The Best Brandy: From Strong to Candy

the best brandy the three drinkers

The diverse and exquisite world of fruit spirits is situated at the delicate intersection of sophistication and indulgence. The category can transport both eager newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs through stories of terroir, craftsmanship, and centuries of heritage. Navigating the world of brandy can be a journey to taste some dramatic distillates and discover uniquely nuanced notes.

While one article could never encompass the broad scope of brandies, below is a selection of fun, approachable, under-the-radar brandies, spanning the spectrum from robust and powerful to delicately sweet and aromatic. From historic distilleries to innovative newcomers, each selection offers a glimpse into this underappreciated and often misunderstood spirit category. If you prefer the warming intensity of a strong eau de vie or the smooth decadence of a sweetie delight, there's a perfect bottle for your desired experience. 

STRAWBAR ORIGIN

the best brandy the three drinkers

Starting strong. Eau de vie are fruit brandies that are usually unaged and can taste very hot or harsh when enjoyed neat. Strawbar Origin is a strawberry eau de vie made from 100% fermented strawberries. Traditionally fruit eau de vie is made through macerating a less sugary fruit in spirit for the flavour. But Strawbar uses only a special variety of wild strawberry from the Florina region in Northern Greece. This strawberry, known as Alpine strawberries - or more formally, Fragaria vesca - are a varietal known for their delicious, aromatic taste. They are small, flavourful, and luxurious. Unlike their larger grocery-store counterparts, alpine and woodland berries haven’t been bred for size. These are then hand harvested and handled delicately by analytical and organic chemists to create Strawbar’s signature pillars of flavour: strawberry, caramel, compote, & smoke. While somewhat intense on its own, it is magical in many cocktails that use clear spirits. 

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.00

DAMPFWERK BARRELED GRAPE IMMATURE BRANDY (aka “Ivey”)

the best brandy the three drinkers

For US brandy enthusiasts, a special selection is this Minnesota-based distillery owned by a German family dedicated to quality products. Grape brandy produced in the United States is typically made from the distillation of fermented grape juice or wine similar to production of the Piscos of Chile and Peru. The Dampfwerk Barreled Grape Immature Brandy is distilled from a skin-on-fermentation using whole fruit imparting additional flavour and texture to the resulting product. It’s then distilled in a copper pot still with four plates. The makers describe the process as “expensive, arduous, and messy, but it provides a full-bodied fruit brandy that we are proud to sip eau de vie style, or barrel aged.” Strong in ABV but packs a punch in deliciousness as well. 

Size: 375ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: $38 (around £30)

G.E. MASSENEZ POIRE WILLIAMS 

the best brandy the three drinkers

G.E. Massenez Poire Williams is well-renowned as a masterpiece of French distillation. This pear brandy captures the essence of bright, ripe pears in every drop. Its unparalleled smoothness and delicate fruit expression make it a standout choice for anyone in search of a refined and unforgettable drinking experience. Traditionally enjoyed neat as a digestif, gifted to a pal in need of escape, or used to elevate cocktails and desserts, G.E. Massenez Poire Williams never fails to impress with its impeccable balance and lingering, peary finish. This spirit has the ability to transport the drinker to the orchards of Alsace with each sip of this extraordinary brandy. A perfect middle ground for this scale. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.99

PÉRE MAGLOIRE FINE VS CALVADOS

the best brandy the three drinkers

Pére Magloire Fine VS Calvados is crafted using traditional methods of apple brandy production. It begins with the fermentation of apple cider, which is then distilled to create a clear apple spirit. The spirit is made from single continuous distillation in copper stills to concentrate the apple aromas. The flavour is then blended with the fruitiest cuvées and aged in barrels made of century-old oak. This Calvados offers a taste of the rich apple-growing traditions of Normandy, showcasing the unique terroir and craftsmanship as the flagship of the extensive Pére Magloire collection of apple expressions. A beginner’s guide to smooth and fruity flavours, it’s a great brandy to get someone into brandy. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.24

BARDINET COFFEE

the best brandy the three drinkers

Finishing off sweet and easy. Winning Gold at the World Brandy Awards, Bardinet Coffee is a brandy-based coffee liqueur produced by Bardinet, a renowned French spirits company with a strong heritage dating back to 1857. Bardinet Coffee is a premium coffee liqueur and is lauded for quality and richness. After Arabica beans are roasted to specification, they are distilled to extract the essence of the coffee, resulting in a concentrated coffee distillate. This liqueur mixes the coffee distillate and the Bardinet brandy with a balance of the right amount of sweetness and complexity. Its velvety texture and good solid coffee flavour make it delicious over ice, added to any coffee beverage morning or night, and a sweetened delight in any coffee liqueur cocktail. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 28%
Find here: £13.02

By Zach Sapato

zach sapato drinklusive the three drinkers

Glenmorangie's New Release: Triple Cask Reserve Single Malt Whisky

Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve Whisky The Three Drinkers

Looking for a Scotch whisky that's as adventurous as you are? Then you’re in luck as Glenmorangie have just brought out a new exciting whisky, their Triple Cask Reserve.

We’ve been huge fans of Glenmorangie and the legendary master distiller Dr Bill Lumsden for many years now, and we always enjoy being surprised by their intriguing new whisky flavours and styles. Glenmorangie Triple Cask Reserve surprises again with the use of rye casks - something that is not often found in Scotch and more specifically Glenmorangie whisky production.

The result is stunning. Blending three unique cask types of bourbon, new charred oak and rye, it’s a rich and subtly spiced whisky. The bourbon cask ageing gives the whisky its classic Glenmorangie fruity smoothness - think notes of pear, candied orange peel and honeysuckle. The new charred oak casks bring fuller, richer notes which are balanced out by the subtle hints of spice coming from the rye whiskey casks for a well-rounded delight.

Trying it neat is a must but it also tastes great in a Manhattan or Gold Rush cocktail, or even just with ginger ale to complement those spicy notes.

We were lucky enough to spend some time at Glenmorangie in Season 1 of The Three Drinkers TV series, The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky which you can find on Amazon Prime. If you want to find out more about Glenmorangie’s unique stills which help craft their more delicate, fruity spirit, click here!
Size 70cl
ABV 40%
Find here £33

For more great Glenmorangie products, why not check out our One Drink, Three Ways cocktail special using Glenmorangie X?

Cheers to Tea Time: 5 Tasty Alcoholic Teas for Your Next Celebration

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

Having a cup of tea with a meal or a quick snack is one of life's simple pleasures – so much so that it merits its own celebration, such as National Tea Day. Drinking tea is a ritual embedded in many cultures. Tea culture apparently dates back to 2737 BC in China, according to legend, but there are now so many fashionable flavours to be found worldwide such as fruit teas and caffeinated or non-caffeinated tea varieties which go beyond the traditional builders tea or dreaded tasteless milky teas! There is truly a type of tea for everyone these days and that includes cocktail lovers too as there are tea infused cocktails to satisfy most tastes.

Believe it or not, but there are tea cocktails to suit each stage of your dining experience from eating starters right the way through to indulging in desserts! If that piques your interest (and why wouldn’t it), here are five alcoholic teas that will absolutely satisfy both tea drinkers and cocktail lovers alike!

Tios Hard Tea Light & Stormy

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

Tios hard tea is a sparkling tea infused entry in the RTD (ready to drink) cocktails market and is designed to be drunk on the go! It is made with organic white tea with a twist to provide a variation of your favourite cocktails such as Dark and Stormy. This rum based tea cocktail is a light brown colour which would look familiar to ice tea lovers with an intense ginger flavour profile providing that tangy sensation on the nose and palate. Well blended without being sugary, this is a vegan certified product that will go well by your side at afternoon tea and summer festivals as an aperitif!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.4%
Price: £16.99 for 6 cans

Riddles Mango Ice Tea

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

A sparkling ice tea rum blend that is slightly orange tinged and infused with Nigerian Moringa tea. According to folklore, there are health benefits associated with drinking Moringa tea and this works well with the fruity mango flavour to produce an easy drinking, light cocktail without reducing the flavour! It is so smoothly blended that neither the rum nor the tea dominate, but then again that will make it ideal to pair with the well-seasoned Caribbean Sunday dinner of rice, peas and chicken!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4%
Price: £2

Masons of Yorkshire, Tea Edition

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

Tea drinkers and gin lovers will rejoice with this ideal combination of flavours for the Tea Edition of this gin! Mason’s Tea Edition blends dry Yorkshire tea with the botanicals and juniper flavours from the gin profile. It will be an excellent drink for both cosy nights in, as the warmth and alcohol strength will keep the cold weather at bay, and it will be suitable for the spring and summer climates too with its refreshing citrus and slightly sweeter taste. Look no further, If you are seeking that Trou Normand as that palate cleanser between dishes - this Tea Edition would be good for that or you could simply have it as a shot or on the rocks, as we said - it will please many!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £33.95

Noveltea Whisky & Oolong Tea

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

Coming on to that after dinner time, when you might still be craving a night cap, this tea liqueur from Noveltea combines whisky with the lighter, fruity oolong tea variety. This is a boozy cocktail which is best served chilled with ice. It is as dark in colour as a traditional Scotch whisky, but without the high alcohol content! Smooth on the mouth, without being overpowering, with a subtle, smoky whisky aroma and a hint of lemon – this digestif combination is a natural partnership that will make you want more as the night draws to a close!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Price: £27.50

Tipsy Tea Spiced Chai

cheers to tea time: tasty alcoholic teas for your next celebration the three drinkers

You might enjoy having a cuppa before bed and this spiced chai liqueur is perfect for those cosy moments to unwind at home. Packed full of spices, this alcoholic tea is designed to be mixed – you can be adventurous and try it hot or cold! Simply add a shot of hot water or sparkling cold water with a slice of lemon and away you go! Its golden colour also provides that sense of warmth in this fruity blend which tastes just like a herbal tea but with that added kick! It’s the perfect drink for catching up with the gossip with friends after that night out or dinner party!

Size: 350ml
ABV: 20%
Price: £15

Even if you may not be a regular tea drinker, these alcoholic teas explore its versatility for all meal times, tastebuds and special occasions. These will definitely satisfy those cocktail lovers searching for a lighter but flavourful alternative to their favourite cocktails and for tea drinkers seeking the tea version of an Irish coffee! The burning question now is – which boozy tea will you try first?

If you want to make some of your own boozy tea combinations, here are some suggestions to get you started.

By Latoya Austin

drinklusive the three drinkers latoya austin

What is a Flip Cocktail?

what is a flip cocktail? the three drinkers

Essentially, a flip is a cocktail that uses egg alongside sugar and a spirit, often finished with a spice garnish like nutmeg. You might be surprised to know that they first popped up in 1695 when playwright William Congreve wrote, ‘Thus we live at sea; eat biscuit, and drink flip…’ so, like many cocktails, it’s the sailors that created this cocktail.

Originally, it involved mixing beer, rum and sugar and heating the liquid with a red-hot iron to create the frothy top, or ‘flip’. Of course, the 17th century is a long time ago and the cocktail evolved, particularly in the US where eggs and sometimes cream were added to sweeten the serve, fortify it, and mask the flavour of dodgy alcohol. This masterstroke added a velvety texture similar to eggnog or custard, but often without any of the dairy.

By the 19th century, it was a beloved and widely varied serve, popping up in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and the legendary Bar-tenders’ Guides of the era. Nowadays, they’re served hot or cold using various ingredients so if you want to embrace this oft-forgotten drink, here are a few suggestions!

But remember, as long as egg, sugar and some kind of liquor are involved, you can riff and experiment with your own creations. Who knows, maybe your flip will be the one to bring back its golden age!

What Flip Cocktails Should I Try?

The Classic Hot Beer Flip

what is a flip cocktail? the three drinkers

If you want to get close to trying the original recipe, then this is it. Ale was very different back then, and not as bitter as today, so including cream or more sugar is recommended for balance. If you really want to turn back time, you can use a hot poker to caramelise if you wish, but of course be very careful. Alternatively, the stove is fine. The earthy, silky, rich taste is totally unique.

Ingredients
220ml ale (brown or dark)
40ml rum
25ml brown sugar syrup
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
In a heatproof vessel like a tempered pitcher, whisk rum, syrup, and an egg. In the saucepan, heat the beer until it begins to steam – avoid simmering. Gently pour the hot beer into your mixture, continuously whisking all the time. Now, pour the liquid between the vessel and the saucepan multiple times to froth it up, and serve in a mug or handled glass. Grate some nutmeg to finish and you’ve got a modern version of the 17th century classic.

The Rum Flip

One step away from eggnog, this simple concoction is silky smooth, even for a flip, because it uses heavy cream. The inclusion of cream means this flip isn’t as light as most, but you also get added richness and indulgence in return. We love this as an after-dinner dessert.

Ingredients
50ml dark rum
20ml heavy cream
1 tsp sugar
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
Dry-shake all ingredients first, before adding ice and repeat until everything is well-chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass, and a little grated nutmeg is the perfect finish.

The Gaelic Flip

what is a flip cocktail? the three drinkers

The richness of whisky/whiskey is perfect flip material. There’s a lot of other flavours, so there’s no need to splash out on an expensive Irish whiskey, but a decent, bold whiskey with good soft fruits is perfect. The velvety egg foam, the light whiskey, the tingle of spice and the sweetness of syrup and the vermouth – delightful. You could play around with this too. We’re thinking Guinness, we’re thinking Bailey’s…

Ingredients
50ml Irish whiskey
25ml sweet vermouth
15ml syrup
1tsp allspice liqueur
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

 Method
Dry-shake all ingredients first because this is where you’ll get the gorgeous pillow of foam in the final serve. Add ice and repeating until everything is well-chilled and combined. Strain into a cocktail glass, and again, grate nutmeg on top!

The Boston Flip

what is a flip cocktail? the three drinkers

Madeira is a great example of what fortified wine can bring to a flip. The sweetness it carries as well as chocolatey, nutty and dried fruit notes intertwines luxuriously with the caramel and vanilla punch of bourbon (you can swap out for rye whiskey for more peppery spice, and this would work too).

Ingredients
60ml bourbon
60ml Madeira wine
10ml syrup
1 egg
Nutmeg (garnish)

Method
Again, it’s a dry shake. Make sure to shake vigorously for at least a minute to get that foam, and then shake again but this time with ice. Strain and you guessed it, grate with nutmeg!

These are some well-known flips to get you started, but these cocktails are tailor made to be personalised and experimented with. Crack an egg into your shaker, add a little syrup and then have a play around with your favourite spirits, liqueurs, fortified wines and alike! Flips are one of many cocktails that can be served hot, so if you want tips on some others, check out The Science, Art and History of Hot Cocktails!

From Clooney To Crawford, From Casimigos To Casamigas: A New Jalepeño-Infused Tequila

the three drinkers From Clooney To Crawford, From Casimigos To Casamigas: A New Jalepeño-Infused Tequila

In this new world of celebrity drinks, Casamigos is probably the biggest success story of the lot. Fronted, quite gorgeously, by George Clooney, it proved itself to be way more than just a bottle with a name attached. So much so that drinks giant Diageo acquired the brand for eye watering sums in 2017 making Clooney the highest paid actor that year. Who knows how much involvement he has these days, but that doesn’t stop Casamigos teaming up with another pretty face – legendary supermodel Cindy Crawford.

“As much as I love Casamigos, my go to drink for a fun night is a skinny, spicy margarita,” she said, which explains the switch up with this new tequila. Jalapeño peppers are added to the 100% Blue Weber agave blanco for a tingle of the tongue and naturally spicy flavour, making the increasingly popular Spicy Margarita much easier to make in a hurry.

Cindy’s involvement rings even more changes however, as you can see from the glamorised label. The ‘o’ in Casamigos has been replaced by an ‘a’, turning the word from masculine to feminine. You’ll also find red ink, flames, lips, and Crawford’s signature adorning the design. This collaboration makes all the more sense when you discover that Rande Gerber, who kickstarted Casamigos with Clooney, also happens to be married to Cindy Crawford! It’s a small world (if you’re rich and famous!)

Casamigas Jalapeño Tequila appears to only be available in the US for the time being, priced at $49.99, but we’re sure it’ll be widely available soon if they’re previous releases are anything to go by.

Which Alcohol Mixes Well With Tea?

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

We don’t often think of tea and alcohol as having much of an overlap, but maybe we should. Bartenders have been experimenting with tea in cocktails for a while now, embracing the deep and diverse flavours of all kinds of teas, as well as the refreshing qualities, caffeine, and health benefits.

Most spirits have quite intense and distinct flavours, and it’s often the same with teas, so randomly mixing them together is likely to be a waste of good liquid – though you might strike gold, who knows! There are, however, some well known tea and booze marriages that show what a dreamy and complementary pairing the two can be… and these are a few you can easily try!

When mixing tea with alcohol, you can serve it hot as you usually would with tea, or you can infuse it hot and let it cool, or you can cold brew – it’s up to your personal preference and the ingredients you’re using.

You can make tea as you usually would and treat it as another cocktail ingredient, or in its simplest form, just add alcohol to your tea, but at a slightly more advanced level, you can infuse tea into spirits, or syrups or even embrace the cold distillation techniques – all the information on those can be found here.

Black Tea and Dark Rum

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

Black tea, most famously English breakfast, is a great pairing with rum. The natural caramelly sweetness of the rum pairs well with the earthy, bitter flavour of black tea. It’s such a complimentary pairing that there are already a few established cocktails marrying the two. Fish House Punch, with black tea, Cognac, dark rum, and peach brandy, is a particularly boozy serve. A simpler cocktail is the Planter’s Punch, which often includes black tea instead of water, combined with dark rum and a little lime juice and syrup. There is also Gunfire, a legendary morning cocktail in the British Army of the 1890s that mixes one shot of rum into a regular cuppa. Oh, and a little tip. You might not want the caffeine of black tea in the evening, but rooibos is a very similar, slightly smokier tea that’s caffeine free, so try this!

Green Tea and Whisky

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

Japanese whisky, Irish whiskey, and American whiskey are all regularly mixed with green tea. Whilst it’s a slight shame to taint the endless health benefits of green tea, the vegetal and grassy flavours really add to many whiskies. The end result is a refreshing, breezier number with increased citrus notes. A simple Green Tea Highball with Japanese whisky, green tea and club soda is a great place to start.

Chamomile Tea and Gin

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

Flower power. The floral and herbaceous heart of both chamomile and (many) gins is a perfect marriage. You’ll find that the notes in the chamomile enhance the botanical complexity of floral and herbaceous gins, and also soften any sharpness. A really simple pitcher style cocktail you can make is by making some chamomile tea (either with tea bags or through flowers in water), and straining the cool mixture with gin, lemon juice, honey, and ice – how deliciously bright and breezy does that sound?

White Tea and Vodka

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

White tea is one of the most delicate and refreshing teas. It’s well known for its gentle honey notes and mellow flavours like apricot, peach, oats, hay, and flowers. You could pair this with a very subtle floral gin or perhaps even white rum, but they run the risk of overwhelming it. The neutrality and cleanliness of good vodka can be an interesting match to try, sucking you in with the gentle refreshment of the tea, and whacking you with a hearty hit of vodka. Infusing vodka with white tea would be a good way to go (you can simply leave tea leaves or tea bags with vodka for a few hours then strain). This way, you can make a simple white tea Vodka Martini, perhaps combining with some aromatic ingredients like elderflower liqueur and edible flowers.

The Hot Tea Toddy

which alcohol mixes well with tea? the three drinkers

The most famous way of combining tea and alcohol is in the form of Hot Toddies. We’ve listed some amazing variations of the Hot Toddy here, and it’s easy to see how tea can be introduced. It’s already a winter warmer, made most classically with whisky, hot water, lemon juice and usually honey and cinnamon too. But, with other ingredients like ginger, cider, gin, rum and apple juice often involved in riffs, there are plentiful opportunities for tea to bring something to the party. Ginger tea, bourbon whiskey, honey and lemon juice is a super warming, spicy, rich favourite. The tea you use will emphasise different elements of the Toddy – the citrus, the honey, the spices, or the spirit itself. At the end of the day, if you think a tea that you love might go well with a spirit, then serve it warm and combine with citrus, honey, spices and see – you might surprise yourself!

 

Similar but slightly different, you can also make any of your favourite teas into syrups. Syrups are simply water and sugar, and of course you can swap out water for tea. Check out our homemade syrups guide here!

Coffee Connoisseur's Delight: 8 Irresistible Coffee Liqueurs You Need to Try

coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Coffee cocktails thrive all year round with respective summer and winter favourites - the Espresso Martini and Irish Coffee. Often overlooked are the coffee liqueurs that mix so well into not just these, but all varieties of coffee cocktails, shots/shooters and even just as sippers over ice. Today, we’ve carefully curated a selection of the finest coffee liqueurs, and even one or two coffee spirits for the sake of variety (and because they’re too good to leave out).

If you love artisan coffee, don’t miss out on these eight irresistible coffee liqueurs, in no particular order…

Thomas Green’s Specialty Coffee Liqueur 

thomas green coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

When legendary Leeds bars Domino Club and Rolands had to close their doors due to Covid in 2020, brothers and bar masterminds Alex and Johnathon began crafting their own high quality spirits and liqueurs. Thomas Green’s (named after one of Leeds’ first coffee shops) is the result of this now highly successful venture. Perfect for an Espresso Martini or just sipping over ice. They achieve their deep rich coffee flavour from local coffee roasters Shilo, who use a cold brew extraction that the brothers mix with their own vodka. 

ABV: 25%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £20.55

Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur

cazcabel coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Multi-award winning tequila masters, Cazcabel have their very own coffee liqueur. You’ll find this at bars all over the country, best served neat and straight from the freezer. This coffee liqueur is particularly rich, decedent and heavy on the chocolate notes of coffee. Their liqueur is made from their Blanco Tequila, crafted in Jalisco Mexico, which shines through the sweetness of this bartender’s choice liqueur. Use this as a sipper, or maybe try it in a Coffee Margarita - the blend of citrus and coffee is exquisite! 

ABV: 34%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.99

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

mr black coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Mr Black have been at the forefront of coffee liqueur innovation since their conception in 2013, crafted by their lead distiller, Philip Moore. This premium bottle boasts rich coffee flavour and less sugar, making it perfect for balancing an amazing espresso martini. Their Australian distillery doubles as their very own coffee roastery, which sources beans from Ethiopia and Brazil. The attention to detail in each bottle of Mr Black Coffee Liqueur makes this a worthy addition to any mixologist's collection. Cocktails aren’t your thing? Mr Black will be perfect over ice on a hot day for any true coffee lover. Pro zero waste tip: this bottle makes a particularly beautiful DIY lamp or decoration when you inevitably finish every last drop.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £29.89

Mouse Kingdom Coffee Liqueur

mouse kingdom coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Manchester’s own Mouse Kingdom define themselves as an ethical, considerate and bartender led brand. Their beans (sourced from various countries and roasted in local roastery “heart and graft”) are extracted in a French press for over 48 hours to create an immensely potent and characterful coffee that they blend with their own English wheat vodka. 

The label on this bottle changes every 1500 sold, and they pay local bartender artists to feature on their new label. Everything from the balance of their liqueur to the actual bottle itself is designed to be perfect for bartenders mixing up hundreds of Espresso Martinis a day. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £29.89

Luxardo Espresso Liqueur

luxardo coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

It takes 30 whole days to infuse the flavour of Arabica coffee into Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. Luxardo has a huge influence on the wider drinks industry, and is still a family owned business operating out of Italy. If there's one thing Italy is known for, it is a history and expertise with coffee, and this local passion shines through in Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. This coffee liqueur is also vegan friendly and comes in at a higher ABV than many of its competitors, making for a punchier coffee note in a classic Espresso Martini.  

Size: 700ml 
ABV: 27%
Find here: £21.75

Masons Espresso Vodka

masons coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Now for something very different - Masons Espresso Vodka offers a dry alternative to the traditionally sweet coffee liqueur. This is a perfect coffee spirit for sippers who want all of the coffee flavour, without any of the sugar. The vodka is “vapour infused” (often used to infuse botanicals into gin) using beans from El Salvador, and works as the perfect base spirit for an espresso martini. Sub the regular vodka for this and see your classic cocktail elevated to new heights! 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.44

St. George Spirits’ Nola Coffee Liqueur

st george coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Image credit: Karl Steuk

California based purveyor of great spirits, St. George offers up this fantastic coffee liqueur, potent on the nose with notes of plum and dates, and a profound, modern tartness on the palette that you may find in most high end coffee shops. Beyond the coffee, Nola blend their coffee with chicory root and Madagascan vanilla to balance out the more bitter flavours and create a rounded, luscious and almost herbal coffee liqueur. This is a truly unique liqueur and one for the lovers of slightly more tart, herbal coffee. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £36.95

(One to Watch!) Black Gold Coffee Cafe XO

black gold coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

This soon-to-be-launched coffee tequila won the gold award at the recent Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal awards and it’s easy to see why! We managed to get our hands on a bottle and can confirm the hype! Mexico is a global coffee powerhouse and all that heritage is here, combined with their most famous spirit. It’s so warming, with heavy toasted coffee notes that coat the tongue. We always welcome more sustainable brands on the market, and with their all recycled bottles, Black Gold is sure to impress. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 34%
Where to Find: Black Gold Cafe XO will be available on Amazon, retailing at £30

You’ve got the best coffee liqueurs, but what about the best vodka for the most famous coffee cocktail - the Espresso Martini! Make the ultimate cocktail with these great vodka recommendations.

By Miley Kendrick

coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

What Are The Most Popular Whisky Cocktails?

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Whisky cocktails are some of the most iconic and classic serves, but over the last few years, their popularity has somewhat dwindled. Margaritas, Mojitos, Martinis, and Piña Coladas have taken over, but we believe whisky is underrated and underordered when it comes to cocktails.

Nonetheless, the whisky classics are legendary and remain widely favoured, and when it comes to winter warmers, whisky can’t be beaten. We’ll cover those delicious concoctions, as well as the rest of the most ordered whisky serves in this Top 10.   

The Godfather

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

A contemporary classic, The Godfather is made of just two ingredients: Scotch whisky and amaretto, with the latter bringing sweet, almond, and stone-fruit flavour. Some people just have a dash of amaretto, others go half and half, but it’s a boozy alternative to water when it comes to softening the spirit, and enhancing any oaky, smoky notes.

Ingredients
60ml Scotch whisky
10ml amaretto

Method
Simply combine the two ingredients in a rocks glass filled with plenty of ice and enjoy. Leave a little bit of room so that you can add more amaretto if you wish!

The Rob Roy

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Overshadowed by the similar Manhattan cocktail outside of the UK, this historic serve is named after Scottish hero Rob Roy MacGregor, who had just been the subject of an opera at the time of its creation. It’s short and crisp, and it’s great for really letting the whisky shine.

Ingredients
50ml Scotch whisky
20ml sweet white or red vermouth
A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry (garnish)

Method
All you need to do to make a Rob Roy cocktail is pour Scotch, vermouth and your bitters into a mixing glass and stir well with ice. Strain and garnish with a pretty cocktail cherry. Because no ice ends up in the cocktail, you might want to chill your glass beforehand.

The Rusty Nail

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

The origins of the Rusty Nail’s name are lost to history, but we do know that it was the Rat Pack’s love for it that cemented its place in cocktail history. If you just can’t get enough of whisky, then you have to try this because not only is Scotch the main ingredient, but the only other ingredient has it in too! Drambuie is a honey, spice, and Scotch liqueur, which gives a sweet and punchy feel. A sophisticated slow sipper that lets the whisky shine.

Ingredients
50ml Scotch whisky
20ml Drambuie

Method
Simply combine the liquids into a mixing glass and stir well before pouring over plenty of ice into a tumbler. As easy as that.

The Hot Toddy

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Was this the tastiest medicine of all time? That’s how Hot Toddies began in 18th century Scotland, as a way to fight back the chills and colds of the brutal cold weather. Whisky is the king of hot cocktails, and the soothing intensity of flavour of a Hot Toddy is perfection on a cold night. Riffs are plentiful with this cocktail, as you can see here, but this original is just the ticket.

Ingredients
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
100ml-150ml hot water
35ml Whisky (Johnnie Walker Black Label is great)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Use a handled glass to see those alluring colours (or just a mug will do) and first add hot water (just below boiling). Using the cinnamon stick, stir whisky, lemon juice and honey until everything is the same viscosity and then taste. Adapt with sugar or lemon or even more whisky for personal preference!

The Irish Coffee

We adore Irish Coffees at The Three Drinkers, so much so that we’ve got our own special guide for them here. And it seems like the UK does too because it’s one of our favourite hot drinks, competing with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. The recipe goes back to Ireland in the 1940s at Foynes Airport, and you can find the full interesting backstory watching The Three Drinkers in Ireland. Indulgent, warming and velvety – nom.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons brown sugar
120ml hot coffee
45ml Irish whiskey
Cream lightly whipped

Method
Heat your glass first, before adding sugar, fresh coffee, and Irish whiskey. Pour the cream over the back of a spoon so that it sits seductively on top and enjoy – slainte!

The Mint Julep

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

The Mojito for whisky lovers, a good Mint Julep lures you in with icy freshness, before punching with sophisticated flavours. There aren’t many ingredients in play here, so it’s all about the quality of them and the ratios. It’s a Southern States favourite but you can find it across the world in many bars.

Ingredients
65ml bourbon
10 mint leaves (save some for garnish)
15ml sugar syrup

Method
Shake bourbon, mint, and syrup with ice before straining into a highball glass or julep tin, filled with crushed ice. If you want more minty flavour then use more mint, or muddle slightly. Stir well and add a mint leaf for aesthetics and fragrance.

The Sazerac

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

With whiskey and absinthe in the mix, this is a dangerous serve indeed. It’s seen as the cousin of one of the more popular cocktails later on this list, and it was crowned the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008. A twist of lemon or orange is a necessity to soften the boozy intensity a touch. Rye whiskey is the traditional spirit used (though it was French brandy centuries ago), creating a peppery, anise-laced bright and breezy mix.

Ingredients
 Absinthe rinse
10ml syrup
15ml chilled water
3 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
1 dash of Angostura bitters
50ml rye whiskey/bourbon
Orange twist for garnish

Method
Swirl absinthe round your glass. Ideally, you’d pour what’s left into the next glass and repeat but if you’re only making yourself a cocktail, then just try to use as little as possible to avoid wastage. Combine syrup, bitters, water, and whiskey in a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into your glass and garnish with orange for those gorgeous citrus oils.

The Whisky Sour

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

These last three cocktails are far and away the most popular whisky serves across the world. Closer to home, the Whisky Sour was the most ordered cocktail by men in the UK in 2017 – not just whiskey but full stop! Out of all the cocktails on this list, this is probably the hardest to pin down, but it absolutely has to be included. It first appeared as a Boston Sour in the 1870s, and now has tonnes of variations. Sometimes though, simple is best, and the below recipe is the modern classic.

Ingredients
50ml Bourbon
35ml lemon juice
12½ml sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
½ fresh egg white
Cherry/orange/lemon for garnish

 Method
Shake everything very thoroughly with ice and strain into an ice filled glass. Many garnishes go well with this so take your pick out of cocktail cherries, orange twists or lemon wedges.

The Manhattan

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Legend goes that this popular order was first designed for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother in 1870s NYC. Rye whisky is used, but because of its Prohibition history, Canadian whiskey has always played a big role too. Modern incarnations have taken it down various routes, from sweet and sour to swapping out the whiskey for rum or tequila.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon
25ml sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Brandied cherry for garnish

Method
Combine everything in a mixing glass and stir well with ice until it feels chilled. Strain and garnish with a cherry, or ideally a brandied cherry! Delish.

The Old Fashioned

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Consistently one of the most searched for and sought after whiskey cocktails (even since Mad Men finished), the Old Fashioned is the most popular whiskey cocktail. It’s so simple because it’s effectively a glass of whiskey with a twist. Usually made from bourbon or rye, Angostura bitters, sugar and water are added to lighten, sharpen, and sweeten the mix. The polls show that this remains America’s favourite cocktail – over 200 years old and still going strong.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon/rye
Brown sugar cube
Splash of water
2 drops of Angostura bitters
Twist of orange to garnish

Method
Muddle (with the back of a spoon for example) sugar, water, and some orange peel. Make sure the sugar is dissolved – that’s essential. Fill the glass with ice, before slowly adding your chosen whisky and stirring. Orange twist for garnish and you’re all set.

Well now you’ve got your recipes, you need your star of the show – whisky! We’ve got some unique Scotch whiskies here, and delicious Irish whiskeys here!