The Bring a Bottle Podcast: Episode 60

We move away from wine this week as we start a brand new series full of whisky, whisky, and well, a bit more whisky! 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

We start the new series off with a BANG as we sip on The Dalmore King Alexander III. Listen in as Aidy tells you more about The Dalmore’s logo origin, how much time and effort goes into making this beautiful dram and just what casks are used to create it.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: £190 // $279.99

Drinks News

It’s a bit of a jump from the ridiculous to the sublime in Drinks news as we go from a Russian Billionaire’s private champagne collection in the Hampton’s to why Vivino is the app to help you choose the perfect wine, but you’re not going to want to miss it!

Mixology

This week it’s all about the Espresso Martini. Listen in to hear all about its beginnings and why not try Aidy’s take on an Espresso Martini below. Helena sure can’t wait to!

Spiced Rum Espresso Martini

Ingredients:
25ml spiced rum (We love Havana Club Cuban Spiced)
25ml Kahlúa
25ml fresh, cold espresso

Method:
Bang everything in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with coffee beans!

*The spiciness of rum works so well with the creaminess of the Kahlúa so make sure you give it a go!

One to Watch

Helena has discovered a brilliant book ‘The Infused Cocktail Handbook’ by Kurt Maitland which is essentially a brilliant guide to homemade blends and infusions. Aidy on the other hand has been watching a new cooking show on Netflix with, ahem, Paris Hilton… listen in to find out if it’s any good!

Dine First Wine First

Ever wondered what to pair with Rioja? Well, you need never wonder again as Helena has some mouth-wateringly good suggestions involving lamb waiting for you. Find out which styles of Rioja it is best paired with and just why lamb is her meat of choice via the player above!

Mailbag

This week’s mailbag is all about how to still enjoy your wine when camping. Aidy and Helena have some great tips on how to chill it and which white wine types fair best on a camping trip!

As with last week, there is so much more waiting to be discovered so if you enjoyed this then make sure to check out Episode 60 of The Bring a Bottle Podcast now!

The Best Vodkas for Espresso Martinis

The Espresso Martini: undeniably one of the world’s most treasured cocktails known for its ability to ‘wake you up’ and then- Oh, you know the rest of the phrase… Make sure you’ve got this cocktail under your belt before the holiday season creeps up on you - it’s on its way! 

While cocktails fare well with most vodkas, there are definitely some more suited to certain cocktails. Here’s our list of the BEST vodkas for an Espresso Martini!

Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka

This vodka has shot to astronomical renown in the past few years, and it’s for good reason. Black Cow Vodka is made from pure milk, to be specific, the whey left over when creating Black Cow Farm’s award-winning cheddar (which we can confirm is REALLY good). Based in West Dorset, not only is it helping reduce food waste, but it’s also a seriously good quality vodka. Black Cow has subtle notes of cream and it's this quality that makes it so perfect for an Espresso Martini. To put it simply, espresso and Black Cow Vodka are a match made in mixology heaven: BUY NOW!!

ABV: 40%
Size: 70cl
Find here: £27.05

Finlandia Vodka

Finlandia, as its name suggests, is made in Finland and is distilled using glacial spring water. For this reason, some enjoy Finlandia frozen - but you won’t need to freeze it when mixing up a delicious cocktail for your family and friends. Finlandia is a very smooth vodka, meaning it’s brilliant for cocktails such as an Espresso Martini where a spiky vodka would interfere with the other flavours at work. Try it out today!

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £21 // US $20.99

Ketel One Vodka

Ketel One is tried and true when it comes to vodka (around since 1691!) - loved all around the world for its versatility in cocktails. Its flavoured vodkas are also top quality, so after making your Espresso Martinis, it’s worth checking those out. Their neutral vodka has a creamy hint of honey, an edge that really shines through in a carefully crafted Espresso Martini. 

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: UK £26.65 // US $29.99

Tito’s Vodka

Tito’s Vodka is handmade in its birthplace of Austin Texas, and is still made in old-fashioned pot stills. Each small batch is meticulously taste tested and distilled to give a clean and pure vodka that is wonderful in a variety of cocktails. As the vodka is corn distilled, it has a touch of sweetness to it - which is ideal for using in an Espresso Martini! The corn also means it’s gluten free!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: UK £28.85

Stolichnaya

Stolichnaya is a great all-rounder vodka - so if you’re mixologist extraordinaire you’ll love having a bottle (or three) of this around. Stolichnaya packs a bit of a punch, so if you like your vodka strong you’ll love it. Its neutrality makes it brilliant for a whole host of cocktails, from a Moscow Mule to an Espresso Martini! Pick up a bottle today and get that shaker out, you’re gonna need it!

ABV: 40%
Size: 70cl
Find it here: £20.90 // US $27.99

Chase Vodka

Chase Vodka is made from tiny weeny potatoes that can’t be made into Tyrrells Crisps! We love an alcohol that reduces food waste, so Chase gets a big Three Drinkers eco-friendly star of approval. It’s also got a lovely creamy flavour with hints of warm spices, which definitely sounds like something we’d like in our coffee (Pumpkin Spice Latte anyone?). Chase Vodka is one to add to your bar cart if you’re after a great Espresso Martini - and don’t forget the Tyrells!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £35.35

If the Martini is your prefered drink of choice then these Best Value Vodkas for Martinis are worth checking out too.

The Most Popular Cocktails This Summer

Picture it: the sun is shining, your friends are round and improvised appetisers are on the table. A flash of silver - what’s that? “Would anyone like a cocktail?” a cool voice calls out from the kitchen. The crowd pricks up their ears, who’s that sexy mixologist? It’s you, you’re the sexy mixologist. Shaker in hand, you begin to feel like a God… until you realise you don’t know any cocktail recipes.

Aha! Fear no more! There’s still hope for you to become the God of cocktail parties. Once you’ve got down the crowd pleasers, you need never worry again about accidentally getting Grandma plastered on your botched version of a ‘martini’. We’re here, armed with the nation's favourite cocktails to help you out.

10. Sangria

In at Number 10 is a tasty Spanish contribution - the Sangria! Essentially a red wine punch (though it can be especially tasty with white wine), the key to a great Sangria is the personal touch. Taste test with your favourite fruits and put together a family recipe to be passed down through the generations.

Ingredients

2 oranges, chopped
2 pears, chopped
2 lemons, 1 chopped, 1 juiced
200g red berries, chopped
3 tbsp caster sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Ice
750ml bottle light red wine
100ml Spanish brandy
300ml sparkling water

Method

Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the chopped fruit in a large bowl. Stir to mix. Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for at least an hour, but ideally overnight.
Fill up a large jug with ice. Stir the fruit mixture to ensure the sugar is dissolved and tip into the jug. Add the wine and brandy. Stir, then top up with the sparkling water and serve.

9. Long Island Iced Tea

Fun fact: Long Island Iced Tea is claimed to have been invented by TGIFriday’s, but as all origin stories go, this is widely refuted. Oh well, let’s let them have it. Popular in the 1980s and still hugely successful now - the Long Island Iced Tea packs a PUNCH. If you’ve got a lot of leftover spirits around, why not put them to use and mix one up yourself?!

Ingredients

15ml vodka
15ml white rum
15ml silver tequila
15ml gin
15ml triple sec
15ml simple syrup
15ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Cola
Garnish: lemon wedge

Method

Add the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, simple syrup and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with ice. Top with the cola and briefly stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge and straw. Simple!

8. Old Fashioned

Making it into this list is proof that the Old Fashioned isn’t as musty as the name might make it sound. We Brits still love the combination of whisk(e)y, simple syrup and angostura bitters - as we should! Why not have a Mad Men (without the dodgy workplace environment) themed party and serve these up to your guests!

Ingredients

50 ml of Whisk(e)y or Bourbon
1 tbsp sugar syrup
2-3 dashes of angostura bitters
1 twist of orange peel to garnish

Method

Place the sugar syrup and bitters in a rocks glass. Add some of the whiskey and a few ice cubes and stir for 15-20 seconds to cool the alcohol and start the ice melting. Keep adding a little more whiskey, then a little more ice, and continue to stir. Sip as you go and stop when the dilution is to your taste.
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

7. Negroni

Bella Italia! Mamma Mia! Use your best Italian while creating this beautifully complex cocktail - it was invented by one after all (to be precise it was Count Camillio Negroni in 1919 who asked for gin to be added to his Americano cocktail in Florence - the more you know!). 

Ingredients

25ml gin
25ml sweet vermouth
25ml Campari
orange slice, to garnish

Method

Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass with ice. Stir briefly. Garnish with a slice of orange.

6. Margarita

One of the most iconic (and delicious) cocktails to exist. Okay, maybe that was a bit biased - but the margarita is still a great cocktail to have under your belt! Close your eyes and transport yourself to Mexico/heaven. Also, if you’re using nice tequila for the love of the cocktail Gods DO NOT salt the rim - how are you going to taste that £50+ you just spent?

Ingredients

50m blanco tequila (or try a reposado if you’re feeling posh)
25ml lime juice
25ml Cointreau (or triple sec)
lime wedge for garnish

Method

Add tequila, lime juice and triple sec to a shaker with ice. Shake that baby until the sides feel icy. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a slice of lime. 

5. Pornstar Martini

Who knew passionfruit was so naughty? The real question here is what to do with that dastardly prosecco shot. Do you drink it first? Drink it last? Add it to the cocktail? Drink it while drinking the cocktail? Chuck it at the next table? Leave it because the anxiety over how to drink it has got too much? ...yeah.

Ingredients

1 ripe passion fruit, halved
30ml vanilla vodka
30ml passion fruit liqueur
10ml lime juice
10ml sugar syrup
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 liqueur, lime juice and sugar syrup. Add a handful of ice and shake well, strain into a martini glass and add half a passion fruit to each. Serve with a shot of prosecco and a pint glass of prosecco shot anxiety.

4. Sex on the Beach

Another naughty name! Goodness me… make sure when you’re asking someone if they’d like this cocktail that you remember to say ‘A’ Sex on the Beach rather than just ‘Sex on the Beach’. That could go very wrong ;). 

Ingredients

45ml vodka
30ml peach schnapps
60ml orange juice
60ml cranberry juice
Orange wedge, for garnish

Method

Fill a tall glass with ice and add the vodka, peach schnapps and orange juice. Stir briefly. Pour over the cranberry juice for that all important ombre effect. Garnish with a juicy orange wedge.

3. Espresso Martini

This one’s dropped in the ranks this year, it used to be the UK’s favourite cocktail! It’s still getting the bronze medal, however, and this is definitely a cocktail to master - for how easy it is, it looks really impressive!

Ingredients

50ml vodka
25ml freshly brewed espresso coffee
25ml coffee liqueur
10ml sugar syrup
3 coffee beans for garnish

Method

Pop your martini glass in the fridge to cool (or in the freezer if you want that pretty iced effect on the glass). Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice and shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with 3 perfectly placed coffee beans.

2. Piña Colada

Dreaming of beaches and pools, are we? Legend has it that if you take a sip of a Piña Colada, close your eyes and say coconut three times, you might hear the sea. Might is the key word there. If by some random occurrence you happen to have a spare hollowed out coconut, USE IT NOW! Oh and some of those cheesy tiny umbrellas.

Ingredients

120ml pineapple juice
60ml white rum
60ml cream of coconut
Wedge of pineapple to garnish

Method

Pulse all the ingredients along with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

1. Mojito

And the winner is….. A mojito! A mojito is a safe choice cocktail - you’re unlikely to mess it up (and if you do, just put on your sexy mixologist voice and drawl “that’s how it’s supposed to taste”). Not only that, but it’s delicious! 

Ingredients

Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp granulated sugar
Small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve
60ml white rum
Soda water

Method

Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice. Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.

Like what you see? Why not check out our other cocktail recipes to up your game!