Cheers to Tea Time: 5 Tasty Alcoholic Teas for Your Next Celebration

Having a cup of tea with a meal or a quick snack is one of life's simple pleasures – so much so that it merits its own celebration, such as National Tea Day. Drinking tea is a ritual embedded in many cultures. Tea culture apparently dates back to 2737 BC in China, according to legend, but there are now so many fashionable flavours to be found worldwide such as fruit teas and caffeinated or non-caffeinated tea varieties which go beyond the traditional builders tea or dreaded tasteless milky teas! There is truly a type of tea for everyone these days and that includes cocktail lovers too as there are tea infused cocktails to satisfy most tastes.

Believe it or not, but there are tea cocktails to suit each stage of your dining experience from eating starters right the way through to indulging in desserts! If that piques your interest (and why wouldn’t it), here are five alcoholic teas that will absolutely satisfy both tea drinkers and cocktail lovers alike!

Tios Hard Tea Light & Stormy

Tios hard tea is a sparkling tea infused entry in the RTD (ready to drink) cocktails market and is designed to be drunk on the go! It is made with organic white tea with a twist to provide a variation of your favourite cocktails such as Dark and Stormy. This rum based tea cocktail is a light brown colour which would look familiar to ice tea lovers with an intense ginger flavour profile providing that tangy sensation on the nose and palate. Well blended without being sugary, this is a vegan certified product that will go well by your side at afternoon tea and summer festivals as an aperitif!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.4%
Price: £16.99 for 6 cans

Riddles Mango Ice Tea

A sparkling ice tea rum blend that is slightly orange tinged and infused with Nigerian Moringa tea. According to folklore, there are health benefits associated with drinking Moringa tea and this works well with the fruity mango flavour to produce an easy drinking, light cocktail without reducing the flavour! It is so smoothly blended that neither the rum nor the tea dominate, but then again that will make it ideal to pair with the well-seasoned Caribbean Sunday dinner of rice, peas and chicken!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4%
Price: £2

Masons of Yorkshire, Tea Edition

Tea drinkers and gin lovers will rejoice with this ideal combination of flavours for the Tea Edition of this gin! Mason’s Tea Edition blends dry Yorkshire tea with the botanicals and juniper flavours from the gin profile. It will be an excellent drink for both cosy nights in, as the warmth and alcohol strength will keep the cold weather at bay, and it will be suitable for the spring and summer climates too with its refreshing citrus and slightly sweeter taste. Look no further, If you are seeking that Trou Normand as that palate cleanser between dishes - this Tea Edition would be good for that or you could simply have it as a shot or on the rocks, as we said - it will please many!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Price: £33.95

Noveltea Whisky & Oolong Tea

Coming on to that after dinner time, when you might still be craving a night cap, this tea liqueur from Noveltea combines whisky with the lighter, fruity oolong tea variety. This is a boozy cocktail which is best served chilled with ice. It is as dark in colour as a traditional Scotch whisky, but without the high alcohol content! Smooth on the mouth, without being overpowering, with a subtle, smoky whisky aroma and a hint of lemon – this digestif combination is a natural partnership that will make you want more as the night draws to a close!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Price: £27.50

Tipsy Tea Spiced Chai

You might enjoy having a cuppa before bed and this spiced chai liqueur is perfect for those cosy moments to unwind at home. Packed full of spices, this alcoholic tea is designed to be mixed – you can be adventurous and try it hot or cold! Simply add a shot of hot water or sparkling cold water with a slice of lemon and away you go! Its golden colour also provides that sense of warmth in this fruity blend which tastes just like a herbal tea but with that added kick! It’s the perfect drink for catching up with the gossip with friends after that night out or dinner party!

Size: 350ml
ABV: 20%
Price: £15

Even if you may not be a regular tea drinker, these alcoholic teas explore its versatility for all meal times, tastebuds and special occasions. These will definitely satisfy those cocktail lovers searching for a lighter but flavourful alternative to their favourite cocktails and for tea drinkers seeking the tea version of an Irish coffee! The burning question now is – which boozy tea will you try first?

If you want to make some of your own boozy tea combinations, here are some suggestions to get you started.

By Latoya Austin

What is Crémant and What Should I Try?

Sparkling wine tends to come to many of our minds during springtime, encouraged by the warmer weather and the celebratory period as wedding season beckons. Sparkling French wine is perfect for these occasions, but did you know there’s so much more out there than just Champagne? We're talking about Crémant which has enjoyed increased popularity lately, so you might be keen to know what it is and why Crémant sparks such interest. Let's delve further into the world of Crémant to find out more!

What is crémant?

First of all. Crémant is a sparkling wine variety, which is quality wine that can be either white or Rosé, produced within 8 specific regions in France (also referenced as appellations) – we will come back to those specific regions later. As the French treat Crémant as seriously as they do Champagne, the production of Crémant is protected, which is known as being AOC classified (controlled origin appellation) and the appellations are authorised by the INAO (France’s regulatory body for appellations). This means that not any old sparkling wine produced in France can just call itself a Crémant! Crémant is made by the traditional method production (similar to Champagne) and this specific production type binds all 8 appellations. There is even a National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers that was founded in 1982!

Where does crémant come from?

Coming back to those 8 regions mentioned above, Crémant is produced in Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Die, Jura, Limoux, Loire and Savoie – these regions cover most of the corners of France, so this sounds like the perfect excuse for a spot of wine tourism with a French road trip following this wine route! Some of these regions, such as Bordeaux, may already be known to you for their still white and red wines and now you can also combine the usual wine tasting visit with tasting some bubbles too! The Crémant name is protected by the National Federation of Crémant Growers and Producers which encourages the knowledge and promotion of their beloved wine on a national and international scale.

What is the difference between champagne and crémant?

This is a good question as these are both sparkling wine varieties produced in France but the key difference is that Champagne can only be produced in the Champagne region, whereas there are other regions to choose from that produce Crémant. Plus, of course there is the price difference with Crémant being a cost effective solution without reducing the taste quality as it’s produced in the same way to Champagne. Crémant can use different grape varieties (Champagne only uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and can also have a higher PH level than Champagne.

Does crémant differ depending on the region (appellation) that it is made from?

Again, this is a very good question as a 2009 community regulation contains the requisites that all Crémant wines must adhere to and yet there are also regional differences. What is common to all Crémant wines is that there is secondary fermentation in the bottle (this is where the delightful bubbles are created due to carbon dioxide). The rules for Crémant also mean that the wines are aged in the bottle for at least 9 additional months, which is where that yeasty smell and taste may be apparent, as there is that contact with the lees (dead yeast cells) when the wine is stirred. Crémant must also be sold only 12 months after the bottling process. Furthermore, the other rules for Crémant are quite stringent; they must be manually harvested, the wine needs to come from specifically squeezed grapes, and there are restrictions on the amount of sulphur chemicals and the level of sugar content too! Let’s explore France some more to truly get to know Crémant!

Alsace

Within the Alsace region, vineyards are planted close to the local villages and it is therefore not surprising that the region is the largest producer of Crémant with around 32.9 million bottles sold per year! According to the Alsace regional tourism board, those sales fall second to that of Champagne in the sparkling wine production, which is a very impressive statistic! Crémant d’Alsace accounts for approximately 24% of Alsace’s wine production and there are regional stipulations governing Alsace’s Crémants, so let’s talk about those!

In 1976, Crémant d’Alsace received its AOC classification but the wine producers from Alsace employed the traditional method for their sparkling wines since the late 19th century! Some of the Alsace Crémants will involve a blend of grape varieties but others may be a single grape variety. But, Pinot Noir tends to be the main grape variety which provides that delicate taste. However, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay may also be present and Pinot Noir is the only variety used for the rosé version. As another tip, you can access the online directory for the Alsace wine route when in France!

Bordeaux

Bordeaux may be renowned for its delicious red wines but it is also a producer of quality Crémant sparkling wines! However, it was only in 1990 that the Crémant de Bordeaux received its AOC ranking. Similar to the Alsace region, Bordeaux also uses the traditional method for its crémant production and what you can expect from these Crémants, as indicated by the Bordeaux regional tourism board, are fine bubbles and aromatic wines. Crémant only accounts for 1% of the wine production in Bordeaux, making it one of the smaller Crémant producers but these typically use the same Bordeaux grapes as their still wines. Therefore, the main grape varieties you will see in a Crémant de Bordeaux are Sémillion and Sauvignon. For the Rosé Crémants, these might have a blend of Cabernet and Merlot.

Bourgogne

It was in the early 19th century that Champagne knowledge, via the village Rully, was imported to Bourgogne (Burgundy in English). But, the AOC classification for Crémant de Bourgogne was only received in 1975! Again, this Crémant uses the traditional method (méthode champenoise) and with Crémant de Bourgogne you can also find a Blanc de Blanc and Blanc des Noirs as well as the usual white and red varieties. You can expect to find the grapes of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir within these Crémants. There are approximately 19.2 million bottles sold each year which amounts to 10% of the wine produced in the Bourgogne region! Plus, there is the further segregation within Crémants from Bourgogne with the ‘eminent’ Crémants, aged for at least 24 months and the ‘grand eminent’ Crémants aged for 36 months or more!

Die (the Rhône)

From the Drôme Valley vineyards comes the Crémant de Die with its special location between the Alps and Provence. The vineyards therefore occupy some of France’s highest altitudes at nearly 700 metres! Die is approximately two hours away from Lyon in the south east of France and is one of the smallest Crémant producers. The appellation was received in 1993 and approximately 700,000 bottles of Crémant de Die are sold each year. The grape varieties typically used are Clairette, Aligoté and Muscat which create that green fruits aroma. Crémant de Die could also be combined with chestnut liqueur for a Kir which sounds like a very tempting cocktail to us!

Jura

Whilst this sparkling wine production dates back to the late 18th century, the AOC classification was only received in 1995! This appellation region is also connected with the Côtes du Jura, Arbois, Château-Chalon and L’Étoile. Crémant du Jura differs from some of the other appellations as there are five authorised grape varieties! These are Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Chardonnay and Savagnin. For white Crémants du Jura, there must be at least 70% of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Trousseau. At least 50% of Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau must be utilised for the Rosé and the grapes are hand harvested too! There are approximately 1.7 million bottles sold per year which accounts for around 16% of the total Jura AOC production. A fun fact is that there is also a specific Crémant du Jura flute glass specially designed to get the best out of your Crémant du Jura!

Limoux

Situated in the south of France and in the middle of the Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux was first mentioned in a document dating back to 1544 starting with the ancestral method of production. However, the AOC label was only granted to Crémant de Limoux in 1990, but it’s just one of five AOC classifications in the region. The AOC Crémant de Limoux typically consists of two main grape varieties being Chardonnay and Chenin with at least 90% of these varieties having to be used. Additionally, the other varieties Mauzac and Pinot Noir would use 40% maximum of the variety, of which 20% must be Mauzac. Like we said, it can be strict and precise! The grapes will be hand picked and the Crémants produced by the traditional method. The Crémants de Limoux are typically Brut with a floral aroma and the region sells approximately 5.8 million bottles per year. What is also exciting, as mentioned by the Limoux regional tourism board, is that the 33rd edition of the National Crémant Competition will take place in Limoux in April 2024 - keep an eye out for the winners!

Loire

The production area of Crémant de Loire covers the villages of Drain to Cheverny and therefore includes AOC classified regions such as Anjou and Saumur. Crémant de Loire received its appellation in 1975 and its northern location means that there is a diversity of climates impacting the grapes production. The main grape varieties used are Chenin and Cabernet Franc, but there may be blends using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris and Orbois to add more flavour! The Crémants de Loire will therefore typically be quite fresh and subtle on the nose and approximately 17 million bottles are sold each year.

Savoie

In the steep valleys of the Alps, the Crémant de Savoie is the newest region to receive its appellation, which was only granted in 2015! The AOC Crémants de Savoie use a multitude of grape varieties but there are restrictions, as usual, for production! The main grape varieties used are the Savoyard Jacquère and Altesse grapes of which 60% must be used - the other 40% being from the Jacquère grapes. Other grape varieties include Chasselas, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay for the other 40% but there must be a maximum 20% of grape varieties used. You should therefore expect fresh and citrus aromas from the Crémants de Savoie given the cool climate and there are approximately 350,000 bottles sold each year. It would therefore be ideal to combine your skiing with wine tasting in the Savoie region!

Which crémants should I try?

Now that you are armed with all of this Crémant knowledge about the appellations, here are some bottles of Crémant that we think you will love!

Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire Rosé

This is a smooth drinkable Rosé with a pale pink salmon colour. It is bursting full of strawberries with a light aroma, a dry flavour and medium finish. It offers a subtle elegance that makes it ideal to drink by itself as an after work treat! This one is a definite crowd pleaser!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.50

Louis Vallon Crémant De Bordeaux Blanc De Noirs

A medium bodied Crémant with a light texture, this is an easy drinking elegant bottle. There are citrus, peaches and apple aromas on the nose with a slight detection of yeast and almonds. This Crémant pairs well with almonds as an aperitif.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £14.75

Cave De Turckheim NV - ALSACE AOC

This is a balanced Crémant from Alsace with a pale lemon colour and fine bubbles and tastes just like a Champagne! There are peach and floral aromas on the nose with a medium intensity and strong finish which pairs quite well with popcorn for a film night!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £12.75

N.V. Crémant de Bourgogne, Dufouleur Pere et Fils

This is Brut Crémant with a slightly golden colour and is from the Nuit St George’s area. There is a fruity aroma with green apple and peach with a creamy biscuits taste on the palate and medium intensity as a good all rounder.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £17.75

Waitrose Cuvée Royale Brut Crémant de Limoux

This is a fresh tasting Crémant with big bubbles from the Limoux region. It has a medium complexity with an aroma of floral pears to provide a light but dry wine with a biscuity taste. This would pair very well with salmon blinis for those celebrations!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £13.99

Aldi Specially Selected Crémant du Jura

This Crémant is very popular and keeps flying off the shelves - we can see why! It is a flavourful, aromatic Crémant packed with a fruit forward profile which is also fresh with green apple and a creamy secondary aroma with medium intensity and finish. This would be the ideal Crémant to have with brunch with friends!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £8.99

Château de l'aulée Crémant NV - Crémant de Loire

This is a dry Crémant that surprisingly tastes just like a Champagne and is very quaffable! It uses Chenin Blanc as its single grape and has a golden colour with rich primary and secondary aromas of apple, brioche and biscuits. This will appeal to many palates and would work well with sea food.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £18.99

Benjamin Darnault Vignerons Wife Crémant de Bourgogne Brut

A very smooth, easy drinking Crémant which is a Chardonnay blend. This is ideal for those who enjoy a lighter, subtle sparkling wine with aromas of green apple, floral and a crisp taste. This will be ideal for sitting in the garden with a picnic.

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £19.99

Sainsburys Taste the Difference Crémant d’Alsace

This is a dry tasting Alsace Crémant with hints of green apple, citrus flavours and secondary flavours of brioche. It has a medium intensity with high acidity and a creamy texture to provide that balanced profile and can be drunk by itself for that spa day!

Size: 75cl
ABV: 12%
Price: £11.50

We would love to hear which Crémants you have tried as they make such a good alternative to Champagne and there is often not that much difference in the taste, depending on the region! Crémant will be great for those spring and summer special occasions or a perfect excuse to treat yourself - what are you waiting for? Santé!

By Latoya Austin

7 Beautiful Bottles of Red Wine You Need To Try This Spring

Springtime may not be the season you typically associate with red wine as the milder weather prompts reaching out for a cold, refreshing drink - typically a white wine, beer or cocktail. But, did you know that there are many lighter red wine blends that are perfect to enjoy during these warmer months too?

We’re thinking of fruity reds that would pair well with cherry blossom season as they contain that hint of cherry within them, as well as food-friendly reds that work well with light tomato-based dishes and salads. The possibilities are endless but to narrow down the list, here are seven red wines that you absolutely must try this spring!

Yellowtail Jammy Red Roo

Jammy by name and jammy by nature! This is an Australian Shiraz blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietals which will attract those with a sweet tooth! You can enjoy this by itself with its fruity flavour profile and chocolate undertones as it’s a versatile, uncomplicated wine to suit most palates and believe it or not, it also works well after being chilled! But, if you do wish to pair this with a meal, then take it along to those BBQs for the start of the barbecue season. Or, simply treat yourself to this wine and dessert at the end of a meal. Like we said, so versatile!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £7.75

The Ned 2020 Pinot Noir

A Pinot Noir from the southern valleys of Marlborough, in New Zealand, which is already a unique selling point for this wine as well as it being an IWC award winner. It is a lighter bodied purple wine with a berry fruits flavour on the nose and a complex spice combined with an oaky characteristic to provide that balance. This Pinot Noir is certainly one to enjoy with food such as peppered mackerel or duck breast!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £14.99

McGuigan Black Label Red 2022

The McGuigan wines have been winning the IWSC’s best winemaker awards for years and with this red wine blend, which includes Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, it is easy to see why! This medium bodied, Australian all rounder is an easy drinking wine bursting full with flavour and ideal for lunchtime or unwinding after work. Its blackberry, fruity profile also provides a soft finish to the wine with hints of cherry and plum. We wouldn’t blame you for wanting this all to yourself but it strikes us as a crowd-pleasing wine suiting all occasions! It’s also easy to carry around as it’s served with a screwcap - always handy.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £7.25

Domaine La Clef du Récit - Sancerre Rouge – 2021

Coming from a young winemaker (the Clef du Récit estate in France only opened in 2012), this is a red Sancerre that you need to add to your shopping lists! It’s an Upper Loire red appealing to many with its combination of freshness, red berry profile and fine tannins. Simply smooth, quaffable and elegant, this is a medium bodied wine that will be an ideal springtime gift.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28.50

Clos de la Molénie, Cuvée Michelot, Bordeaux Supérieur 2021

This is an organic estate located in Ruch in southeast Bordeaux and the winemakers only produced their first vintage wine in 2020. Their Bordeaux blends differ from the normal tastes associated with this type of wine as you would not usually believe that a Bordeaux would be suitable to drink during springtime! But, this 60% Merlot blend also features in the 2024 Guide of the Best Wines in France. It is a fruit forward wine with an immediate detection of its dark fruits and a hint of spice that provides an even finish. This will be a fascinating vineyard to add to your list to visit for wine-tasting in the spring holidays!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £24.95

The King’s Wrath 2021 Pinot Noir

Medieval history enthusiasts will enjoy the stories behind this King’s series of wines! Legend has it that in 1242 William de Marisco was found guilty of treason against King Henry III and was executed at the Tower of London alongside his accomplices. Parts of his body were scattered across the kingdom’s four corners as evidence of the King’s wrath! This will be a good dinner party tale to tell when pouring this award winning Marlborough Pinot from the namesake Marisco vineyards! This wine received the Champion Wine of the 2022 Marlborough Wine Show award and a gold award from The Drinks Business in 2022. It’s medium bodied with a rich and fruity palate that offers a soft finish and slight acidity to make it a well balanced party companion!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £15.99

La Masseria Del Borgo Primitivo Manduria 2022

This deep Italian red focuses on the Zinfandel variety and whilst it might be one of the pricier Primitivo wines found in the supermarkets, it lives up to it. It has a complex profile with black cherry, tobacco and a blend of spices, plus there is an obvious hint of tannins providing a dry, velvety texture. It is this spiciness that means that it works well with cheeses, particularly mature cheddar, for that ideal combination on your wine and cheese nights with friends!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £12.50

Well, you heard it here first, these red wines will be the ideal Easter treat, alongside those Easter eggs, of course, and are perfect in your glass to celebrate the joys of spring! There’s now no need to wait until winter to enjoy a great glass of red, so all that remains is the burning question - which one will you be tempted to try first?

If you’re interested in more quality drinks for the return of sunny days, then ready-to-drink cocktails have never been better - here are five we love!

By Latoya Austin

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