Which Cocktails Can You Make With Absinthe?

The mysterious and often misunderstood absinthe is criminally underused in cocktails. If you want the full low-down on the spirit then check out our guide here, but in short, it’s a highly alcoholic spirit with a fascinating past interwoven with artists, bohemians, prohibition, the Moulin Rouge and much more.

Most drinkers that aren’t overly familiar with it are most likely to identify it as a testing, throat burning shot of 60% alcohol, but there is a lot more fun to be had with it. Whether verte (green) or blanche (uncoloured), well-made absinthe brings a unique spicy-sweet aniseed flavour with layers of herbal cleanliness offsetting the booze nicely. Wormwood and fennel are the two other botanicals you’ll commonly find.

As with any spirit, the best way to dip your toes into it (not literally) is with cocktails. The serious oomph and complex herbal intensity can bring a sprinkling of magic to a cocktail, elevating it impressively. Let’s take a look at a few easy-to-make classics and couple of more challenging serves for the mixologists out there.

Death in the Afternoon

If you want simple, then you’ve got it. The only complicated thing here is sourcing yourself a good value and good quality absinthe and Champagne, after that it’s just combining the two. The namesake of Hemingway’s Spanish bullfighting book, he apparently created it himself to make a totally refreshing and gorgeously light cocktail. The acidic brightness, the soft brioche, the herbal botanicals, it’s such a yummy palate cleanser.

Ingredients
40ml Absinthe
Champagne to top

 Method
Absinthe first, and then top up with Champagne before a gentle stir to combine. That’s it.

Absinthe Spider Highball

A Highball is a simple cocktail which is essentially a spirit and mixer, perhaps with a garnish or other ingredient. We always recommend it as an introduction to a new spirit, and the Spider is a simple serve bringing out the boozy spice of absinthe with the warmth of ginger ale. Angostura bitters bring some bitter complexity to the depths too.

Ingredients
20ml Absinthe
2 dashes of Angostura
Ginger ale to top up

 Method
Pour in your absinthe to an ice-filled glass, top up with ginger ale and swirl into a couple of Angostura dashes.

Absinthe Mojito

This brings out the cleansing refreshment that absinthe can be so delicious for. We’ve gone for a 50/50 mix of lemonade and soda, but you can adjust this depending on personal preference and absinthe used. The combination of fresh and sweet citrus with the cooling mint and complex herbal spice of the absinthe is intense but so yummy.

Ingredients
45ml lemonade
45ml soda
25ml absinthe
Lime wedges and mint leaves (garnish)

Method
Drop some lime wedges into glass half-filled with crushed ice along with a few sprigs of mint. Pour over absinthe and your lemonade and water, before giving it a good churning stir to extract the flavours.

Corpse Reviver No.2

Okay, so if you’re really cautious about the absinthe flavours, then this is one for you. One of the common ways absinthe is used is for rinsing the glass. Because it’s so intense, it still has a great impact on the cocktail even though it’s poured away. Originally designed to ‘revive a corpse’ i.e. remedy a hangover, this is a committed start to a second day of drinking.

Ingredients
1-2 dashes of absinthe
25ml Gin
25ml Cointreau
25ml Lillet Blanc
25ml fresh Lemon juice
2.5ml sugar syrup (optional)
Lemon twist to garnish

Method
Add some absinthe into your glass and swirl to coat the glass before discarding. Next, shake all your other ingredients with ice until the shaker feels chilled, and strain into your rinsed glass without fresh ice.

The Green Beast

For a rather intimidating name, this is somewhat of a cocktail clean freak. Absinthe is often use as a rinse or just in small doses, but here it stars with little else competing. It’s a modern classic, offsetting the intense absinthe with the coolness of cucumbers, water, and lime. A little syrup is needed for balance, but mainly this is a clean, vegetal delight with green flavours everywhere.

Ingredients
30ml absinthe
20ml simple syrup
20ml lime juice
100ml chilled water
4 slices of seedless, peeled cucumber (some for garnish) 

Method
Muddle the cucumbers with the syrup in the bottom of your glass, and pour over absinthe, lime juice and ice. Bring it to the top with chilled water, and delicately place a cucumber slice for garnish.

Green Fairy

An icon of the Moulin Rouge, The Green Fairy is one of the better-known absinthe creations… so much so that some people simply call absinthe by it. The spirit takes centre stage here, dancing with the zip of lemon, the bitterness of Angostura, the sweetness of a little sugar and the silky texture of egg white. It all comes together for an intensely herbal zing that packs a hell of a punch for a fairy.

Ingredients
25ml absinthe
25ml lemon juice
25ml chilled water
10ml Sugar syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 egg white (or 15ml aquafaba)
Lemon peel to garnish

Method
Dry shake all these ingredients and then repeat with ice (you’ve got to earn cocktails round here). Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. A twist of lemon peel to garnish and you’re away.

Last Resort

We’ll finish with something a little more complex, but still pretty easy to pull together. This concoction only uses 20ml of absinthe, but remember it’s concentrated and intense flavour and plays a vital role here. Building on the Brandy Sour, the Last Resort cocktail uses the fresh tang of absinthe and lime juice to complement the richness of French pear brandy. One egg white provides that moreish frothy viscosity, and alongside Peychaud’s bitters, all the ingredients accentuate one another’s botanicals and aromatics deliciously.

Ingredients
20ml absinthe
50ml French pear brandy (Massenez Poire Williams)
20ml lime juice
20ml simple syrup
2 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
1 egg white
Grate nutmeg for garnish

Method
Swirl the absinthe in the glass, and add pear brandy, lime, syrup, and egg white into a shaker with no ice – this will emulsify the egg whites. Then repeat with ice and double strain into your glass before topping off with a little freshly grated nutmeg and the beautiful bitters.

You’ve got your cocktail recipes, now all you need is a great bottle of absinthe to get them made – check out our recommendations at the end of our Absinthe Guide.

Six Stunning Margarita Variations

A timeless classic, the Margarita is synonymous with summer fiestas and cocktail bars the world over. As many classics are, the Margarita of old is a perfect recipe, combining flavours of tequila, lime, cointreau and salt. They can be frozen, shaken, stirred, spicy, smokey and just about anything you can set your mind to. If cocktails are art, then margaritas are the canvas.

Agave drinks are so ancient, they can be dated back to 300 AD! Back then, they were a ritual drink, as were most fermented drinks of the time, but these are stories for another time. Tequila reared its world-changing head over a thousand years later, and it is the Margarita that took tequila global in the mid 20th century, cementing its place in drinks history, and onto the menu of every restaurant, dive bar and high end cocktail bar. 

In 2023, I won the UK El Recuerdo Mezcal Competition with a Margarita twist, so I know a thing or two about the Marg. Here is the winning cocktail, and below it, five more tasty twists on the Margarita that you can easily try at home.

What’s up, Guac?

Some of the worlds’ most interesting cocktails take inspiration from culinary staples and this delightfully balanced take on a classic Marg does just that. Guacamole is a staple food in Mexico, where all Tequila and Mezcal is made. This drink takes the flavours of Mexico's most famous mole - cilantro, basil and cucumber - to make a devilishly refreshing summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 
60ml or 2oz Mezcal (El Recuerdo)
25ml or 0.75oz Lime
25ml or 0.75oz Cilantro Syrup
10ml or 0.25oz Agave Syrup 
Bar Spoon of Mexican Jalapeno Chilli Salsa (Habanero Tabasco works if you don’t have a local chilli shop)

Method:
Throw all the ingredients into a shaker, strain into a coupe glass (or whatever you like to sip your Margaritas from) and garnish with your prettiest edible flowers

TOP TIP: Don’t be scared, the syrup is so simple, no mixology required, simply throw the following ingredients into a blender, sieve the pulp out and you’ll be ready to go! 

25g Coriander
15g Basil 
50g Cucumber
100g Sugar
100g Water

Now that you know we mean business, here are five more stunning Margarita variations…

The Best Margarita for Spice Lovers: El Pepino (Spicy Margarita)

The ‘El Pepino’ (Spanish for ‘The Cucumber’) is a modern classic that has captured the imagination of bartenders all over. It’s rare that a twist on a classic comes along and so quickly becomes a staple in the bar scene. Fresh ingredients are the key to the El Pepino, cucumber and jalapenos directly in the cocktail shaker. No need to muddle, just shake hard! This refreshing, spicy and salty concoction will be a hit at your next summer fiesta!

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
2 Cucumber slices
Fresh Jalapeno (start small, scale up to preferred spice level)

Method:
Add ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass. If you’re feeling fancy, rim the tajin for extra effect. Use the leftover pressed limes to wet the glass rim and sprinkle the tajin around the intended area.

The Best Margarita for Floral Lovers: Santa Muerta

From the mind of cocktail wizard and mixologist, Calum Anderson, this simple margarita variation is a bouquet of flavours. Equally sweet and sour with a fresh, fragrant floral nose and a simple ingredient list that can be picked up from any supermarket! You can buy yourself flowers, but I bet you’d rather have one of these… 

Ingredients:
35ml or 1oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Violet Liqueur
25ml or .75oz Elderflower Cordial
25ml or .75oz Lime Juice
25ml or .75oz Apple Juice

Method:
Add ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, strain over cubed ice, garnish with edible flowers.

The Best Margarita for the Coffee Obsessive: Muerto Bali Hai

Taking a legendary Tiki drink and colliding it with a Margarita sounds like a recipe for disaster or a delicious miracle. The Muerta Bali Hai is the latter. It might sound obscure, but the tropical combination of coffee, pineapple, lemon and tequila come together to create an indulgent drink that will delight coffee and tiki lovers alike. If you enjoy unique drinks, this is certainly one for you.

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Kahlua
25ml or 0.75oz Lemon Juice
50ml or 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain over ice in a hi-ball glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves for that cheeky tiki look.

The Best Margarita for Summer Time: Frozen Coconut Mangorita

Sipping frozen margs on a hot summer day is the perfect way to enjoy tequila, however, the addition of mango builds on this perfection, adding a bright tartness that balances with the sweetness of coconut cream leaving you wanting more. Don’t be scared by the blender, it’s super easy to whip up multiple mangoritas at once just by doubling the measurements and throwing it all in the blender cup. This cocktail is bound to impress guests and not leave you wasting valuable party time by mixing complicated drinks.

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
25ml  or 0.75oz Cointreau
15ml or 0.5oz Coconut Cream 
70g or ½ a Mango

Method:
Throw the ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and blitz until silky smooth. 

TOP TIP: If you don’t have crushed ice, beat some cubed ice in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until you DO have crushed ice.

The Best Margarita for the Smoky Lovers: Mezcalita

Mezcal is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with more and more punters turning to the ancient agave spirit as their base for the Margarita. It may be the most simple drink on this list, but if you haven’t tried Mezcal before, this is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest and most unique spirits in the world.  

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Mezcal
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass.

For those, like me who can’t get enough of the Margarita, follow this link for More Stunning Margarita Variations…

By Miley Kendrick

Best Wine to Gift Mum this Mother's Day

There’s a reason that a thoughtfully selected, delicious bottle of wine is one of the most popular Mother’s Day gifts. Sunday 10th is just around the corner (hopefully that hasn’t caught you off guard), and we’ve curated a selection of wines perfect for the big day.

There’s something for everyone, beginning with flourishing English wines before luscious reds and crisp whites to finish. The wines we’ve picked here absolutely justify their price tag and beyond, but we’ve included a few different price points so that you can deliver, no matter how much you have to spend. Let’s get into the good stuff and raise a glass to the Mums!

English Sparkling Wine for Mother’s Day

Asquith Gardens Traditional English Sparkling Wine

One of the English sparklers picking up awards on the international stage, this Asquith Gardens wine is made using the traditional method from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. 5 years of ageing lead to luxuriously fine bubbles, and notes of apple, floral honey, marmalade, and biscuit. It goes toe-to-toe with far more expensive Champagne and is a steal at this price point.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £18

Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rosé NV

Fit for a Royal (and a President), this blend was chosen to be served at many Buckingham Palace banquets such as Obama’s visit in 2011. It’s harmoniously balanced, delivering fresh notes of raspberries, a little honey sweetness and a zip of citrus. It pairs perfectly with shellfish and lean fish and is an outstanding example of English sparkling rosé that is bound to make Mum’s Day!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £40

Chapel Down Rosé Brut

One of the trailblazers in English wine, Chapel Down make a stunning sparkling rosé that’s brimming with fruits. Strawberry and raspberry lead the charge, flanked by bright lemon and lime and supported by delicate orchard fruits. It’s so crisp and balanced and every sip reminds you that you’re in safe hands. It really is a top notch English sparkling rosé and is excellent value for money too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £29

Champagne for Mother’s Day

Champagne PIAFF Blanc de Blancs NV

Where there’s a celebration, Champagne is never far away but with lofty price tags, you want to make sure you’re getting bang for your buck. From Mansard’s Côte des Blancs vineyard comes this dreamy 100% Chardonnay expression, with a striking, persistent mousse lifting the floral and subtly nutty nose. Beyond that, delicate white fruits, brioche fullness and pleasing minerality build a solid structure. The wave of freshness comes first, before the mellow pastry profile takes over. It’s intense and restrained in perfect measure and exactly what Champagne is all about.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £69.30

Red Wine for Mother’s Day

Ravenswood Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel

This is Cali Zinfandel from Lodi that’s full-on in the best way possible. 18 months of American and French oak ageing has developed a tasty bouquet of red and dark berries. The fruits come through with intense concentration of flavour- think woody Christmas spice, plush blackberry and a really unique coconut note. Smooth, quaffable and deeply delicious. Perfect for a red wine loving mum.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £12.50

Malbado Malbec

Mendoza Malbec now and this bottle really is superb value for the money. It brings that signature Argentinian profile - warm, smooth, and seductive with dark fruits with a subtle waft of smoke (perfect for hearty meat pairings). Peppery spice tickles the tongue nicely at the end too. It’s rock solid Malbec with great character, and a sure fire hit with most Malbec drinking Mums.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £12.50 (usually more!)

DV Catena Malbec

This is one of those great wines that makes you think the price tag is wrong because it has so much going on. A Mendoza Malbec, the cocoa and coffee bean notes are rich, the dark plums and cherries are concentrated and floral vanilla notes add a delicate touch. Silky, spicy and one of the best in the supermarket- Mum would never guess it is £13!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £13

Bread & Butter Pinot Noir

If your Mum likes Pinot Noir, and particularly American Pinot then this Napa Valley wine is perfect. It balances the lofty, floral and pretty nose with a distinct earthy, almost leathery note. The barrel really shows with strong vanilla oak, and of course the signature red berries dazzle at the heart of it all. A perfect gift for Mum.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £13.50 (usually more!)

White Wine for Mother’s Day

McGuigan Black Label Moscato

This delivers on all the sweetness you want with a Moscato, but for such a low price it does so much more. Guava, kiwi and lychee make for a tropical whirlpool, holding onto some sour tang for great balance. It’s surprisingly refreshing, and not over sweet (the downfall of many Moscato bottles). A really fun and affordable Australian sipper that may just become Mums regular favourite.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 8%
Find here: £6.50

Graham Norton's Own Sauvignon Blanc

Made by Invivo, this is a great Awatere Valley Sauvignon from the nation’s favourite chat show host, Graham Norton. You’ll notice straight away after the first sip that it’s less up forward fruit and more savoury, saline, and even a little smoky. The classic grassy hints come through too. Some celebrity wines are a bit dodgy, but this is really, really nice.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £7.50 (Clubcard Price)

Mount Impey Malborough Sauvignon Blanc

In the Marlborough Wairau Valley stands Mount Impey, the peak of the Holdaway family’s biodiversity reserve. This vast landscape is home to countless species under threat, including the New Zealand Eastern Falcon adorning the label. Every purchase of this wine helps to support this effort. But crucially, what’s inside is a delight too. The green vegetal notes and gooseberry intertwine with bold citrus and soft peach. There’s a really good kick of acidity too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £11 (Clubcard Price)

1000 Stories Chardonnay

This is an eyebrow raising wine, in the best way possible. If you haven’t heard of 1000 Stories, they focus on fermenting their wines in charred ex-bourbon barrels. Their Chardonnay is a really yummy example, reimagining the Cali classic with toasted caramel and oaky vanilla. Expertly though, the loveable characteristics of the grape are not lost, because in come those delicious orchard fruits with a little citrus zip. Great for a Mum who likes exploring twists on classic wine profiles.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £13.50 (Clubcard Price)

If you’re after some other drinks for Mother’s Day, then check out our recommended Spirits and Ciders that are perfect for the occasion.

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Tesco March 2024

Supermarket Wine Bargains again, and shoppers at Tesco will want to see these gems. They’ve got some cracking offers for March, and we’ve been through and highlighted four stunning reds and whites, and two delicious Rosé suggestions too. They’re all under £10 and better than many wines double the price. See which one (or three) takes your fancy.

Tesco Red Wines March 2024

Aprimondo Appassimento

This is one of the best Sangiovese reds under £10. It’s full of body and flavour, with a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel. You can expect a symphony of darker berries, with great sweetness from the dried grapes. Fig, date, prune and vanilla mellow things out for a fantastically well-rounded wine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £8 (Clubcard Price) (usually £9.25)

19 Crimes Red Wine

19 Crimes are a reliable go-to at this pricepoint, with each bottle being a ode to those transported to Australia many years ago. This Shiraz-dominant blend is aged in American oak so vanilla and cedar spice support jammy blackcurrant and plum. It’s got an almost Christmassy feel to it we think, with a good whack of sweetness so if like that, you’ll love this.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8 (Clubcard Price) (usually £9.50)

Apothic Merlot

Untamed blueberries and dark cherries absolutely soar in this silky smooth Cali Merlot. Buttery, oaky, vanilla fill out the palate indulgently making this the sweetest, jammiest of any Apothic wine. It won’t be for everyone, but for big rich sweetness, it’s delish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (Clubcard Price) (usually £10)

Luis Felipe Edwards Malbec

Fans of Chilean Malbec, look no further. Grown from 70-year-old wines, the stand out characteristics here are the dryness and pleasing acidity joining the richness of blackberry, plum and chocolate coated cherries. There’s oak too, but it’s not as intrusive as Argentinian blends. It’s very nicely poised overall, with a more expensive feel than it actually is… which is always nice.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £8.50 (Clubcard Price) (usually £10.50)

Tesco Rosé Wines March 2024

Maison Castel Rose D'anjou

This inviting pale pink hue hides an explosion of citrus and red fruits on the nose, which unfold into a richly aromatic palate. A refreshing dryness persists, but strawberry sweetness and light melon come through fabulously and last an age. Top notch Loire Valley Rosé.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £8 (Clubcard Price) (usually £9)

Kylie Minogue Cote De Provence Rosé

Another hit for Kylie, this pitch-perfect Provence Rosé is stunning. Every sip feels delicately poised between minerality and fruit. Lofty watermelon, bitter lemon, soft white peaches and strawberries – it’s a proper glass of summer.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.50 (Clubcard Price) (usually £12.50)

Tesco White Wines March 2024

Brancott Estate Sauvignon Blanc

This Marlborough Sauvignon is a favourite in a number of UK supermarkets, loved for its traditional expression of the style. Everything you want is there, from the gooseberry nose to the tropical fruits with soft pineapple and zippy grapefruit. The whole thing is razor sharp but elegant with it, and there’s even some herbaceous complexity to play with. So well-rounded.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £8.50 (Clubcard Price) (usually £10.50)

El Jardin De Ana Godello

What amazing value this is for £8. The work of renowned producer Martín Códax, it delivers maximum freshness with no oak. 100% Godello, it’s juicy, and lively, brimming with orchard fruits and a touch of creamy butter. Nothing too complicated, you know what you’re getting, and it’s delicious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £8 (Clubcard Price) (usually £10.50)

Bouchard Grand Conseiller Chardonnay

This is an unoaked Bergundy Chardonnay that’s divine for the price. The light lemon coloured pour reveals a bright citrus nose, chiefly lemon and grapefruit, and these continue in the mouth. They’re flanked by spicy acidity and crunchy green fruits, before a return to citrus with lime zest lingering on the finish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.50 (Clubcard Price) (usually £9.50)

19 Crimes Australian Chardonnay

We always keep our eyes peeled for this wine to come on sale, though truth be told we’d buy it at full price too. Oak ageing gives a moreish richness to the melon and stone fruits that appear, but the buttery almost vanilla note is what steals the show bringing a tasty nudge of sweetness to proceedings.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (Clubcard Price) (usually £9.50)

If you shop elsewhere then not to worry, check our website for our other up to date Supermarket Bargains!

The Best Spirits and Cider to Gift Mum This Mother's Day

We hope you already know that Mother’s Day is almost here, but if we’ve sprung it on you then fear not because we’ve assembled the very best prezzies for the drinks loving Mum.

If you’re tired of gifting the same old things every year, then look no further. These bottles, sets and hampers have that special something to earn some serious brownie points on the big day, including unique gin, vodka, whisky, rum, tequila, cocktails, and cider – perfect for whatever your Mum is into!

The Best Gin To Gift This Mother’s Day

Roku Sakura Bloom Gin

Classy inside and out, this new charming limited edition Japanese gin is perfect for Mother’s Day. The award-winning craft gin House of Suntory are behind it, capturing the beauty of Japanese spring in a bottle, more specifically the annual Hanami flower viewing festivals. Roku’s key ingredient, Sakura flower (aka cherry blossom), is front and centre as part of six unique native botanicals. It’s an elegant gin, mesmerisingly floral and has a hint of salinity curtesy of the blossom leaves. Get mum to try it in a G&T with premium tonic and a wedge of grapefruit - it will surely be her best Mother’s Day present yet!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £31 Tesco

The Botanist Gin

Showing that the Scottish island of Islay is more than just smoky Scotch is The Botanist, a stylish gin embracing a staggering 31 botanicals, 22 of which are hand-foraged on the island. It’s so popular that you’ll now find it on many gin lists, so if your Mum is a gin lover, there’s a good chance she’s tried it out already (so how about a full bottle?) Unique botanicals like creeping thistle, mugwort, red clovers and water mint combine for a profile balancing herbaceous notes, earthy undertones, and fruity sweetness. It’s impressively velvety too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £35.90 Master of Malt

No.3 Gin

Instantly striking, No.3 Gin could be the key to your Mum’s heart this Mother’s Day. Made by Berry Bros, the key refers to the unlocking of the Parlour at their historic address, Number 3, St James’ Street (which is also where the name comes from of course). A wine and spirit merchant since an incredible 1698, Berry Bros produce No.3 in Holland in a century old brick-encased copper still. This has been awarded the World’s Best Gin no less than four times, loved for its bright, fresh nose, juniper-forward palate with florality, spice and citric zing, and a lingering earthy finish. There’s so much flavour and history, it’s a surefire hit as prezzie.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £38.24 Master of Malt

Gin Making Kit

Well if you don’t want to buy a bottle of gin, how about getting Mum everything she needs to make it herself? If Mum’s ever said something along the lines of, ’I just wish there was a gin that was like X and Y but also Z’ then this is perfect, and really fun to try. Everything you need is included (16 botanicals, equipment, and recipes) – you just need to add your base spirit (usually vodka) and away you go. It’s designed for novices so walks you through every step, but also gives you enough knowledge to experiment with whatever crazy botanicals you dream up! Win win!

Find here: £45.99 Just Spices (usually more!)

The Best Vodka To Gift This Mother’s Day

Nine Tines Vodka

Nine Tines is North Yorkshire’s first hand-crafted vodka made from potatoes and using 20 different potatoes in each bottle from their own farm and the local area, it’s totally gluten free and grain free. An excellent example of English vodka, it has an exquisitely clean finish but the silky viscosity of the mouthfeel is what stands out most for us. It’s perfect as a sipping vodka but if you really want to treat Mum then check out Nine Tines website for their decadent chocolate martini - NOM!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42 Nine Tines

Pod. Pea Vodka

Forget your wheat and potato because Manchester-based Ten Locks are now making vodka from peas! It’s way more environmentally friendly than other crops, and actually brings a really unique flavour. Now, obviously this isn’t like drinking mushy peas, of course not, but it imparts a delicate herbaceous vegetal note to the spirit, which is made with Lake District water. The packaging is recycled and the labelling is sustainable making everything about this vodka green - it’s quirky, it’s tastes great and we love it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.45 Master of Malt

The Best Rum To Gift This Mother’s Day

The Kraken Black Spiced Rum - Roast Coffee

Coffee is everywhere right now, but it really suits The Kraken. Cold brew Arabica brings a sweet liqueur profile to the classic spiced Kraken rum, which really doesn’t feel like 40% ABV (so warn your Mum maybe!). Think flavours of cinnamon and rich treacle combined with roasted coffee deliciousness. If your Mum likes sweeter rums with a spicy undertone, then this is definitely one for her.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £21.99 Amazon

Havana Club Selección de Maestros

A relaunch of Havana Club’s Cuban Barrel Proof bottles, this rum comes with a striking design revamp for that special feel. The casks used for ageing are some of the finest handpicked by the maestros roneros for the aromatics they impart. That, combined with the 45% oomph means tonnes of flavour. Think peach and citrus before a Bourbon-esque mouthcoating of creamy caramel, mocha and brown spice. It’s magically indulgent but with silky smooth depths for added complexity too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: £59.74 Master of Malt

The Best Whisky To Gift This Mother’s Day

Jura 14 Year Old American Rye Cask Whisky

Jura is an incredible wild spot sixty miles from the Scottish mainland, with a small community focused around whisky distillation. Jura’s signature profile is smooth, bright and lively, and their 14 year old is matured in ex-bourbon and American rye barrels. It’s got great complexity with interesting notes of toffee and rich fruits as well as herbal and floral touches. A perfect gift for any whisky loving Mum.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.74 Master of Malt

Nc'nean Organic Single Malt Whisky

Despite being relatively new, Nc’nean are known for their consistently high-quality batches, and this is no different. Starting with organic barley, ex- red wine, bourbon, and sherry casks combine for a rich body plush with fruity sweetness. Vanilla fudge, honey and tangy pineapple complete a lively palate before oaky spice and shortbread lingers on the finish. Find out for yourself what all the awards are for (once Mum has had a try of course).

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £48.45 Master of Malt (usually more!)

Glen Grant 15-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky

We love The Glen Grant and their 15-year-old might just be our favourite. It’s matured in ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks so that seductive golden hue is brimming with harmoniously balanced bold fruits – think sweet orange and stewed orchard fruits with charred oak and vanilla. It’s incredible drunk neat, but if you’re looking for a cocktail to try it out in, check out our suggestions here.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £65.75 Amazon

The Best Tequila To Gift This Mother’s Day

1800 Blanco Tequila

Tapping into the Mayan pyramids, this eye-catching bottle might be a challenge to wrap, but once open it does not disappoint. Double distilled, it’s a blend of white tequilas that results in a wonderfully well-rounded expression. It’s noticeably floral, fruity, and herbal, and all with a silky-smooth texture and zero burn. 1800 is known for punching above its price point, so this is a great gift for the price.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £35 House of Spirits

The Best Ready Made Cocktails To Gift This Mother’s Day

MOTH Cocktails

MOTH is a great little brand making stylish and recyclable cocktails ready to go out the can. Gone are the days of naff ready-to-go cocktail tins because these are absolutely bar standard. They’re full-strength and if they were in a glass, you wouldn’t look twice at paying top prices for them. They have a few different selections, but their gin pack looks stunning for Mother’s Day.

Size: 125ml
ABV: 10%-14.9%
Find here: £20 for 6

The Best Cider To Gift This Mother’s Day

Sandford Orchards’ Katja & Katja Rosé & Chocolate Hamper

This brand-new premium hamper has been curated especially for Mother’s Day, containing two full bottles of elegant sparkling cider and some Willy’s chocolate handmade in Devon. Katja is created from Katy apples that are pressed and fermented with a white wine yeast leading to an almost prosecco like cider, and the Rosé version adds Rondo grape skins for that stunning blush colour – expect cherries, peaches, and apple blossom. This has to be a hit for any cider or even prosecco loving mum!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 8%
Find here: £30 Sandford Orchards

Nothing says celebrations like bubbles, so how about some beautiful pink sparkling rosé? These are our absolute favourites without breaking the bank!

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Waitrose March 2024

We’re back with some Supermarket Wine Bargains for March, and they are superb this month at Waitrose. We’ve got four luscious reds and crisp whites, as well as couple of yummy Rosé suggestions too. Every bottle we’ve highlighted comes in for under £10, which is an absolute bargain considering the quality. See which takes your fancy and get stuck in before the deals run out on the 19th March!

Waitrose Red Wines March 2024

Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria

If you like Waitrose’s Terre di Faiano Primitivo (and we do!) then there’s a good chance you’ll fall for this too. Also from Puglia, it’s a seductively inky pour revealing fleshy cherries, ripe plums, and a bed of oaky vanilla. They’re low yield grapes which put many producers off, but what is bottled is special and tastes a hell of a lot more expensive than it is – especially with the discount.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9.99 (usually £12.99)

Chateau Tanunda Shiraz

Top notch value Barossa Valley Shiraz here. It’s super jammy and full-bodied with raspberry, blackberry, plum and cherry, but the sweetness is restrained nicely too. Mellow oak, peppery spice and vanilla round things off nicely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £7.49 (usually £9.99)

Stemmari Passiata

An Italian blend of Syrah and Sicilian Nero d’Avola, lightly dried grapes bring a delicious rich sweetness to the plum, blackberry, and blueberry notes. Woody tobacco and vanilla take over to fill out the body, but somehow it retains a lightness that a wine like this normally wouldn’t.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9.99 (usually £11.99)

Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Malbec

Tilimuqui’s organic Malbec is an absolute gem. Hailing from Argentina, it’s very much on the dry side, brimming with perfectly executed black fruits and chocolate. It’s silky and spicy too and probably on the lighter side of Argentinian Malbec which may go against it for some, but we enjoyed it.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.99 (usually £11.99)

Waitrose Rosé Wines March 2024

Alaina Rosé Laurent Miquel

Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault combine for this Languedoc Rosé, named after the winemaker’s daughter. It’s so summery, refreshing and elegant, and alive with crisp fruits and floral notes. The strawberry brings some richness but overall this is a light Rosé with good citric acidity and would be a dream pairing for many dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.69 (usually £12.99)

Le Bijou Rosé de Sophie Valrose Coteaux de Béziers

This gem was on offer a few months ago so it’s great to see it back (even though it’s easily worth picking up at full price). Inspired by legendary Sophie Valrose who did great work supporting women vineyard workers, it’s a signature dry and crisp French Rosé from Languedoc. Strawberries and cream are lifted by subtle but vibrant lemon and enforced by steely minerality. Should cost more really (shh!)

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.99 (usually £9.99)

Waitrose White Wines March 2024

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc

An adventure from the start, the Sauvignon Blanc grapes are grown between historic valleys, picturesque mountains, and wild oceans, before reaching Villa Maria… beneath a volcano. The end product is a signature Marlborough profile in the glass – no bitterness, just refreshing crispness and stunning lightness. Think gooseberry, passion fruit, kiwi and green apple.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £8.49 (usually £10.99)

Cave de Beblenheim Pinot Gris Reserve

A benchmark Alsace Pinot Gris across all supermarkets, this is stunningly fresh and easy to drink, but with a delicate side that shows more is going on. Pineapple, vanilla, elderflower, melon, and pear intertwine with a richness that coats the tongue. Crowd-pleasing, food-friendly, what more could you want?

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.99 (usually £11.99)

Morande Terrarum Semillon

Semillon was one of the grapes neglected by vineyards for a long time, but as part of a wider effort to revive old vines, it’s developing again. 100-year-old vines go into this complex dry white from Chile, delivering a waxy mouthfeel rich with crisp citrus, floral depths and sweet honey. There’re also some herbaceous green hints going on too. Really interesting wine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £8.99 (usually £9.99)

Piccozza Pinot Bianco

This a wonderfully robust Italian Pinot Blanc white in roughly the same vein as a Chardonnay. Orchard fruits come to the fore alongside stone fruits and fragrant jasmine. Smooth and refreshing, the balance is spot on with this one and it’d be a dreamy companion to many fish dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9.74 (usually £12.99)

If you shop elsewhere then not to worry, check our website for our other up to date Supermarket Bargains!

7 Bottles of Irish Whiskey You Need in Your Glass

The journey Irish Whiskey has been on is quite incredible. From the 19th century golden age where it was deemed the finest and most popular spirit on the planet, to producing just 1% of the world’s supply only a hundred years or so later.

Fortunately, it’s sprung out of the doldrums in style, and decades of investment and innovation has seen distilleries bloom all over. Irish Whiskey is back where it belongs, delivering the quintessential fruity lightness it’s known for, as well as delightful wine-finishes and wafts of smoke.

So, if you’re celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 17th or just want to expand your emerald isle collections with some gems, these are seven bottles you need in your glass.

Jatt Life Blended Irish Whiskey

From the same folks at Jatt Life Vodka comes this blended Irish whiskey. Aged in virgin oak and sherry casks, this is very characterful with luscious, rich dried fruits intertwining with woody spice. It’s a classic Irish whiskey expression with soft fruitiness, but wonderfully smooth and with impressive longevity too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.27

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Whiskey

From the best-selling Irish whiskey producer in the world, Jameson’s stout edition has a seductive bourbon nose with a little creamy chocolate dressing the fresher notes. These continue in the mouth with a touch of coffee, as the succulent viscosity becomes noticeable. Warm spices feature too, most prominently cinnamon. The old whiskey barrels had previously been used to age stout from Cork’s Franciscan Well brewery, and the results are quite spectacular – especially for the price.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £28.95

Proclamation Blended Irish Whiskey

A glass of this is a true celebration of Ireland’s independence, from the label to the 40.7% ABV, a nod to the 7 signatures signing the famous 1916 document. But what about the liquid itself? Full-bodied and silky smooth, it’s matured in ex-Bourbon casks before a subtle sherry finish. The results combine majestically with fruity caramel, full-bodied brioche notes and bitter toasted coffee for balance. Delicious.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40.7%
Find here: £28.88

Tyrconnell Irish Whiskey

Top notch single malt now with the legendary Tyrconnell. The labels had a stylish rebrand, and the alcohol has been bumped up from 40% too. It’s softly integrated however with no harshness whatsoever. It’s fruity and light, but unlike most Irish whiskeys brings citrus over sweetness. The rich vanilla fudge lingers forever it seems, beyond even the oaky spice.  A benchmark.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £33.99 (usually more!)

Sliabh Liag The Legendary Dark Silkie Irish Whiskey

As captivating as the legendary silkies of Ireland themselves, we love this Donegal distillery. Their lighter expression is beautiful, but this smoky number deserves some serious love too. Peat was somewhat lost from Irish whiskey for a long time, but this harks back to the golden age with triple-distilled peated malt aged in sherry casks, before joining bourbon-matured and virgin oak-matured whiskies. The result is so harmonious, with those rich fruits still coming through, as well as salted chocolate and mellow wafts of smoke balancing out perfectly.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £35.37 (usually more!)

Kinahan’s The Kasc Project Whiskey

Something different here. The bottle may say Irish Whiskey, but The Kasc Project is actually something of a globe trotter. Delving into the world of hybrid casks, Portuguese, American, French, Hungarian oak, and chestnut, yes that’s five different woods, are used for ageing. All combined in one barrel, it’s no surprise that the alluring honey colouring reveals so much flavour. Expect oaky treacle on the nose, stewed apples and sultanas, nutty vanilla and peppery warmth on the palate, and a dry finish with liquorice. It's really interesting and throws up Bourbon and Cognac comparisons.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £38.75

Bushmills 16 Year Old Whiskey

More expensive than our other whiskies, Bushmills’ 16 year old expression more than lives up to its price tag. It begins life in Bourbon casks, continues along to sherry before a final stint in Port, expanding its breadth of delicious flavour with each step. Think honey and stone fruits on the nose, spilling over into a summery palate of lofty tropical flavours, silky honey, and rich dried fruits. The oily viscosity coats your mouth wonderfully as the rising mocha notes and nutty spice lingers on and on. So much to explore.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £89.81

If you want to learn more about the fascinating world of Irish whiskey, then let us remind you of The Three Drinkers in Ireland, when we explored the beauty of the Emerald Isle.

Where is Rum Made?

The Pirate’s Drink, the Navy Neater, Nelson’s blood, kill-devil, demon water… rum goes by many names and is steeped in history. Originally using distilling sugarcane for medicinal reasons, ancient Indians were the first to begin the process.

In one form or another, rum has been made pretty much all over the world, but most popularly it found its home in the Caribbean islands. That’s only part of the story however, so let’s dive a little deeper into this legendary spirit.

What is Rum?

First things first, to work out where rum is made, we need to nail down what it actually is. In this modern world of innovative, diversified drinks, rum is more varied than it once was, but there are still boundaries.

Rum is a spirit made by fermenting and distilling molasses and/or sugarcane to produce a clear spirit that is sometimes aged further. Most countries require this liquid to be a minimum of 40% ABV to be classified as rum too, and there are even regulations (such as in the US) that state the taste, aroma and characteristic of the spirit must be ‘generally attributed to rum’.

Sugarcane has been distilled in India since 350BC, but it was the perfect conditions of the Caribbean that rum would become synonymous with, beginning on the sugarcane plantations in the 17th century. These days, it’s enjoyed worldwide with over 80 countries producing it.

Which Country Produces the Most Rum?

Working out which country produces the most rum is difficult because the export figures are often a result of import figures. For example, Italy is the world’s biggest exporter of rum, but also the biggest importer… so it’s getting it in to sell on essentially.

If we’re talking about making the most rum however, it’s undoubtedly the Caribbean. Islands like Barbados, Martinique, Cuba, Jamaica, Antigua and Trinidad, Puerto Rico and Tobago are where rum is made.

Nearby, South and Central American countries like Guyana, Belize, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela also produce large volumes.

Further afield, the Philippines is the biggest Asian producer, closely followed by India, and Australia also has a newer but flourishing rum industry.

Most rums you find will have one of these countries on the label, but as we said, if it’s got sugarcane, it can be made there!

How Do Rums from Different Countries Differ?

In the Caribbean, the different islands or production areas deliver very unique styles. Categorising them is no easy task, however. Because colonisation is so intertwined with the history of rum, you can find connections between the languages spoken and the rum style.

For example, English-speaking areas are associated with bigger, darker rums and heavy molasses, French-speaking with expressive, ‘agricultural’ rums, and Spanish speaking with smooth character. Let’s go through a few of the most iconic rum producing nations and the rum they make.

Barbados

Rum’s birthplace, Barbados is home to the world’s oldest rum distillery, Mount Gay. Barbados produces some of the highest quality bottles, both light and dark, specialising in traditional profiles. English colonised islands were first to push rum production, so these early styles in Barbados, Jamaica and others are synonymous with full-bodied pot-still rums.

Jamaica

With some of the biggest names in rum like Appelton and Hampden, Jamaica produces top-notch traditional rum, allowing the molasses to naturally ferment with preserved yeast and uncommon distillation techniques. The result? Boozier rum and plenty of ripe fruit notes.

Philippines

Utilising their booming sugar industry for over two centuries, the Philippines produces tonnes of white and golden rums, most famously Tanduay. Ex-bourbon American oak is a favourite in the Philippines, allowing for woody and spicy notes to pair up with the natural fruity, exotic characteristics.

Australia

A modern pioneer, Australia produces fine spiced and white rums. Since the rum revolution against William Bligh in 1808, sugarcane abundant regions like Queensland and New South Wales have been focusing on traditional rum styles. Previously known for intense, rough-around-the-edges rums, the industry has refined over the years to produce real quality.

Cuba

Another distinctive rum nation, Cubans have developed their Spanish-style rums – drier, clear and punchy. The iconic white rums (think Havana Club) are cocktail favourites. Softer and gentler than most, they gain flavour from barrel ageing rather than the neutral column still production… before the charcoal filtering removes the colour. Interestingly, the Spanish wanted to protect their brandy when they owned Cuba, so rum production was actually banned for many years.

Martinique

Nations previously colonised by the French produce ‘rhum agricole’ which uses fresh sugarcane juice instead of molasses, preserving the young character. Spiced rum is massive here, known locally as ‘shrubb’, but light rums are made too.

If all that talk of rum has got you a thirst on, then check out our latest rum recommendations here!

If you’ve got other drinks related questions floating around your head, then we’re here to answer them. For example, ever wondered, ‘Is there a correct way to drink whisky?’ Or ‘What can I mix with a gin instead of tonic?’