The Best Whiskeys for an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned: the whiskey lover’s cocktail, and not old-fashioned at all! The Old Fashioned is a simple cocktail composed of whisk(e)y, sugar, a dash of bitters and a twist of orange. First served at the Waldorf Astoria Bar in New York City, it has always been a classy drink showing off a fantastic spirit, but what whiskeys should you try? Here’s our list of some great whiskeys for a top notch Old Fashioned.

Wild Turkey Longbranch

Wild Turkey Longbranch is a small batch, 8 year old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and a collaboration between Wild Turkey master distiller Eddie Russell and the brand's creative director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. The sweet citrus and spices of this bourbon make it perfect for an Old Fashioned, complementing Angostura bitters delectably.

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.94 // US $34.99

Ezra Brooks Bourbon

Ezra Brooks is a great entry level bourbon if you’re looking for a perfect bourbon without the hefty price tag. The recipe was first produced in 1950 as a competitor to Jack Daniels and the company was even sued by the global whiskey superpower (though JD did end up losing…)! Caramel and vanilla combine together with hints of spice and chocolate giving it a lovely warm finish definitely worthy of an Old Fashioned.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £25.90 // US $20.99

Bulleit Rye 

The only non bourbon on the list, but it makes a stunning Old Fashioned. The high rye content gives a better balance between the whiskey and the sugar in the cocktail meaning your Old Fashioned won’t be overly sweet, as can sometimes be the case. Bulleit Bourbon has been an Old Fashioned favourite for a while, with its higher rye content, but it’s definitely worth trying this whiskey too! 

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £35.20 // US $37.99

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

In its distinctive bottle, Woodford Reserve can get you licking your lips before you even get your hands on it. The Double Oaked is perhaps the most complex of their range, being aged firstly in a standard Woodford Reserve barrel before being moved to a heavily toasted and charred barrel. The bourbon itself has notes of dark fruits combined with beautiful caramel chocolate, roasted hazelnuts and marzipan and in an Old Fashioned, its complexities really shine making it a cocktail to truly be savoured. 

ABV: 43.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £45.89 // US $58.99

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Buffalo Trace is another big name in both the Old Fashioned lover community and on the shelves of many a craft bartender. This whiskey has won multiple awards over the years, notably achieving Gold in the American Whiskey Masters 2020, a title it has held since 2017. An Old Fashioned made with Buffalo Trace is smooth, with subtle spice and the bourbon itself is also brilliant value for money, so it is very much worth adding a bottle to your bar cart. 

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £26.40 // US $34.99

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek is a bold, flavourful bourbon and bottled at 100 proof leads to a very strong old fashioned. The simplicity of the Old Fashioned cocktail really helps the rich robustness of Knob Creek shine, with its notes of candy floss, a hint of dark chocolate, and a little charred oak. We would definitely recommend the use of ice while mixing up this Old Fashioned to release more of the aromas and flavours but for a bourbon under £40, Knob Creek really delivers.

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £34.45 // US $47.99

Fancy trying out a Scotch whisky alternative? The, head over to The Dalmore Old Fashioned or, if it’s an entirely different cocktail you after then we have plenty here!

Thursday Club with talk RADIO: White Wine from Rueda, Spain

What and where is DO Rueda?

Nestled up in the central-north part of Spain, with Galicia to the west and hugging the northeastern corner of Portugal, we find the wine region of Rueda. It forms part of the greater Castilla y Léon area and was the first of the 9 official regions within it to receive its own delimited status, earning the title ‘Denominación de Origen’ (or ‘DO’ for short), where strict rules around quality keep standards high. 

DO Rueda is most famous these days for producing zesty, fresh and fruity, un-oaked white wines made largely from the Verdejo grape, which considers Rueda to be its spiritual home. Sauvignon Blanc is it’s wing-man and a few other white varietals are now permitted into the blends, namely Viura, Palomino Fino, Viognier and Chardonnay. More experimentation is happening however with how these wines are made - and with the wines below, we can taste the difference! 

Diez Siglo Rueda Verdejo

Let’s start with Verdejo. This is a classic example of type: vibrant and refreshing, with notes of hay, guava, peach and orange-lemon citrus. Catch that characteristic hint of fennel on the finish too. Yum!

Find it at Amps Wine Merchant for £9.80 a bottle.

Excellens Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Next up, let’s see what Sauvignon can do in Rueda. Bright and clean again with its famous pale green tinge, this is a fruitier style of the grape, with powerful notes of cut grass, apple, blossom, tropical fruit and herbs. We can also so a creamier weight here thanks to some ageing of the wine on its lees (dead yeast cells left over from alcoholic fermentation). 

Find it at Fine Wines Direct UK for £9.89 mixed 6 price. 

Amador Diez 2015

Here’s what happens in Rueda when you add some age and some oak. It was named in tribute to the winery’s (Cuatro Rayas) former president, Amador Diez de Íscar. The top of this producer’s tree, this wine is produced from the best parts of their ancient, 100 year plus pre-phylloxera vineyard. Hand made at just about every level including bottling and in very limited quantities, this is a wine made to age. If you love white Rioja, you’ll love this! Think spicy orchard fruits, quince, honey, toast and spice, all with a cool, saline kick. A fantastic splash-out bottle. 

Find it at Ultracomida for £34 a bottle.

Read the full article on DO Rueda here.

DO Rueda: Spiritual home of the Verdejo Grape

With all eyes back on Spain for deliciously versatile and food friendly wines that can also dazzle at the top end, we look to DO Rueda to see what’s new and why we should be paying attention to this refreshingly different wine region.

What and where is DO Rueda?

Nestled up in the central-north part of Spain, with Galicia to the west and hugging the northeastern corner of Portugal, we find the wine region of Rueda. It forms part of the greater Castilla y Léon area and was the first of the 9 official regions within it to receive its own delimited status, earning the title ‘Denominación de Origen’ (or ‘DO’ for short), where strict rules around quality keep standards high. 

DO Rueda is most famous these days for producing zesty, fresh and fruity, unoaked white wines made largely from the Verdejo grape, which considers Rueda to be its spiritual home. There are still a handful of pink, red, sparkling and sweet wines produced here, but these form less than 10% of all production. 

A brief history of DO Rueda

Although Rueda as we know it today is a comparatively new wine region, with a focus on its  grassy, native Verdejo grape, the origins of winemaking here go back to the Middle Ages. It is said that Verdejo arrived in Rueda via the Moors from north Africa more than one thousand years ago and was all but forgotten as more oxidative, ‘rancio’ styles of wine became popular in the area. Some vines endured however and even today, many very old Verdejo vines of over one hundred years old can be found, which give the grapes that grow on them more complexity and textural minerality. 

As a variety itself, the true value of Verdejo in Rueda was recognised back in the 1970s as a native grape that would please the palates of Sauvignon Blanc lovers and such like, so it was championed by key Spanish producers, including Marques de Riscal of Rioja. Today, Verdejo is the most widely used grape variety in Rueda and accounts for over 80% of all plantings. In fact, 97% of all wines in DO Rueda are now white, led by Verdejo.

The Verdejo Grape: King of DO Rueda!

The Verdejo grape is much loved for its heady aromatics of fresh herbs, cut grass and refreshing lemon citrus as well as ripe, tropical fruit notes and bitter, lime zest kick. It’s a relatively robust grape that has learned to withstand extreme climatic conditions from hot sun to very cold nights, so is well-liked by winemakers. And although Verdejo is most famously served young and unoaked, more styles of wines are coming to the fore, which help increase the versatility of wines from this region. For example, barrel fermentation is on the rise, which adds a creamy texture to the wine and often, a subtle, vanilla spice note from the wood. We’re also seeing more ageing on the lees (the dead yeast cells left after the first alcoholic fermentation), which adds roundness and flavour. Some wineries are now also using ultra modern, egg-shaped, concrete tanks in their winemaking, which allows the wine more contact with the lees, thus adding layers of complexity. Utterly delicious. 

While Verdejo is very much King of Rueda however, it does not work entirely alone. Other white grapes permitted in the white wines of DO Rueda are Sauvignon Blanc, which is Verdejo’s right hand man, but also some Viura, Palomino Fino, Viognier and Chardonnay. 

Key styles of white Rueda Wines

Rueda White: Rueda’s flagship wine style is a young white that is light and fresh, yet fills the palate with lush fruit. These wines must be made from at least 50% Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc (the two principal grape varieties), though the other white grapes above are allowed. 

Gran Vino de Rueda: This is a new category dedicated to high quality and for wines made using low yielding, older vines that are at least thirty years old.

Rueda Sparkling (‘Espumoso’): Most sparkling wines here are produced using the ‘traditional method’ like in Champagne, but some are tank method. Semi-sweet (semi-seco) sparkling wine is also produced here. 

Rueda Pálido: The Pálido is a very traditional, oxidised style of fortified wine that resembles dry Sherry. It is stored in oak barrels for at least three years before release. 

Rueda Dorado: This historic wine style is a slightly sweeter version of the Pálido and must be fortified and barrel-aged for at least two years. Like the Pálido, it is making a comeback.

Pink & Red Rueda Wines

Very few red wines are produced in Rueda, but those that are, tend to focus on the approved red varieties: Tempranillo, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha and Syrah. They are also now categorised as ‘oaked’, ‘Crianza’ or ‘Reserva’.

Lively, fruity rosé wines may be made if at least 50% out of the approved red wine grape varieties (above) are used. 

What to eat with Rueda Wines

Rueda wines are some of the most versatile in the whole of Europe, easily fitting in with many styles of food from all sorts of countries! Rueda whites, thanks to their high acidity and grassiness, can handle vegetables and salads, pair brilliantly with fresh goats cheese and feta particularly and simply adore most kinds of fish, from seafood risotto to ceviche. This style of bright, zesty white can also handle more tricky matches, such as asparagus or tomato better than other whites and works very nicely with fresh herbs.

The more weight and texture the wine might have thanks to its age, barrel fermentation or lees aging for example, the more flavour and weight of food it can take. Try the heftier, almost nutty versions with creamy poultry dishes, garlicky, baked, fleshy fish dishes or lighter red meats such as pork loin or young lamb. 

Three Rueda White Wines to Try

Diez Siglo Rueda Verdejo

Let’s start with Verdejo. This is a classic example of type: vibrant and refreshing, with notes of hay, guava, peach and orange-lemon citrus. Catch that characteristic hint of fennel on the finish too. Yum!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.80

Excellens Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Next up, let’s see what Sauvignon can do in Rueda. Bright and clean again with its famous pale green tinge, this is a fruitier style of the grape, with powerful notes of cut grass, apple, blossom, tropical fruit and herbs. There is also a creamier weight here thanks to some ageing of the wine on its lees. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.99

Amador Diez 2015

Here’s what happens in Rueda when you add some age and some oak. It was named in tribute to the winery’s (Cuatro Rayas) former president, Amador Diez de Íscar. The top of this producer’s tree, this wine is produced from the best parts of their ancient, 100 year plus pre-phylloxera vineyard. Hand made at just about every level including bottling and in very limited quantities, this is a wine made to age. If you love white Rioja, you’ll love this! Think spicy orchard fruits, quince, honey, toast and spice, all with a cool, saline kick. A fantastic splash-out bottle. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £34

For more information on Rueda, keep an eye on Instagram and our Thursday Club with talkRADIO articles!

One Drink, Three Ways: The Glenturret 10 Year Old Peat Smoked

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 which 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.

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Although most usually associated with Islay Scotch, peat smoke and whisky has a long history at The Glenturret as it used to feature heavily in distilling traditions, with records showing peat being dug from Octhertye Estate in the early 1800s. Nowadays, The Glenturret are in the lucky, rare position of being able to produce both peated and non-peated spirits at different times of the year from the same small stills. This 10 year old single malt version is incredibly mellow and sweet with an elegant smokiness that does not blow your head off!

Sip it alone or try one of these serves:

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Helena’s Choice: A Smokin’ Word

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I love a sweet and sour cocktail and this one feels so deliciously retro! It’s a new take on the Last Word cocktail and was invented by Kyle Jamieson from Panda & Sons in Edinburgh. The smokiness of the peat does something fascinating with the cherry and it’s one that looks as good as it tastes. Simply shake all the ingredients together with ice, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with cocktail cherries.

A Smokin’ Word

Recipe

35ml The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked

20ml Yellow Chartreuse

20ml Maraschino Cherry Liqueur

20 ml lemon juice

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Aidy’s Choice: Smoky Whisky Sour

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You know me and my sours. I love them! Often I like to experiment with fruit and garnishes but sometimes, simplicity is what’s called for. This is a classic whisky sour with no frills, using egg white to get that silky texture. Firstly, add all the ingredients into the shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Then strain back into the shaker to remove the ice and have a vigorous dry shake to fluff up the egg white. Strain into an old fashioned glass and garnish with a lemon or orange twist.

Smoky Whisky Sour

Recipe

60ml The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked

30ml Fresh Lemon Juice

25ml Sugar Syrup

1 Egg white

2 Dashes Angostura bitters

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Colin’s Choice: Stirred Smoky Martini

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Those of you who know me know I'm a bit of a whisky purist, but I can’t resist a smoky, dry Martini. It uses a dash of peated Scotch whisky with the gin instead of Vermouth, so it is particularly dry and aromatic. I’d go for a large splash of whisky around 15ml but play around to suit your taste. Simply Stir the gin, whisky and a little ice together in a glass (stirring keeps it crystal clear and smooth), then strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with your lemon or orange twist.

Stirred Smoky Martini

Recipe

15ml The Glenturret 10 Years Old Peat Smoked

60ml Any premium gin

Lemon twist for garnish

Like this? Check our our other One Drink, Three Ways pieces: Noilly Prat Vermouth, Tanqueray Gin and The Macallan 12.

The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 61

Another week and another fun-filled podcast awaits as well as another delicious dram! You can listen to the full podcast via the player below or via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify. Here’s a little snippet of what we got up to:

What’s in our Glass?

This week we’re enjoying a cheeky dram or two of Jura 10 YO whisky. A 10 year old expression, it’s initially aged in American white oak bourbon barrels before being finished in Oloroso sherry butts. With its subtle smoke, robust vanilla and a lovely Christmas cake note to it, it is a very lovely dram. You can find out more about Jura distillery via this episode of our podcast and if you want to find out even more about Jura distillery then check out The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky on Amazon Prime.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £28.95 // US $56.99

Drinks News

Helena tells us all about what vodka and stiff napkins have in common whilst Aidy lets us know what he has discovered about Space beer!

Dine First Wine First

In this week’s ‘Dine First Wine First’ Aidy and Helena chat all about what to pair with your bottle of Viognier. Viognier, a white wine that hails from the Rhone valley in the South of France, is noted as having an oily texture, low acidity and lovely fruity notes of apricot and peach. If you like Chardonnay, you’ll no doubt like this. Helena recommends trying bottles from the Condrieu wine region and we’ve got to say, we’re curious to try her wine-food pairing suggestions too…

Mixology with Aidy

Aidy pops on his mixology hat and lets us know all about fruitier whisky cocktails. Check out his pineapple whisky sour below (we’ve tried it and YUM… just sayin’)…

Pineapple whisky sour
60ml good scotch like the Jura 10 year old
25ml Lemon juice
25ml Pineapple juice
2tsp caster sugar
1 egg white
Pineapple garnish

Method:
Place the sugar, whisky, lemon juice, pineapple juice and egg white into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds. Strain into an old fashioned cocktail glass and serve.

Drinkers Discovery

You will have definitely heard of sake, but, have you heard of Umeshu?! Well, you need to because this Japanese ‘plum wine’ (it actually has nothing to do with wine) is stunning and a great addition to sparkling cocktails. Find out how you can make your own at home via the podcast!

Mailbag

Aidy and Helena tackle the question ‘I’ve learnt through your podcast that the size and shape of a wine glass affects the taste of wine, but, is this the same for cocktails?’ Find out what they have to say by listening in today!

This article only just touches on some of the topics waiting to be discovered so if you enjoyed this then make sure to check out Episode 61 of The Bring a Bottle Podcast now!

What is Wine Finished Whisky?

By Helena Nicklin

There’s no drink that conjures up the spirit of cosy dark nights by the fire quite like whisky. Even for the many who don’t drink it, the aroma of whisky and wood smoke evokes warm memories of Christmases past with relatives, glass in hand, playing charades and stuffing their faces with Quality Street chocolates. I was one of those ‘many’ who remembered it rather than drank it until a few years ago, when my head was turned by the headlines in drinks papers about the continual rise in popularity of whisky, not just from Scotland but all around the world.

It was with zero hesitation then that when asked to co-present a TV travelogue through Scotland tasting whisky, I said yes. I was converted immediately upon arrival, of course. It’s hard not to be when tasting a product in the region where it’s made, especially while surrounded so deliciously by ancient castles, lochs, legends and wonderfully hairy cows. So without further ado, I want to share with you a glorious discovery that has rocked my world of booze: whisky with a wine ‘finish’.

What is a whisky ‘finish’?

Single malt, blended whisky, Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, Irish… there are many styles of whisky from many regions, but it’s the way distillers choose to ‘finish’ the spirits that can give them such a unique personality. What is a finish? It’s when the spirit is matured in a cask from one particular origin before spending time in a different cask from another origin. Most often, the first cask is American oak that has previously held Bourbon. The second cask is used to add extra nuances of flavour and complexity and it is here that distillers can have some fun. You may also see on the label ‘wood-finished’ or ‘double matured’, but it’s the same thing.

Fine wine whisky finishes

On my trip to Scotland, I met a man who whisky buffs describe as the ‘rock star of distillers’. He is Dr. Bill Lumsden, Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation and Whisky Stocks at Glenmorangie in Tain. Fearless in his experiments (he has a scientific background) and with a wonderfully potty mouth, Lumsden is man who oozes passion and Scottish charm. He also has a penchant for seriously fine wine, which is why Glenmorangie have had some incredible, limited edition whiskies finished in barrels that have held extraordinary wines.

“Wine continues to inspire me, but it’s a tricky animal to use with Scotch whisky,” he says. “I’ve tasted as many terrible whiskies made with wine barrels as I have good ones. It’s been fascinating to watch though how actually, with a wine finish, whisky can change in the bottle over time.”

Naturally, it would have been rude not to taste as many as I could get my hands on and my goodness, I loved them, for their perfume as much as anything else. Glenmorangie is famous for its fruity, spicy whiskies that have elegant aromatics, thanks to their particularly tall copper stills (the tallest in Scotland). Add a wine finish to the mix and you get some seriously special drams. It is not just Glenmorangie who use wine finishes, however. The Macallan is famous for its Christmas-cakey, sherry finishes and several other big names have been doing their own experimenting with sweet wines, fortified wines and dry, still wines.

There are so many to choose from, so here are just a few wine-finished Scotch whiskies that are well worth seeking out:

Sherry cask finish: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Old

The richness from Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherry is a wonderful addition to this whisky. If you like those baking spice, Christmas cake flavours, a sherry finish is for you.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £43.65 // US $71.99

Sherry cask finish: The Macallan Gold Double Cask

Finished with American and European sherry-seasoned oak, this whisky is ripe and rich, with a spicy kick and notes of dark chocolate orange.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £59.99 // US $75.99

French red wine finish: Tullibardine 228 Burgundy Cask Finish

Highland whisky finished for 12 months in 228-litre Red Burgundy wine casks from Chateau de Chassagne Montrachet, this whisky has a gentle fruit flavour and a beautiful, creamy mouthfeel. Delicious.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £39.99 // US $59.99

Sweet ice wine finish: Glenfiddich Winter Storm Batch 2

Incredibly rare Scotch whisky (aged 21 years and older) finished in French oak casks that previously held Canadian icewine. This whisky has plenty of tropical notes and a hint of candied fruit and Turkish delight that develop into flavours of lychee.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £249.99 // US $499.99

Sauternes Finish: Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or

Nectar D’Or has the succulent, honeysuckle and orange peel notes that you’d expect from Sauternes. It’s golden and glorious; one for wine lovers for sure and a little easier to get hold of.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £51.25 // $101.99

Port finish: The Balvenie 21 Year old Port Wood

Aged in port pipes that are over 30 years old, this whisky is brooding and dark, with powerful fruit and notes of woodsmoke. One for the end of the tasting!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £175 // $324.99

Port finish: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban

A development of the recipe of the highly popular 12 year old, this intensely flavoured whisky is initially matured in bourbon casks before being transferred into ruby port casks from carefully selected Portuguese quintas (wine estates). It’s an intriguing mix of sweet and dry with delicious fruit and chocolate notes.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £45.70 // $82.99

Enjoyed this? Then have a read of The Best Value Fruity Scotch Whisk and don’t forget to check out The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky now LIVE on Amazon Prime!

Passionstar Martini

Originally known as the Pornstar Martini, this delicious cocktail debuted in the early 2000s and quickly rose up the ‘top cocktail’ charts to sit where it does today. Not only is it delicious with the tart tropical fruit pairing perfectly with the sweet vanilla sugar syrup, but it is also a brilliant conversation starter due to both its vibrant yellow colour and the fact that it comes with a friend, most commonly a Champagne or prosecco shot.

How do you drink a Passionstar/ Pornstar Martini?

There seems to be a fair bit of confusion over how to drink both drinks… do you shot the sparkling wine down? Do you drink one before the other? Do you drink them at the same time?! Well, here at 3DHQ we like to suggest you have a sip of the passionfruit cocktail first and follow it up with the sparkling wine as it will act as a bit of a palate cleanser in between sips. However you choose to drink it though, you won’t be disappointed!

Here is our favourite recipe…

Ingredients

1 ripe passion fruit, halved
30ml vodka
30ml fresh passionfruit puree
10ml sugar syrup (we recommend vanilla)
Prosecco, to serve

Method

Scoop the seeds from half of the passion fruit into the tin of a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, passion fruit puree, and sugar syrup. Add a handful of ice and shake well, strain into a martini glass and add a wedge of passion fruit to each. Serve with a shot of prosecco.

Looking for some other fruity cocktails? Then how about trying The Marmalade Sour or a Flirtini instead?

Flirtini

Enjoying the last romantic dregs of summer and looking to catch a cute date for autumn cosy evenings? Heck, even if you’re reading this in winter or spring, we have the perfect ‘romantic evening’ cocktail for you, so, without further ado get your flirt on with this bubbly and fruity twist on a Cosmopolitan:

The Flirtini (Serves 2, obviously...)

Ingredients

50ml 100% pineapple juice
25ml Cointreau
50ml Chapel Down Chardonnay Vodka
Veuve Monsigny Champagne (to top)
slice of pineapple for garnish

Method
Add pineapple juice, Chapel Down vodka and Cointreau to an ice filled mixing glass. Stir until chilled and strain into two martini or coupe glasses. Top up with Veuve Monsigny Champagne and garnish with pineapple. Give one to your significant other and enjoy the other yourself!

Top Tip: Mix this up just before serving so the Champagne doesn’t lose its bubbles.

Want another variation? Try this pink version:

Pink Flirtini (Serves 2, obviously...)

Ingredients

25ml 100% pineapple juice
25ml 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
12.5ml Cointreau
50ml Absolut Raspberri Vodka
Waitrose Champagne Rosé NV (to top)
2 dashes lime juice
raspberries (for garnish)

Method
Add pineapple juice, cranberry juice, Absolut Raspberri Vodka, lime juice and Cointreau to an ice filled mixing glass. Stir until chilled and strain into two martini or coupe glasses. Top up with Waitrose Champagne Rosé NV and garnish with raspberries. Give one to your significant other and enjoy the other yourself!

Ingredient List:

Cointreau: A classic orange liqueur that is an essential staple in any home bar.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.99

Chapel Down Vodka: A lovely, citrus blossom vodka with a nice alcohol bite. Delicious in fruity and citrus cocktails!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £29.55

Veuve Monsigny Champagne: An award winning, great value Champagne which is a credit to Aldi.

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £13.49

Absolut Raspberri Vodka: Rich and intense but fabulously fruity, Absolut Raspberri is perfect for the Pink Flirtini!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £22.30

Waitrose Champagne Rosé NV: Fruity and easy to drink, making it a great choice for cocktails!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Find it here: £26.99

For more delicious cocktails how about trying a Rosé and Grapefruit Sparkle or a Strawberry Gin Sour?