7 Aperitifs to Use in Your Negroni

Ask most people how to make a Negroni and most of the time, the response will be “Gin, Sweet Vermouth, and Campari, in equal parts”. While this is not incorrect by any means, there is a glaring error in there. Gin and Sweet Vermouth are general products, while Campari is a specific brand and bottle within the realm of bitter aperitif liqueurs.

Don’t get me wrong - a Campari Negroni is delicious, reliable, and widely available. However, it is the baseline as there is an incredibly vast selection of bitter aperitifs (commercially, and artisinally produced) that work wonders in a Negroni.

Adopting a new approach to the Negroni of Spirit, Sweet Wine, and Bitter Aperitif, that’s implemented in the some bars, our options for the bittersweet tipple have been exponentially widened. Here is a look at some of our favourite bitter aperitifs to replace Campari in your Negroni.

FOR A standard white Negroni

SUZE

The original White Negroni, featuring Plymouth Gin, Suze, and Lillet Blanc was created through the collaborative efforts of the director of Plymouth Gin at the time, Nick Blacknell, and late legendary London bartender Wayne Collins. The drink was born out of necessity as they tasked themselves with making a Negroni using French wine and aperitifs since they were in France for Vinexpo 2001.

The drink was later popularised by Plymouth Gin ambassador Simon Ford, and world-famous bartender, Audrey Saunders. Audrey loved the drink so much that to combat the shortage of supply of Suze in the United States, she would smuggle multiple bottles at a time from her trips to the United Kingdom. For good reason too, as the drink has the bracing bitterness and character of a Negroni, but has a flavour profile unique enough to stand out from the crowd of other riffs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £18.95

FOR A White Mezcal Negroni

Luxardo Bitter Bianco

A personal favourite of ours is the Negroni Bianco, which combines Mezcal, White Port, and Luxardo Bitter Bianco for a delectable drink that has the stiffness of a winter sipper with the tropical notes of a shaken summery drink.

The Bitter Bianco is the star of the show in this cocktail because it acts as the bridge connecting the smoky, vegetal mezcal to the tropical and tannic white port. The Bitter Bianco brings notes of celery and bitter herbs such as oregano and thyme to pair with the mezcal and fruit and citrus notes of orchard fruits, lime, and orange that play very nicely with the white port.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 30%
Find here: £17.75

FOR The one distillery Negroni

Old Poison Bitter

The sister distillery to the bar I work in, Bittersweet, Old Poison Distillery in Edinburgh Scotland is the distillery with the largest portfolio in the UK and the only one to make a bitter aperitif! This addition to the already vast spirit selection Scotland has to offer has unlocked yet another 100% Scottish cocktail -  the Negroni.

Founded and operated by native Neopolitan in Edinburgh, Fabrizio Cioffi, his passion for Italian Aperitif culture and cuisine resulted in him creating Leith Vermouth as well as the Old Poison London Dry Gin. Combine these three ingredients to get the Old Poison Negroni, or better yet, if you find yourself in Edinburgh, pop down to the bar to be served one by myself and the team!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £25

FOR THE HANKY PANKY

Fernet Branca

The Hanky Panky is an understated classic cocktail, created by Ada Coleman, former head bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London in the early 1900s. And breaking down the recipe of the cocktail we can see that it fits in perfectly to the description of the Negroni mentioned in the introduction. Simply subbing out an equal measure of Campari for a 5ml splash of Fernet Branca still lands this mentholated Martinez twist in the Negroni category.

This serve runs a tiny bit sweeter than your standard Negroni with the smaller dose of Fernet downplaying the standard level of bitterness, so if you, like many others, are a part of Fernet Branca’s cult following, and are looking for an introduction to the Negroni, this may just be the serve for you.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 39%
Find here: £26.91

for a New Orleans Negroni

Peychauds Aperitivo

From the people that brought us the infamous bright red creole style Peychaud’s Bitters, Peychaud’s Aperitivo merges the world of bittersweet liqueurs with over a century and a half of New Orleans culture and heritage.

The aperitivo brings the classic bitter orange and grapefruit notes that are expected from aperitif liqueurs, but the underlying tones of woody herbs bring to the table a sharp bitterness that is begging to be paired with barrel-aged spirits. In true New Orleans fashion, we suggest pairing it with the duet of Armagnac Brandy and Sweet Vermouth from France. The dark chocolate and caramel notes from the Armagnac and the dried fruit sweetness from the vermouth combined with the aperitif gives us a magical harmony of Italian, French, and Creole flavours! A holy trinity of Italian, French, and Creole culture and cuisine sure to delight your tastebuds!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £17.99

FOR A Subcontinental Negroni

Khoosh Bitter

Khoosh Bitter is a lesser-known bitter aperitif that was initially produced in Britain between 1881 and 1900 before the company went into liquidation and halted production. The team at Phoenyx Spirits recently restarted production of this marmalade-laced bitter aperitif as part of their mission statement to revive the great lost spirits of Britain.

With Quassia Amara as the key botanical in this liqueur, there is an intense woody dryness that lingers on the finish with notes of subcontinental herbs and spices including clove, cardamom, and asafetida.

With the Mughal Era Subcontinental design on the bottle, I feel it is only right to pair it with rum to honour the sugar cane production of the Subcontinent and your sweet wine of choice!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £27.95

FOR the Venetian Negroni

Select

Select is the quintessential ingredient for drinks in the city of Venice. From spritzes to Negronis, this bright red bitter aperitif liqueur is an excellent option for someone who fancies a slight change from their normal Campari Negroni or Aperol Spritz but does not necessarily want to push the boat out too far. 

Select Aperitivo has a distinct grassiness on the top of the palette and runs more syrupy than your standard Italian red bitter liqueur, with a bright citrus oil finish. This profile makes it an excellent addition to your negroni if your gin on hand is more peppery than your usual!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 17.5%
Find here: £17.94

If whisky cocktail are more your thing, then check out five easy-to-make serves here that show how delicious Scotch can be in cocktails.

By Fowwaz Ansari

What Are The Easiest Cocktails To Make Without A Shaker?

Itching for a cocktail but find yourself without a shaker? Fear not. Yes, most cocktails require a good shake, but there are many delicious options that only need a stir. The general rule is that if there’s no citrus in the cocktail, and the ingredients are of a similar viscosity, you can probably build it (in the glass) or stir in a mixing glass before serving. We’ve got recipes below for whatever spirit you love, so let’s dive into some beautiful and very easy-to-make cocktails using the full range of spirits.

Negroni – for the gin lovers

Possibly the most famous stirred cocktail is the classic Negroni. The three components are of similar density, so stirring is plenty enough to properly combine them together. It’s very simple to make with equal measurements for gin, sweet vermouth and Campari making a moreish blend of boozy bitterness. And the best thing about nailing the Negroni, is that there are so many variations like the White Negroni, Negroni Sbagliato etc. Try more here!

Ingredients
25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
Orange slice (garnish)

Method
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass and fill it with ice. Stir for 20 seconds until everything is thoroughly blended and chilled. Strain into a rocks glass. Add more large ice cubes and garnish with a slice of orange.

Vodka Martini – for the vodka lovers

That’s right, whilst Bond orders his Martinis shaken not stirred, most bartenders usually stick to stirring. Sorry 007! Bond’s order is actually a Vesper Martini, which includes gin and vodka and can also be made without a shaker, but we’re sticking with a classic Vodka Martini today. The only citrus is with the garnish (unless you take it in a more savoury direction with the olive), so a good stir is absolutely fine. Make sure you use a good vodka for this one.

Ingredients
60ml vodka
1tbsp dry vermouth
Olive or lemon for garnish

 Method
Stir together the vodka and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice, before straining into a chilled Martini glass. Finish with lemon for a touch of aromatic citrus, or olive for some savoury saltiness.

Bellini – for the sparkling wine lovers

This classy serve doesn’t need a shaker. In fact, a shaker would pretty much destroy all the bubbles. Like any sparkling wine cocktail, stirring is the way to go. It’s so elegant for how simple it is to pull together. Just combine good Prosecco with peach purée and get sucked in by the warm hues. In fact, the Venetian bartender who first made this was so awestruck by the colouring that he named it after painter Giovanni Bellini, who used the same colours often.

Ingredients
60ml peach purée
160ml Prosecco
Peach slice (garnish)

Method
Peach purée is widely available, but if not, you just need to blend peeled peaches and refrigerate. Strain them into a flute and top up with Prosecco, before a good stir. Use a leftover peach slice for garnish!

Aperol Spritz – for the aperitif lovers

The most famous rendition of the Aperitivo Spritz formula, this is now one of the most popular cocktails in Europe, but you can use many different aperitifs. Select, Lillet Blanc, Vermouth, Campari – whatever you like. Combined with a sparkling wine (usually Prosecco or Champagne) and sparkling water, it’s one of, if not the most refreshing cocktail you can make. With Aperol, it’s a glorious taste of summer, with both bitter and sweet citrus and subtle herbs intertwining with the light, fruitiness of Prosecco.

Ingredients
50ml Aperol
75ml Prosecco
Soda water to top up

Method
Pour Aperol over a handful of ice cubes, and add Prosecco. Top up with soda, stir gently to keep the fizz and then garnish with a slice of orange! Voilà!

Old Fashioned – for the whiskey lovers

This just had to be included. There are so many twists and riffs on it, so you can make maple or honey versions, or use rum which is a modern classic all of its own. Bourbon is the most popular choice, but rye whiskey works great too. You just need to make sure that the sugar is muddled and mixed well enough to dissolve, and the rest is easy.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon
Brown sugar cube
Splash of water
2 drops of Angostura bitters
Twist of orange to garnish

Method
Muddle (with the back of a spoon for example) sugar, water, and some orange peel. Fill the glass with ice, before gradually adding your chosen whisky and stirring. Orange twist to finish. Simple excellence.

Cuba Libre – for the rum lovers

Famously easy to make, this is a perfect example of a ‘Highball’, and they are the simplest of non-shaken cocktails. They’re simply a spirit with a mixer, and occasionally a few extra touches like bitters and garnishes. You might not even think of them as cocktails, but they are! The Cuba Libre is a taste of Central America, with syrupy sweet cola complementing the caramel of the rum, all tamed by fresh lime.

Ingredients
60ml rum (any rum works)
120ml cola
2 lime wedges

Method
Fill your highball glass with ice first, add your measure of rum and top up with quality cola. Squeeze one lime wedge and submerge it, before garnishing with the other one. No shaking required.

Tequila Sunrise – for the tequila lovers

Well, none of these contain any shaking, but how about no stirring either!? The Grenadine added here is what paints this cocktail with such seductive colouring, but only if left to settle. Before that point, it’s simply orange juice (experiment with fresh if you can – it makes all the difference) and tequila, ideally blanco. The vegetal heat of the tequila is lifted by the sunny sweetness of the orange and tart Grenadine. Sunny, super fruity and intense – vamos!

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

Method
Fill your glass with ice first and add in your OJ. If it’s freshly squeezed, you’ll want to strain. Next up, the tequila, before a gentle pour of grenadine. Sit back and enjoy the ombre of your creation until you can resist no longer. Garnish with a cherry and orange twist and sip away!

Chilcano – for the pisco lovers

There’s some real classics above, but how about something a touch different. This is essentially a Highball, but with bitters and lime juice adding some complexity. The star of the show is Pisco, an underused spirit claimed by both Peru and Chile. It brings a lot of fruit, particularly grapes and citrus, as well as floral and vanilla notes. It’s one of the oldest Pisco cocktails, combining the zip of lime, the fizzy warmth of ginger ale, the herbal complexity of bitters and the distinct whack of Pisco beautifully.

Ingredients
60ml pisco
20ml lime juice
2 drops Angostura bitters
Ginger ale to top up
Lime wedge for garnish

Method
Fill your highball glass with ice and add pisco, lime juice and ginger ale to the top before a couple of drops of bitters. Make it pretty with a fresh lime twist and that is one impressive but simple cocktail.

If you’ve absolutely got your heart set on a shaken cocktail but don’t have time to get a shaker, then there are a few options – just look around you! We’ve got five alternatives to a cocktail shaker here!

Cocktail Hacks: What Can I Use Instead of a Cocktail Shaker?

Really fancy mixing together a quick cocktail but don’t have a cocktail shaker? Don’t let that put you off! Whilst a cocktail shaker is always going to be the ideal tool for the job, you can find alternatives laying around the house that will do the trick.

Perhaps you’ve lost your shaker, maybe it’s broken, or maybe you’ve just seen a tempting recipe online but you’re new to mixology, so you don’t have a shaker yet – don’t let that stop you. You make that cocktail, and here are five alternative shakers to help you do just that.

Water bottle

This is a good option because almost everyone will have one lying around. However, it has its downsides of course. It may not have the biggest opening to pour ice and ingredients into and it might not be as leak proof as other containers, especially if it’s regularly used. It’s also likely to take a little longer to chill your cocktail than other methods. But, in its simplest form, it’s a container with a lid, so as long as you can fit in your ingredients and it’s watertight, you’ll be able to shake your cocktail with it!

Mason jar

Most people have a mason jar or large jam jar knocking around somewhere, and they can help you out in situations like this. They usually have enough room for ice and come with a tight screw-on lid (make sure it’s not leaking before fully committing to the shake). One piece of safety advice here – make sure your glass is tempered. The rapid temperature change that comes with ice can weaken regular glass, so if you’re unsure if the mason jar is heavy-duty, be very cautious. Slowly cool it down first, and test with a little ice and gentler shaking.

Protein Shaker

It’s even got shaker in the name! Some protein shakers are just containers, but many have mixing balls or other mechanisms built in to fully merge all ingredients together, which is ideal. Many are also made of steel, which will be perfect for chilling the drink in no time at all, similar to an original Boston cocktail shaker.

Blender

Whether you actually turn it on or not is up to you (and whether you want blended ice in your recipe), but even turned off, the blender container can work. They’re a good size, they’re made to be totally leak-proof even when liquid is whizzing around at high speeds, and they should be easy to pour. Sometimes they even come with a strainer too.

Flask

Again, thermos flasks and travel coffee containers are made to be totally leak proof. Also, they often have a double-walled build meaning that rapid temperature changes are no issue at all. They’ll retain plenty of chill from the ice too.

And remember, there are plenty of cocktails that don’t require shaking at all. Martini, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Screwdriver to name a few!  For a bounty of delicious cocktail ideas, take a look here for inspiration!

What’s the Secret to the Perfect Daiquiri?

Here is the comprehensive, unparalleled, and indisputably correct guide to the perfect Daiquiri. Or, rather, five perfect Daiquiris - if we do say so ourselves. See, Daiquiris are like people - striving for balance, different in wonderful ways, and uniquely perfect once they’re surrounded by the right support. 

Using five vastly different but incredible rums, these recipes are all perfect riffs on one of the most popular cocktails to ever exist. They are simple enough to make with minimal equipment at home, but delicious enough to bring complexity and fun to your cocktail hour for anyone you’d like to impress - even if you’re trying to impress yourself. Although innumerable variations exist, we believe that there’s a Daiquiri out there for everyone. After all, every palate is unique and everyone enjoys different flavours and balance. So, here are five great starting points on your journey to find a Daiquiri recipe as individually perfect as you.

The Perfect Classic Daiquiri 

Eminente Ambar Claro

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £30.95

Tradition dictates that the classic Daiquiri is an exercise in the art of balance and quality ingredients. In all recipes on this list, it is essential to use fresh lime juice for the best balance, quality, and flavour. Avoid store-bought bottles of pasteurised lime juice, as it will lack the bright, tart taste of freshly squeezed limes. But you wouldn’t be reading this if you wanted boring bottled cocktails, would you? 

In classic Daiquiris, the go-to for most bartenders is a light rum - often called white rum or unaged rum, though these are both misnomers but that’s a whole different topic which can be discussed among the most nerdy of spirits enthusiasts another time. For the perfect classic Daiquiri, the best choice for rum is Eminente Ambar Claro. This rum is light enough to delight the traditionalists and packs bold flavours like bottled Cuban sunshine. The rich nuttiness and vanilla notes of this will balance beautifully for the perfect classic 2:1:1 Daiquiri. 

Ingredients
50ml Eminente Ambar Claro
25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
25ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)

Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

The Perfect Historical Daiquiri

La Progresiva

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £39.99

Tourists visiting Cuba during the early 20th century helped to popularise the drink around the world. The exact origins are somewhat disputed but any cocktail this popular will inevitably be the subject of endless hours of research from bartenders, historians, and anthropologists. Through this research we know there is a long history and tradition of craftsmanship around blending of rums to create the perfect expression of the Cuban island. For the perfect historical Daiquiri, the best rum to use is La Progresiva. Despite being one of the newest expressions to come out of the Cuban market, it’s a beautiful blend of rums with a balance that is entirely and perfectly Cuban. This caramel-forward and buttery rum is arguably a representation of how rum would have tasted back when the Daiquiri was a burgeoning boom.

Ingredients
50 ml La Progresiva
30 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
20 ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)

Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

The Perfect Dangerous Daiquiri

Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum

Size: 700ml
ABV: 63%
Find here: £29

Originating back in 2005 in a London party bar, this non-stop train to trouble town has become a beloved modern classic among bartenders. Also known as the Nuclear Daiquiri, it combines two of bartenders’ favourite ingredients: high-proof alcohol and a disregard for consequences. Plus, it is absolutely delicious - a magnificent balance of strong, bitter, sweet, and sour. The best rum choice for the perfect dangerous Daiquiri is Wray & Nephew. This Jamaican rum, famous for powerful flavour and intense strength, works in harmony with the other ingredients leaving you to dance dangerously with the devil.

Ingredients
30ml Wray & Nephew Overproof Jamaican Rum
30ml freshly squeezed lime juice
25ml Green Chartreuse
15ml falernum

Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

The Perfect Funky Daiquiri

Clement Canne Bleue Agricole Blanc

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: £39.75

Funk isn’t for everyone and certainly not for the faint of flavour. Funky rhum comes with nutty, earthy, and/or fermented smell and tastes so unique that it has its own hard-to-define word that’s even harder to spell: haut-gout. The haut-gout flavour is commonly present in rhum from Martinique - called Agricole rhum. Agricole rhum is a spectacular and criminally underappreciated category. While many rums make Daiquiris smooth, sweet or easy-going, Agricole rhum brings a grassy, regional-driven sugarcane power pop. For the perfect funky Daiquiri, the best choice is Clement Canne Bleue Agricole. It tastes like pears and apples have somehow sprung from the ground in the middle of the island’s sugarcane fields.

Ingredients
40ml Clement Canne Bleue Agricole
30ml freshly squeezed lime juice
30ml pure cane sugar syrup

Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

The Perfect Modern Daiquiri

Kromanti Rum

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.39

A modern variation on the Daiquiri needs to celebrate the timeless appeal of this iconic cocktail while embracing the innovation and quality of modern rum. It also needs to be really yummy or it’ll never get inducted into the perfect Daiquiri hall of fame. Which is why the best choice for the perfect modern Daiquiri is Kromanti Rum. This family-owned rum is botanically infused with tamarind for a spice and fruit profile unlike anything else on the market. Their commitment to quality is unparalleled and that means the rum come through with incredible taste in cocktails. They are also deeply connected to their communities both in the UK and the island nation of Dominica, which would make it worth supporting the brand even if the rum wasn’t so wildly easy to drink.

Ingredients
50ml Kromanti Tamarind Rum
30ml fresh squeezed lime juice
20ml simple syrup

Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Fine strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.

Feel free to try the perfect Daiquiri - or five of them - and alter the recipes to make the perfect Daiquiri for you - cocktails are all about experimentation and personalisation. If you’re still thirsty for more spirits fun, you can find some Stunning Margaritas or dive into some Rogue Whiskies.

By Zach Sapato

The 5 Best Scotch Whisky Cocktails to Try at Home

When thinking of a Scotch whisky bar, it’s likely that an image of a dark room with mahogany and leather furnishings will pop into the mind, perhaps with a lingering cigar scent. However, in this modern Scotch whisky and cocktail renaissance, the norms are changing to brighter bars less reminiscent of old boys’ clubs and more akin to the modern high-end cocktail bar.

A change in attitude accompanies this change in the atmosphere; there is less nose-turning when mixing a cocktail with Scotch whiskies, and in some cases, even single malts! When prepared correctly, a Scotch whisky cocktail is just downright incredible. Whether your favourite mixed drink is an Old Fashioned or a Whisky Sour, there is a Scotch Whisky classic out there for you! Here are some of our favourites.

Mizuwari

The Japanese cousin of Scotch and soda simply replaces soda water with still water and is a staple in Asian drinking culture. The single-ingredient replacement in a 2 ingredient drink makes more of a difference than one would think as soda water has acidity and bitterness from carbonation, so the still water results in a softer flavour profile, allowing the drinker to experience even more layers of the single malt of choice, and arguably, it’s even more refreshing! The beauty of this drink lies in its versatility; you can use any Scotch of your choice, blended or single malt and it will be smooth and refreshing. You can even play around with flavoured waters that complement your whisky of choice! e.g. Cardhu 12 and red apple flavoured water.

Ingredients
50ml (1 &2/3oz) Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Still water to top up

Method
Add Scotch whisky to a highball with ice and top with still water. Optionally, garnish with a slice of lemon.

BRIGADOON

The whisky sour gets the daisy treatment with this lesser-known classic. Like many historic cocktails, not much is known about the origin of this drink other than the fact it was the creation of Adam McGurk at the Player in London. The combination of apricot brandy and orgeat is a well-utilised one in many a tiki cocktail and works just as splendidly when swapping the base spirit of rum for whisky. For this drink, we recommend any well-rounded blended scotch so as not to overpower the other flavours running through the drink.

Ingredients
40ml (1 &1/3oz) Blended Scotch
20ml (2/3oz) Apricot Brandy
20ml (2/3oz) Lemon Juice
15ml (1/2oz) Orgeat
3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Method
Combine all ingredients into a shaker and shake with ice for 10 seconds. Lastly,
strain into your favourite cocktail glass and enjoy.

WILLIAM WALLACE

This Scotch Manhattan adjacent tipple is one of the newest drinks to take the bartending world by storm. Created by Joe Schofield of Schofield’s Bar fame in Manchester in 2019, it was a simple stroke of genius by taking the classic Rob Roy template and substituting a portion of the Sweet Vermouth for Pedro Ximenez Sherry. This adds an extra layer of complexity to the flavour profile, alongside a touch of extra body and sweetness. This one-ingredient switch lands the William Wallace a touch sweeter than the Rob Roy it is based on, and a touch drier than their brother, the Bobby Burns.

Top Tip: This is a cocktail that is also very much batchable, you can pre-combine multiple serves of this drink with water added for the dilution that would have been achieved by stirring (10% of total volume is ideal), bottle it up and stick it in the freezer to enjoy later.

Ingredients
50ml (1 &2/3oz) Blended Scotch Whisky
10ml (1/3oz) Sweet Vermouth
10ml (1/3oz) Pedro Ximenez Sherry
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Method
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and then stir over ice.
Next, strain into your favourite cocktail glass before finishing it off with an orange twist garnish.

MORNING GLORY FIZZ

This whisky sour variation is the quintessential hangover cure of pre-prohibition America and is very much a reflection of the lifestyle there at the time. Initially mentioned in O.H. Byron’s Modern Bartender’s Guide (1884), this scotch-based, absinthe-laced sour, is topped with soda and served without ice all in the name of knock-back-ability. While the drink was initially created as a corpse reviver, it also makes a delectable evening tipple once the recipe has been modified to be more suitable to the modern palette, and has been getting more love than it has been used to in recent years as the bartenders of today are increasingly flicking through the history books for inspiration.

Ingredients
50ml (1 &2/3oz) Blended Scotch Whisky
25ml (5/6oz) Lemon Juice
25ml (5/6oz) 1:1 Simple Syrup
20ml (2/3oz) Egg White (Can be subbed in for any vegan foamer)
4 dashes Absinthe
Top with Soda Water

Method
Combine all ingredients except soda water in a shaker with ice for 15 seconds.
Next, add ice into your tin and shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into a highball glass and top up with soda water. Nom.

SKYE 75

This drink was made known to me during my time working in the cocktail bars of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh; the Skye 75 takes the classic gin number, the French 75 on a holiday to a tiny island off the West coast of Scotland, the Isle of Skye. The simple substitute of Single Malt Scotch, Talisker 10 Y.O. for London Dry Gin completely revamps the character of this summer staple. The lightly peated, maritime character of Talisker 10 pairs perfectly with the buttery orchard fruit notes of dry, crisp Champagne, and makes for a perfect cocktail as we approach the warmer months ahead.

Ingredients
35ml (1 and 1/6oz) Talisker 10 Y.O.
25ml (5/6oz) Lemon Juice
25ml (5/6oz) 1:1 Simple Syrup
Top with Champagne

Method
Combine all ingredients except Champagne in a shaker and shake, shake, shake for 10 seconds. Fine strain into your champagne flute, fill it up with fizz and finish off with a pretty lemon twist!

If all this talk of Scotch cocktails has got you drooling for one, then check out some Scotch recommendations here!

By Fowwaz Ansari

The First World Class Cocktail Festival in the UK Is Here

From the 9th March- 30th April, cocktails will be shaken up and down the country for the inaugural World Class Cocktail Festival in Great Britain. 20 towns and cities including Bristol, Birmingham, London and Liverpool each have a designated bar serving a completely bespoke, limited-edition selection of three cocktails.

And these aren’t any cocktails. They are created by the Top 100 Bartenders in the UK as part of Diageo World Class, the most prestigious platform for mixology masters to display their passion and skill. The entries have already been cut down to 100, but this opportunity to compete against one another serving three cocktails will see a lucky 20 take on the Global Finals in Shanghai later in the year.

Gin lovers can look forward to an award-winning small batch Tanqueray No. TEN cocktail, whisky fans can order a concoction starring the Speyside wonder that is The Singleton 12-Year-Old, and there’s no disappointment for the mocktail drinkers either with a refreshing Seedlip creation. What story the competing bartenders choose to tell with the ingredients can only be found out by paying a visit to your nearest participating bar.

For a full list of those and more information on this highly competitive competition and celebration of everything cocktails, go here.

Oh, and for those of you in London, there are free cocktail masterclasses as part of the festival! Head to The Bar at Home in Oxford Circus from the 19th March – 30th April to have your flavour preferences analysed (you may be part of the 25% of the population who are ‘super tasters!), receive a complimentary world class cocktail and get limited-time discounts on bottles, personalisation and gifts – not bad at all.

Shakers at the ready, let the games commence!

5 Ready to Drink Cocktails To Share With Your Bestie

Sharing is caring so they say and indeed that's what the best friendships are made of! And what better to share than the tasty concoction of a ready-to-go cocktail? Thankfully, the ready to drink cocktail market has been developing rapidly which makes it so much easier to have lovely cocktails for two at apéro hour, whether they come from a can or a small bottle. These types of cocktails also make pre-drinking easier without the hassle of getting together unusual recipe ingredients! Here is a selection of fabulous cocktails and mocktails for you to share with your friends!

Tom Savano - Passionfruit Martini

A very smooth, well blended but also tangy Passionfruit Martini, this is a bar quality cocktail and isn’t overly syrupy. You can always add that shot of prosecco on the side for that well known fruity Martini cocktail combination! This is a very drinkable cocktail blending the passionfruit with vodka, Madagascan vanilla and lime. As it is served in a bottle with a stopper, the cocktail can be savoured throughout the night and the next day (if you’re up to it that is).

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £22 (price reduction online)

Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin and Tonic

This is the classic go-to G&T combination where the fruity sweetness of Gordon’s London pink dry gin smoothly blends with the bitterness from the Schweppes tonic in perfect harmony. The botanical base is bright and lively, perfect to bring a little sun to your day. A handy size to bring to picnics, it’s also ideal for drinking before a night out, or whilst you practice those TikTok dance moves with your bestie.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £1.80

Something & Nothing French Rosé  + Hibiscus and Rose Spritz

Made with French rosé wine and hibiscus and rose seltzer, this is a lighter drink that’s ideal for chilled occasions - think BBQs, picnics or just destressing after work. The rosé adds floral and fruity notes to the spritz and being such a food-friendly profile, it would also work a treat with small bites. It’s vegan friendly too!

Size: 330ml 
ABV: 4%
Find here: £3.79

ISH Spirits Non-Alcoholic Mojito

A delicious blend which has been awarded the IWSC Bronze prize, it is hard to believe that this is a mocktail! It smells and tastes just like a Mojito thanks to the well-balanced botanicals in the non-alcoholic ISH Caribbean Spiced Spirit - you really get a taste of that rum twist. It’s the perfect treat to take on a road trip with your bestie!

Size: 250 ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £2.59

The Drinks Bureau - Shirley Temple

Another classic mocktail on the list, the Shirley Temple takes its name from the famous actress who appeared in films such as Heidi! This is a cherry flavoured drink containing warm ginger, a sweetness that is offset with a great tangy flavour and bitters that give it a real depth. It’s a perfect drink to sip on with your friends whilst enjoying a movie!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £12 for 4 cans

There you have it - these ready to drink cocktails are full of flavour and great for sharing, so get out those cocktail glasses or drink them from the can wherever and whenever, who needs an excuse! To see more tasty cocktail suggestions, click here.

By Latoya Austin

Why Puerto de Indias Are Releasing An ‘Unfair’ Blackberry Gin

It’s not often that you’ll find us praising a bottle of booze being decreased in size, but on this occasion the point it’s making is well worth it.

Seville-based Puerto de Indias are rolling out special editions of their tasty Blackberry Gin, but with 14.3% less liquid inside than usual. Perhaps you’re wondering how they arrived at such a specific number? Well, it reflects the ONS figures that women earn, on average, 14.3% less than men per hour.

Set for a release on International Women’s Day this Friday 8th March, journalists, bartenders, and influencers will be sent these ‘unfair’ bottles to draw attention to the gender gap issue. Whether it’s the issue of women being paid less for the same work or not being given equal opportunities in various industries, this bottle and IWD is a reminder of the work still to be done.

To get people shouting about it, Puerto de Indias are encouraging #shakeforpayequality, where you can join in by making a cocktail and raising your glass to women.  Sticking with the blackberry gin as it was a women-led creation, you can whip up their delicious Black Mojito starring it.

As well as rolling up their sleeves when it comes to the big issues, their gin is award-winning for a reason. They’ve blazed a trail with premium berry gins, first with their renowned strawberry and now with this. If you want to join us with a Black Mojito this Friday, this is how you make it!

Ingredients
50ml Puerto de Indias Blackberry Gin
3 wedges of lime
2 or 3 good-sized blackberries
8 spearmint leaves
Sprinkling of sugar
Soda or sparkling water

Method
Take a fairly wide glass and drop your lime, spearmint, and blackberries into it, along with a teaspoon or so of sugar to let it macerate. Then the good stuff, pour in the beautiful Blackberry Gin and top up with some bubbles - soda or sparkling water. Cheers!

It doesn’t look like the special edition of the bottle is available to buy, but you can find the full-size bottle at a number of retailers including Master of Malt here, where it’s currently on offer for £26.95!