The Drinks Subscriptions to Gift This Christmas

If you’ve picked up on someone dropping hints throughout the year with ‘I’d love to try more gins’, or ‘It’d be handy to have different beers from around the world delivered to your house each month’, then a drinks subscription is a thoughtful and useful gift.

If you know someone’s favourite drink, or that they’re wanting to get into something new, then a drinks subscription is probably the best way to do it. It takes the stress out of wandering the supermarket aisles, checking reviews and after all that, just buying your usual, and leaves it to the experts.

A new batch of your favourite drinks (or potential new favourites) from around the world, arriving at your door every month, with treats, ingredients, guides, and advice – who wouldn’t want that? Let’s explore the best of them.

The Best Cocktail Subscription to Gift This Christmas

The Cocktail Society Cocktail Subscription

The Cocktail Society leads the way when it comes to exploring different cocktails, and it’ a style of drink that massively benefits from subscription services. Cocktails don’t come cheap, so you want to be confident that when you order it, you’re gonna love it. However, it’s easy to play it safe and order that same old favourite. This box, which can arrive monthly or quarterly, contains a ready to drink 500ml cocktail, more cocktail cans from Friends of the Society, ingredients for 2 different DIY cocktails, premium snacks, recipes, guides, discount codes, and even the odd surprise too. It’s a fabulous gift for the cocktail lovers in your life, and it’s free delivery too!  

Find here: £40 per month

The Best Wine Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Majestic Wine Club

For reliability and expansive range, there is a reason Majestic are such a household name. Being part of their Wine Club gives you access to the industry expert’s favourite bottles, 12 of which you get in each case, four times a tear. You also get the ‘Six Mix’ saving, but when buying single bottles, savings and vouchers, free tickets to expert tastings and free delivery for everything. Every bottle is explained, everything can be returned without hassle, and all in all, it’s a very complete and worthwhile wine subscription experience, with 7 different subscriptions to select from. It really brings the world of wine to your front door, or your giftees door… right?

Find here: £99-£199 for a 12 bottles case

The Best Beer Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Beer 52 - The Craft Beer Discovery Club

Beer 52’s Discovery Club is all about just that, with a different themed box delivered to your door every month, containing 8 beers, Ferment magazine and some suitable snacks too. At the time of writing, all the beers celebrate the Celtic Nations, but the variety is huge so it’s great for drinkers that want to try beers from all across the world each month, all selected by experts. Delivery is free, and if you’re not keen on the beers, then they pick up the tab! Mixed beers or light beers are your choices with this one.

Find here: £27 per box

The Best Gin Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Craft Gin Club

We were big fans of their advent calendar, and their subscription is also great for the same reasons. Craft Gin Club are the biggest gin subscription in the UK, and joining it gives you access to their packed boxes. A full-sized bottle of craft gin is the highlight, but there are also ingredients for your own seasonal cocktail, the perfect pairing tonics and garnishes, various delicious treats, and glossy magazine. They list all their previous boxes on the site so you can see what you get for the money, be that December’s Manchester Gin, October’s Mexican, or July’s Scotland. They all look stunning too, and with so many gin lovers at the moment, this will definitely make someone’s Christmas.

Find here: £40-£45 per month

The Best Whisky Subscription to Gift This Christmas

The Whisky Nest

Becoming part of The Whisky Nest brings unique distilleries to your front door, with new releases, modern twists, cocktails, and other exciting ways to explore whisky. At the centre of it all is the 100ml sample, one of the largest on the market, and you’ll get all the information about that featured distillery, tasting cards and videos, free delivery, discounts, and video calls with the community – so it really is a club.

Find here: £18.95 per month

The Best Rum Subscription to Gift This Christmas

Craft Rum Club

Established in 206, Craft Rum Club now offer a really great, flexible subscription service. Each month focuses on a new destination, but you have 6 plans to choose from, so you can explore all kinds of rum, or stick to one style. You can get one bottle or two, and alongside that will be other goodies – mixers, cocktail ingredients, snacks, and their magazine. The rum is full sized too which is always a plus.

Find here: £39.95 per month

The Best Gin to Gift for Christmas 2023

Gin is the dominant spirit at the moment, and it makes for a fantastic Christmas present because it probably has the most beautiful bottles in the drinks industry.

We’ve searched high and low for gins of all styles, Aged, London Dry, Navy Strength, Old Tom and Flavoured, that gin lovers will adore. From delicious simplicity to tasty innovation, these are gins that will raise eyebrows in the best way possible from the minute they’re unwrapped.

Best Cask Aged Gin to Gift for Christmas

Kyrö Dark Gin

It’s not just the easy-on-the-eye packaging that makes this gin stand out, but also the golden hue we normally associate with rum or whisky. From Finnish wholegrain, it’s been cask aged in American oak for a year. The aroma makes an instant impression, with aromatic oak and sandalwood, soft vanilla, sweet zesty citrus and of course, peppery heat from the rye. Kyrö’s aim was to make a gin perfect for winter, and this is so good that it might just be the answer all year round.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42.6%
Find here: £32.95

Campfire Cask Aged Gin

This is a Bourbon barrel finished gin, that swaps out oaky, woody ageing for those gorgeous Bourbon notes – think vanilla and silky caramel. The gentle herby fragrance and tart lemon round off the sweetness, with blossom, spice and juniper adding some gin familiarity, and roasted hazelnut giving extra flavour and mouthfeel. Award-winning creativity.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £42.49

Best London Dry Gin to Gift for Christmas

East London Liquor Co. Gin

The minimalist label and crystal-clear hue leads you to wonder what lies within, and the answer is a notably, impressively balanced and flavoursome London Dry that may well become a go-to. The botanical run down is a who’s who of gin fundamentals, from the citrusy, coriander, angelica nose, to the bright citrus, juniper, and cardamom spice on the palate, before the oily, refreshing juniper at the end. Reliable with all tonics, all cocktails and bold enough for solo sipping too – and incredible value.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.95 (usually more!)

KYNGS London Dry Gin

This is a delightful small-batch Welsh gin, delivering a robust, classic profile that’s masterfully made, Vibrant orange citrus plays off with subtle spice and sturdy juniper in the spotlight. It’s crisp and clean, with delicate refreshment and the perfect ambassador for why simplicity can be delicious. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the lion on top of the bear – that’s because 25% of profits are donated to conservation schemes. Bravo KYNGS.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £34.99

Best Navy Strength Gin to Gift for Christmas

HMS Victory Navy Strength Gin

This is a gin really putting the Navy in Navy Strength, made by the Isle of Wight distillery in association with The National Museum of the Royal Navy. The ship, if you know your history, was Nelson’s at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is docked in Portsmouth a few miles away... and some sales go towards its restoration. The hefty booze is softly integrated for a smooth drinking experience and hearty juniper kick. The rave reviews this gets are impressive, so it’s sure to make a top notch gift.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.94

Bathtub Gin - Navy-Strength

Serial award winner and absolute beauty of bottle, Bathtub Gin’s Navy Strength edition hits heavy, with that 57% apparent from the off, though it is tempered by vivid, up-front citrus. The four c’s follow (cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and clove) with intensity, and the flavour just lingers forever. A wonderful gift for someone, especially if they loved the original.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.95

Best Old Tom Gin to Gift for Christmas

House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom Gin

Just what the Doctor ordered, because this is Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s first venture into gin after mastering bitters. Moroccan saffron, chamomile flowers and muscovado sugar are added to botanical fundamentals like angelica, orris, coriander, cassia, almond, and citrus peels. The result is serious flavour, with full-bodied juniper jostling with floral and fruity sweetness and a moreish vein of spice throughout. Magical Old Tom.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £30.94

Lytham Bee's Knees Old Tom Gin

Sandgrown Spirits add this Old Tom to the Lytham Gin range, and Bee’s Knees isn’t just a brag, it’s also a nod to the raw honey used, which really does come through with sweetness in the end product. Lavender, pink pepper and lime balance out a smooth and flavoursome gin that goes down a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.95

Best Flavoured Gin to Gift for Christmas

Mermaid Zest Gin

This alluring Isle of Wight gin delivers a true taste of the island, embracing samphire from the nearby coast, bergamot, rosemary, and Boadicea hops. All in all, the vivid refreshment is so moreish, with herbaceous notes joining zesty citrus for a shining seaside star of a gin.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.49

Stonewall Pink Rhubarb Gin

£1 from every bottle sold goes to Stonewall UK to support the LGBTQ+ community, but importantly, the gin inside is absolutely stunning too. Stonewall’s London Dry intertwines with rhubarb bringing a tasty tartness to proceedings, marrying the sweet, tropical touches and spiced finish happily. It feels luxurious and supports great work – a complete win win.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

If you have other people to buy for who aren’t gin fans, then fear not because we’ve got Christmas present guides all across our website currently, as well as the best drinks to get in as host. Looking for unique bottles that stand out? Or boxed wine for the countertop? Find these guides and more on the website.

8 Unique Bottles Perfect for Gifting

These uniquely striking bottles are beautiful inside and out and make the perfect Christmas gifts for lovers of rum, gin, vodka, and tequila. Sometimes, brands put everything into their gimmicky packaging and forget about the liquid inside, but these bottles raise eyebrows in the best way possible, delivering on the grand expectations they set once unwrapped.

Mauritius Dodo Gold Rum Dodo Bottle

The dodo has returned, and instead of it’s blue and grey plumage, it’s now full of golden rum from its home, Mauritius. This striking glass decanter is instantly memorable as a gift, filled with a sweet golden rum distilled from Mauritian molasses. Expect aromatic vanilla and notes of banana, berries, and pepper. Every dodo is handcrafted and unique, arriving in a charming fit box, and can be refilled with whatever spirit you choose, making this the gift that keeps on giving.

Size: 1L
ABV: 40%
Find here: £104.95

Stone Gaze Sour Berry Rum

This is a bottle that demands your gaze, so it’s a good thing it’s just a Medusa bottle and not the real thing, otherwise you would end up looking like the bottle itself. So many reviewers talk about buying this just for the bottle, and they all say how surprised they were at the delicious rum inside. It’s a symphony of berries like gooseberry and blackberry, and Caribbean white rum, giving great tang and tropical undertones. It has an almost gin style to the profile – interesting and extremely easy to drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £52.24

Engine Gin

Take your presents up a gear this year, with Engine Gin, house in a quirky fuel can that would look more at home in the garage than the drinks cabinet. It’s a distinctly Italian expression within, distilled at Torino Distillati, who also make Malfy by the way. It’s herbal, with crisp space and oily rosemary leaves, but lemon, liquorice and damask rose come through with a late overtake too. Floral, herby, bright and delicate – it’s a delicious surprise that you wouldn’t expect from the ‘bottle’ at all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £27.50 (usually £33.50)

Sharish Blue Magic Gin

This vibrant Portuguese delight arrives in a lovely, curved bottle displaying a dazzling blue hue, courtesy of blue pea flower. Add tonic however and witness the alchemy as it becomes pink. And it really does. Beyond the spectacle, the gin itself is refreshing and smooth with classic botanicals and tasty raspberries and spice.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.99

Outerspace Vodka

Outerspace go beyond gimmicky packaging, they go to infinity and beyond in fact. Their vodka is distilled five times over from American corn and then filtered through actual ancient meteorites for a true taste of space. When pouring, you’ll discover that it is in fact clear, which might be a shock, bringing that clear, crisp, clean taste. There’s a slight minerality that keeps you on your toes too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £29.99 (usually £32.99)

Crystal Head Aurora Vodka

Sourced from a natural aquifer hidden on the super remote St John’s Newfoundland, which is the most eastern point of the US, Crystal Head has a reputation for absolute purity. It’s filtered seven times before last of all, it goes through a triple-filter diamond cone. Premium English wheat creates an ever so slightly spicier expression than usual, with gentle anise coming through and floral aromas. The beautiful skull was designed with the Northern Lights in mind so it’s beautiful inside out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £51.99 (usually £66.99)

SPHYNX Tequila - Extra Aged Añejo Black Oak Signature Decanter

Sphynx’s tequila range is pretty new, and every bottle looks spectacular. This is their oldest expression, the Extra Aged Añejo which has been aged in wine barrels, infusing the 100% agave tequila with luxurious depths of oaky vanilla and warming spice, creating a very special 100% caramelized roasted agave liquid.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £248

Kah Reposado Tequila

Kah’s Day of the Dead branding is an instant winner, and ever sip continues to celebrate that artistry. This is really one of those tequilas to give someone who thinks its just a spirit for shotting, delivering smooth, caramel laced spiced fruits, nutty vanilla, and peppery warmth on the finish. Beautiful inside and out.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.99

If you’re after more ideas for boozy presents, then check out our 12 secret santa recommendations here for some cheaper ideas that will still impress.

12 Brilliant Boozy Presents For Your Secret Santa 2023

The eagerly anticipated, or in some cases dreaded secret santa is here, and whether you’re out of ideas for someone you know, or completely at a loss because you’ve barely said hello to them, we might have the answer below.

If you know what drinks they like, then we’ve scouted the internet for specific gifts that are surefire hits. If you’re not so sure, then check out the drinks related gifts that have broader appeal at the end – there’ll be something, we promise!

The Best Secret Santa Presents for Gin Lovers

Franklin & Sons Ltd Spirit & Mixer Gin Perfect Serve Hamper

Franklin & Sons have been at the forefront of tonics and mixers since the Victorian era, when Christmas became the Christmas we know and love today. They have a famously eclectic and expansive range, and they’ve included some of their classics here, along with the perfect gins for them and two Copa glasses. With pairings like Tanqueray and Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic, this hamper emphatically shows what the perfect tonic can do.

Find here: £19 (usually more!)

100 Gins Scratch Poster

Forcing ourselves to try new drinks can be easier said than done, but one way of keeping to it is by scratching them off. So, if you’ve got a gin lover for secret santa, then this lovely A3 poster with 100 gins from around the world is a good way to start exploring. If you’re feeling generous, you could throw in a gin to get them started too.

Find here: £12.99

The Best Secret Santa Presents for Whisky Lovers

Christmas Whisky Tasting Set

Whisky has a reputation as a drink that takes some getting into, so if your secret santa has mentioned wanting to get into it, then a tasting set is the best way to start. This set contains five wax-sealed drams curated for festive sipping, including GlenAllachie 12YO, Teeling Small Batch and Four Roses Bourbon to experience a variety of whisky profiles.

Find here: £25

Glencairn Glass with Pipette

Glencairn Crystal is the go-to glass for whisky connoisseurs, and this beauty comes with a glass pipette to add controlled amounts of water to premium expressions. As any whisky lover will appreciate, water droplets can really change the liquid and evoke different notes, so this is a classy and useful present for them.

Find here: £17

The Best Secret Santa Present for Rum Lovers

Spiced Rum Gift Set

This is a really nicely put together rum set, featuring 50ml bottles of The Kraken, Dead Mans Fingers, Admirals Old J Cherry and Bacardi, offering spice across the spectrum. But that’s not all. Franklin & Sons premium mixers are included too, giving the rum drinker everything they need for their perfect Crimbo tipple.

Find here: £24.99

The Best Secret Santa Present for Wine Lovers

Wine Escape Room Game

Escape Rooms have been massive for a few years now, and this one brings the challenge into the home. Sadly, the wine is behind bars, and it can’t be opened until four stages of puzzles are completed and the combination padlock is opened. Oh, and before someone gets the hammer to attempt a desperate jail break, the solution is included in the pack. You’ll have to get your own wine, so you can actually get anything that fits the metal cage.

Find here: £24.99

Montidori Sangiovese

At the end of the day, the best thing you can get a wine lover for secret santa is… wine. We’ve picked out this bottle for its extraordinary value. Some of the grapes have been dried, so it comes through with mouthwatering richness and bold flavours, with so much soft spice intensity. If your secret santa is capped at a tenner, then this will really seem like you’ve gone over budget.

Find here: £8.99 (usually more!)

Fun Alcohol Related Secret Santa Presents

Prisoner Drinking Game

In this game, if you do the crime, you do the time. The dice is rolled, and the lowest number is placed in actual handcuffs. The ‘criminal’ then has to navigate their way through various challenges as the ‘jury’ guesses whether they will be able to do it or not. Keep guessing wrong, and it will be a long and very drunk night indeed.

Find here: £19.99

Top Spoons

If you’ve got someone that loves the pub for secret santa this year, then this pub crawl card game will be right up their street. This pub crawl takes the player through the best and worst Wetherspoons boozers, as they attempt to outscore their opponents to own every establishment going.

Find here: £9.99

The Ladybird Book of the Hangover

Perfect timing for Christmas, this is one of the funniest Ladybird books with perfect, old illustrations pairing up with perfectly observed hangover ‘guidance’. ‘Look out of the window. Can you recognise simple shapes or colours? Is there a moon or a sun in the sky? What sort of a name might you have? Where might there be bacon?'’ It’s not a scientific book by any means, but it is a comfort.

Find here: £7.99

Upside Down Wine Glass

This boozy illusion will cause a few double-takes, that’s for sure. It holds half a bottle of wine, and you drink from the bottom instead, through the hollow stem. Simple but effective.

Find here: £12.99

Festive Boozeballs

How about making the Christmas tree a bar? These baubles can be filled with anything and are absolutely perfect for a more decadent ‘interactive’ tree, as well as drinking games. Just make sure they’re hung on the higher branches if there’s kids or pets around!

Find here: £13.99

We have tonnes of drinks guides on our website, so if you want to pick up a bottle of something, whether that’s a reliable classic or an unusual eyebrow raiser, have a browse. How about gifting someone ‘Irish Moonshine’ AKA Poitín? Or perhaps a Sloe Gin if they’ve only tried regular gin before?

The Best Boozy Advent Calendars of 2023

It’s November which means that Christmas items have been slowly but surely popping up everywhere we look, and whilst the build up to Christmas can be stressful, there’s no reason it shouldn’t just be the kids that get all the excitement.

This year’s boozy advent calendars are being released, and aside from being a great surprise each day, they’re actually a brilliant way to explore a drink you’ve been meaning to try, with 24 miniatures giving you a taste of what’s on offer.

We’ve got something for everyone with our handy guide below identifying the best advent calendar for gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whisky, wine, cognac, and beer. Treat yourself!

Oh, and wine drinkers in particular, if you want to save yourself a bit of money then how about making your own DIY Advent with beautiful, canned wines? Take a look here!

The Best Gin Advent Calendar

Craft Gin Club Advent Calendar

The biggest gin subscription club in the UK is offering a 50ml bottle of craft gin behind each door, finishing on a special G&T on the big day itself. There’s a brand-new selection of gins picked out over the year, including seven exclusives like Tarquin’s Mince Pie Gin that you can’t get anywhere else. You also get expert suggestions for mixers and garnishes for every bottle, which you can buy as a separate bundle if you wish. We’ve had a sneak peek and we don’t want to give too much more away but gin lovers, you will not be left disappointed!

Find here: £94.95

The Best Rum Advent Calendar

The Whisky Exchange 24 Days of Rum Advent Calendar

Rum isn’t the most popular spirit for calendars, and we’re not sure why. It’s more popular for cocktails, but sipping rums are an exciting world once you find your favourite, and trying 24 different miniatures is the perfect way to do that. Not only does this calendar opens doors to every type of rum from all over – with Caribbean classics and lesser known gems from Scotland and Australia, but you also get full tasting notes to light the way and two glasses.

Find here: £84.95

The Best Tequila & Mezcal Advent Calendar

The Spirit Co Tequila & Mezcal Advent Calendar

Because of its association with shots, tequila is far from the first spirit people think of when it comes to boozy advent calendars, but despite the 30ml minis included, this is about exploring the diverse world of fresh, fruity tequila and floral, smoky mezcal. Blancos, Reposados, Añejos and Mezcals await behind each door of this lovely looking calendar, for you to truly explore a spirit dating back to the Aztecs.

Find here: £131.99

The Best Vodka Advent Calendar

Drinks by the Dram – Vodka Advent Calendar

Here’s 24 wonderfully varied 30ml vodkas to put a kick into your Christmas build up, focusing on unique blends from all four corners of the planet. Vodka is another spirit that some drinkers only have bad experiences with after trying a throat burner, so these tasters are a great introduction to what the spirit can be. Reputable brands like Chase and Cîroc are includes, as well Jaffa Cake Vodka, Brecon Five and an intriguing Chardonnay Vodka.

Find here: £89.95

The Best Whisky Advent Calendar

Master of Malt Whisky Advent Calendars

Master of Malt have a stunning selection of 14 different whisky advents, for newbies looking to get into it, seasoned dram drainers, and everything in between. The Whisky Explorer’s Edition is a great for adventures, That Boutique-y Company is for unusual independent releases, and there’s the Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar featuring some of the country’s best producers. If you’ve got the money, then there’s even the Old and Rare selection for £999, and for a Christmas you’ll never forget, there’s the Very Old and Rare calendar priced at £9,999!

Find here: £99.55-£9999.95

The Best Wine Advent Calendar

Virgin Wines Advent Calendar

One of the original players in the world of wine advents, Virgin Wines are one of the UK’s largest suppliers and this year they have premium boxes of 24 mini wines (mixed, red, or white) from across the world, with an extra special treat behind door 25 to wash down the Christmas dinner. Click the link, pick your box and you can see exactly what bottles are included.

Find here: £89.99

John Lewis Fizz

It’s not just their Christmas ad that’s the best because this bubbly bonanza is probably the best sparkling wine selection out there, with champagne, prosecco and six variations of Bottega wines. There’s a couple of Freixenet bottles and a Charles de Mignon champagne as the highlight. Christmas is all about the bubbles, and this makes every day in the run up a joy.

Find here: £140

The Best Cognac Advent Calendar

The Spirit Co Cognac Advent Calendar

After falling in love with Cognac and the release of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, we have to include this gem. Celebrating the Charente vineyards, every day brings you a touch of rich, velvety French luxury of various ages. They’re perfect for whipping up Cognac Cocktails, or sipping to find your favourite.

Find here: £200.39

The Best Beer Advent Calendar

John Lewis Beer & Snacks Advent Calendar

Christmas is the season for snacks, so why not combine them with beer in this festive box, with 14 glass bottles and 10 accompanying snacks. Lager, craft lager, pale ales and iconic pub snacks are all thrown in to bring all the pub vibes to your celebrations.

Find here: £80

If you want to save yourself a bit of money and make your own calendar, then we’ve given you 12 Canned Wines to get you on your way!

Sloe Gin – What Is It and What Should I Try?

What is Sloe Gin?

Sloe Gin is a quintessentially British creation that uses high-proof gin and sloe berries, along with a touch of sugar to create a liqueur. Thanks to all the sloe berries decorating British hedgerows, it’s beloved here but if you ate them on their own, they’d be quiet tart. When worked into a Sloe Gin however, they add a warm richness that’s incredible for the colder seasons.

Making your own DIY Sloe Gins is a big thing, and you can find our handy guide on that here, as well as more information about this delicious liqueur. But, if you want to leave it in the hands of the experts and try some ready-made concoctions, these are some of the best to try.

The Best Sloe Gins to Try

Sipsmith Sloe Gin

Sipsmith’s London Dry is tremendous, and to make this Sloe Gin, they leave hand-picked Autumn sloes to rest with it for 4 months, bottling once optimum flavour is achieved. It’s not overly sweet, and instead smacks of quality, with velvety redcurrants, cassis and soft cherries.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 29%
Find here: UK £23.95 / US $42.99

6 O'clock Sloe Gin

With an abundance of handpicked sloes from Gloucester, this tried-and-true recipe is perfect for drinking at anytime because the sloe to gin ratio is high. It’s very dry, with intense fruit flavour and warming spice, but enough bittersweet notes to retain appeal all night (or day).

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

Hayman's Sloe Gin

Winner of the top award in 2019, the yin and yang of sweetness and tartness is perfected here, with sloes steeped for months in their stellar London Dry. You get all that plum flavour, without overbearing sweetness, as well as complementing notes of almond and richness. A splash of tonic and an orange slice is delicious with this.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: UK £25.49 / US $29.99

Plymouth Sloe Gin

The bartender’s buddy and many Sloe drinkers’ go-to, Plymouth Sloe Gin is adored for its value and natural depth. It’s an explosion of natural berries, with none of the sugar overload. The touch of tartness is perfection, and the thick, luxurious mouthfeel is to die for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: UK £26.99 / US $33.99

Foxdenton Estate Sloe Gin

Another absolute gem, Foxdenton picked up the top award at the 2016 Gin Masters for this Sloe. This is a far cry from poor quality toothache-inducing sloe gins, with the perfect touch of smooth jammy fruits but a bitter, pale dryness and juniper integrity that doesn’t get lost. A glass of quality, best enjoyed neat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 27%
Find here: £29

Wrecking Coast Honey Sloe Gin

Like so many gins, Wrecking Coast Honey Sloe Gin is divinely bottled. Inside? These Cornish producers have crafted a jammy, honey-kissed concoction that's equally at home in a hip flask on a chilly day or as the star of a summery spritz. It's an innovative collision of locally picked rich slows, Cornish honey, and a pinch of spice for a luxurious mouthfeel and moreish earthy warmness.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 34.5%
Find here: £30

Elephant Sloe Gin

What do you get when you combine award-winning Elephant London Dry Gin with wild sloe berries? A rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and oh-so fruity Sloe Gin, that’s what. Totally distinct, from the spice to the nutty notes to the blackberry sweetness, not only does Elephant Sloe Gin deliver a completely rounded Sloe Gin experience, but they also donate 15% of profits to elephant conservation.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: UK £31.45 / US $54.99

Sloe Gin is delicious neat, if you find that a little too intense, try one of the above as a G&T for a refreshing yet rich red fruits delight. Check out our perfect tonics here!

7 Perfect Tonics for a G&T

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to the iconic G&T, no one will deny that, but with just two ingredients, it’s essential that you’ve got the right tonic too… after all, it will be making up most of the liquid in your glass!

Gone are the days of one simple tonic on supermarket shelves, because these days there all kinds of wonderful botanical innovations to take your G&T in an endless number of directions, but today we’re focusing on classic Indian tonics to make a classic G&T.

With such a subtle concoction, something as simple as the wrong tonic can ruin a G&T, so take a look at our go-to options below, sorted in price order, and see which suits your G&T serve best!

And once you’re done, you of course need a showstopping gin to go with, which it just so happens we have recently been hard at work on with The Best Gins for a G&T.

Morrisons Indian Tonic Water

Most supermarkets do their own tonic, with mixed success, but the best is Morrisons. At 80p a litre, it provides surprising balance for a budget, no-frills tonic. There’s plenty of fizz, a little sweeter but very little botanical flavouring so if you’re trying a premium gin, maybe treat yourself to something a little more refined but on the daily, this is reliable.

Size: 1L
Find here: 80p for 1

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

This Victorian brand are true pioneers in this space with a range that is an absolute joy to explore, each beautifully bottled, natural, and expertly made. Their premium Indian Tonic is pure natural botanicals with gentle citrus flavours, cinchona bark extract and sparkling spring water, and stands up very well to juniper-forward gins for a classic G&T profile. You can discover some of their other fantastic flavours here.

Size: 500ml
Find here: £13.50 for 8

Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water

This smooth operator includes a welcome pink grapefruit touch to its citrus profile, unfolding into classic quinine with a hint of juniper too. There’s a bit more to this than most tonics, so you’ll need to pair it with a bold, flavourful gin because it runs the risk of overpowering a delicate number. It’s delicious with a lot of character for a tonic and well worth trying.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £18.95 for 24

Classic London Tonic Water by The Artisan Drinks Company

A quintessential tonic water with impressive softness and clean character. Three natural citrus flavours enhance the subtle botanicals of your paired gin, which for this tonic should be drier, premium gins. Stylish label, stylish tonic.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water

If you’re into delicate, nuanced, and ultra-premium complex gins, then Fentimans could be a good way to go. The quinine and citrus have been dialled down so the gin won’t be overpowered, so if you’re fed up of tonic botanicals making it difficult to explore your gin, look no further.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

One of the more popular tonics for good reason, Fever-Tree has an expansive range but at the heart of it is their flagship award-winning Indian Tonic, infused with high quality quinine from the ‘fever’ tree in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nothing artificial, pure crisp and fresh tonic perfect for pretty much any gin – Hayman’s and Hendrick’s both work a treat though.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £5 for 8

Schweppes Signature Collection Crisp Tonic

Finely balanced quinine bitterness with light effervescence – just what you want from a classic tonic. You’ll be able to find this in supermarkets now and then, but if not then the Schweppes regular tonic isn’t a massive drop off either – both are good, but the Signature does have a refined elevation to it. It goes with lots of different gins, but London Dry like Portobello Road and Gordons works a dream.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £8.73 for 8

To find your perfect gin to go with, check out our selection here! And for more tonics with innovative flavours, go here.

The Best Gins for a G&T 2023

Gin and Tonics can take some getting used to, but if you’re served a good one then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. With just gin and tonic, it’s so important that the driving force, the gin, is perfect.

The following bottles deliver an array of botanicals that pair perfectly with various tonics, plenty of complexity to keep things interesting, and enough bold flavour to be the star of the show.

Cross Keys Gin

Cross Keys Gin, the key to a perfect G&T! Straight from the heart of Latvia, this small-batch wonder is like a botanical bouquet with a Baltic twist. With botanicals like chamomile, linden blossoms, rosemary, and juniper, it's like a walk through a blooming garden. Pair this award winner with a twist of lemon, a sprig of rosemary and a splash of Mediterranean Tonic and away you go.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £25.89

Canaïma Gin

Invented to support the Amazon rainforest and the natives that still occupy parts of it, this gin gets closer to its cause than any we’ve seen. Not only does it use an intricate blend of rare botanicals like uve de palma and copuazu merey fruit, but they’re even hand-picked by these Venezuelan native tribes. The result makes for an earthy, more savoury led G&T with plenty of herbaceous notes and a fruity tang. A great story, and a fantastic gin at the end of it all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: UK £31

Orkney Rhubarb Old Tom Gin

There’s been a flurry of rhubarb-infused gins and this is one of the best. Locally grown rhubarb adds a twist and tang to Orkney’s classic Old Tom, creating a harmonious balance of tartness and smooth sweetness. Other botanicals include citrus, rose petal, cinnamon and citrus which round off a really classy gin that makes for G&T with notable zest, florality and warmth.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £32.90

BVI Gin

Here's a gin with a heart as big as its flavour. BVI Gin, born from the aftermath of Hurricane Irma which devastated the British Virgin Islands in 2017. It’s full of flavour this one, with a beautiful richness and intensity from punchy juniper, hibiscus flower, angelica root and most noticeably, vivid grapefruit that works a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £35.95

Lind & Lime Gin

Inside this stunning bottle is a zesty gin packed with pink peppercorn and lime. In fact, it’s so limey that it’s named in honour of Dr. James Lind, who pioneered the battle against scurvy with limes. It’s one of the most refreshing gins out there, and a little tonic and of course, a lime slice makes for a stonking G&T.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.40

Blackeye Gin

Blackeye, created by rugby legends Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Alex Payne, this gin is like a scrum of botanicals from rugby-playing nations worldwide. It's got a citrusy kick, a floral twist, and even a secret ingredient. This all comes together for a silky, citrusy G&T with a hearty crunch of juniper at its core.  Don't forget the orange garnish – it's a game-changer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Blue Bottle Dry Gin

A true sip of Guernsey's charm, Blue Bottle is crafted with juniper, nutmeg, and even local gorse flowers, it's like a botanical bouquet from the Channel Islands. It’s eyebrow raising in its smoothness, with a delicious fresh and lively profile that prevails even with the higher alcohol percentage. Vanilla and cubeb back up a juniper-forward gin that goes well with Mediterranean or Indian tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

Seven Hills Tokaj Gin

You’re looking at a serial award winner with Seven Hills, scooping gongs at all the top international competitions. Hungary’s rich winemaking history meets the depth of 21 handpicked botanicals including local Hungarian Linden leaf grapes. Juniper, pine and pink grapefruit keep things fresh in a totally unique and delicious gin that makes for a floral and woody G&T. A must try for gin connoisseurs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

If you want to try something a little more elaborate than a G&T, then try making the best versions of The Most Popular Gin Cocktails with these delicious bottles above.