10 Recommendations for your Eurovision 2023 Drinks Party

On Saturday May 13th, the Grand Final of the year’s most flamboyant night of entertainment takes place. Hosted by the UK in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine, the almighty Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be broadcast to millions across the world.

The official drink is Invivo X Unity Prosecco Rosé which is a lovely expression of fresh strawberries and well worth getting in for the big night. However, if you want some drinks to properly represent each nation as they perform then look no further than these beauties! Let’s begin with the Big 5 who automatically qualify for the final…

UK

Winemaster's Lot English Sparkling Classic Cuvée Brut

There are a few options that celebrate the best of UK drinks, it could be a delicious Scotch or a quintessentially British gin, but we think that using the UK’s entry as a signal to pop open some fizz is best. British bubbles are building quite the prestigious reputation on the international stage, and one of the better value options is this Hampshire sparkler from Bowler & Brolly. The signature English trio of (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) round off the wine beautifully, with crunchy apple, fresh lime and toasted pistachio poised perfectly. It’s super food-friendly too, so pair it with any light seafood nibbles throughout the night or a slap-up fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Italy

Negroni Sbagliato

More popular than ever before thanks to a viral TikTok clip, this cocktail is Italy in a glass. The traditional gin is swapped out for Prosecco for a more refreshing and lighter twist on the Negroni... perfect if you’ve got a lot of different drinks and nibbles to get through from the first song to the last. Bellissimo! The distinct bitterness of the Campari requires intensely flavoured food pairings so consider Italy’s saltier foods like prosciutto.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice to garnish

Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a glass over ice. Top up with Prosecco and stir gently enough to combine everything without killing off those bubbles. Orange slice for the perfect garnish!

France

Château Tertre De Viaud Côtes De Bourg 2016

There are so many options for France but given Champagne’s price point, we’ve gone for a gorgeous Merlot instead. It’s a bit less robust and fruitier than the country’s other most famous red Cabernet Sauvignon and this Bordeaux blend, in particular, represents incredible value. Red currants and cherries, pleasant minerality and a touch of tobacco on the finish make this a very sophisticated sipper indeed. Bring out some caramelised roasted veg and even the notoriously difficult-to-pair tomatoes and this Merlot will sing. No chance of nil points here!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.92

Germany

Schneider Weisse Tap 7 Unser Original

If you want more wine on the cards then German Riesling is very tempting, but to break it up a little you can’t go wrong with a German wheat beer, something they’re known for across the world. This hearty Schneider Weisse is warm with clove and nutmeg, with lovely herbal notes of coriander and a standout lemony honey streak throughout. Very bubbly and with layers upon layers of flavour, it’s more robust than sweet so is also food friendly. Ever since the Romans introduced wheat flour to Germania, pretzels have been made in the area and they’ll provide a welcome switch up of textures as you chomp through Europe’s offerings.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 5.4%
Find here: £2.61

Spain

Sangria

It had to be, didn’t it? If you’re opening a few different red wines from Eurovision’s various entries, then you could use the leftovers of one of the bottles in this to make a small batch just for Spain’s performance! With so many fruits, plenty of ice and even a little brandy, wines take on a new lease of life in the sangria jug and it’s a sign of the summer to come!

Ingredients (for a jug)
750ml good red wine
100ml brandy
200g berries
2 oranges
2 pears
2 lemons

Method:
Chop your fruits and along with your favourite red berries, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over them. Fill a jug with ice, your fruit, brandy, and red wine. Stir, taste, and add in some sparkling water if it’s a little strong.

Sweden

Flävar

Sweden enter Eurovision 2023 as the outright favourites so it’s only right to have a special drink to mark the most likely victors. Made beside the picturesque Lake Boren in the south of Sweden, Flävar is the smooth and stylish schnapps sweeping the nation. UK drinkers are loving the Swedish-inspired flavours which are currently served at Wetherspoons up and down the country. These should come out with any sweeter options you have like ice cream. Blueberry & Lemon, Lemon Pie, Raspberry & Liquorice, Salted Caramel, Strawberry & Lime… take your pick!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £19.99

Australia

Brookie’s Mac

‘Why are Australia in Eurovision?!’ This question echoes around Europe since they took part in 2015. Well, 2015 was supposed to be a one-off because Australia loves Eurovision and has loyally watched it for 30 years, as well as being part of the Commonwealth and having plenty of ties to Europe. They impressed so much though, that they’ve returned every year since as a mark of Eurovision’s bridge building. To represent their entry, we want to shout out Brookie’s Mac from the legendary Byron Bay. This is a macadamia liqueur using locally sourced ingredients with incredible velvet-smooth rich and nutty flavours that goes down a storm with anyone that tries it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £35.24

Greece

Manousakis Single Variety Tsikoudia

This is similar to grappa-style drinks if you’ve ever had those, but don’t be put off if it wasn’t a good experience because quality varies massively in this area. Hailing from Crete, Tsikoudia (sometimes referred to as Raki) is made from distilled pomace, which is the remains of the grapes after winemaking pressing. The grapes here are Rousanne which provide great creaminess, rich and intense grape flavour and touches of green apple and lime. Our very own Colin was blown away by Manousakis’ expression and as a historic drink of Greece, it’s well worth trying something different! After all, Eurovision is all about celebrating difference!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £20.79 (usually £31.99)

Croatia

Pelinkovac

Pelinkovac has been drunk in Croatia for centuries and even made its way into the court of Napoleon III of France. Best known for its use in absinthe, the key ingredient in this bittersweet liqueur is wormwood which when accompanied by aromatic herbs creates a very natural and distinct liquid indeed. If you like Jägermeister then this will be a winner. It’s best enjoyed when served extremely chilled with a little lemon and plenty of ice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 28%
Find here: £25.24

Netherlands

Jenever - Ketel 1 Graanjenever

Jenever distilling in Holland can be traced back to the 15th century making it one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world. It became hugely popular but fell into obscurity during the 20th century, however, in 2008 it gained an AOC like other spirits, limiting production areas massively. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength. Any of you Dutch speakers will know that jenever means juniper. Now, whilst Jenever is juniper led, botanically rich and clear, it includes whisky-like triple distillation and maltiness so it’s a fascinating hybrid of the two! Better known for vodka, Ketel actually began life as jenever produces and this malty expression is rich with spiced fruits.

Size: 1L
ABV: 35%
Find here: £25.94

If you’d rather have a gin for Mae Muller and the UK then check out these delicious Great British choices!

Is This the Definitive Margarita for Cinco de Mayo?

Every May 5th, the anniversary of a crucial Mexican victory over the French is celebrated across the country, and indeed wherever Mexicans have settled around the world. In 2022, a staggering 126 million litres of tequila were consumed in the US during Cinco de Mayo, and with the adored agave nectar increasing in popularity every year, you can expect an even higher number this year!

To celebrate an iconic part of the Mexican calendar, surely, it’s only right to make an equally iconic part of Mexican mixology… the world’s favourite cocktail… the Margarita.

818 Tequila, famously involving Kendall Jenner, made its way over to the UK only recently and has already become many tequila drinkers’ go-to tipple. With smooth caramel and vanilla notes, their award-winning 818 818 Reposado is perfect for the sophisticated and sweet Margarita required for the big day, so here’s 818’s very own recipe including a delicious tajin kick that we love:

Ingredients
60ml/2oz 818 Tequila Reposado
15ml/0.5oz Premium Orange Liqueur
22ml/0.75oz Fresh Lime Juice
15ml/0.5oz Agave Syrup (50% Agave Nectar, 50% Water)
Tajin Salt

Method
Simply combine everything except the salt and shake hard and fast with ice until you can feel the chill. Rub either an orange slice or lime juice so along the rim and roll it in the salt so that it sticks. Then simply strain and pour over fresh ice! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Is This Bueno Blend the Ultimate Easter Cocktail?

Let us introduce you to Kyrö, an award-winning distillery producing innovative rye spirits over in Finland. Now, if you saw our, ‘12 Cream Liqueurs Perfect for Sipping This Winter’ recommendations, you’ll know that their Dairy Cream is one of our absolute favourites.

It’s made with local milk and cream as well as their special rye whisky, creating a blend of vanilla-forward indulgence with a delicious subtle nuttiness. Impressively, it is also lactose and gluten-free! If it wasn’t a dessert in a glass already, then wait until you hear about the new Kyrö Bueno Cocktail…

The Kyrö team have partnered up with creative Shoreditch collective The Umbrella Project and the renowned Lily Vanilli’s bakery to release an Easter milk punch that gives grown-ups something to get very excited about. Inspired by the well-known Bueno chocolate, it is a delightfully opulent swirl of rich chocolate and velvety cream, hazelnut eau-de-vie and a backbone of elegant Cognac bringing everything together. Think Kinder Bueno in a glass but with way more oomph!

Everything you need to make this mouth-watering mix is included in the Kyrö Bueno Easter Cocktail Kit, as well as a lovely looking Discount Suit Company rocks glass and three exclusive Lily Vanilli ‘mini-cakes’ for the tastiest garnish we’ve ever come across!

The set will be available throughout April so if you’re a touch too late for Easter don’t stress! You can purchase this almighty Easter treat for £20 through The Umbrella Project here, which includes:

1 x 330ml Kyrö Bueno bottled cocktail made up of Kyrö Dairy Cream Liqueur, Hazelnut eau-de-vie, VSOP Cognac and Swiss Chocolate Liqueur
1 x Discount Suit Company rocks glass
3 x Lily Vanilli mini-cake garnish

For more cream liqueur goodness, why not have a look at these stunning chocolate cream liqueurs?

How To Create the Perfect Home Bar

For any accomplished drinker or host, a well-stocked home bar is the perfect next step. Once you’ve added your touch of personality to the design, it might just become your favourite piece of décor in your home! Not only that, but it makes every drinks gathering feel special as you blow guests away manning the bar and offering whatever their heart desires, from classy short serves to extravagant cocktails.

The best thing is that you’ll probably have a lot of the stuff needed already! It’s just a case of setting it up in one spot and filling any gaps in your inventory with those home bar classics… and luckily, we’re here to guide you on exactly what those are and how to get started.

From the off, we should say that when it comes to your home bar inventory, it’s really a case of how far you want to go. If you’ve got the enthusiasm, time, and money to stock every item listed on this page then of course that would be a next level bar, but if you’re limiting yourself then just go for your favourites and the most widely used… which we’ll point out along the way!

What spirits do you need in a home bar?

Where else to start but the foundation spirits? These will be the heart of almost everything you pull together after all. There’s no need to splash the cash on top-shelf bottles across the board though! If you know that you and your friends like gin but no one drinks vodka for example, then stock your favourite bottle and even some other types of gin and just include a budget vodka option, or skip over it altogether. Remember, mixologists start small and master a few favourite cocktails before expanding further afield!

Having said that, ideally, you want to be able to provide guests with everything so stock up on as many of these base spirits as possible:

Vodka: It’s used in more cocktails than any other spirit. Say no more.
Tequila: The Margarita was the most popular cocktail in the world last year and tequila is getting more and more popular every year.
Gin: It’s probably the most popular spirit in the UK over the past couple of years and it’s always handy to be able to pull together a G&T! Ideally, you’ll have at least a couple of different types but begin with one.
Whisky: There’s a lot of variety here so aim to include a Bourbon, a Scotch, and ideally another bottle of your choice.
Rum: Rum is generally more affordable than the others so it’s good to have a light (Daiquiri, Mojito and many more) and dark rum (tropical cocktail essential) available.

What modifiers and liqueurs do you need in a home bar?

These are drinks that are cropping up so often in cocktail recipes that you won’t regret having most if not all of them there when you need them.

Amaretto: Sweet almond liqueur that’s used in a variety of simple and fancy cocktails.
Dry and Sweet Vermouth: Essential. Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis… you’ve gotta have it.
Orange liqueur (e.g. Grand Marnier): Always popping up and elevates many cocktails so it’s a must.
Coffee liqueur: Advised because of the popularity of Espresso Martini alone.
Bitters: A dash or two of these really elevates your cocktails to dazzle guests, and they last for years so it’s worth buying at the beginning. We’d get Angostura orange bitters as a priority, but Peychaud’s and vanilla bitters like Bob’s are great little options too.
Absinthe: Not an essential, but it does appear in cocktails with oomph a fair bit, and it’s a lively option to bring out if the night calls for it!
Garnishes: Lemon and lime may be the most used ingredients in the world of cocktails so make sure you’re well in stocked in the citrus department. Behind those would be oranges, cherries, edible flowers, and herbs that make for magical final touches if you’d like!

What wine do you need in a home bar?

To be honest, this depends massively on whether you’re a wine person or not. If you are, then you’ll know what you like and you may rarely touch any other drinks from your bar. If not, then you might just want something to offer guests, so find out what they like, and store it in a cool and dark place.

If you’re thinking about what to get here are some ideas:

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are very popular all over the world, but full-bodied Malbec and Shiraz are the most popular in the UK.
White: Crisp whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are the UK’s favourite white wine type.
Rosé: It’s growing in popularity and has been for years so there’s a good chance it will be someone’s preferred choice, especially in summer.
Sparkling: Brits absolutely love fizz and drank 1/3 of the world’s Prosecco in 2017! Also, it’s traditional to have some Champagne ready to go if a celebration is in order, but Cava and Crémant are fantastic more affordable alternatives.

What beer and cider do you need in a home bar?

People often skip over beer and cider when it comes to home bars because they don’t have the elegance of a glass of wine or complexity of a fun cocktail, but if a home bar is all about providing the best drinking experience at home then you need to be able to offer guests what they want, right?

People absolutely love a crisp, cold beer or cider. There are so many brands and types that you can’t be expected to have something for everyone, but you can’t go wrong stocking up on some bottles of chilled apple cider, light easy-drinking beer, and IPAs.

What mixers do you need in a home bar?

You’ll probably have all the mixers in that you already enjoy, but because they’re often quite affordable these are some that it’s best to stock up on. You might have once associated mixers with simply overwhelming a cheap and nasty spirit, but now they can take a leading role.

Ice: It’s the most used ingredient in cocktails and short serves and there are lots of different ways you can buy or make it but make sure clean and fresh water is used because it’d be a crime to spoil a delicious cocktail with nasty ice.
Essential juices: As mentioned above, lime and lemon juice are vital, but also orange, pineapple, apple and grapefruit juice (in that order). Fresh is always best but that isn’t practical across the board, so we’ll leave that down to personal preference!
Syrups: Plain syrup is an ever-present sweetener that you’ll see in recipes across our site, and it’s so simple to make. It’s just heating water and sugar in an equal ratio! Once you’ve mastered that you can easily infuse it with your favourite flavours. Craft distilleries also sell some amazing versions!
Pop: It may also be worth having some super familiar fizzy pop like Lemonade or Cola behind the bar too - they’re the most popular mixers in bars across the country after all!

Is glassware actually important?

Having proper glassware is one of the main things that take your home bar to the next level. It will do more to make it feel like an authentic bar than anything else and help create an exciting tasting experience.

Don’t get us wrong though, you absolutely don’t need to go around spending the earth on hundreds of cocktail glass variations made from hand-etched crystal. Plenty of stores stock affordable ranges that cover the fundamentals:

Rocks glasses/glass tumblers: Perfect for spirits and spirit-forward serves
Martini glass: Iconic.
Wine glasses: White wine glasses tend to be smaller than reds so if you’re into wine or are expecting people who are then you could get two sets but it’s not essential.
Champagne flutes: They’re handy for all of the fizzy serves and let’s be honest… bubbly looks strange in anything else!
Tall glasses/Collins glasses: The go-to for more cocktails with multiple mixers.
Lowball glasses: Perfect for whisky mainly, but also muddled ingredients and neat serves. If your bar is going to be full of whisky though, you might want to look at the unique Glencairn glass that we used during The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky TV show!

What basic tools and equipment do you need in your home bar?

There are some super basic pieces of equipment that you’ll find yourself reaching for every other cocktail that complete the home bar look wonderfully. Kitchen items can be used for a few of them, especially as you find your feet, but after a while, you’ll want to upgrade to the real thing. It’s also worth noting that most decent ‘Beginner Cocktail Kits’ will include most if not all of what you’ll need, rather than buying individually.

Muddler: It just makes it a lot easier and quicker to muddle – it’s that simple.
Strainer: This is an essential that will add smoothness and elegance to all of your creations, particularly if you’re using fresh juice.
Bar spoon: This makes it easier to mix and is also needed to layer spirits with different viscosities to create those beautiful blends.
Jigger: We all know the perils of ‘home measures’ so this just helps to measure and pour alcohol without going over the top. It also makes it easier to balance out cocktails.
Cocktail shaker: Of course! If you invite people around for cocktails then they’re going to want to see this come out at some point!

How should you set up a home bar?

Once your stock is all sorted, you need to decide what format your home bar is going to take. This completely depends on the space available in your home, the money you wish to spend on setting it up, and how much you plan to use your home bar!

You may not have something far off the minimal setup already. This could be a countertop that’s nicely set up with trays, glass racks, corner racks, etc., a bar cart to wheel out on summer days, or a table adapted for bar use. As long as there’s somewhere to store ingredients, glasses, and a space to work, you can easily make it look like a bar by stamping your own personality on the design. Paint, mirrors, plants, lights, you name it – sprinkles of magic soon bring the home bar to life.

However, we’ll all be familiar with the range of in-built home bars. If you have the space and you’re committed, this is the way to go. If you have a spare corner of the room or even outside space, then it can be surprisingly simple to install a basic wooden bar. Alternatively, you can splash out on the more extravagant setups we’ve seen everywhere from Instagram to Come Dine With Me.

If you’re looking for specific drinks from each category to stock up your home bar then you’ll find guides to the best options across our website.

If you happen to love rum, then you’re in luck because we have more specific rum products that will be perfect for you here. You’ll use a lot of them whatever you drink so it’s worth checking it out.

One Drink Three Ways: The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie Irish Whiskey

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

---

If you haven’t heard by now then let us be the first to inform you that we’ve made our own Irish whiskey! A collaboration with the amazing Sliabh Liag Distillers in County Donegal in Ireland, it’s a celebration of the historic, Irish whiskey style as well as our love for fine wine!

The Three Drinkers Limited Edition, Red Silkie Irish Whiskey, to give it its full name, is finished for six months in red wine barrels hailing from the iconic Clos l’Eglise in Pomerol, Bordeaux. The result is a rich and velvety whiskey with notes of dried fruit, baking spice and a whiff of smoke that is beautifully rounded out by ripe, red fruit coming from the wine casks. £1 from every bottle also goes to mental health charity My Black Dog, so if you would like to buy a bottle and want to try some well-suited serves, check out our three favourites below.

---

Helena’s Choice: The Muse

---

The sweet, honeyed flavour of the vermouth emphasises the candied orange and caramel tones in Red Silkie, and the herbal notes play off the absinthe rinse nicely too. With those gorgeous dried red fruits, gentle smoke and warm spice from the bitters entwining, this is a layered and lovable concoction that I really think brings out the best in our whiskey! Method: Chill a coupe glass with a big chunk of ice. Once cooled, rinse the glass with Absinthe and discard it. Add the remaining ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until they are cool and combined before straining into the chilled coupe glass.

The Muse

Recipe

50ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

50ml Cocchi Americano Italian vermouth

Absinthe (to rinse the glass with)

2 x dashes of Angostura bitters

---

Aidy’s Choice: Maple Whiskey Sour

---

I love a whiskey sour, and this particular serve is such a pick-me up. Every sip is silky smooth and the ripe fruits and spices of the Red Silkie come through deliciously with the zippy lemon and sweet syrup. Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker. Dry shake them (without ice) first and then add ice and wet shake. Finally, strain them into your cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon wheel or nutmeg.

Maple Whiskey Sour

Recipe

20ml Fresh Lemon

50ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

10ml Maple Syrup

1 x Dash of Chocolate Bitters

1 x Egg White

Garnish: finely grated nutmeg (optional)

---

Colin’s Choice: Irish Mule

---

I just wanted a little ginger beer to bring out the subtle fruity spices in Red Silkie and allow it to be the unapologetic star of the show. Subtle sweetness that’s never overbearing and bubbles fizzing on the tongue make this a triumphantly delicious and invigorating sipper indeed. Method: Fill your glass to the top with ice. Pour the double measure of whiskey into it and then fill it to the top with a premium ginger beer. Stir very gently up and down to combine without killing all the bubbles.

Irish Mule

Recipe

60ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

Ginger beer to taste (try Franklin & Sons)

ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £49.99

You can order The Three Drinkers new Irish whiskey here!

We’re always mixing up new cocktails at Three Drinkers HQ, so make sure to check out the rest of our recommendations here!

LPM Restaurant and Bar

LPM is already notorious for its lovely French and Mediterranean cuisine. Now with their new cocktail menu inspired by Jean Cocteau, there is even more reason to book a table at this iconic spot. 

The cocktail menu is beautifully presented in a red cover and tells the story of the French poet. There are four “chapters” in this story,  each exhibiting a  different style of cocktail to choose from - mainly aperitifs, fruity cocktails, savoury cocktails, and dessert drinks. Each drink also has a story to it, and one could sit in silence and read this menu for their entire stay at LPM! 

Our eyes were immediately drawn to the Lettre à Coco. This cocktail is an homage to Jean’s friendship with the legendary Coco Chanel, using the classic Chanel No. 5 as inspiration. The delicate Champagne based cocktail also uses jasmine, bergamot and rose to add some beautiful floral notes. The presentation is also exquisite, the crystal coupe glass being delivered with a love letter sprayed with Chanel No. 5 to make you feel like Chanel herself.

For dessert, the Hommage cocktail works a treat - with cognac and cherry brandy. The cocktail is garnished with a gold dusted cherry for the perfect display. 

As you can see, the cocktail menu is truly a masterpiece, and combined with lovely food and spectacular service, there is no reason to put off visiting LPM. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the barmen know the cocktail menu inside-and-out and are able to give you the perfect recommendation based on your food choice and your usual go-to drink. 

Life is too short for mediocre cocktails. Do yourself and your tastebuds a favour and go give this experience a try.

LPM is great for a special occasion with someone special.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 10/10

Address: 53-54 Brook's Mews, London W1K 4EG

The Top 10 UK Cocktail Bars

Who better to answer the question, ‘what is the best cocktail bar in the UK?’ than the Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards. And who better to deliver the good news to the winners than our very own Aidy who hosted the ceremony!

An academy of drinks writers, leading business heads and influencers from all four corners of the UK arrived at this Top 10 as the finest cocktail bars in the country.

The full Top 50 is listed at the bottom of the page so you can see where your nearest amazing drinking spot is, but for now let’s dive in to the Top 10.

10. The Connaught, Mayfair, London

The Connaught Bar is the super sophisticated watering hole of its namesake hotel. Beautifully designed with platinum silver and classy furniture, you can expect to see the trademark martini trolley being ceremoniously wheeled over to a candlelit table, or showstopping ‘multi-dimensional’ cocktails leaving the bar. From mastering classics like the Bloody Mary to adaptations like the Faraway Collins, a twist on a Tom Collins using Star of Bombay gin at the heart of it, the cocktails are classics with modern interpretations and the setting is everything you want from a Mayfair haunt.

Website

9. 🔶🟥🔵 (A Bar with Shapes for a Name), Hackney, London

Without a doubt the most unusually named bar on the list, this is ‘A Bar with Shapes for a Name’, although that isn’t really the name... it’s just the description you would give the bar because the actual sign is three coloured shapes. This Bauhaus style carries over into the unique inside space – functional, minimal and with no bottles on show. Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat designed it this way to reimagine what a bar is and could be. The lack of convention doesn’t end there, because the menu which is a 50/50 split of classics and in-house specials uses blind tasted spirits. The big names are only served if they genuinely taste good enough, which might explain the comparatively reasonable London prices.

Website

8. Speak in Code, Manchester

Part of the flourishing cocktail scene in Manchester, Speak in Code is a relaxed, dimly lit, bare brick/dark wood bar with an imaginative and extensive plant-based menu. The gorgeous Victorian arch welcoming you peaks expectations which are more than met by signatures like Track 13 which uses grape skin vodka and chamomile wine, and Hot Buttered Rum Old Fashioned using fat-washed golden rum, demerara mix and cocao bitters. Keep an eye out for their incredible cocktail gift sets too!

Website

7. Three Sheets, Dalston, London 

Solidifying its No.7 spot from last year, Three Sheets by the Venning Brothers is a gorgeously designed sleek and simple bar with interesting seasonal ingredients. Their carbonated French 75 with Victory Gin, clear lemon, Moscato and orange flower is a stand-out signature serve, along with the Blackcurrant Americano.

Website

6. Panda & Sons, Edinburgh

Panda & Sons is the Scottish representative in the Top 10, albeit one in disguise! Stroll past outside and you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a barber shop, but this is all part of the prohibition-style false exterior that stylises the inside too – think dim lighting, cabinets of curiosities and vintage furniture. Each ‘chapter’ of the menu offers something different, such as Chapter One’s technical fat washing, clarification and sous vide and Chapter Two’s modern classics. A fantastic speakeasy experience with endless lovely touches.

Website

5. Swift, Soho, London 

Swift on Old Compton Street is no stranger to awards, loved for its mirrored walls, leather booths and expansive range of unique cocktails. The ground floor is casual and lively, but the basement den regularly hosts live music, and offers over 300 worldly whiskies and a rotating cocktail theme – currently ‘Legends’, celebrating much loved great thinkers, artists and performers. Take Only in L.A, for example, an Ab-Fab inspired mix of Absolut Elyx and Martini Rubino.

Website

4. SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester

Topping Manchester’s scene is Schofield’s Bar, named after the bartending brothers who created it. Situated on the corner of art deco beauty Sunlight House, they offer a combination of classic cocktails with in-house stylings paired with some of their favourite books! How about Casino Royale with a Vesper Martini? The Old Man and the Sea alongside a Mojito perhaps? The distinguished old-world venue also offers popcorn and charcuterie boards to snack on so it’s the kind of place you can happily whittle away the evening with everything you need.

Website

3. Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London

The first onto the podium is Tayēr + Elementary, a venue of two halves. ‘Elementary’ offers casual all-day cocktails served at speed thanks to a draught system including Old Fashioned and Aquavit. Seasonal produce-led snacking also features massively in the experience. Through the partition however, ‘Tayēr’ awaits – inviting darkness with unusual and regularly changing exotic cocktails introduced by guest bartenders.

Website

2. Lab 22, Cardiff

Behind a fairly innocuous door between a bakery and a restaurant is last year’s winner, the experimental and eclectically-styled cocktail bar. Pajtim Tani Hasa’s menu in particular has been heavily praised, winning the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu in 2021’s World’s 50 Best Bars. Science and personality-led, the current ‘Theory + Frontiers’ menu uses locally foraged ingredients to mimic well known flavour profiles. For instance, ‘Concrete Daisy’ uses rooftop honey and ‘Point Nemo’ incudes sea-salt chocolate fish scales. Besides being delicious, every drink is thoughtful and commenting on the world around us.

Website

1. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London 

Back up to top spot is the Bethnal Green icon that is Satan’s Whiskers. It steps out of the swanky London style in favour of unassuming character, with taxidermy, unique décor, hip-hop, and exposed brick. A community cocktail bar of sorts, the offering changes every day but generally you can expect classics with twists, like the Industry Sour with lime, Chartreuse, Fernet Branca and egg white, or food pairings like the Bloody Mary with tacos and quesadilla. Expert mixology and unrivalled atmosphere crown this the deserving winner.

Website

If Gastropubs are more your speed, then the Top 10 breakdown of those was also recently scrutinised and updated to present the best the UK has to offer!

The Top 50:

1 Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green, London
2 Lab 22, Cardiff
3 Tayēr + Elementary, Shoreditch, London
4 SCHOFIELD'S BAR, Manchester
5 Swift, Soho, London
6 Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
7 Three Sheets, Dalston, London
8 Speak in Code, Manchester
9 Bar with Shapes for a Name, Hackney, London
10 The Connaught, Mayfair, London
11 Little Mercies, Crouch End, London
12 Couch, Birmingham
13 Bramble, Edinburgh
14 The Pineapple Club, Birmingham
15 Ojo Rojo, Bournemouth
16 Disrepute, Soho, London
17 Artesian, Oxford Circus, London
18 Hideout, Bath
19 Nightjar, Shoreditch, London
20 Present Company, Liverpool
21 Publiq, South Kensington, London
22 Scarfes Bar, Holborn, London
23 Lyaness, South Bank, London
24 Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum, Chinatown, London
25 The Absent Ear, Glasgow
26 Happiness Forgets, Hoxton, London
27 Hey Palu, Edinburgh
28 Filthy XIII, Bristol
29 Homeboy, Islington, London
30 Soma, Soho, London
31 Coupette, Bethnal Green, London
32 Passing Fancies, Birmingham
33 Bar Termini, Soho, London
34 Seed Library, Shoreditch, London
35 Murder Inc, Soho, London
36 Penny Royal, Cardiff
37 Callooh Callay, Shoreditch, London
38 Silverleaf, Liverpool St, London
39 Public, Sheffield
40 Fox & Chance, Birmingham
41 Blinker, Manchester
42 Below Stairs, Leeds
43 Milk Thistle, Bristol
44 Gungho!, Brighton
45 Hedonist, Leeds
46 Amaro, Kensington, London
47 Cottonmouth, Nottingham
48 Tabula Rasa, Leeds
49 Lunar, Glasgow
50 Bench, Sheffield

Iconic Cocktails and Drinks from TV & Film

You only had to see the surge in popularity for the Negroni Sbagliato after House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy namedropped it to know the power TV & Film can have on drinks. D’Arcy’s response to being asked about her favourite cocktail went viral on TikTok and just like that, the next generation is ordering a cocktail that long pre-dates them – and that wasn’t even in the programme itself!

These are some of the drinks that are synonymous with iconic film and TV, and even stole the spotlight themselves, from Hollywood’s Golden Age through to modern-day Netflix hits. Let’s start with a bang!

What drink is James Bond known for?

We couldn’t start anywhere else but James Bond and the suave sophistication of the Vodka Martini. It’s practically impossible to not follow that with, ‘shaken not stirred’ just as the original recipe dictates. Bond does swerve from tradition however, because gin came first whereas he opts for vodka.

Bond’s Vodka with Vermouth and a little lemon peel is the most famous drink in cinema, but did you know that in the Ian Fleming novels, the agent actually prefers Scotch and soda? Sean Connery ordering those instead would have been very different.

What drink is The Big Lebowski known for?

Created by the prolific Coen Brothers, the 90s hit is a cult classic with Jeff Bridges’ ‘The Dude’ at the centre of everything. Defined by his full head of blond hair, dark sunglasses, loose jogging bottoms and a sweater, he loved a White Russian, or ‘Caucasian’ as he called it.

The combination of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream crops up nine times in the film!  He’s often making one, drinking one, carrying one or generally finding a way to get to one, and because of the film’s cult status, many fans found themselves doing the same after watching.

What drink is Moulin Rouge known for?

Absinthe is the umbrella term for very strong anise-flavoured spirits, and because of the alcohol content it’s often dismissed. Not by Moulin Rouge though. It has been banned in many countries in the 20th century, earning it a reputation for mystery and debauchery. The five main characters gulp down absinthe in excess and experience hallucinations, including seeing The Green Fairy played by Kylie Minogue. Pretty much the opposite of a quiet one down the pub.

What drink is The Great Gatsby known for?

Particularly in the novel, the Mint Julep cocktail is ever-present. Daisy Buchanan loves it and is often holding one, as displayed by Carey Mulligan in the 2013 film. But what is it? It’s an iconic southern Bourbon-based cocktail that adds sugar, water, crushed ice and crucially, fresh mint. Within the narrative, Gatsby is a breath of fresh air who makes his money from bourbon smuggling, so the cocktail with mirroring characteristics represents her yearning for him. Or maybe that’s just a coincidence!

What drink is Mad Men known for?

Mad Men is one of the most admired and enjoyed series of all time, making Don Draper a household name. Set in 1960s Manhattan, drinking features heavily and as Draper’s favourite drink, The Old Fashioned went from declining popularity to one of the most, if not the most popular cocktail of the 2010s. To make it like Draper, saturate a sugar cube with bitters, dash with water, fill with ice cubes, add whiskey and garnish with orange or cherry.

What do they drink in Sex and the City?

The Cosmopolitan may be the closest thing there is to a fifth Sex and the City member. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda get around to trying most drinks throughout the hit films, but the Cosmo remains their constant.

Playing such a starring role in the lives of girlfriends living in New York, the Cosmo enjoyed the spotlight as much as the actors and it became one of the most ordered cocktails of the modern era. They order it so many times that there isn’t one recipe, but generally, it’s vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice with a dash of lime. There are even forums ranking all the Cosmos that appear in the show – that’s how you know it’s iconic.

What do they drink in Harry Potter?

This is the first drink on the list that didn’t exist until it featured on the screen; the legendary Butterbeer. It is without a doubt the go-to beverage of the Wizarding World and is described as tasting like, ‘less-sickly butterscotch’.

In Harry Potter, butterbeer gives people a slight buzz but whether that’s from sugar or alcohol or some otherworldly ingredients isn’t clear. At Universal Studios, it is alcohol-free but if you combine butterscotch schnapps, vodka, cream soda and milkshake-style toppings you’ll have something close to Butterbeer at home!

What drink is The Blues Brothers known for?

This one is difficult to miss, because Jake Candy’s character repeats his order four times saying, “Who wants an Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Three Orange Whips!” The 1980s musical comedy was a huge success, and this line has been referenced in popular culture. But what is Orange Whip?

It’s a sweet cocktail with rum, vodka, cream and orange juice that’s usually blended to create a delicious froth poured over ice. The funny thing is it isn’t even in the script! Orange Whip’s sales director provided the refreshments and asked if it could be mentioned in the film, and the improvisation included not one but four mentions! What a result for him!

What drink is Casablanca known for?

Any film buff is familiar with one of the most legendary romances of all time, 1943’s Casablanca. Not just a hit for Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, it also shot the French 75 to stardom. This fizzing cocktail using Cognac, Champagne, gin, syrup and a little lemon zest was named after the French 75mm gun used in World War One. Just like the film, the drink is fantastically bittersweet and the only drink ordered by name in the entire film.

What drink is in The Queen’s Gambit?

For a long time, The Gibson Martini was obscure. Constructed in the same way as any other Martini, it differs by opting for a controversial pickled onion instead of the conventional olive or lemon. One person who loves this concoction is Beth Harmon, and her Mother too.

Always one move ahead, genius chess player Beth’s love for the Gibson Martini sparked a trend with the 62 million viewers of the show and is responsible for a surge in popularity. Maybe even Bond will be asking for a Gibson Martini in future films? “Shaken, not stirred and with the biggest pickled onion you’ve got!” – we can see it now!

We’ve got detailed recipes for most of these on the Cocktails part of our website and if you’re looking for more celebrity news, why not check out these Celebrity Owned Tequilas?!