bramley and Gage.

ABV: 26%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £24.66

Gentleman Badger’s Sloe Gin

We LOVE the label on this sloe gin, the badger just looks so sophisticated in his top hat. From Thames Distillers, Gentleman’s Badger Sloe Gin is made with a base of Colonel Fox London Dry Gin. It’s beautifully fruity and jammy without being too sweet!

ABV: 26%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.25

If you are looking for more delicious gin recommendations, then take a look at The Best Gins for a G&T, The Best Gins for a Martini or The Best Ready Made Garnishes for a Gin and Tonic.

The Best Gin for a G&T

The G&T: a timeless drink that isn’t going out of style anytime soon (if ever)! Though its endless combinations of tonic and garnishes make it brilliant for innovation, a good G&T always comes down to a good gin. Here are some of our favourites:

Sing Gin

As its name suggests, this is a gin guaranteed to make you burst into song when you first get a taste of those distinct florals and tantalising freshness. Distilled in small batches, Sing Gin is crafted to perfection in the Dales village of Kettlesing (which is also where it gets its name from). Spin up a ‘Sing and Tonic’ today with Fever-Tree Mediterranean and a mint or orange garnish!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £38.50

Atlas Chai Gin

Created a mere 6 months ago, Atlas already has an award-winning gin under its belt… and we’ve got to say, we’re not surprised at all! Inspired by Masala Chai, this gin has a mix of the ingredients you would expect to find in a traditional recipe including cinnamon, sweet green cardamom and Assam black tea to name a few. The result is a perfectly balanced, warming and spicy gin with a subtle background sweetness. If you are looking to make a standout G&T then this gin is a great one to experiment with - try mixing it with premium Indian tonic and garnishing with an orange slice and slither of ginger to compliment that spicy warmth of the gin. Nom nom!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £48

Elephant London Dry Gin

Inspired by South Africa and made in Germany, Elephant London Dry features African botanicals alongside traditional botanicals, giving this gin a fresh and unique flavour. Not only does this gin taste A-MA-ZING, it’s also doing something good for the environment! With each bottle sold, 15% of the profits will go towards elephant conservation charities such as Big Life Foundation. So far, Elephant Gin has raised over €500,000 for these charities. Try this gin with tonic and an apple garnish to elevate the apple flavours throughout!

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 500ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £31.80 // US $46.79

Penrhos Limited Edition Hibiscus Gin

Penrhos is already a very well established distillery with beautifully crafted gin, but their Limited Edition Hibiscus for Aldi is a real treat. Penrhos Gin is made by two Herefordshire-based fruit farmers who use unwanted fruit to create the gin, meaning each sip you drink is reducing food waste (we’ll cheers to that)! This Hibiscus Gin has wonderful notes of blueberry, so we recommend garnishing this G&T with a nice helping of blueberries!

ABV: 37.5%
Size: 70cl
Find it here: £17.99

Cantium Gin

From first glance, you might not have realised that Cantium was even a gin! If it looks like it’s masquerading as a flask - that’s because it is! Once finished, the bottle can be used as a reusable flask to keep hot or cold liquids in. A plan is underway for customers who return their flasks to be given a discount on their next purchase, and for these empty flasks to be given to local homelessness charities. Cantium is a bold, citrusy gin underpinned by soft spice, juniper and the feeling that you’ve done a little good in the world… We love this gin with an elderflower tonic and garnish of juniper berries!

ABV: 42%
Size: 500ml
Find it here: £39.95

Ealing Gin

If there’s a theme with many of the gins on this list, it’s a gin that not only tastes great but does some good at the same time. It’s not just the beautiful bottle that Ealing Gin gives to the world, but 20% of Ealing Distillery’s profits go to organisations that help to reduce social isolation (something that is more important now than ever). Ealing Gin has a sophisticated flavour, with a zesty edge mixing with warm spices. We love this gin with a light tonic and a grapefruit and rosemary garnish - YUM!

ABV: 42%
Size: 70cl
Find it here: £44.50

Malfy Gin Rosa

If you’ve missed out on a holiday this year (shakes fist angrily at the sky), just one sip of Malfy Gin Rosa is going to take you on a relaxing European journey that’ll leave you wondering why you’re sitting at home and not on the Amalfi Coast. Malfy Gin Rosa has a beautiful aroma of rhubarb and fresh citrus, with the palate giving rich grapefruit and a long juniper finish. This is served best with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic, grapefruit, rosemary and massive sunglasses… 

ABV: 41%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £28.85 // US $27.99

Tanqueray No. Ten Gin

You’ll already know this name, but perhaps not this particular bottle. Tanqueray No. 10 is the brand’s small batch gin, and the only gin to be added to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. Keeping the same signature green but perhaps offering a more elegant bottle design, Tanqueray No. 10 is distilled with whole citrus fruits and chamomile flavours to give an extra citrusy but smooth feel to this premium gin. Because of the citrus kicks this gin gives you, we can’t help but add a little wedge of grapefruit to our No. 10 G&T - but feel free to experiment with other citrus fruits!

ABV: 47.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £30.60 // US $48.99

Lind and Lime Gin

This is not the first time we’ve told you of our passion for Lind and Lime, and it certainly won’t be the last. If anything, the history of this gin is something to be admired. Lind and Lime is named after James Lind, a Scotsman accredited to performing the world’s first clinical trial when he worked towards the eradication of scurvy in the British Navy. The ‘Lime’ in the name refers to a lime cordial that was created based on his findings which helped nurse the sickly sailors back to health. History aside, this gin both looks and tastes great - with a crisp citrus edge surrounding deep juniper notes. To honour the name and the legacy of Lind, garnish your Lind and Lime G&T with a thick wedge of lime.

ABV: 44%
Size: 70cl
Find it here: £34.95

For more gin-spiration, check out our Best Gins to Try This Year or if you’re in more of a cocktail mood how about having a look at these Negroni Cocktail Recipes?

The Best Scottish Gins To Buy

Though known for its legendary whisky, Scotland has a bustling gin scene sprawling through its stunning landscape. It’s not just small brands made in Scotland, many large and well-known gins are produced in Scotland too - including bartender favourite Tanqueray!

Here’s a list of some of the best Scottish gins:

Glaswegin

We do love a play on words here, especially a portmanteau, and Glaswegin is giving that to us! With its dazzling geometric bottle designed by award-winning Glaswegian designer Paul Gray, this gin immediately catches the eye. Glaswegin includes 8 different botanicals carefully chosen by the team (milk thistle, Italian juniper, Russian coriander, angelica, orange flower, camomile flower, pink peppercorns and bay leaf - phew!). Fun fact, milk thistle is sometimes said to prevent hangovers - but we’re not making any promises! 

Smooth and fresh, this gin is really versatile when it comes to the serving. Why not try a G&T with elderflower tonic, or light tonic and a shot of elderflower liqueur!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.1%
Find here: £37.20

All out of your Glaswegin? Don’t buy another bottle, check out the brand’s refill packs and reuse your original bottle! Find them here: £29.95

Lind and Lime Gin

Another beautiful bottle, Lind and Lime does not disappoint when it comes to presentation. Lind and Lime won best London Dry in the 2020 Scottish Gin Awards, and when you taste the crisp citrus notes surrounding its juniper core you can understand why. Lind and Lime is named after James Lind, a Scotsman who worked towards the prevention of scurvy in the British Navy. He’s even said to have performed the first clinical trial in history! The ‘Lime’ in the name doesn’t indicate a flavour persay, but refers to a lime cordial created in Leith which helped prevent scurvy.

History aside, celebrate the eradication of scurvy by using Lind and Lime in a French 75 - you won’t regret it!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.95

Persie Spaniel Gin

Persie has been a fan favourite for a while now and the husband and wife team behind the gin keep going up in the world. In 2019, Spaniel Gin achieved a Silver Medal for contemporary Flavoured Gin at the Scottish Gin Awards, and just last year Scottish Field magazine named it one of the Top 10 Scottish Gins. Spaniel gin is one of Persie’s four Charity Dog Gins, each inspired by and named after a different breed. Dachshund Gin Liqueur, Labrador Gin, Dog Days Gin and Spaniel Gin all donate £1 per bottle to PADS (Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society).

We’ve chosen Spaniel Gin as we love the mace and cinnamon warmth that this gin has, while still being silky soft (just like a well-groomed Spaniel!). This is a brilliant gift for a Spaniel owner/enthusiast and the spices make it ideal for a warming Negroni.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £30.95

Crofter’s Tears Highland Gin

Despite the name, this gin is not made up of the tears of crofters. The purple heather flowers on the bottle not only make it an elegant addition to your gin bottle collection but also signpost an important element of this gin. The heather tips can only be harvested in July and August and are handpicked to be blended with juniper and a range of other botanicals. 

Highland Gin is made in a London Dry style and has a hint of fresh lime to its flavour. Try this in a classic G&T with Mediterranean tonic water and a twist of lime. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.99

The Botanist

This gin is rapidly taking over the shelves of pubs and bars across Britain and you’ve almost certainly seen it featured on one of those extensive gin lists your local decided to create when it ‘rebranded’ and all the decor turned a sage colour. Not that we’re complaining - bring on the gin! The Botanist is exclusively made on the remote Scottish island of Islay. The 22 botanicals are foraged by the Botanist team on Islay, including botanicals such as creeping thistle, apple mint, wood sage and white clover.

The Botanist blend is satin smooth, with sweet and earthy tones combining with delicate florals and herbals. The complexity of the gin is best tasted in a classic G&T - tonic is up to you!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £35.10 // US $47.99

Rock Rose Gin

Created by Dunnet Bay Distillers, this gin was formulated after 55 experiments - meaning it’s seriously good. The meticulously adapted blend of botanicals makes for a full-bodied, well-rounded gin full of fruity berries and juniper. The finish is slightly sharp but smoothed out by sherbet lemon notes. 

This earthy gin needs little interference, however adding a twist of orange in your G&T really brings out the sweetness in the berries. If you’re not looking for the sweet notes, try a sprig of rosemary instead.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.5%
Find here: £33.39

All out of your Rock Rose? Don’t buy another bottle, check out the brand’s refill packs and reuse your original bottle! Find them here: £30

Classic Edinburgh Gin

Another gin you may have heard of before, Edinburgh Gin’s premixed G&Ts are a big hit all over the country. However, why not make your own cocktails with their bottled London Dry. The 14 botanicals make this gin beautifully aromatic on the tongue, with floral lavender and lemongrass. The bright punch of citrus from the orange peel works alongside the juniper to create a smooth and rounded finish. Edinburgh Gin is always coming out with new flavours and interesting campaigns - they are currently doing a collaboration with award winning actress and writer Phoebe Waller Bridge!

The Classic is still our favourite, however, and deserves to be showcased in a big gin bowl with a tonic and a twist of orange. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: £26.35

Isle of Harris Gin

It seems Scottish gin cannot exist without being inside a beautiful bottle! The swirling bottle of Isle of Harris Gin echoes its birthplace’s whirls of wind that rush off the sea and into the arms of the towns. One does feel a connection to the sea when drinking this gin, with the addition of hand-harvested Sugar Kelp giving it an apt maritime twist. Fruit flavours of grapefruit, orange and mango are balanced by bitter pine and juniper and leave a dry, clean finish.

Harris Distillery recommends you take this gin neat, or over large ice cubes. They also offer a Sugar Kelp Aromatic Water, a drop of which develops the maritime essence of the drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find it here: UK £40

For more gin-spiration (like what we did there?!), how about having a read through The Best Gins to Try This Year, What are Colour Changing Gins?! or The Best Gins for a Martini?

What are Colour Changing Gins?!

Are you a magician with a side job as a bartender? A bartender with a side job as a magician..? Or, perhaps you just like cool gin… Whatever your profession, you NEED to know about this mind-blowing ginnovation (we’re leaving a moment here for you to applaud that incredible portmanteau). 

Colour changing gins are here and multiplying like rabbits exposed to radiation. Most are made by infusing the gin with a deep indigo flower called ‘butterfly pea’. Butterfly pea has been used as a tea for a long time in South East Asia, but is now making its way into gins and cocktails. The liquid acts as a pH indicator, changing from blue to purple when acidity is introduced (for example in the form of lemon juice). As butterfly pea is an all natural colouring, try not to expose your gin to sunlight as the indigo colour will fade over time.

These theatrical but all natural effects make butterfly pea a perfect addition to showy cocktails or a fancy G&T. Butterfly pea also has little flavour, so it won’t take away from the botanicals too much. We’ve lined up some of the best colour changing gins here:

The Illusionist Gin

If by any chance you do happen to be a magician, this German gin is the perfect choice for you. A beautiful deep indigo colour, this gin becomes a warm violet with the addition of tonic or citrus. Not only is the colour changing effect magical, but the packaging is stunning in its own right. Arriving in an indigo and gold box with a matte black bottle and engraved cork, The Illusionist certainly has an eye for detail. To drink, the Illusionist is very smooth and delicate. If you find the juniper bite of gin a little much at times and prefer a floral taste, you’ll love The Illusionist’s light flavour. 

ABV: 45%
Size: 500ml
Find it here: £37.90

Ellis Butterfly Pea Gin and Scottish Bramble Gin

We love a Scottish gin over here, and Ellis Gin does not let the side down with their two colour changing gins. The Butterfly Pea Gin shifts from blue to purple, and their Scottish Bramble shifts from red to orange. It’s not often you see a colour changing gin that isn’t made with butterfly pea, but Ellis Gin has pulled it off with their Scottish Bramble! We recommend trying the Scottish Bramble with ginger beer as it’s a little spicy and the Butterfly Pea with some elderflower tonic to enhance the floral notes. Support Scottish gin today and pick up some Ellis!

Butterfly Pea: Scottish Bramble:
ABV: 40% ABV: 40%
Size: 500ml Size: 500ml
Find it here: £29.95 Find it here: £29.95

Empress 1908 Gin

If you’re looking for a classy gin that’ll make you feel like royalty, Empress 1908 Gin is the way to go. Empress Gin is crafted with eight different botanicals, including grapefruit peel, rose petal and a signature tea home to the gin’s namesake: The Empress Hotel in Canada. This gin is both delicate, opulent and a delight to look at. It’s also a great excuse for a royal themed party!

ABV: 42.5%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £42.50 // US $47.99

McQueen Colour Changing Gin

When it comes to colour changing gin, or just gin in general, the Scots have knocked it out of the park. McQueen Colour Changing Gin does exactly what it says on the tin and more, with the smooth blackcurrant blend creating a sensory experience as pleasing as the visual one! It’s a soft and subtle gin, especially with the addition of tonic - but that makes it no less worthy of a showstopping G&T bound to marvel your guests.

ABV: 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £22.95

Pink Marmalade Gin

Many of the gins on this list start as a dark indigo colour, but Pink Marmalade Gin begins as a much more vibrant Bombay Sapphire-esque blue and turns a light shade of violet. What is really astounding about this gin, however, is its construction. As its name suggests, Pink Marmalade Gin is made in micro batches using a signature salted marmalade made with grapefruit which is then infused with 12 botanicals including pink peppercorns, almond and chamomile. This complex flavour profile lets you know that Pink Marmalade is first and foremost a gin of quality, not gimmicks.

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £38.95

Ink Gin

We’re not 100% sure whether or not you can actually use this gin as ink, but why would you want to? An Australian gin, Ink Gin uses locally grown botanicals to create its fresh piney, spicy and citrus aroma and flavour. The long finish of this gin leaves the palate crisp, clean, and yearning for another sip. Husk Distillers, the distillery that creates Ink Gin, also have a non-colour changing but deep red Sloe and Berry Gin on offer which is definitely worth checking out (and it’s a lower alcohol choice).

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £36.95

Looking for more Gin content? Why not have a read of The Best Gins To Try This Year, The Best Gins For A Martini or The Best Flavoured Gins For Your Money?

The Best Ready-Made Garnishes for G&Ts

Say goodbye to the same-old lemon slivers, twists of orange, slices of cucumber – G&T garnishes just entered the 21st century. You heard us: a whole new world of unique, flavourful and (thank the heavens!) ready-made garnishes are out there to help up your G&T game with almost zero effort. They don’t only make drinks taste great, they let you customise them, making that Gin & Tonic one-of-a-kind… 

Rock Rose Gin Liquid Garnishes

Forgot to stock up on lemons? No problem: pop a few drops of Rock Rose’s ‘liquid garnish’ – a 41.5% ABV concoction akin to a cocktail bitter – into your G&T, and you’ve instantly got the bright, aromatic hit you’re craving. The four flavours are designed to go with Rock Rose’s own Highland-made gins, but in truth they enhance just about any G&T. Our go-to for summer? The slightly medicinal Lemon Thyme (a hint of gentian, popularly used in vermouth, gives it a gorgeous bitter edge). And, Coriander and Lime – one squeeze is as good as a wedge of fresh-cut citrus.

Size: 100ml
ABV: 41.5%
Fine here: £12

Hepple Douglas Fir Sherbet

Cocktail rims are just for margaritas: said no one ever. Bring the party to your G&Ts with this moreish Douglas Fir Sherbet powder from Hepple Gin, made with real fir tree needles. Sampled straight, it tastes a bit like a sugar-dusted Christmas tree. Applied sparingly to a glass, and paired with gin and tonic, it mellows, becomes tangier and boosts your drink’s resinous, piney juniper notes. It’s a no-brainer with Hepple Gin – it stars Douglar Fir as a botanical – but this should go with any rich, juniper-forward bottling. Note: we found it hard to resist snacking straight from the tin… you have been warned.

Find here: £12.50

Fruits for Drinks – Mixed Fruit Selection

When it comes to flavour concentration, freeze-dried fruits can often knock fresh ones out of the park. And – pop the celebration corks, folks – they don’t really go off, which means less waste. Plump for this set of six types of dried fruit (lime, orange, lemon, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry) and no matter which gin you’re serving, you’ll have a garnish to match the flavour profile. With an average of 120 portions in each set, it’s better value than fresh fruit too and should keep you going on the G&T front for months.

Find here: £39.50

Maddocks Farm Organics Budding Floral Cocktail Box

Not that you need a reason to treat yourself to a bouquet of blooms, but edible flower garnishes look fabulous in a G&T – floating delicately on the surface, or frozen into giant ice cubes. Of course, you can’t use just anything in that drink (some flowers are toxic, others don’t taste great). That’s where edible flower specialist Maddocks Farm comes in. They sell cocktail-perfect, 100% edible seasonal blooms in boxes of around 60, and they also throw in scrumptious edible foliage such as lemon verbena stalks or fennel fronds. That G&T has never looked more fabulous.

Find here: £20

DrinkStuff Juniper Berries

Gin plus juniper berries – a match made in heaven, right? If in doubt, a sprinkling of dried juniper berries not only adds flavour, it makes your G&Ts feel like they’ve been whipped up in a trendy bar. As you’d probably guess, the berries – which look similar to black peppercorns – give an extra lift to the resinous, piney flavour that this spirit is known for. In other words: it’s best left to those who really like classic gin profiles. Just be sure to sip with care; the aim is to leave the berries behind in the glass, not guzzle ‘em down with your G&T.

Find here: £2.80

Wondering which gin to pair with your garnishes? Then, take a look at The Best Flavoured Gins for your Money or these Stunning Scottish Gins.