Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo: The Art of Tequila

Introducing the Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo, a fine example of how to age gracefully. The epitome of tequila sophistication and craftsmanship, this limited-edition bottle is a true marvel, carefully sourced and selected from the personal collection of the brand's founder, Juan Domingo "Dobel" Beckmann. With a mere 50 bottles available in the UK, we’re talking about a rare gem that will make any agave connoisseur's heart skip a beat.

Aged in French Oak casks, meticulously chosen from Dobel's private cellar, it underwent the comprehensive three-year ageing process that all Extra Añejo liquids go through, but of course the journey doesn’t end there. Off to Italy it goes, where it finds its perfect match in Amarone wine casks, infusing the tequila with sumptuous notes of rich chocolate, coffee, nuts, and dried fruits. The result is a dark and velvety spirit that promises an unforgettable tasting experience, all that mouthwatering infusion as well as tropical undertones and sweet vanilla and cinnamon running through.

The Maestro Dobel 50 limited edition series is a true testament to the brand's commitment to excellence and innovation. Starting in 2017, these collectable editions pay tribute to inspiring events from fifty years ago, adding a touch of historical charm to every sip. Poetry has never been more delicious.

With its iconic apothecary-style bottle, inspired by vintage laboratory sample bottles, Maestro Dobel 50 1970 Extra Añejo stands out as a work of art, outside and in.

If you’re lucky enough to be in a position to pursue a bottle, then be quick because as mentioned, there are only 50! It retails for over £2000 so check out places like Hedonism Wines, House of Spirits and Master of Malt for availability. Alternatively, if you just want a taste of the nectar then it is available at some bars such as The Connaught, Mandarin Oriental, Annabel’s and Lyaness… but for how long, it’s difficult to say.

Gouqi: London's Most Exciting Chinese Restaurant

Chef Chee Hwee Tong, formerly of the seven-time Michelin-starred Hakkasan Group, unveiled his latest culinary venture Gouqi earlier this year, and it’s been making waves ever since. Positioned in the heart of St James's, Gouqi has been one of the most talked-about openings of the year, delivering a fine dining experience that combines innovation and tradition in mouthwatering Chinese cuisine.

With an impressive career spanning two continents, Chef Tong brings his wealth of expertise and mastery of contemporary Chinese flavours, setting you up for grand expectations that begin to be met the minute you set foot inside. Elegant and exquisite details are everywhere you look in the sleek and refined interior adorned with 6 artworks from 6 different acclaimed Chinese artists and Botanique flower arrangements. But let’s get to where the real magic happens - on the plate.

Chef Tong's menu is a symphony of flavours, showcasing the best of Chinese cuisine. Using premium live produce sourced from around the globe, Gouqi offers an abundance of tantalizing dishes drawn from various regions of China. Prepare to be dazzled by the live seafood selection, featuring Norwegian King Crab, Canadian Crab, Gillardeau Oysters, Scottish Lobster, Diver Scallops, and Diver Razor Clams. Each dish is meticulously prepared and presented on custom-made chinaware, elevating the dining experience to unforgettable levels. Barbecued dishes like Legendary Peking Duck with Oscietra Caviar are carved table side, and the majestic dim sum menu including the standout Steamed Royal Dim Sum Platter makes ordering a challenge in the best kind of way.

Of course, we have a special interest in the drinks selection and Bar Manager Jamie Rowe certainly delivers here too, offering some selections you won’t find anywhere else. For example, rare teas, like the Emperor's Golden Eyebrow, which has just 2kg produced per year and is exclusively available at the restaurant. For cocktails lovers, the bar serves up innovative concoctions inspired by the four Chinese mythological creatures: the Azure Dragon of the East, the Vermilion Bird of the South, the White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North.

Inevitably, grand expectations come with high-end positioning like this, but at every stage, Gouqi proves to be a transportive dining experience that meets and exceeds them, inviting you to be captivated by the true artistry of modern Chinese gastronomy.

Find the website here.

25-34 Cockspur St, London, SW1Y 5BN

Bar Swift, Soho: Two-Storey Delight

Nestled on Old Compton Street, Swift Bar Soho stands as a testament to the creative collaboration between two renowned cocktail power couples: Nightjar founders Edmund Weil and Rosie Stimpson, and Milk & Honey's Mia Johansson and Bobby Hiddleston. Together, they have crafted a remarkable drinking den that captures the essence of the vibrant and utterly iconic Soho scene. With a focus on elegance, efficiency, and an impressive array of libations, Swift is no stranger to awards and when you leave, you totally get why.

The bar is thoughtfully designed, divided into two distinct areas depending on your mood. Upstairs, the ambience is lively and casual, offering a perfect swing by spot for those seeking a quick but refined drink experience. With leather booths and mirrored walls galore, the Art Déco-inspired decor sets the stage for enjoying classic cocktail favourites or indulging in Swift's expansive range of unique concoctions.

Their legendary sorbet Sgroppino and wintery Irish Coffee are to die for, and other eye catchers include the Freja featuring Grey Goose vodka, Dolin blanc vermouth, lychee, lemon, and soda. Deciding exactly what to order will probably take longer than the drink, because on top of that, the talented mixologists, including Bobby Hiddleston (known for his record-breaking cocktail-making skills) ensure that you won't be waiting long!

Heading downstairs, Swift unravels into something new; a relaxed and sensual lounge, enticing guests to settle in and savour the experience. This basement den operates daily, offering live music on weekends, boasting an extensive collection of over 300 globetrotting whiskies, and providing a more complex menu inspired by influential individuals past and present.

The latest legends themed menu pays homage to remarkable figures, from artists and performers to great thinkers. It strikes a balance between sophistication and fun, with cocktails like the deep and robust Stone St, a nod to Aisha Tyler, and the whimsical Only in L.A, an Ab-Fab inspired mix of Absolut Elyx and Martini Rubino.

Cementing its place as a prominent fixture in London's forever competitive cocktail scene, Swift continues to attract a vibrant and diverse crowd, just like their menu.  

Visit the website here.

12 Old Compton St, London, W1D 4TQ

Searcy’s St Pancras: First Class

Nestled within the historic St Pancras station, Searcy’s is an iconic destination that celebrates the best of its surroundings whilst also providing a joyful escape from them.

As seen in the Ab Fab film, the longest Champagne in all of Europe sits under a mighty iron roof that was the largest in the world when first built all the way back in 1868. Whether nestled in a cosy nook, or overlooking the Victorian grandeur, the bar has a certain magic to it that’s both relaxing and exciting.

The display bar of delicious nibbles gives you a tantalising taste of what’s to come as you cross the walkway to the Brasserie – the restaurant side of Searcy’s. Industrial chic, swanky with golden warm tones and plush with greenery, you could almost forget where you are for a moment were it not for the bright blue station clock in the middle reminding you.

Inspired by early 20th century classics, British heritage, seasonal produce and of course, the gastronomic delights of the Eurostar’s main destination, the Brasserie’s changing menu under Colin Layfield is always a delight. Fresh seafood in particular takes centre stage, with the likes of light platters, smoked salmon and crab linguine, roast monkfish, caviar, oysters, posh fish and triple cooked chips enticing you in. Schnitzel, bulging burgers, succulent Lake District beef and others fill out the seasonal menu, and that’s before we even mention the drinks – there is a Champagne bar after all!

In fact, there is even a ‘Press for Champagne’ button - yes please, and you’ve got around seventy to pick from. Some of these bubblies currently star in the Searcy’s cocktail list alongside St Germain elderflower liqueur, be that the Latin Quarter with Limoncello, the French Garden with Calvados, or the Sureau Royal with rose liqueur... which I love the sound of. Spicy, sweet and refreshing; the range is always fantastic and that goes for the No/Low options too.

Whether it’s to unwind after a long commute or to get the ball rolling on a trip to the continent, Searcy’s is a truly memorable experience. Keep your eyes peeled for their events too, like Searcy’s Sunday Brunch Feast with live jazz music that you can book now from 9th July 2023 onwards.

Find their website here

St. Pancras, St Pancras International Station, London N1C 4QL

Heliot Steak House: A Cut Above

The grand Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square opened in 1900 as a circus theatre, playing host to legends like Judy Garland, Charlie Chapman and a certain Clara Heliot, a lion tamer whose namesake restaurant now occupies the first floor – The Heliot Steak House.

Carving out its own spot in London legend, this premium restaurant and late-night bar overlooks sweeping views of the buzzing casino floor. With chandeliers dazzling and roulette wheels spinning amongst the lavish décor, the luxury Vegas casino vibe is well and truly pulled off, with a sophisticated touch of 1930s elegance thrown in for good measure. It’s pretty unforgettable, and that’s before the culinary experience has even begun.

Let's talk about the star of the show—the steak. Heliot Steak House specializes in award-winning USDA prime grade steaks sourced globally, including cuts from Nebraska, Argentina, Great Britain, and Japan. These exceptional cuts of Fillet, Sirloin, Rib Eye and Rib on the Bone undergo a meticulous aging process of four to six weeks before bespoke seasoning and cooking, resulting in incredible tenderness and flavour for every diner. Amongst tough competition, The Heliot was voted the Best Steak House in London, as well as the Best Casino Restaurant and other top gongs.

But the culinary adventure doesn't stop there. Executive Chef and expert Meatologist Ioannis Grammenos infuses his Greek heritage into the menu, offering delectable starters like Grilled Octopus with Roast Baby Potatoes & Tarama and Meatballs with Mushroom Sauce & Parmesan. Don’t fancy steak for main course? How about New Zealand Lumina Lamb Rack with Pitta & Raita, or Roast Chicken & Grilled Sweet Potato with Yoghurt Sauce? Make sure to save room for a diverse dessert menu too, with the likes of the Bougasta Custard Cream Pie and the renowned Chocolate Tree to pick from. This is just a taste of an extensive menu that is refreshed every few months, not to mention the weekly specials that make the task of ordering an even tougher one, but that’s not a bad problem to have, right?

For the perfect pairings for all of this, enter Salvatore Russo, General Manager and Head of Wine. With over 60 globally sourced bottles of red wine, including an impressive selection available by the glass, you'll be sure to find the ideal complement to your steak. With White, Rosé, Champagne and Sparkling too… there really is a stunning bottle for everything.

And if wine isn't your preference, fear not because you can always consult the wide-ranging drinks menu featuring spirits, beers, ciders, soft drinks, as well as the most exciting choice for us… an array of tantalizing cocktails, such as the Helicolada and the Take Me Down.

Together, Ioannis, Salvatore and their attentive team have combined their passion and expertise, married it with the glamorous surroundings to solidify Heliot Steak House's status as a West-End icon. Let the show go on!

Find the Heliot Steak House’s website here.

The Hippodrome Casino,
Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH London, United Kingdom

The Three Drinkers Return for a Third Series on Amazon Prime!

Award-winning drinks duo Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin return to our screens this May for the third series of their award-winning Amazon Prime travel show, The Three Drinkers, joined by special guest ‘Third Drinkers’ Eddy Temple-Morris and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac follows Aidy and Helena as they embark on a cultural and gastronomic journey in and around the picturesque French region of Cognac.

With a lifestyle-focused approach, the duo takes an unpretentious look at the fabulous spirit of Cognac and other local delights, taking in the people, places and local attractions of the region along the way. In classic Three Drinkers style, they bust the misconceptions about cognac through their lighthearted, on-screen approach, helping the audience discover brand new ways of enjoying this world-class spirit from grape to glass. Ditching outdated balloon glasses and mundane tasting notes, this is a series for those who seek to be inspired and learn through humour, quirky facts and takeaway tidbits of drinks knowledge.

The 2-hour series is made up of 4 x 30 minute episodes in which the Drinkers discover the art of cognac with help from famed houses as Courvoisier and Remy Martin, alongside the world famous orange liqueur of the region, Grand Marnier. They also check out local, pioneering gin makers, Audemus Distillery while discovering the fascinating world of mixers, sodas and tonics with Franklin & Sons.

Throughout the series, the team takes a deep dive into highballs and cocktails based on occasion, discover the unique dishes of the region, try their hand at water sports, chocolate crafting, shoemaking, beekeeping, become hotel waiters/waitresses and even collect botanicals from deep within the Charentais wilderness for their own locally inspired gin.

“We like to look at drinks through a lifestyle lens, showcasing these stunning sips in a relaxed, unintimidating setting,” says Helena.

“One of the most important aspects of this series is to highlight that cognac doesn’t belong at the back of your grandparent’s cupboard and we’ll be exploring a number of simple serves and cocktails that the audience can create from the comfort of their homes or be inspired to order the next time they’re at a cocktail bar,” Aidy adds.

The Third Drinkers

This series welcomes Virgin Radio presenter and Persian foodie fanatic Eddy Temple-Morris alongside a returning appearance for travel presenter, journalist and influencer Eulanda Shead-Osagiede. While Aidy and Helena are tasked with inspiring spirit sceptic Eddy into falling in love with the liquid gold of cognac, Eulanda seeks out some of the hidden, lifestyle gems of the region, setting the duo amusing tasks along the way.

A more diverse representation in drinks

Aidy and Helena have been clear on their goals to enable more diversity and equity into the world of drinks. Aidy is a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ and disability diversity representation as the only TV Presenter in the United Kingdom (and one of a small handful globally) with Tourette Syndrome, battling the stigmas of one of the most misrepresented disabilities in the world. Helena has been well known for her stance on female empowerment within the industry, removing the perception that women only enjoy certain spirits.

“It’s been an ongoing mission to showcase that diversity in drinks is possible and we’re delighted to stand with our partners who have helped us make that a reality in this latest series,” Aidy says.

“The importance of on-screen diverse talent amplifies the narrative that all of our voices matter. The Three Drinkers is a beautiful example of this, looking at the talent within the show and I’m so proud to be a part of that movement., says Eulanda, who is a leading voice within the travel entertainment sphere for BAME talent.

“Three series ago we set out with an aim to create a new travel show with a drinks hook,” Helena says, “Nearly six years on, we’re so happy to see how each project has evolved and we can’t wait to share this latest one with the world.”

This armchair series is packed with fun, memorable moments, helping viewers to create exactly what they see on screen at home while inspiring them to visit the region to see it first hand.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac will launch in mid-May on Amazon Prime in 120 countries and territories, in 9 languages. You can follow The Three Drinkers in the run-up to the show at @TheThreeDrinkers alongside Aidy (@Sypped) and Helena (@HelenaSips).

The World’s First Powdered Beer

We all know instant coffee, but how about instant beer? Well, a 500-year-old German brewery, ‘Neuzeller Klosterbräu’ has made just that. Beer lovers, rejoice.

It really is made in the same way as instant coffee or protein shakes. By simply adding water to 45g of powder, you create the same amount of beer as you would buying a 1kg bottle. Obviously, this could have incredible environmental benefits. Manager Stefan Fritsche says, “We have calculated that, if we now relate this to Germany, we can save about 3 to 5 percent of the CO2 emissions for Germany alone. And if you look at it globally, that would be about half a percent of CO2 emissions worldwide that we could reduce.”

From what we can gather right now, the beer is non-alcoholic but they are confident that they will soon be able to add alcohol and carbon dioxide in powdered form too. It’s worth saying that this isn’t only one type of beer either because Stefan says they can powderize any beer and are looking to share this method with other breweries… so your favourite beer could soon be bought from powder!

Of course, the taste has to be right, especially in Europe where beer is extremely popular and drinkers may be sceptical of its powdered form. But, with greener solutions always being searched out, could this be the future of beer?

To begin with, the brewery will target Asian and African markets where there is less of a traditionalist mindset over beer, and where the environmental transport benefits are even more relevant. It doesn’t look like a European arrival is any day now – the head requires a milk frother at the moment, and the alcohol isn’t ready to be added just yet, but with the taste pretty much there, it might not be far off.

So, what do you think? Would you give powdered beer a try? Or do you think it's sacrilege to mess with the traditional brewing process? Reach out on social media and let us know!

For more beer-illiant content click here!

Sunny D Launch their Vodka Seltzer

Sunny Delight is one of those drinks that’s etched into cultural history. It was created way back in 1963 in the US but arrived on the shores of the UK in 1998 with a huge promotional campaign that meant only a year later, it was the third best-selling drink after Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

However, sales slumped as the sugary reputation put parents off, and there was even a report of a four-year-old girl turning orange in 1999! How true that was is highly questionable, but it was enough to turn parents away.

Were you allowed to sip merrily on the orange tang? Or banned from drinking it because of concerns over it? Either way, Sunny Delight may just be the most nostalgic drink there is.

Now though, the childhood drink takes its steps into adulthood, with the launch of its Vodka Seltzer… and this time, there’s no added sugar, just real fruit juice!. As you might expect, it’s not the booziest of drinks at just 4.5% ABV, but it’s already been praised for its matured and unique taste by American drinkers.

And for now, that appears to be the only place you can pick it up. Priced at $9.99 for 4x 350ml cans, it’s rolling out across Walmart stores.

Who knows? If Sunny D Vodka Seltzer picks up the same momentum as the juice did in the 1990s, then maybe it will arrive on British soil soon!