Great Wine and Spirits to Gift this Father's Day

Words by Colin Hampden-White

With so many choices of premium sparkling wine and Champagne on the market, I wanted to highlight two I’ve had recently. One traditional, and one non-alcoholic and from England. Both excellent. I have also found some amazing rum, cocktail pouches, a big, luscious, marvellous Malbec, and a couple of gins, one with sweet pineapple and ginger because dads like sweet things too!

Roger Daltray

I first tasted this on release before the pandemic. It was released for The Who on their 50th anniversary and having tasted it again a few days ago, I am pleased I thought so much of it in 2019, because I am still hugely impressed. Sometimes when a celebrity has a bottle made for them, it can go horribly wrong, and the juice in the bottle isn’t that good, but in this instance it is excellent. The design is also excellent giving the impression of a premium product yet not being overly showy. The design holds onto the brand identity of The Who well. The Champagne itself made by Charles Orban, has finesse and intensity. Made with 45% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, there is good complexity with lots of citrus notes and hints of vanilla and brioche. A percentage of the price of each bottle goes to Teen Cancer America too so should you find yourself with your hands on a bottle, you can sip knowing you are doing good.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £95

Wild Idol

A little while ago I tried and very much liked the Wild Idol Rosé, and the white takes off where that left off. There is the same elegance of fruit and balanced acidity giving a satisfying drink, not too acidic like a lot of sparkling wine and not too sweet. Lots of floral aromas and delicate fruit give elegance. This is the second time I’ve tried a non-alcoholic sparkling and thought it benefited from not having any alcohol and the first time was its pink sibling. Bravo Wild Idol!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0.0%
Find here: £35

 

Santiago de Cuba 11 Years Old Extra Añejo

11 years old is old for a tropically aged rum. So when one comes along from one of the best Cuban brands one expects it to be very good, and this is certainly that. It’s rich with lots of fruity esters and brown sugar flavours which perfectly balance each other, there is huge complexity with pineapple, and spices including cinnamon and cumin. A little banana and caramel and a touch of black cracked pepper on the finish. A decadent rum perfect for decadent dads.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.83

Luigi Bosca | Malbec Selección de Vistalba 2020

This is a stonking wine for the price. Wines from Argentina are always good value as they are subsidised for the UK market but this wine punches way above its price mark. It’s a big rich wine with lots of red fruit and floral aromas and dark fruit flavours. There is some spice and liquorice too. It is drinking now but will certainly age for at least 5 years and is a perfect wine to serve up with a big steak or a hearty bean casserole. You might want to pick up two bottles though because once dad gets a taste we’re not sure he’ll want to share!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £16.99

MYXD Dad Box

A box full of cocktails! What’s not to like? Well, not a lot really. Finally, cocktail pouches are delivering very good cocktails akin to one you would receive from a good bartender, and in a lot of cases even better. I’ve been served some pretty dodgy cocktails in my time, and with these pouches not only do you get a good cocktail, but you also get them consistently. Super for sharing and easy to put together. Literally, chill add soda to some and pour. What could be easier?!

In the box:

Long Island Iced Tea where they have combined Flor de Caña 4 year old white rum with vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, sugar syrup, organic citric acid, lemon bitters and cola reduction.

Smoked Banana Colada combining coconut rum, single cream, banana syrup, coconut syrup and smoky Scotch whisky.

Pinapple & Jalapeno Mai Tai where Flor de Caña 7 Gran Reserva Rum is the star of the show, accompanied by triple sec, jalapeno syrup, orgeat, organic citric acid and pineapple juice.

Popcorn Old Fashioned mixing Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, popcorn syrup and fragrant Angostura bitters.

Penicillin combining Benchmark 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with Smokehead peated single malt whisky, ginger and honey syrups, organic citric acid and lemon bitters.

If you wanted to you could add garnishes like orange for the Old Fashioned or Pineapple leaves for the Colada, they make them look pretty, but if you can’t be bothered, they are still going to taste great.

Size: 100ml - 150ml
ABV: 13.7% - 26.5%
Find here: £28.95

 

Bullards Pineapple, Ginger and Lime Gin

Pineapple is a flavour I would normally associate with rum rather than gin, but in this case, it works beautifully giving tropical sweetness to balance the lime and the ginger that comes through to give a little heat and spice. The gin is very smooth and makes a very good G&T, but where it shines for me is with ginger ale. Again, something I’d normally mix with rum or whisky, but with this gin, it makes a great spicy long drink and remains fresh which is perfect for this time of year.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40

Lind and Lime Gin

A gin with a very nautical feel. This is the first spirit to come from the Port of Leith distillery in Edinburgh and is inspired by Dr James Lind who came from Edinburgh. He noticed that patients who had scurvy and were eating citrus fruits were showing good signs, which explains the lime in the gin, and how we know how to cure scurvy today. Not that I think there is enough lime in the gin to cure scurvy! But it certainly tastes good. The cap label says there are flavours of lime, pink peppercorn and juniper, and that’s the perfect tasting note for this gin. It literally “does what it says on the tin”, and with 44% abv, those flavours are delivered effortlessly. My gin of the moment, and a perfect dad day present for a gin loving dad.

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

If you still don’t feel like you’ve found the perfect present, have a browse through our wine and spirits pages as they’re packed full of delicious drinks to try!

4 Simple and Delicious Bourbon Cocktails

Words by Aidy Smith

We love bourbon on its own, but this American spirit can also be a really interesting base spirit for a ton of exciting cocktails! The notes of vanilla and oak are great to mess around with and see what works with what. You can go sour, sweet, bitter - whatever takes your fancy!

If a bourbon cocktail sounds tasty but you’re not quite sure where to start, how about starting with one of our four favourites below!

Classic Old Fashioned

This list would not be complete without including the Old Fashioned, and for that reason we’ve put it slap bang at the top! We’re not sure if it’s magic or just good mixology, but there’s something about the simple mix of bourbon, sugar and Angostura bitters that gets our taste buds raring to go! Make one today with this simple recipe!

Ingredients

50ml bourbon
pinch of brown sugar
splash of water
2 drops of Angostura bitters
twist of orange to garnish

Method
Place the sugar, orange peel, water and bitters in a tumbler and muddle (crush gently with the back of a spoon). Fill the glass with ice and add a little whiskey bit by bit while stirring. Garnish with a twist of orange. 

Boulevardier

Do you like Negronis? We certainly do! If you are a Negroni fan, why not mix it up for a change and make a Boulevardier! It’s essentially a Negroni with the gin swapped out for bourbon so it’s super simple and still boasts that tasty, boozy bitterness...

Psst, if you really want to up your Negroni game - check out our article on the best Negroni recipes!

Ingredients

45ml of bourbon
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml of Campari
twist of orange to garnish 

Method
Chill a cocktail glass by placing it in the freezer. Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass and fill two thirds of the way with ice. Stir for around 30 seconds to chill and strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of orange.

Manhattan

For the majority of us, living in Manhattan (or at least the glamorous part of Manhattan) isn’t very realistic. New York City actually has the highest living cost of any city in the United States! However, what we can do is mix up a Manhattan - wherever we are in the world…

The Manhattan is normally made with rye whiskey, so try to find a bourbon with a high rye count in it to truly get an authentic Manhattan. Here’s our favourite recipe:

Ingredients

50ml bourbon
25ml sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash oranges bitters
brandied cherry for garnish 

Method
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry. 

Bourbon Sidecar

The Sidecar is a cocktail that often hides away on cocktail menus, sometimes not even being featured at all, the poor thing! We shan’t pity it too much however, as the Sidecar still packs quite a bit of a punch… It’s citrusy and boozy with a nice bit of sweetness coming from the sugared rim. Though normally made with cognac, today we’re swapping the cognac out for bourbon. The bourbon gives a really interesting vanilla element to this cocktail that deepens it delightfully!

Ingredients

50ml bourbon
25ml Cointreau
12.5ml fresh lemon juice
1tsp simple syrup
caster sugar
orange twist for garnish 

Method
Using a small amount of lemon juice and caster sugar, sugar the rim of the glass. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice until ice cold. Strain into a glass and garnish with the orange twist - delicious!

Looking for more great cocktail ideas? How about checking out these great Old Fashioned Variations? Or, if a Martini is more up your street then we’ve got some great recipes to check out here too!

Celebrate Pride with these Top LGBTQIA+ drinks

It’s Pride Month, and we’re celebrating all things LGBTQIA+ not only with a hefty dose of rainbow-themed décor, but by toasting to it in style with tipples that proudly support the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re a community member yourself, or a thirsty ally, here are some must-tries to show your spirit…

Gays Who Wine

This wine club, founded by Shaun Houcke, is all about giving people the chance to meet up and mingle with great vino – without having to resort to a raucous bar. You can also shop from a gorgeously curated online offering – including a weekly changing mixed case, with the likes of rosé fizzes and juicy reds (from £65). Beer drinker? An edit of top pours includes tempting nibbles such as artisan cheese, smoked almonds and sourdough crisp breads (£45). If you need an extra feel-good reason to buy, know that 10% of profits go to LGBTQIA+ charities.

Find out more here!

Luv Jus

Following one helluva time at Tel Aviv Pride in 2016, housemates George and Owen decided to launch Luv Jus – a healthy craft vodka pop that comes in two delicious flavours: pineapple, mint, ginseng and jasmine, or blood orange, pomegranate and ginseng. At just 107kcal per tin, with no added sugar, they’re as gentle on the waistline as they are dangerously sippable, plus have the added bonus of being vegan-friendly and gluten-free. We know what we’ll be drinking come London Pride Week this September… 

ABV: 4.8%
Find here: £14.95 for 6

Stonewall Spirits

A family run brand based in Skegness, Lincolnshire, Stonewall Spirits is committed to supporting and donating to the LGBTQ community all year round. Not only do they do this by re-telling the story of the ‘Stonewall Riots’ throughout their brand, but they also donate £1 to Stonewall UK from every bottle purchased to continue the fight for acceptance and equality in the UK. As if that wasn’t great enough news as it is, they also produce absolutely cracking gins. Mix their Pink Rhubarb gin into a G&T for a beautifully refreshing drink this Summer!

ABV: 40% // 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £36.95

Digby Fine English

It was during a trip to a Seattle winery that married couple Jason Humphries and Trevor Clough had a lightbulb moment and decided to move back to the UK and go into business together with the aim to bring English sparkling wine to the luxury market. Meet Digby Fine English; the high class sparkling English wine from West Sussex that is outperforming Champagne in blind tastings and winning countless awards. 

Find here: From £32

Proud Beer

The UK’s first ‘queer beer’ was launch back in 2018 by boyfriends Ethan Spidey and Sören Scharf and as well as a beer, is a platform for all that they do for LGBTQIA+ charities. They worked around their day jobs to create their ‘LGBTQIPA’: a truly inclusive drinks brand with a clear message to the businesses to put their money where their mouth is if they truly want to support the community. Ethan explains: “We got fed up with people slapping a rainbow flag on their brand once a year and pretending they cared. We thought, why don’t we start a beer company that benefits the charities we have worked with for years?” Quite right. Cheers!

Find here: From £2.30 a bottle

Gentleman Farmer 

Next time you’re in the US, look out for Gentleman Farmer wines, produced by vino extraordinaire couple Joe Wolosz and Jeff Durham. This Californian vintner duo specialises in producing powerful Cabernet Sauvignon – all dark fruity and earthy character – as well as elegant Chardonnays. Looking for something summer-fabulous to toast Pride month with? Grab a bottle of their delicate blushing pink rosé, with refreshing watermelon and brioche notes on the palate.

Find here: From $35

Crystal Head Limited Edition Pride Vodka

In case the whole bottle-shaped-like-a-skull thing wasn’t already theatrical enough for you, we present Crystal Head Pride edition. Painted in dramatic rainbow tones, this will double as a statement decor piece long after you’ve drained the final drop of vodka (which, by the way, is made using pure Canadian water). It doesn’t just look good though – a percentage of sales goes to the Kaleidoscope Trust, an international LGBTQIA+ human rights charity that works across the Commonwealth, for example by ensuring that trans women in Pakistan have access to safe housing. And if that standard 70cl bottle isn’t quite enough? Plump for the brand new 1.75-litre release, available at Selfridges for a cool £140.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: UK From £46.48 // US $39.99

Tom Savano Finnish Liberation Cosmopolitan

When you can’t be bothered to mix your own cocktail, Tom Savano comes to the rescue with its premixed pours. And this bottling – comes with a splash of Pride, not only because the Carrie Bradshaw’s drink of choice is said, according to Punch, to have originated in the Cleveland gay scene in the 1980s. It’s also mixed up with Tom of Finland Organic Vodka, named after the gay icon and fetish artist. The vodka’s own association spreads awareness about LGBTQIA+ erotic art, so you can feel extra virtuous with every sip. Chill it right down in the fridge, pour it out in Sex and the City-style cocktail glasses and toast to liberation. 

ABV: 20%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £29

Barefoot Wines

Barefoot takes great ‘pride’ in the fact that it’s been an LGBTQIA+ ally for more than 30 years, since 1988 to be exact. Over the decades this Californian wine brand has partnered with dozens of different LGBTQIA+ organisations and popped up at countless Pride festivals, so you know it’s genuinely supporting the community for the long haul. Choose from the range of easy-drinking wines, perfect for celebrations – whether your bag is a fruit-forward Merlot, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sweet Moscato, there’s something here to suit. Bottoms up!

Find out more here (UK)! // From $9.99 (US)

The Best Tequila cocktails

Words by Ana Patterson

Everyone knows someone who ‘hates tequila’ and the chances are that a past experience with one too many tequila shots is to blame! There are some stunning tequilas and some equally stunning tequila-based cocktails out there that are well worth a try though. So, take that lime wedge out of your hand and pop it in the base of a cocktail shaker, you’re about to look at tequila in a whole new light.

Spicy Tommy’s Margarita

Once you’ve had this cocktail, you’ll never go back. You’ll also transcend reality. You might even run down the street barefoot shouting with joy because THIS. COCKTAIL. IS. AMAZING… have we convinced you to try it yet?! Top Tip: the spiciness of this cocktail depends on the chilli, so make sure you know what you’re dealing with before you start shaking ;)

Ingredients
1 slice of deseeded and chopped chilli
60ml reposado tequila
15ml agave syrup
30ml lime juice
top of a chilli pepper for the garnish (deseeded) 

Method
Muddle the sliced chilli in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the other ingredients and fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well-chilled and fine strain into an ice filled rocks glass.

Añejo Old Fashioned

Massive whisky afficiando at the tequila party? There’s often one… However much they might insist that nothing will beat their whisky, you must insist harder that this Añejo Old Fashioned is very much worth their time. The aged Añejo tequila provides oaky notes, spice and flavours of roasted agave which is bound to put a smile on even their face.

Ingredients
60ml añejo tequila
7.5ml agave syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
orange peel

Method
Add the tequila, agave syrup and bitters to a tumbler with a big ice cube and stir well for around 30 seconds to combine. Garnish with the orange peel.

Tequila Mockingbird

Like the pun?! If not, off to the library with you it is! If you’re going for the classy, progressive Atticus Finch look - you’re going to need one of these in your hand. We’re not sure how the watermelon fits in with the novel, but it sure fits into the cocktail well!

Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
15ml lime juice
15ml agave syrup
3 watermelon cubes
1 slice jalapeño 

Method
Muddle the watermelon cubes and jalapeño in the bottom of the cocktail shaker. Add the other ingredients and fill with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled and fine strain into a glass over ice.

Frozen Margarita

It may not quite be summer, but we’re certainly not far off now. That calls for the summer drink of all summer drinks - the Frozen Margarita! This is basically a margarita slushie and the recipe is the same as a normal margarita - just with added ice and a blender. Blend it baby!

Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
25ml Cointreau
25ml lime juice
15ml sugar syrup
large handful of ice
wedge of lime to garnish 

Method
Place all the ingredients in a blender, excluding the lime wedge, and blend until smooth. Pour into a margarita glass and garnish with a wedge of lime. Enjoy!

Tequila Sunrise

It may be called a sunRISE, but we recommend you drink these at sunset instead… The name actually comes from what the drink looks like when it’s in the glass. For this reason, don’t stir in the grenadine when you pour it in or it will ruin the beautiful ombre effect that the different colours give! Don’t look at it for too long, however, because it’s really all about the flavours! Refreshing and fruity, this long tequila drink is one to note down.

Ingredients
100ml orange juice
50ml blanco tequila
30ml grenadine
maraschino cherry and orange wheel for garnish

Method
Fill a large glass with ice and pour in orange juice and tequila. Pour over the grenadine and do not stir. Garnish with the cherry and orange wheel. Enjoy!

Paloma

According to legend, the Paloma is named after a popular Mexican folk song written in the 1860s! Now isn’t that a fun fact! The grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda in this cocktail gives it a wonderful tang that tastes great with the blanco tequila. It’s super easy to make, and has a really pretty pink tinge to it that looks perfect with a grapefruit wheel garnish!

Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
25ml grapefruit juice
12.5ml lime juice
7.5ml agave syrup
50ml pink grapefruit soda
wheel of grapefruit for garnish 

Method
Shake the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup with ice until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass and top up with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a wheel of grapefruit.

Bloody Maria

Had enough of Bloody Marys? Ready to move onto something a little different? Try a Bloody Maria! While the name might not be totally inventive (with Maria being Spanish for Mary), the swap of vodka for tequila really elevates this classic cocktail and gives it an extra hit of flavour not achieved by the vodka. Let us know if you have a go!

Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
100ml tomato juice
12.5ml lemon juice
1tsp horseradish
3 dashes tabasco
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch celery salt
1 pinch black pepper
lime wedge for garnish
lemon wedge for garnish
celery stick for garnish 

Method
Add all ingredients except for garnishes to an ice filled shaker and shake vigorously until well chilled. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge, lime wedge and celery stick. Extra chilli optional!

Mexican Mule

We love super simple cocktails, and so today we’re travelling to the other side of the world to mix up a Mexican Mule! Tequila and lime are always a perfect match, but putting them with ginger beer really takes things up a notch and creates a delicious cocktail that is easy to make and very easy to drink!

Ingredients
60ml reposado tequila
15ml lime juice
10ml agave syrup/sugar syrup
good quality ginger beer
lime wedge for garnish

Method
Add the tequila, lime juice and agave syrup/sugar syrup to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until ice cold. Strain into an ice filled glass and top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a wedge of lime and enjoy!

If you want to read more tequila recommendations, have a look at The Best Tequilas for Margaritas or The World’s Best Sipping Tequilas!

6 Cocktails Perfect for Easter

This year the weather looks set to be beautiful over the Easter bank holiday, so why not indulge in a cocktail or two before you dive into those Easter eggs?! Whether you love gin or vodka, or whiskey or rum, there is a cocktail waiting for you to try.

For the Gin Lover: Royal Tea Cocktail

This may well be our favourite cocktail in the guide as it combines two well-loved drinky treats all in one delicious cocktail; gin and tea! Super easy to mix up and so refreshing, this really is the perfect cocktail to mix up during a lazy Easter Sunday.

Ingredients
45ml London Dry Gin
60ml chilled, freshly brewed Earl Grey tea
1 splash lemon juice to taste
1 tsp sugar to taste
Garnish with a lemon wheel

Method
Pour the gin and chilled Earl Grey tea into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice and add the lemon juice and sugar to taste. Stir well, garnish with a lemon wheel and enjoy!

For the Whiskey Lover: Whiskey Daisy

A favourite among whiskey lovers, this cocktail has many variations all of which are as easy to whip up as the next. The smokiness of the whiskey in this particular version combines beautifully with the complex flavours of the orange liqueur and the lemon juice and syrup tie all the flavours together perfectly leading to a cocktail you will be coming back for more of!

Ingredients
60ml (Smoky) Bourbon whiskey
30ml lemon juice
7.5ml simple syrup
15ml Grand Marnier
Sparkling water/club soda 

Method
Pour the whiskey, Grand Marnier, lemon juice and syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add crushed ice and shake for 30 seconds until the shaker is cold to touch. Strain the chilled ingredients into a cocktail glass and top up with a splash of soda!

N.B. the whiskey will be the main stand out flavour in this cocktail so make sure you choose a premium one.

For the Champagne lover: French 77

It’s light, it’s refreshing, it’s floral and it’s sparkling… it truly is the perfect drink to enjoy at your Easter party.

Ingredients
30ml St. Germain
7.5ml lemon juice
120ml Champagne
Lemon twist for garnish 

Method
Pour the St. Germain and lemon juice into a flute, top up with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Simple!

N.B. It is best to use a Brut champagne because of the elderflower liqueur’s sweetness. If you find the elderflower to be too sweet, lessen the amount you add to the cocktail until you find the right balance for you.

For the Tequila Lover: Paloma

Refreshing and so easy to make the earthy flavours of the tequila blend beautifully with the tartness of the grapefruit for an Easter cocktail that is bound to be a big crowd pleaser.

Ingredients
60ml Tequila
15ml freshly squeezed lime juice
Grapefruit soda
Lime wedge to garnish 

Method
Add the tequila and lime juice to the glass and fill it with ice. Top it off with the grapefruit soda stirring gently to combine, garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!

For the Rum Lover: Old Cuban Cocktail

Luxurious, minty and downright delicious, this cocktail was only invented in the early 2000s and is already a firm favourite of cocktail enthusiasts. It takes inspiration from the Mojito, with added complexity from the bitters all wrapped in a delicious champagne scarf. There truly is nothing not to like about it!

Ingredients
4 fresh mint leaves
45ml Havana Club 7yo rum
22.5ml freshly squeezed lime juice
15ml Monin Pure Cane Sugar Syrup
2 dashes of Angostura Aromatic Bitters
22.5ml Champagne
Garnish with a mint leaf. 

Method
Shake the mint leaves, rum, lime juice, sugar syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Then, strain into a chilled coupe glass before topping with champagne and garnishing with a mint leaf.

N.B. The sparkling wine used here really makes a difference so if you are not a big fan of the champagne version, try mixing it up with prosecco or crémant instead. Prosecco will bring more fruit to the cocktail whereas the crémant will give a drier flavour.

For the Vodka Lover: Chocolate Martini

Rich, creamy and downright indulgent, this is a chocoholics delight. We couldn’t complete our Easter cocktail guide without a cheeky chocolate cocktail now could we?!

Ingredients
50ml Irish Cream Liqueur
50ml Chocolate liqueur (Godiva)
100ml vodka 

Method
Combine all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well until the outside of the shaker is cold to touch. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with shaved chocolate. NOM!

Wondering what to pair all that Easter chocolate with? Why not have a look at these Epic Whisky and Chocolate Pairings?!

8 Delicious Gins for a G&T

Spring is at last upon us, the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and a G&T in the garden is becoming a more and more appealing thought. But, with so many gins out there, it can be hard to know which to try. A good G&T comes down to a good gin so we have brought to you our favourites from this year so far, so you can mix your next G&T up with confidence.

58 Gin English Berry

This multi-award-winning gin is a berry-focused expression from the folks at 58 Gin. Slow berries which have been distilled as well as macerated are used in the creation of the spirit, leading to a crystal clear gin with a beautiful balance of citrus and savoury flavours. Mix it with your favourite premium tonic and garnish with a slice of grapefruit. Nom!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £38

Adnams Copper House

This is Adnams’ best-selling gin and we are not surprised in the slightest. Made using six botanicals including orange peel, hibiscus and coriander, it is delicate and floral with subtle hints of spice and is jam-packed full of flavour. Mix it with your favourite premium tonic water and garnish with fresh orange peel for a knock out G&T!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £22 currently on offer at Sainsburys £28 normally.  

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin

If you’re looking for something slightly different to your traditional citrussy, juniper forward gins then this is it. All the way from County Donegal in Ireland, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin contains five different varieties of locally-harvested seaweed alongside its other botanicals leading to a delicious savoury gin with gentle heat and a subtle lemon sweetness. It’s a perfect starting point for those looking to get into gin and a delicious option for those already converted! Try it with lemon tonic and a slice of lemon as a garnish for a mouth-wateringly good G&T.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43.2%
Find here: £29.25

Bullards Coastal gin

Imagine sitting by the ocean, the waves gently rushing to the shore and the wind in your hair – that’s this gin in a glass. Inspired by the Norfolk coastline, its botanicals of sea purslane, marsh samphire and sea aster, impart a subtle saline note to the gin which is beautifully complemented with citrus. For a sweeter G&T mix it with your favourite tonic and garnish with blackberries. Or, for a more savoury take on it, garnish with rosemary or cucumber.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £36  

Bulldog London Dry Gin

Made with poppy, lotus leaves, lavender, almond and dragon eye to name just a few of the 12 botanicals, this gin really packs in the flavour. It is quadruple distilled in copper pot stills giving it a beautifully smooth and crisp finish to boot. Try it mixed with your favourite premium tonic and a handful of blackberries as a garnish, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a slice of grapefruit and fresh ground black pepper!

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.95  // US $24.98

Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin

Using botanicals hand foraged from the Wicklow Mountains, the amount of care that goes into creating this gin is inspiring. With pine, juniper, herbaceous and floral notes it makes for a gorgeous G&T. You can see more about how the botanicals are hand foraged in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Ireland. Enjoy this gin with your favourite tonic, a twist of lemon and a sprig of mint for a delicious G&T!

ABV: 41%
Size: US 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: US £33.75 // US $28.99

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla

One sip of this gin and you’ll be picturing yourself sitting under the warm Mediterranean sun looking out over the rolling hills. Inspired by a recipe first written over 140 years ago by Charles Tanqueray on a visit to the orange groves of Spain, this gin is citrus-focussed, with crisp juniper, peppery coriander, and sweet liquorice. Try it with your favourite premium tonic and an orange wedge garnish… trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

ABV: 41.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £25 // $29.99

Whitley Neill Oriental Spiced Gin

This brand new spiced gin from Whitley Neill will take you on a journey to the Orient with its exotic flavours and aromas. Think gentle spice from cardamom with sweet citrus, followed by notes of cumin perfectly complimenting the juniper. It’s rich and fragrant with a long elegant finish. Mix it with premium Indian tonic water, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange wedge for a real treat!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £26

Wondering which tonic to use in your G&T? Check out The Best Tonic Water for your G&T and if it’s garnish inspiration you’re after then how about having a read of The Best Ready Made Garnishes for a G&T.

The Best Old Fashioned Variations

Crowned the most popular cocktail in the world, the Old Fashioned is loved by many, and whilst it can’t be denied that the traditional recipe is an absolute cracker, there are many variations of it that, in our honest opinion, are just as good. So, without further ado let us introduce you to some of our favourite takes on an Old Fashioned.

The Traditional Old Fashioned

A timeless classic. The Old Fashioned cocktail has been around since the mid-1800s and is still just as popular today as it was back then.

Ingredients
60ml rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel to garnish
Maraschino cherry to garnish

Method
Place the sugar cube in a tumbler and dash the bitters on top of it. Muddle to mix. Add the whiskey, fill the glass with ice, and stir for 30 seconds to combine. Twist the orange peel over the drink before putting it into the glass. Add the cherry garnish and you're done!

Rum Old Fashioned

A great take on an Old Fashioned, the dark rum provides oaky notes which work beautifully with the zestiness from the bitters.

Ingredients
50ml dark rum
1 tsp sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura orange bitters
Orange peel to garnish

Method
Put all the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until the glass feels cold. Strain into a tumbler over a large ice cube and garnish with the orange peel.

Tequila Old Fashioned

Smooth and savoury, it is an utterly delicious Old Fashioned variation. The aged Añejo tequila provides oaky notes, spice and flavours of roasted agave. YUM!

Ingredients
60 ml Añejo tequila
7.5 ml Simple syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Orange peel to garnish

Method
Add the tequila, simple syrup and bitters to a tumbler with a big ice cube and stir well for around 30 seconds to combine. Garnish with the orange peel.

Gin Old Fashioned

Another great take on an Old Fashioned the Old Tom gin adds a less botanical, sweeter flavour to the cocktail than a London dry gin would while the orange bitters and lemon add a nice citrusy twist.

Ingredients
60ml Old Tom gin
7.5ml simple syrup
2 dashes of orange bitters
Lemon peel to garnish

Method
Add the simple syrup, bitters, and gin in a tumbler with ice and stir for 30 seconds to combine. Garnish with lemon peel and enjoy!

Maple Old Fashioned

Sweet and smooth, the maple brings out the warm, rich, caramel-y flavors in the bourbon perfectly.

Ingredients
60ml Bourbon whiskey
10ml Maple Syrup
2 dash Angostura bitters
Crispy bacon, for garnish

Method
Put the ingredients into a tumbler with ice and stir well to combine. Garnish with a 1/2 slice of crispy bacon. Top Tip: You can substitute the bourbon for rum here to make an equally good maple rum Old Fashioned.

Honey Old Fashioned

Good for someone just getting into whisky, this variation is lighter and sweeter than a traditional old fashioned but just as delicious!

Ingredients
60ml Scotch whisky
15ml honey syrup (1 part honey to 1 part water)
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
2 dashes of orange bitters

Method
Add the whisky, honey syrup, and bitters into a tumbler with ice and stir for about 30 seconds until well combined and chilled. Garnish with an orange peel twist.

Warm Old Fashioned

Perfect for chilly days this cocktail has the same great taste as the classic Old Fashioned and could even rival a Hot Toddy in our opinion!

Ingredients
60ml Bourbon whiskey
1 sugar cube
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 x Orange slice
1 x Maraschino cherry
60ml hot (not boiling) water

Method
Muddle the sugar cube, bitters, orange slice and Maraschino cherry in a mixing glass. Add the whiskey and mix well then strain into a glass mug. Top up with around 60ml of hot water and enjoy!

Looking for other cocktail variations? Make sure you check out The 10 Best Martini Variations and The Best Margarita Variations!

The Best Cocktail Terraces in London

The sun is (finally) coming out and summer cocktail terraces are starting to bloom. Whether you like your alfresco drinks skyscraping and swish, or garden-fringed and intimate, grab your sunnies, gather your mates and book off the afternoon. We’re heading out for cocktails at these must-visit London terraces.  

Bingham Riverhouse

*Technically* this is in Surrey – elegant Richmond, to be exact – but this terrace is definitely worth the extra few minutes on the District Line. An extension of Bingham’s chic (and utterly delicious) restaurant from MasterChef-winning chef Steven Edwards, the intimate strip looks out to lawns and the River Thames, so you can watch boats slink past as you sip. Order a Jalapeno’s Negroni – the perfect smoky-spicy blend of mezcal, Cocchi red vermouth and jalapeño-infused Campari – then follow up with a Laurent Perrier-topped Blackberry Royal, made with the Bingham garden’s rosemary. There’s no need to wobble home after; Bingham’s elegant hotel rooms, with copper baths and sustainable La-Eva toiletries, are dreamy crash pads. Rise for morning bellinis and hangover-busting aromatherapy massages at Bhuti spa.

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Native at Brown’s

If you’re seeking a full-on garden terrace vibe, you could do far worse than this central London restaurant. Coddled by rows of lush ferns, and towering trees, if feels the perfect spot to sip a cocktail bursting with foraged flavours – exactly what Native majors in. In a spin on a classic Amaretto Sour, the Meadowsweet Sour uses foraged meadowsweet flowers. The Seasonal Spritz, meanwhile, comes with a dash of zingy sea buckthorn. Cocktails are shaken up with sustainability in mind, too. The espresso martini is made with waste coffee grounds, as well as locally sourced East London Liquor Co vodka.

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Fortnum & Mason Royal Exchange, Bank

As we’ve all been pushed outdoors by pandemic dining, some amazing drinking spaces have popped up as a result, including this previously underused patch of pavement outside the Royal Exchange. Sandwiched spectacularly between Cornhill and Threadneedle Street, the terrace at Fortnum & Mason Royal Exchange lets you take in the epic, chiselled panoramas of Bank – a quintessential London scene – over a dry martini or, if you prefer something lighter, a glass of pink Fortnum’s own fizz. Visit in late afternoon, when it’s washed in sunshine, and you won’t want to budge until closing time at 11pm.

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Hicce

Set on the vast open space by Coal Drop’s Yard, just off Regent’s Canal, Hicce is the pick for when you want a big buzzy terrace vibe, but top-quality drinks too. Book in with a bunch of friends, grab a seat in the sun, and work through the innovative list: Matchagras (shiso leaf-infused Tanqueray, matcha, lemongrass and aquafaba); Hibilep (pandan leaf-infused Bulleit bourbon with hibiscus and pomegranate); Beetarita (mezcal, cherry liqueur, lime, beetroot juice). There’s a brilliant wine selection for your crowd to tackle too, with a raft of skin-contact whites and low-intervention reds.

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Nest, Treehouse London

If you’re anything like us, after braving the throngs of Oxford Street you’ll be in serious need of a drink. Enter Nest: a skyscraping bar just a few minutes’ walk away, perched at the top of Treehouse hotel, with views sweeping across the capital. Drop your shopping bags and order a Botanical Sour – gin, elderflower, coriander, vermouth and citrus – or a Bee Sting (Calvados, Beesou, honey, banana and citrus). Some time slots incur a minimum spend, so be sure to choose an hour that suits you budget. And, when booking, ask for a comfy sofa seat on the west side – the sun floods it in the afternoons.

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If you’re feeling more in the mood for a picnic then check out our delicious canned wines and no and low drinks recommendations!