The Best White Rums for Cocktails

White rum is the backbone of so many incredible cocktails, and most of the rum serves as you can see from The Most Popular Rum Cocktails, so you want a bottle that’s totally dependent, versatile, and powerful enough to shine through the other ingredients.

Well, these are just that and more. Let’s waste no more time and get exploring our curated selection of top-notch white rums, starting with the best value picks out there.

£15-25

Merchant's Choice White Rum

This is an unaged Guyanese rum that’s crying out to be a reliable cocktail ingredient. Aromas of ripe banana, zesty lemon, and soothing vanilla invite exploration. Coconut, cacao nibs, grapefruit zest, and toffee tantalize the palate. Notes of cinnamon, almonds, and a hint of milk add depth. The finish features a touch of bitter grapefruit completing a hugely flavourful and varied sip. A versatile addition to your cocktail arsenal for sure, and plenty of those notes would suit a Piña Colada down to the ground.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £17.45

Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum

A globally recognized white rum, Bacardi Carta Blanca's presence graces backbars across the planet. Hailing from Cuba, the brand's origins are as unique as its bat-adorned labels. Crafted since 1862, it boasts a smooth, clean profile thanks to column distillation and charcoal filtering post-aging, THE latter of which it totally pioneered back in the day. Zippy lemon and pear drop notes are detectable on the nose, while the palate offers a little citrusy goodness but what you get with Bacardi is impeccable smoothness and a clean feel, something that is very useful for cocktails. Starring this in a Mai Tai really cannot go far wrong.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £19.90

El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum

An award-winning gem, this rum secured silver at the 2006 and 2007 International Wine and Spirits Competitions, and a resounding Gold at the International Review of Spirits. Versatile and lively, it really shines in cocktails. As a Demerara rum, it embodies tradition in its crafting bringing alluring brown sugar notes as well as the fresh crispness you want from white rum. We love it. Honestly it could go into pretty much any cocktail, but a Pornstar Martini works very well indeed.

Size: UK 700ml/US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £23.99 / US $19.99

£25-£35

Takamaka Rum Blanc

Straight from the Seychelles, this white rum offers a delicate sweetness and crispness, making it ideal for cocktails and more specifically, the Daiquiri which has established somewhat of a reputation for. Notes of syrupy peach and sugary biscuits are subtle alongside spiced fruits before softly finishing with a touch of peppercorn. It really offers a lot more than so many white rums and whilst the flavours aren’t instantly in your face intense, they creep up on you in the best way possible.  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £26.74

J Wray and Nephew White Overproof Rum

Something different here, and something unforgettable. As hinted by the green and yellow label, this is an iconic Jamaican overproof rum, clocking it a seriously punchy 63%... and there’s no getting away from that. It’s unaged and pungent with herbal, grassy undertones but more noticeably the funk of overripe banana and pineapple. For adding rum oomph, it’s perfect for tiki cocktails like Mai Tais but for the experience alone, try it with a little coconut water and ice as it’s often enjoyed in Jamaica.

Size: UK 700ml/US 750ml
ABV: 63%
Find here: UK £29.45 / US $25.99

Hoolie Manx White Rum

Embrace the gusts of flavour with this delightful Isle of Man creation, aptly named after the local term for 'very windy'. Crafted from molasses, it's double-distilled in a wood-fired still and charcoal filtered, offering notes of sweet liquorice, biscuity butterscotch, and a zesty kick. It’s one that is really moreish on its own whilst also shining in classics like Mojitos, Daiquiris, and even a simple rum and coke. Could easily become a go-to, especially with the craftmanship and sustainability of the distillery Outlier. Oh, and if you want something stronger than the Hoolie…keep scrolling.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £34

Copalli White Rum

From Belize comes Copalli White Rum, an organic marvel that captures the essence of the region and in an environmental sustainability way too. Crafted from organic sugarcane, harvested, and crushed within hours, this pure gem is distilled using a unique blend of pot and column methods, and canopy water! Even better, the leftover sugar cane fuels the pot stills. The result is a smooth, crystal-clear rum with soft grassy notes, hints of lemon, and a refreshing minty undertone. Embrace the jungle's finest in a clean and fresh feeling Mojito.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £34.44/ $17.99

£35-45

Hurricane Overproof Manx Rum

Isle of Man distillery Outlier already gave us the Hoolie, but what’s stronger than just ‘very windy’… yes, a Hurricane. This powerful rum weaves a tale of double-distilled molasses, with a portion matured in Islay whisky casks, masterfully blended with the unaged brilliance of Hoolie white rum. A smoky intrigue awaits within, a touch of caramel and seaweed, with hints of vanilla, coconut, straw, and star anise. Remarkably smooth for an overproof, it's a force to be reckoned with in cocktails. Pair the Hurricane up with a Dark & Stormy for whirlwind of flavours.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 64%
Find here: £44

Prefer dark rums? Check out our best bottles to try this year right here!

The Complete Guide to Prosecco Styles

Prosecco has taken a bit of a bashing over the last decade, and we think it’s unjust, so today we’re flying the flag for it. If you’ve had your Prosecco bubble burst or just never clicked with it, then it really is worth giving another go because it’s one of the most misunderstood sparklers out there.

Yes, it’s not usually going to come with the luxurious complexity of an aged Champagne, but that isn’t what Prosecco is about – it’s about fresh fruit, early-drinking and exceptional value and we salute that.

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine originating from the Veneto region of Northern Italy, made using predominantly Glera grapes. It’s known for its easy drinking nature, affordability, fruity freshness, and plenty of bubbles.

There styles and sweetness within Prosecco are more varied than you might think though, so let’s dive a little deeper into the spectrum…

Is all Prosecco bubbly?

In short, no but almost always yes.

The most common style you’ll find in shops is Spumante (fully sparkling), which really hold their bubbles. The other style knocking around is Frizzante (semi-sparkling) which doesn’t keep its fizz as well as Spumante but perhaps that’s what you want?

If you’re interested in still Prosecco then it does exist and it’s called Tranquilo, but you won’t usually see this on supermarket shelves!

What do the letters on Prosecco mean?

There are two different acronyms you may have seen on Prosecco bottles, and they are D.O.C and D.O.C.G. These both represent a seal of approval to signify that the wines have met the standards required for them to be included.

D.O.C stands for Denominazione d’Origine Controllata and you’ll find this a lot more than D.O.C.G. Plenty of rules and regs needs to be followed to achieve this status, but not quite as many as D.O.C.G or Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita. There are only a few provinces like Valdobbiadene and Conegliano producing it and within this label, there are actually sub-categories.

Generally, the ranking goes Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, up to Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG, then the ‘Grand Cru of Prosecco’ - Superiore di Cartizze DOCG. Just 107 hectares produce this and the complexity and viscosity is unlike anything else in Prosecco.

Which Prosecco is sweet?

This is where it gets a bit more confusing but go with it.

In the UK, Brut and Extra Dry are the styles we see most of. Now, believe it or not, Brut is actually dryer than Extra Dry and therefore not sweet.

To make it simpler, here are the style names from dry to sweet, some of which are harder to find than others:

Brut Nature: (0 – 3 g/l residual sugar) This may also be referred to as Ultra Brut, Brut Zero, Pas Dosé and Dosage Zéro and is completely bone dry, steely, and fresh.
Extra Brut: (0-6g/l residual sugar) This is very dry with just a touch of sweetness, and a more accessible easy to find option for those who don’t like sweet Prosecco).
Brut: (0-12g/l residual sugar): Generally dry but the fruit will feel ripe.
Extra Dry: (12-17 g/l residual sugar) Medium dry with more of a hint of sweetness. Also known as Extra Sec in French and Extra Seco in Italian.
Dry: (17-32 g/l residual sugar) Also known as Sec or Secco, this really is hitting with the sweetness. By no means is it dessert wine but it’s getting thee.
Demi-Sec: (32-50 g/l residual sugar) This is very difficult to find, particularly in the UK but is thoroughly a dessert wine with tonnes of fruity sweetness.

Which Prosecco should I try?

Co-op Irresistible Prosecco D.O.C ‘Special Cuvée’ Brut

One of the classiest easy to find bottles around, this dry (as in genuinely dry, not label dry – confusing I know!) with noticeably less ripe fruits and a more restrained mousse. The reason it’s won awards is for the honeyed florality and cooling citrus that makes it so elegant.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £9.50

Maschio Prosecco DOC Extra Dry

As you can see, this Prosecco has the DOC stamp of approval and is Extra Dry so comes through with a decent thwack of fruity sweetness. This particular bottle also brings a surprising complexity with florality backing up the fruits.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £8 (usually more!)

Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Le Colture NV - Dry

Helena’s favourite, this has that Cartizze label we mentioned earlier and shows it with incredible harmony – aromatic flowers, juicy pears with sweet ripeness, a cool salinity, and just enough biting acidity. Benchmark premium Prosecco.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £25.70

Giol Prosecco Frizzante, Organic

Here is an example of the Frizzante with that immediately quaffable semi-sparkling gentle fizz. Super fresh, citrus and bear burst through and it’s also organic too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £12.95

Try all the different styles and we guarantee you’ll fall in love with one. Now you’ve got your Prosecco, about some refreshing easy-to-make Prosecco Cocktails to Make at Home!?

The Best Easy-to-Make Prosecco Cocktails

When you’re in the mood, you cannot beat adding some fizzing bubbles to a cocktail and being so fresh, versatile, and affordable, Prosecco is the perfect cocktail partner.

Let’s jump into a few of the super simple to make cocktails with Prosecco at the heart of them, featuring the classics you know and love and a few you might not have heard of...

Bellini

Step into the Italian sun with the Bellini, a timeless concoction born at Harry's Bar in Venice. This elegant but famously simple to make cocktail blends velvety peach puree with the bubbles of Prosecco, creating a sweet and sparkling symphony. A summer sunset in a glass.

Ingredients
60ml peach purée
160ml Prosecco
Peach slice (garnish)

 Method
Unless you’re a Belliniphile, you probably won’t have peach purée laying around so buy some or make your own (peel peaches, refrigerate and blend). Strain into a flute, top up with that Prosecco and gently stir to retain the fizz. If you’ve got a peach left, of course a slice as garnish tops it all off nicely.

Negroni Sbagliato

When a bartender mistakenly used Prosecco instead of gin in a Negroni, the Negroni Sbagliato was born – and thank goodness for that mix-up! This playful twist swaps the traditional bitterness for a touch of bubbly joy and makes for a lighter mix.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco (use extra dry for sweetness)
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice (to garnish)

Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a rocks glass and fill it with ice. Top up with Prosecco. Stir gently to chill and garnish with the orange slice. Voilà!

Hugo Spritz

The first rival to truly challenge the Aperol Spritz when it comes to summer spritz sensation, the Hugo Spritz has spread across Europe from Northern Italy and with the power of TikTok, become more popular than ever. Aromatic, effervescent and invigorating with fragrant fruits and the perfect balance of sweetness and crispness – you’ve got to see what all the hype is about.

Ingredients
40ml elderflower liqueur (like St Germain)
20ml soda water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Dash of lime or lemon juice
Prosecco to top up

Lime/lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Take a large wine or Highball glass and add some mint (muddle for extra flavour or leave for subtle soothing). Pour in your elderflower liqueur or if you want a less boozy version, elderflower cordial works well too. Fill the glass with ice, add a splash of soda, some lemon or lime juice (both work), and top up with that gorgeous fizzy Prosecco!

Kir Royale

Take your Prosecco to regal heights with the Kir Royale. Some use Champagne for this, which works great but the fruity profile of Prosecco works a treat. Use a rich and sweet blackcurrant liqueur (crème de cassis for syrupy sweetness, Chambord for more depth). So, so delicious.

Ingredients
1 tbsp blackcurrant liqueur (crème de cassis or Chambord)
Prosecco
Blackberry/Raspberry (optional garnish)

Method
Ridiculously simple, add your liqueur into a flute and top her up with Prosecco. Raspberries or blackberries for the garnish and away you go!

Pink 75

A beautiful pink 75 fit for Barbie, this twist on the French 75 boasts so much flavour and charm behind that rosy hue. Zesty grapefruit adds some tang to the sweet ripe fruits of the gin botanicals, all pulled together by Prosecco’s gorgeous fizz and refreshment. Include the garnishes and this is a real showstopper when popped in front of your guests.

 Ingredients
50ml pink gin (any decent berry flavour or rhubarb)
10ml pink grapefruit juice
Prosecco to top up
Raspberries (garnish)
Edible flower petals (optional garnish)

Method
Shakers out for this – add everything with ice until your hands are cold, and strain into the flute before yet again, topping up with Prosecco. If you’re feeling extra, then edible petals really give this cocktail that special touch... which is what they’re all about right?

Poinsettia

Quaffable to the max, this is a fantastic all year-round cocktail that refreshes but also has that something special. Not only beautiful to look at, but it also tastes delicious too with tart cranberry playing off light Prosecco so well. Some use triple sec in the recipe, but we want to go for Grand Marnier for extra indulgence and depth. Perfect for celebrations but also a reason to celebrate in itself!

 Ingredients
25ml Grand Marnier
50ml cranberry juice
Prosecco to top up
Fresh bay leaf (garnish)

Method
Simple again, just pour everything with the Prosecco last and give it a nice stir. If everything’s nicely chilled beforehand, then that’s it! Oh, and a fresh bay leaf for traditional garnish. Voila!

Sgroppino

One of the OG Prosecco cocktails, Venetians were drinking this in between courses all the way back to the 1400s. Essentially, it’s vodka and Prosecco blended with lemon sorbet – nom. It’s got a boozy hit, sweet citrus and is perfect on a hot day or as an alcoholic dessert substitute at your next dinner party.

 Ingredients
30ml vodka
50ml Prosecco
1 scoop lemon sorbet

Method
The key here is to make sure everything is chilled and then simply blend them together before serving in a small, chilled glass! Make sure you like the lemon sorbet before adding because you don’t want to spoil the vodka or Prosecco!

If you’re looking for the perfect Prosecco for these moreish mixes, then there are tonnes of great recommendations across our site including in our Prosecco Styles Guide!

Best Sparkling Wine for Afternoon Tea

There's a reason why bubbly wine is the perfect match for afternoon tea, and it’s not just adding that extra touch of excitement with every popping cork. Sparkling wines offer the best of all worlds - the crisp sweetness that pairs exquisitely with pastries and treats, the savoury charm that complements the sandwiches, and of course, effervescence to lighten up the whole affair.

They’re so good as afternoon tea companions in fact that the marriage has its own name, ‘The Sparkling Afternoon Tea’. Bearing that in mind, let’s take a look at the Best Sparkling Wine pairings for afternoon tea!

Prosecco

Maschio Prosecco DOC Extra Dry

Prosecco's light and fruity character makes it a charming companion for afternoon tea, as long as you find one with decent flavour complexity so the food doesn’t overwhelm the wine. Prosecco particularly shines with the sweet dishes, having the fruitiness and touch of sweetness required to avoid becoming overly bitter and acidic.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £8 (usually more!)

Champagne

Mercier Brut Champagne

When forced to pick only one, Champagne is probably the ultimate afternoon tea companion, or indeed ‘Royal Afternoon Tea’ as it becomes. A beautifully produced Brut Champagne like this serves as a fantastic all-rounder, with that yeasty, nutty, creamy and brioche profile complementing well. There is also enough acidity to cut through fatty, oily foods like savoury salmon, buttery pastry, and clotted cream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £35.94

Moscato d’Asti

Moscato d’Asti DOCG Bersano

Moscato d’Asti has a similar relationship with afternoon tea as Prosecco, and if you’re looking for something to do the job whatever level of the afternoon tea you’re on, this probably isn’t it. However, when it comes to the cakes, sponges and in particular the citrus sweets, it’s fantastic. Subtle, refreshing, delicate bubbles, low alcohol and with more sweetness than Champagne but a hit of acidity too – give it a go!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 5.3%
Find here: £8.99

Blanc de Blancs

Gusbourne Blanc De Blancs 2018

There has never been a better time to pair up English wine with afternoon tea, with more and more delicious wine in production. Blanc de Blancs brings a touch of simplicity and purity to your teatime affair. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, this wine offers crisp, refreshing notes that gracefully enhance buttery scones and clotted cream. For anything rich, look to fresh and lively Blanc de Blancs to lighten the experience. Gusbourne’s flagship bottle costs a bit more than most, but there’s a reason it’s one of England’s best-known wines.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £63.75

Blanc de Noirs

Rathfinny Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Staying with the blooming world of British fizz, this is a white sparkler made from 100% black grapes – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in this case. It offers more structure and something with richer fruits (cherry and baked apple) and leans more towards florality, minerality and earthiness. It’s bold and loveable and can hold its own against more intense meaty flavours, as well as sweeter red fruits. Savoury and sweet, Blanc de Noirs won’t let you down.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £38.50

The flourishing English Fizz market has tonnes of good options to pair magically with afternoon tea, so try these incredible English Sparkling Wines leading the way!

One Drink, Three Ways: Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join us as we take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, The Three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

Sweet wines are back in vogue as people realise that there is so much fun to be had with them! From swapping out simple syrups for them in cocktails to drinkable puddings, sipping neat or in highballs, sweeter sips are the drinks trend of this summer and beyond. 

One must-try sweet wine that does everything is Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. Hailing from Victoria, Australia, this rich, golden sipper is made with the lesser known Orange Muscat grape blended with some rare Flora, all harvested late to concentrate the sugars. The result is a sweet, viscous white wine with fresh, orange blossom aromatics and notes of candied lemon peel and marmalade. At just 10% ABV, it’s incredibly versatile; you can have this alone as a drinky dessert, pair it with salty blue cheese (yum!) and even mix it into elegant cocktails. Here are three, fun ways to try the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora.

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Helena’s Choice: Orange Sunset

Think of this as a much lighter, more elegant and summery version of an old fashioned with a delightfully floral kick. This works as an aperitif as well a digestif depending on the mood and is a great all rounder cocktail for everyone at your gathering. Simply build the drink in a tumbler glass by combining the whiskey with the wine, adding the bitters and ice cube, then stirring. Garnish with an orange wheel or orange peel.

Orange Sunset

50ml Orange Muscat & Flora

25ml Rye Whiskey

2 Dashes Orange bitters

Orange peel zest

Large ice - ideally with flower frozen into it

Glass: Small wine glass

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Aidy’s Choice: Spiked Orange Bellini

Here’s another super simple recipe - a Bellini with a twist! Switch out your fresh pear juice for some Orange Muscat & Flora wine in a flute and top up with Extra Brut Prosecco to give your fizz a golden hue and stunningly different aroma and flavour. It’s a really beautiful, yet simple change form a classic recipe and is guaranteed to get people talking. Garnish with an orange ribbon if you’re feeling fancy.

Spiked Orange Bellini

50ml Orange Muscat & Flora

Top up with Extra Brut Prosecco

Orange and or lemon garnish

Glass: Flute

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Colin’s Choice: Mango Flora Frosé

Mango Flora Frosé

300g Frozen mango slices

150ml Orange Muscat & Flora

Edible flowers to garnish

Glass: Large, round wine glass

This frozen treat can be a light pudding in itself or it makes a great palate cleanser before or after cheese. It takes some thinking ahead though as you need to pour the wine into a freezer bag and leave it overnight, before adding it to a blender with the mango and giving it a good blitz! Serve in a coup glass or large wine glass and garnish with edible flowers of your choice to pretty it all up.

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Belvedere Organic Infusions, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.

Brew-tiful Blends: Elevating Cocktails with the Power of Tea

Cuppas and cocktails, is there anything we like more? Well, how about them together? We’ve been exploring tea-infused cocktails and boy can they elevate a creation to that next level. From floral refreshment to soothing spice, these are some of our favourite tea cocktails, hot and cold, that you should definitely experiment with if you haven’t already! Let’s get the kettle on...

Jasmine Fizz

The Jasmine Fizz just gets more and more delicious with each ingredient. Delightfully refreshing, it combines the floral notes of jasmine tea with the effervescence of sparkling wine. Elderflower continues this natural and aromatic profile, with fresh lemon to cut through and add some zip. One of those cocktails that you feel invigorated drinking.

Ingredients

60ml jasmine tea-infused gin
30ml elderflower liqueur
15ml fresh lemon juice
15ml simple syrup/honey
60ml sparkling wine
Lemon twist (garnish)

 Method
Okay, so the gin. We recommend testing on a smaller amount first, but you’ll need to sit the jasmine teabags in the gin for at least 1 hour. After this, just shake everything with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Lemon or beautiful jasmine flowers for garnish and voila, a cocktail that will really impress.

Aperol Tea Spritz

Sparkling teas like these stunners work wonderfully well in place of sparkling wine in cocktails, and this Aperol Tea Spritz is a perfect example. LYSERØD is one of the driest sparkling teas out there, and those Rosé notes and smooth White Tea pair nicely with the Aperol. There are so many combinations you could try, so experiment with sparkling teas in your favourite Spritzers.

Ingredients
100ml Aperol
150ml sparkling tea (something like LYSERØD by Copenhagen)

Method
Pour both over ice – there really is nothing else to it. Relax and enjoy.

G&Tea

Adding teabags to Gin and Tonics has been a bit of a thing in Scandinavia for a while, but adding an elegant sparkling tea instead of the tonic and teabag separately makes a hell of a lot more sense if you ask us. This is a really fresh way to mix up the usual G&T for something just as clean and pure, but with more botanical depth. Just pick a tea with mild flavour and mix with your favourite gin.

Ingredients
50ml gin
100ml sparkling tea (something like Jing Jasmine Pearls)
Angostura bitters (optional)
Honey (optional)

Method
Make it as you would a regular G&T, simply combining the two. Obviously tonic is more neutral than tea, so if you want some bitterness add Angostura drops, or if you want a dash more sweetness go for a touch of honey.

Hot Chai Toddy

The addition of spiced black chai to the winter warmer that is the Hot Toddy adds deliciously comforting warmth and deep spice, complementing the whisky well. With the earthy tea, fresh lemon and touch of honey, there is an almost medicinal quality to this cocktail that harks back to the Hot Toddy’s roots.

Ingredients
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
100ml-150ml hot water
1 black chai teabag
35ml whisky
1 clove (optional)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Grab your favourite mug or handled glass and pour the hot water over the tea. Mix in the honey, whisky, and lemon until everything has merged. Chuck in the clove and the cinnamon for even more warmth. Cup in your hands and let it soothe your soul!

Birds and Bees

From Juan Coronado of The Bazaar comes this delicious cocktail using a chamomile-honey syrup to mellow the fresh lemon juice and complement a good quality gin. It’s another tea cocktail that feels clean and delicate, but with punchy gin at the heart of it. Tasty.

 Ingredients
50ml gin
30ml chamomile-honey syrup
25ml fresh lemon juice
10ml lime juice
For the syrup: 1 chamomile teabag and 15ml honey (you might want to make a bigger batch though)

Method
All the effort here is in that syrup, which is actually very simple to make. Make chamomile tea as usual and dissolve honey into it, before cooling at room temp. Then, combine everything in a shaker with ice, strain, and sip! Nom.

Green, Ginger, and Gold

Cognac is a surprisingly tasty pairing with green tea, and of course ginger so this is a gorgeously fresh and alive cocktail merging them. With fresh mint too, there is a refreshing and soothing quality, as well as rich warmth and spice and earthiness. You could try this warm or chilled, it’s up to you but we’re going for chilled this time.

 Ingredients
3 pieces fresh ginger
2 mint leaves
15ml syrup
30ml cognac (VS or VSOP)
60ml chilled green tea

Method
Muddle syrup, mint leaves and ginger with cognac and fresh, chilled green tea. Once the flavours are infused, strain into a glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a mint leaf for that final touch.

There are so many cocktails you could make with sparkling teas in particular, so check out these! If any cocktail recipes use sparkling wines like Rosé or Prosecco, then give these a go instead.

Our Top 3 London Rooftop Bar Picks

We are in the peak of summer (and hopefully soon the weather will start to play along), so here are our top three rooftop bar picks for you and your friends to try! Whether it’s after work drinks or a date night, we’ve got you covered. While we’ve categorized each bar by it’s specialty, all these rooftop bars have a great selection of cocktails, beers and wines to choose from.

For the wine lover: Forza Wine

Situated in Peckham, opposite the Peckham Rye station, is one of our personal favourite wine bars, Forza Wine. The menu consists of over 30 different wines of different styles. The grape type, and the region that the wine was made is also listed, for all wine enthusiasts who want to know every detail about what they are drinking. The broad price range is great to accommodate every person's budget. The knowledgeable waiters will gladly bring you a few tasters if you are unsure which wine you would like to try! Forza is a north-facing bar, and has an unobstructed view of the city - the sunsets we have witnessed while drinking a glass of bubbles are simply breath-taking.

Address: The Rooftop, 133A Rye Ln, London SE15 4BQ
Website: https://forzawine.com/

For the beer lover: Kraft Dalston

Moving from South London to East London territory, you need to give Kraft Dalston a try. This impressive establishment has an on-site brewery ensuring your pint of choice is as fresh as can be. If freshly brewed beer isn’t already a good enough reason to visit KRAFT, because the beer doesn’t need to be packaged and transported, carbon emissions are reduced by 75%. They have recently opened up their rooftop bar as well just in time for summer with some amazing new cocktail choices using their own craft gin.

Address: Inside Kingsland Locke, 130a Kingsland High Street, Dalston, London E8 2LQ
Website: https://www.kraftdalston.com/

For the cocktail lover: Madison Rooftop Garden

This lively rooftop terrace is a must-see. The bar is at the top floor of the One New Change next to the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. Sipping on your Aperol Spritz while the sun sets with St Paul in the background is quite a surreal experience. The NYC inspired bar and restaurant has all the classic cocktails, some frozen cocktails for when the weather heats up, and some glorious signature cocktails. There are regularly in-house DJs that just amplify the ambience and are guaranteed to get the party started. 

Address:  Rooftop Terrace One, New Change, London EC4M 9AF
Website: https://www.madisonlondon.net/

If you want some more London bar recommendations, read about Bandra Bhai here!

A New Twist on Tradition: Exploring the World of Beer Cocktails

When it comes to cocktails, beer definitely isn’t the first ingredient that comes to mind. However, the world of mixology has embraced the idea of blending beer with other spirits and flavours to create unique and refreshing concoctions, so don’t write it off just yet! It’s probably the most beloved drink of them all, so let’s dive into the delightful realm of beer cocktails, where traditional brews meet exciting twists.

Marbeerita

The Beer Margarita, the Beerita, the Beergarita, whatever you call it, it really works. The beer brings a refreshing twist to this classic putting a bubbly spin on the traditional mix of tequila, lime and aromatic orange... which marries with hops deliciously. Barbeques, laid-back afternoons, the Marbeerita is well worth a go.

Ingredients
50ml tequila (blanco or reposado)
30ml lime juice
25ml Cointreau
15ml triple sec
120ml chilled beer (go for lager, ideally Mexican)
Lime wedge (garnish)

Method
Add everything except the beer, stir to combine, add a little ice, and pour beer over the top. How’s that for simple?

Shandy

Cocktails do not get simpler than this. If you order a Shandy, you’ll almost always get beer and lemonade, usually in a 50:50 split. It’s ideal if you want something thirst quenching but not too boozy, and also adds some bright and juicy sweetness to the crisp beer. If you don’t fancy lemonade, then try fruit juice or ginger ale. A Radler is basically the same thing too, but uses lemon soda instead.

Ingredients
120ml beer
120ml lemonade

Method
To avoid chaotic fizz levels, pour the beer first and top up with lemonade. Shandy complete.

Michelada

Becoming more and more popular stateside is the Michelada, a brunch style cocktail like the Bloody Mary but usually without the tomato. Traditionally it’s simply light Mexican beer with a dash of hot sauce and a salted rim and lime, but Worcestershire sauce also makes a nice addition. To make a Chelada, just ditch the hot sauce and pepper and up the lime.

Ingredients
250ml beer (light lager)
Dash of Mexican hot sauce
Salt and pepper rim
Lime for juice and garnish

Method
Mix salt and pepper on a plate (chilli powder too if you want more heat). Rub the rim with the lime and roll in the seasoning. Then, squeeze the lime and add to the rim before adding hot sauce, and topping up with lager. Unless your beer is ice-cold, add ice because the Michelada really is best served super chilled.

Beermosa

The Beermosa is a delightfully simple twist on the classic Mimosa. By replacing the sparkling wine with beer, you get a malty bitterness that tames the sweet citrus nicely. This beer cocktail is perfect for any time you want a little citrusy goodness with a beer kick.

Ingredients
120ml beer (try and get one with citrus notes)
120ml orange juice
Orange wheel for garnish

Method
Pour equal parts of beer and orange juice into a glass (no ice if they’re both chilled). Stir gently to combine the two and keep the bubbles alive, before a wheel of orange to finish the sunny look. Nom.

Black Velvet

A famous stout cocktail this time, the gorgeous Black Velvet. Created during the national mourning of Prince Albert in Victorian Britain, Guinness is almost always used (or a very dark stout) for its bitter, silky richness to offset the fruity and fizzing lightness of the sparkling wine. Surprisingly moreish so give it a try!

 Ingredients
100ml Champagne (Crémant or Cava is fine)
100ml Guinness

Method
Champagne first, then pour the Guinness over a spoon to layer it up nicely. Enjoy!

Every cocktail we love today was discovered through experimentation so try stuff out! Need inspiration? Check out our recent Daiquiri Twists here!