Bandra Bhai

London has an abundance of speakeasies. Yes there are a lot of great ones, but most seem to follow a similar style. If you are looking for a great speakeasy with a twist, then head to Fitzrovia - Bandra Bhai is the place to visit. This speakeasy is located beneath its sister restaurant - Pahli Hill. If you are able to get there early, it will be nice and quiet, but it definitely livens up later in the evening.

The bar is a tribute to the Indian smuggler’s dens in the 1970s, and has beautiful decor that fits the theme to a T. In the past these dens were often fronts, claiming to be photography studios or even sexologists. There are even some original signs as you come down the stairs for a sexologist clinic - all adding to the authenticity. 

The cocktail menu has just been updated and does not disappoint. Drinks are named simply after the main ingredient (such as date, mango, or pistachio) and are stunning interpretations of classic sips. One of our favourites was the date cocktail, mixing whiskey and dates and served almost theatrically covered with smoke. This drink is smooth and savoury - a perfect combo in our eyes.

A crowd (and bartender) favourite is the Mango. The drink is a blend of Desi Daru Mango vodka, lime, mango and yoghurt. Don’t stress, you won’t be given a drink with clumps of yoghurt. The yoghurt is clarified so that the liquid used in the cocktail is clear and creamy. This drink is delightful, the sweetness balanced by the creaminess. It almost reminds us of a scoop of mango sorbet. It is simply that good.

If you are peckish, then there are loads of traditional Indian snacks to choose from. The small plates are very generous, and one could easily fill up on them quickly. If you are not in the mood for a cocktail, then there is also an extensive wine list, as well as spirits to choose from.

Bandra Bhai is great for a date night, or celebratory drinks

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 8/10

Address: 79-81 Mortimer St, London W1W 7SJ

The Best Cocktails to Make with Cognac

Cognac’s versatility is underappreciated, and we think it makes one of the best cocktail stars out there. It adds incredible depth of flavour and a welcome splash of oomph to your mixes, a belief that was only cemented by the unforgettable cocktails made and enjoyed in The Three Drinkers in Cognac

The Cognac cocktails might not be as famous as some of the other spirits, but we’re trying to change that so let’s start with some delicious cocktails made in the show!

French Twist

Towards the end of Episode One, Beckie Sullivan shows us how to pull together this wonderful French Twist cocktail, with richness yet lightness, and sweetness yet tang – all in perfect harmony. Aidy, Helena and Eddy compete to make the best garnish, so you can design your own here or just steal one of theirs... maybe just pick the winning one though...

Ingredients
50ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
30ml Dry Curaçao
40ml Sparkling Water (we love Fever-Tree)
10ml fresh lemon juice
20ml simple syrup
Garnish (creative one yourselves!)

Method
Give everything except the sparkling water a good long shake with ice until chilled, then double strain over ice and top up with your soda!

Sidecar

One of the most famous ways to let Cognac shine through is the Sidecar, and that’s exactly what Aidy makes in Episode Three. There’s tangy lemon and sweeter orange but the star of the show is that delicious Cognac.

Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like triple sec)
10ml fresh lemon

Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and pour. To make the cocktail into more of an experience, rub lemon over the glass so that you smell it before you taste it!

Sidecarmalade

Aidy and Maxime didn’t leave it there though! Gloriously simple, the great thing about the Sidecar is how adaptable it is... enter the Sidecarmalade! Using two local additions really gives the cocktail a new lease of life. Verjus (green juice) is basically unfermented grape juice, but with a feel much more like lemons and limes. The tartness is balanced out by delicious sweet marmalade for a cocktail that combines sweet and tangy citrus perfectly.

Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like triple sec)
10ml verjus
Dollop of marmalade

Method
Brush some marmalade around the inside of the glass for a gorgeous glistening effect. Shake everything with plenty of ice so the marmalade is mixed throughout, then strain and pour!

The Gala Highball

Highballs are one of the best ways to show off a quality spirit because all you have to do is add a mixer and plenty of ice. Ginger ale works wonderfully well, but our choice in Episode One of The Three Drinkers in Cognac was Sicilian Lemonade for more zip and refreshment.

Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Sicilian Lemonade
Plenty of ice

Method
Highballs are simple so let’s keep it that way – pour everything over ice and give it a little stir.

French 75

When we say French 75, you’ll probably think of gin, but Cognac was traditionally used more, and it works so well. The Champagne adds great lightness and elegance to this bittersweet blend that is fruity, rich, and refreshing. Nom! Of course, Cava or Crémant work just as well!

Ingredients
30ml Cognac
10ml fresh lemon
10ml syrup
Champagne to top up
Lemon twist (garnish)

Method
Shake everything except your Champagne with ice and strain into your flute. Pour that gorgeous fizz over the top and just ease it into its new surroundings with a gentle non-bubble-breaking stir. Top off with lemon!

The Harvard

A twist on the Manhattan, The Harvard isn’t the most well-known of cocktails, but it is one of the oldest, first appearing in Kappeler’s 19th-century cocktail book. If you like cocktails that pack a punch, look no further. Hearty fruits from the vermouth and Cognac are balanced out by some bright citrus, dashes of bitters and a little sweetness. Delicious.

Ingredients
30ml Cognac
30ml Italian sweet vermouth
10ml syrup
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange twist (garnish)

Method
Mix everything with ice and once it’s fully stirred and chilled, strain and garnish! Voila!

There are plenty of other amazing cocktails in the show using other fantastic ingredients from the Cognac region too so if you want even more ideas, or just to see exactly how some of the above cocktails are made, get watching!

6 Easy Apple Cider Cocktails for Summer

When you think of a cider cocktail, you probably jump to steamy autumn concoctions, but it’s actually perfect for adding gorgeous fruity depth to summer refreshers too! Bourbon, gin, wine... whatever your poison, check out how they marry cider for a moreish mix below!

Apple Cider Bourbon – for the bourbon lovers

A spin on the classic whisky sour, the caramel, vanilla, and spice notes from the bourbon meld with the hearty cider for an apple pie-esque delight. If your bourbon has a touch of sweetness to it, then the tartness of the lemon and cider will offset perfectly but add a little syrup if necessary. Bringing it all together is the egg white for that silky froth and after a sprinkle of cinnamon, voila!

Ingredients
35ml bourbon
80ml apple cider
20ml lemon juice
1 egg white
10ml syrup (optional)
Sprinkle of cinnamon (optional)

Method
Shake up bourbon, lemon juice, apple cider, egg white and syrup if you prefer for 20 seconds. Add ice and shake it all over again until it feels chilled. Strain into a serving glass, dust with cinnamon and enjoy.

Cider 75 – for the gin lovers

Taking over effervescent duties from the champagne of the French 75 here is the cider, so make sure you get a bubbly one. Less floral and lighter than the original, this is a fruiter, zipper mix with punchy flavour. A good juniper-forward gin will match the lemon and apple flavours really nicely, or go fruit mad with a berried gin.

Ingredients
50ml gin
20ml lemon juice
80ml apple cider (bubbly)

Method
Ridiculously easy. Shake everything except the cider with a load of ice and fine strain, before topping up with the fizzing cider and gently stirring.  

Cider Spritz – for the sparkling wine lovers

This is a hearty twist on the summer classic, with Aperol’s herbal orange pairing up with a cider of your pairing – though we recommend trying Thatchers Blood Orange. Alongside your sparking wine, this will be sweeter than the original, with two loads of bubbles for complete refreshment. Orange notes, floral notes with a touch of bitterness – this is a summertime winner.

Ingredients
70ml cider (try Thatchers Blood Orange)
70ml sparkling wine (Prosecco or Caava)
20ml Aperol
Apple slices (garnish)
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Method
All you have to do is combine and stir everything here (gently, don’t kill those bubbles!)

Cider Sangria – for the white wine lovers

This is a lighter, crisper, and less rich sangria compared to the usual mix. With earthy warmth, ginger beer and cider always go well together, and a nice dry acidic white (Sauvignon Blanc would be perfect) cuts through deliciously. A couple of different apples adds layers, lemon and orange brings fresh citrus and every sip is super comforting.

Ingredients (for a jug)
2 different types of diced apple
1 sliced lemon
1 sliced orange
250ml apple cider
250ml ginger beer
1 bottle of white wine

Method
The great thing about sangria is that it’s just combining everything into a big pitcher, so add everything in, give it a good stir and if you like, let it refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.

Top Tip: Roll the diced fruits in cinnamon sugar and leave overnight before adding!

Cider Margarita – for the tequila lovers

Most apple ciders have an earthiness to them that really sings with the earthy fresh agave of a blanco tequila. With lime and triple sec in the mix, this is one tangy Margarita, but with enough cider sweetness to balance the levels, and heaps of freshness.

 Ingredients
30ml apple cider
50ml tequila (ideally Blanco)
20ml lime juice
20ml Triple Sec
Sugar, salt and cinnamon (for rim)

Method
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, and roll it in the sugar, salt, and cinnamon mix. Shake all of your ingredients with ice and strain over the prepared glass and fresh ice. Vamos!

Orchard Martini – for the vodka lovers

Vodka is probably the most pairable spirit and it provides a great backbone to this cider cocktail that combines apple cider with Triple Sec and lemon juice for sweet tartness and intense fruity flavour. If you find that there’s not enough sweetness from your cider and/or vodka, then a little orange juice works a treat to sweeten the deal.

 Ingredients
40ml vodka
25ml Triple Sec
60ml apple cider
20ml lemon juice
15ml orange juice (optional)
Pinch of cinnamon

Method
Super simple, just shake the lot with ice until it feels cold to the touch. You can add the cinnamon in at this stage, or sprinkle over at the end, it’s up to you but it does add a warm touch that works nicely.

Well, if you’ve eyed up one of these stunning cocktails, you’re gonna need the star of the show, so check out our Best British Ciders here!

The Best Sidecar Variations

As is the way with many of the most loved cocktails we enjoy, the origins of the Sidecar are not exactly clear. Named after the motorcycle attachment that was at the peak of its popularity then, it was invented sometime around the first world war, either in London or Paris. Harry’s Bar in Paris claims a soldier arriving in a sidecar invented it there, the Ritz in Paris insists on something similar and on British soil, Pat MacGarry of Buck’s Club in London is often cited as the creator. Who knows?!

What we do know is, it’s a simple mix of cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice that has become a bartender’s essential. This simplicity however also lends itself to some cracking twists, so see which of these Sidecar variations takes your fancy!

The Original – for the Cognac lovers

As the most famous cognac cocktail, you can see Aidy and Helena explore the original Sidecar in the third episode The Three Drinkers in Cognac. Historically, the ‘French school’ of bartending teaches equal parts, whilst the ‘English school’ advises two parts Cognac to one parts Cointreau and lemon. This is all about personal taste and we like plenty of Cognac with a touch less lemon so the former can be the rightful star of the show, but experiment!

Ingredients
30ml cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like cointreau)
10ml fresh lemon

Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and pour.

Top Tip: To make the cocktail into more of an experience, rub lemon over the glass so that you smell it before you taste it!

Sidecarmalade – for the marmalade lovers

Thought up by Aidy and Maxime during the same episode mentioned above, this is a twist inspired by local ingredients, but one that you can easily do at home too! Verjus means green juice and is essentially unfermented grape juice but with flavours reminiscent of lemon and lime. This is a little tart so delicious, sweet marmalade is added for a gorgeous balance of sweet and tangy citrus.

Ingredients
30ml cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like cointreau)
10ml verjus
Dollop of marmalade

Method
Brush some marmalade around the inside of the glass so it’s glistening and shake everything with plenty of ice so the marmalade is mixed evenly throughout, then simply strain and pour! 

Amaretto Sidecar – for the Amaretto lovers

If you’re a fan of sweeter cocktails then step this way because instead of cognac, we’re using Amaretto here. There’s still a generous splash of lemon juice to offset this, but the nuttiness and indulgence of the wonderful Italian liqueur with the intense orange and vibrant lemon is so flavoursome. Use plenty of ice though!

Ingredients
60ml amaretto
20ml orange liqueur
20ml fresh lemon juice
Optional garnish: orange slice

Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and serve. Simple and ready to enjoy.

Bourbon Sidecar – for the Bourbon lovers

Bringing those classic whiskey notes of oak, warm spice, and vanilla, this is a much less fruity and floral number than the original. It’s a deeper, more brooding twist but with the help of a little syrup, the overall feel actually isn’t miles away from the cognac version so it’s definitely worth a try.

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

Method
Roll the rim of the glass in a little lemon juice so caster sugar sticks to it. 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!

Boston Sidecar – for the rum lovers

If you’re not familiar with the Boston Sidecar, then it’s kind of a Daiquri-Sidecar hybrid. Also, Between the Sheets is basically the same drink but with lemon instead of lime so if you’ve ordered one of those and enjoyed it then give this a go. The tropical notes of the rum plays off the rich and fruity cognac nicely, with the lime and triple sec providing vibrance and needed bitterness.

Ingredients
20 ml light rum
20ml brandy
20ml triple sec
15ml lime juice

Method
Sidecars are so simple – just shake everything with ice and strain into a cocktail glass! Garnish with orange or lime if you wish!

Tahona Sidecar – for the tequila lovers

Only the lemon juice remains from the original here, with tequila the show stealer. Refreshingly tart with a little sweetness, this is a bold cocktail buzzing with bright citrus that balances out perfectly.  

Ingredients
45ml tequila (a good reposado works well)
30ml dry/orange curacao
15ml fresh lemon juice
Orange twist (garnish)

Method
Combine everything in a mixing glass and get shaking with ice. Strain into a pre-chilled glass and away you go!

We love our mixology at The Three Drinkers, so see our best riffs on the Old Fashioned here!

The Best Cosmopolitan Variations

The Cosmo! Yet again, its origin story is as blurry as a whole night drinking them. Many different bartenders have claimed it as their own, most notably Toby Cecchini in 80s New York bar The Odeon.

More famously though, Sex & The City were the ones to put it on the map, with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda never going too long without one. As we mentioned in our Iconic Cocktails from TV & Film breakdown, there are even forums dedicated to analysing the different Cosmos in the films!

The silver screen fired the Cosmopolitan to cocktail stardom and although it’s still popular, it’s ordered less and less these days. What better time then, to remind you of how great it is and to introduce you to some twists with these brilliant Cosmopolitan Variations!?

The Original – for the vodka lovers

Whenever you embark on a mixology tangent, it’s best to nail down the original first, right? A classic Cosmo packs a sweet and tangy punch, but one that feels fresh and clean rather than cloying or slush-puppy-ish in any way.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) quality vodka (you could use citrus flavour)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake up good vodka with triple sec, cranberry juice, a handful of ice, and a dash of lime juice for added zip. Get your shake on, and then pour the mix into a martini glass with orange zest for the quintessential Cosmo experience! 

Cosmobellini – for the wine lovers

Fairly self-explanatory, this is a hybrid of the original Cosmo and the Bellini. Transforming into a refreshing brunch cocktail, this is a mellower, softer experience with less intense tang, and more gentle aromatics and sweetness. A bit of fizz always makes a nice switch-up.

Ingredients
30ml (1oz) vodka
10ml (0.3oz) triple sec/Cointreau
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
10ml (0.3oz) white peach puree
A dash of lime
30ml (1oz) Prosecco

Method
A lot of shaking here to mix everything, so just add all ingredients except the Prosecco, strain into a chilled flute and top up with your bubbles to serve. Voila! 

The French Cosmopolitan – for the cognac lovers

We love Grand Marnier at The Three Drinkers, and swapping out the orange liqueur for it makes so much sense. Whilst it is still half orange (all be it bitter orange), the other half is cognac which adds a smooth richness and a different kind of fruitiness.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka
20ml (2/3oz) Grand Marnier
25ml (5.6oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
A dash of grenadine 
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake everything with a generous helping of ice until it feels cold to the touch, then strain. The garnish is up to you as any citrus goes, but we think some orange makes the most sense!

Strawberry Cosmo – for the strawberry lovers

This is a really simple twist on the original, but if you just want to try something only a little different it’s perfect. Fresh, muddled strawberries take the place of cranberry juice for a less tangy, more sweet fruity freshness.  

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (citrus flavour works well)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) muddled strawberries
A dash of lime
Garnish: strawberry

Method
Muddle sweet strawberries and shake with vodka, triple sec, fresh lime, and a load of ice. Double strain into a chilled glass and add a sliced strawberry garnish to finish.

Citrus Cosmo – for the citrus lovers

The Citrus Cosmo is the fruitiest variation, with serious zip and tang. There are tonnes of good lemon or lime-flavoured vodkas out there (check out our Best Flavoured Vodka), and whichever you pick, just add the opposite for the juice e.g. using lime vodka? Use fresh lemon juice below. Served with tonnes of ice, this is a lively citrus-forward take on the original that’s delicious over summer.

 Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) lemon/lime vodka (like Masons Citrus)
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh orange juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh lemon/lime juice
Dash of syrup (optional)

Method
All the hard work is done squeezing the fruits here – once that’s done, simply shake it all with ice, strain and pour! If you want it a little sweeter, add a dash of syrup.

ELDERFLOWER Cosmo – for aromatic lovers

With no cranberry or orange liqueur, this aromatic blend may be deemed heresy by the traditionalists, but cocktails are about experimentation! It’s wonderfully fragrant and floral with completely different notes to a usual Cosmo. It’s fresh, slightly tropical, and super refreshing – give it a go!

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (try Shanty Seaweed)
20ml (2/3oz) elderflower liqueur
20ml (2/3oz) pineapple juice
Dash of lemon
Dash of rose water (optional)
Garnish: basil

Method
Shake, shake, shake with ice, strain, and serve over large ice cubes and sip in the sun.

Vodka will always be centre stage in a Cosmo so the easiest way to mix it up is to embrace one of the many amazing, flavoured vodkas available right now!

The Best Ready to Drink Cocktails

Ready-to-sip cocktails are more popular than ever, and also better quality than ever. But there are still shockers to put you off them forever, so we've gone through the best of them! Whether it’s on the train, at a picnic or at a garden BBQ, these delicious, canned cocktails take all the hassle out of making them yourself without sacrificing taste.

Manchester Gin Raspberry Infuse/Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon Tonic

This vibrant twist on a G&T is both refreshing, but also has a touch of sweetness at the same time. Both the raspberry and lemon flavours are natural and fresh, and the fantastic Franklin & Sons lemon twist gives the drink a zing keeping the palate refreshing.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: £2.35 (3 for £5.75) Coop

LuvJus Mixed Pack

We’ve sung the praises of LuvJus before and for good reason. Not only do part of the profits go towards supporting LGBTQ+ charities, but the drinks inside are so elegant too – a complete win win. A far cry from low-quality, over-sweet sharp cocktail cans you may have been scarred by before, their three flavours are natural, low calorie and delicious. The Pineapple, mint, Korean ginseng, jasmine and vodka in particular has scooped awards for great balance and fragrance.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.6-4.8%
Find here: 6 for £14.95 (watch out for the £5 off pop up too!)

Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin & Tonic

We’re big fans of Mirabeau, and this gin is based on their top quality rosé, inspired by the flavours of the botanicals from the French Riviera. With a Mediterranean tonic, it is savoury, herbal, and floral with citrus notes. There are touches of red fruit giving a great balanced flavour. Sip and dream like you’re on the Riviera!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: £3.55

Portabello Road Gin and Franklin & Sons Natural Indian Tonic Water

Here we have a classic G&T and pretty much the best version of it in a can. Natural flavours of quinine and cinchona bark extract add some depth but ultimately, it’s a straight down-the-line delicious, refreshing, and balanced G&T – in a beautiful can too!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: 6 for £20.50

Soho Street Cocktails Strawberry Daiquiri

Before being offput by the price, note that you get 1.5L for your money and it’s certainly not quantity over quality either. This ready to drink Strawberry Daiquiri is plush with warming Caribbean rum, fresh strawberries, and zippy lime – nothing like the slush puppy style Daiquri you can get. The pouch comes with a handy tap providing ten 150ml servings, perfect for parties.

Size: 1.5L
ABV: 9.5%
Find here: £28.99

Pimentae Tommy's Spicy Margarita

Pre-bottled cocktails don’t get much better than this. Behind that beautiful label is a liquid to back it up. Agave, chilli and lime run wild in this sweet and spicy take on the world’s favourite cocktail and it works so well.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £31.39

Whitebox Pocket Negroni Cocktail

Never has a Negroni been so cute. Porter’s Gin, Sweet Vermouth and Bitter Aperitif combine in this harmonious blend of herbal fruity notes. Perfect for picnics or BBQs, but it’s so small that you can just keep it on you for whenever you fancy – ideal.

Size: 100ml
ABV: 21.8%
Find here: £3.95

MOTH Aperitivo Spritz Cocktail

MOTH’s canned cocktails always deliver, and this summery number is no different. The sunny orange is bold with sweetness and underlined with bitterness, the herbs pay homage to its Italian roots and the botanicals of Tarquin’s Cornish gin add fantastic depth. Summer in a can!

Size: 200ml
ABV: 10%
Find here: £3.99

VACAY 

This brand has a small but classic range of cocktails that everyone knows and loves including a margarita, mojito, and paloma. Vacay’s aim is to create cocktails with all natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners using only the best quality spirits. The drinks are beautiful and smooth without the overly sweet aftertaste so common in canned sips these days. These canned cocktails are also great to use as a base for more complex drinks. We loved adding some chili garnish to the margarita to add some spice. The cans are 330mL and packaged with bright colours, perfect for your social media snaps by the pool!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5%-6%
Find Here: From £3.99

Marks and Spencer’s New Canned Cocktail range

We all know and love the classic M&S canned cocktail range. The range of typical cocktails even blew up on TikTok during the summer of 2022 due to their smooth taste, higher alcohol content, and low price. This year M&S have decided to up their game and come out with 4 new limited edition flavours: Rose Negroni Spritz, Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, Smoked Pineapple Daiquiri, and Pink Grapefruit Paloma. Each can is a standard cocktail known and loved by all - but with a new and innovative twist. These tins are definitely a must-have for all your upcoming summer picnics in the park!

Size: 150ml
ABV: From 14%
Find Here: From£3.50 (in-store only at the moment)

If you’re looking for some No-Lo drinks to sip in the sun instead, check out these varied beauties.

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!