The Best Ready-Made Garnishes for G&Ts

Say goodbye to the same-old lemon slivers, twists of orange, slices of cucumber – G&T garnishes just entered the 21st century. You heard us: a whole new world of unique, flavourful and (thank the heavens!) ready-made garnishes are out there to help up your G&T game with almost zero effort. They don’t only make drinks taste great, they let you customise them, making that Gin & Tonic one-of-a-kind… 

Rock Rose Gin Liquid Garnishes

Forgot to stock up on lemons? No problem: pop a few drops of Rock Rose’s ‘liquid garnish’ – a 41.5% ABV concoction akin to a cocktail bitter – into your G&T, and you’ve instantly got the bright, aromatic hit you’re craving. The four flavours are designed to go with Rock Rose’s own Highland-made gins, but in truth they enhance just about any G&T. Our go-to for summer? The slightly medicinal Lemon Thyme (a hint of gentian, popularly used in vermouth, gives it a gorgeous bitter edge). And, Coriander and Lime – one squeeze is as good as a wedge of fresh-cut citrus.

Size: 100ml
ABV: 41.5%
Fine here: £12

Hepple Douglas Fir Sherbet

Cocktail rims are just for margaritas: said no one ever. Bring the party to your G&Ts with this moreish Douglas Fir Sherbet powder from Hepple Gin, made with real fir tree needles. Sampled straight, it tastes a bit like a sugar-dusted Christmas tree. Applied sparingly to a glass, and paired with gin and tonic, it mellows, becomes tangier and boosts your drink’s resinous, piney juniper notes. It’s a no-brainer with Hepple Gin – it stars Douglar Fir as a botanical – but this should go with any rich, juniper-forward bottling. Note: we found it hard to resist snacking straight from the tin… you have been warned.

Find here: £12.50

Fruits for Drinks – Mixed Fruit Selection

When it comes to flavour concentration, freeze-dried fruits can often knock fresh ones out of the park. And – pop the celebration corks, folks – they don’t really go off, which means less waste. Plump for this set of six types of dried fruit (lime, orange, lemon, raspberry, blueberry and strawberry) and no matter which gin you’re serving, you’ll have a garnish to match the flavour profile. With an average of 120 portions in each set, it’s better value than fresh fruit too and should keep you going on the G&T front for months.

Find here: £39.50

Maddocks Farm Organics Budding Floral Cocktail Box

Not that you need a reason to treat yourself to a bouquet of blooms, but edible flower garnishes look fabulous in a G&T – floating delicately on the surface, or frozen into giant ice cubes. Of course, you can’t use just anything in that drink (some flowers are toxic, others don’t taste great). That’s where edible flower specialist Maddocks Farm comes in. They sell cocktail-perfect, 100% edible seasonal blooms in boxes of around 60, and they also throw in scrumptious edible foliage such as lemon verbena stalks or fennel fronds. That G&T has never looked more fabulous.

Find here: £20

DrinkStuff Juniper Berries

Gin plus juniper berries – a match made in heaven, right? If in doubt, a sprinkling of dried juniper berries not only adds flavour, it makes your G&Ts feel like they’ve been whipped up in a trendy bar. As you’d probably guess, the berries – which look similar to black peppercorns – give an extra lift to the resinous, piney flavour that this spirit is known for. In other words: it’s best left to those who really like classic gin profiles. Just be sure to sip with care; the aim is to leave the berries behind in the glass, not guzzle ‘em down with your G&T.

Find here: £2.80

Wondering which gin to pair with your garnishes? Then, take a look at The Best Flavoured Gins for your Money or these Stunning Scottish Gins.

The Best Gins To Buy for Christmas

Gin will arguably be the most sold ‘gift’ spirit in 2020 given it has and continues to take the world by storm. Often times, gins can be a little bit one dimensional, so we set ourselves the mission of finding a variety of wondrous and whimsical creations to tantalise your tastebuds and reflect the true quality of this category. We’ve gone off the beaten path in some cases to seek out some true delights, ensuring there’s a little something for everyone along the way. Your only mission now is to find the tonic and garnish to match ;)

Etsu Japanese Gin

Say hello to the first Hokkaido based gin from Japan that has made its way overseas. The Asahikawa distillery on this Nothern island has taken somewhat of a tradition route on the botanicals (green bitter orange peel, coriander, liquorice and angelica route) but they boast a very traditional Japanese flavour profile which makes this gin anything but ‘standard’. 

Citrus, yuzu and light floral blossom notes hit you on the nose with peppers, green tea, meadow berries, more yuzu and sansho pepper on the palate. Super refreshing in style and perfect if you want to spice up your martini game. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £49

Tarsier Gin

There are so many gins out there on the market right now that differentiating between flavours has become a real problem. What I love about Tarsier is that they put that to bed immediately. These gins are inspired by travels across The Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and boy can you tell.

Their first bottle of discussion, the Southeast Asian Dry Gin takes inspiration from the white sands of Boracay all the way to the bustling streets of Saigon. Citrus forward with aromatic and savoury notes that cascade into a long peppery finish. Mix this with Artisan Mixers Classic London tonic (pack of 4 for £6) for the perfect G&T.

Then there’s the Oriental Pink Gin – inspired by the tropical rainforests of Indonesia to the floating markets of Thailand and beyond. This beauty is bursting with dragon fruit, lychee, raspberry and floral notes. There is nothing else like it on the market and it makes one of the best gin sours I’ve had the fortune of tasting – throw in a little peach syrup to your gin sour recipe for a real treat. 

Lastly, we can’t fail to mention that 10% of all their profits are committed to the Philippine Tarsier Foundation on the island of Bohol, Philippines to help support these tiny little primates. Excellent gin and a chance to help out those gorgeous tarsiers… we’ll have another bottle, please!

Size: 70cl
ABV: 40% - 45%
Special treat: Use the code ‘THREEDRINKERS’ to get 10% off orders over £30 
Find here: £34.99 - £37.99

Persie Gin

This wonder is located in Perthshire up in Scotland. What I love about them is the approachability when it comes to their offerings AND the charitable focus they have on helping vulnerable cats and dogs. Every Christmas thousands of animals are purchased as a novelty and then just discarded. By supporting this company you are actively helping combat that, all while tasting some bloody great gin. 

The range itself is split into two categories – ‘Distillery Originals’ and ‘Charity Releases’. Let’s start with the originals, Zesty Citrus, Herby & Aromatic and last but not least Sweet & Nutty Old Tom. Each one caters to a particular taste preference (or like me, just get all three and play with different tonics until you find the perfect match). 

Then there are the charity bottles which go right back to helping our lovely furry friends. The pussycat vodka entices a velvety and silky smooth mouthfeel, with a kiss of herbs and black pepper, and with a variety of charity dog gins/gin liqueurs to choose from, each paired to the personality of three pups; Labradors, Spaniels and Dachshunds, you really are spoiled for choice!

 Size: 50cl - 4.5L
ABV: 23% - 44%
Fine here: £25 - £299

Inspirited Gin: Create Your OWN Gin

With so many different gins out there, personalisation really is the future and Inspirited have hit the nail on the head with their ‘create your own’ discovery where you can create your very own bottle complete with unique botanicals. Yep, you choose your own spice, fruits, citrus, floral, nutty and exotic botanicals to distil up a creation that you and you alone have decided upon. There’s a growing number of experiences like this, but Inspirited is top of the game. They also offer a fantastic range of gins that are well worth checking out for some inspiration before you make your own!

Size: 70cl
ABV: 37.5% -57.1%
Find here: £31.99 - £49.99

Mistral Rosé Gin

From the beautiful lavender lands of Provence. 12 botanicals including local wonders such as thyme, basil, mint and eucalyptus create this lovely pink gin. I’d say this works wonders with more Mediterranean themed tonics. If you can’t travel to the sunny slopes of Provence given the impending global doom this year, and, probably next, you may as well drink them instead. Elegant, full of juicy flavours and perfect with a slice of pink grapefruit as a garnish. 

Size: 70cl - 4.5L
ABV: 40%
Find here:  £38 - £265

Oxford Artisan Distillery

These folks are pioneers of total creativity and are often seen in the news having come up with yet another whimsically delish creation. From Christmas pudding Rye and Rye Absinthe to Madeira Vodka and Ver Viola Gin, they’ve got it all. These folks are perfect for your friends or relatives who love something on the curiosity (yet bloody tasty) side – or simply for yourself if you’re looking to add a little vibrancy to your spirits collection.

Size: 20cl - 70cl
ABV: 22% - 70.5%
Find here:  £20 - £70

Northern Fox Gin

YORKSHIRE! – Okay, I’m a little biased based on the location, but once you try the gin you’ll be converted yourself. With a selection of 6 perfectly crafted imbibes, there’s a little something for everyone here too. The Yorkshire Dry and Pink gin are both a treat, but if you’re looking to venture a little more niche check out the Liquorice Root, Yorkshire Honeyberry or Yorkshire Citrus styles too! Wait, there’s more… they even have a Roasted Coffee Gin. So if you’re torn between buying single origin coffee beans or gin for someone who loves both… your dilemma has just been solved. 

Size: 50cl
ABV: 40% - 45%
Find here: £34 - £36

BEAUFORT SMOKED SIPPING GIN

Here’s something a little bit different and for all the right reasons. Inspired by Heston Blumenthal, Beaufort Spirit have created a ‘whisky barrel’ smoked water as part of their Smoked Sipping Gin. Szechuan pepper, pink pepper and citrus oils combine once poured to give the illusion of gunpowder smouldering in the glass. At 57% this gin certainly passes the ‘gunpowder’ test and has taken its place as the new ‘big smoke’ in town. Definitely one to discover if you like sipping gins. 

ABV: 57%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £40

Salcombe Gin & Seamist liquid garnish gift set 

The award-winning Salcombe Distilling Co. has launched ‘Seamist’; a unique liquid garnish inspired by the South West coast to elevate your favourite festive cocktails. Handcrafted with red grapefruit, coastal botanicals and Cornish sea salt, a small spray of Seamist over your drink is designed to transport you to the South West shoreline and the crisp aroma of its salty sea air.

Size: 10cl Seamist 70cl Salcombe gin
ABV: 60% Seamist 44% Salcombe gin
Gift idea: Find Seamist alone for £22 for 10cl or treat someone to a luxury gift set with both the ‘Start Point’ gin and the Seamist liquid garnish for £55.
Find here: £22 - £55

Mooze low alcohol and low calorie gin - ABV 12%

A great concept from founder Mel Sims, this is a much lower alcohol (and therefore calorie) gin than the usual suspects of around 40% ABV. It does a great job at keeping the mouthfeel, crispness and botanical flavour of a full proof gin too and is a perfect way to be a little more mindful about your consumption. It’s also vegan, sugar and sweetener free so all in all, that’s 36 calories for a double Mooze & Tonic compared to 154 for a regular double G&T plus less of a hangover. Win-win.

Size: 70cl Mooze alt gin
ABV: 12%
Gift idea: Can be sent to your recipient without pricing.
Find here: £24

Thinking about Christmas wine, vodka or whisky? Then don’t forget to take a look at our vodka, wine and whisky gift guides!

6 Perfectly Premixed Negronis for the Summer

Words by Helena Nicklin

From what we can see at The Three Drinkers, one of this summer’s top drinks trends is bottled cocktails and drinks subscriptions services. There are several new companies that have sprung up recently, all offering some seriously good, balanced and beautiful looking premixed cocktails. Being huge fans of the Negroni however, we thought we’d highlight some of those specifically that have really turned our heads. All these are available to be delivered and make great gifts in the process, both for your friends or even, yourself!

Halo

Halo have won lockdown drinks. It’s official. Their selection of expertly prepared, super-fresh cocktails don’t just look the part and taste the part, but they are offered as a Zoom team drinks delivery service and are also available on a monthly subscription. Their Negroni comes in a 50cl bottle and comprises of London Dry Gin, Vermouth and Campari. A little softer than some you might get offered in a real bar, it’s dangerously drinkable. Serve over ice with an orange slice. Every month, they support a charity and this July it’s Black Minds Matter. Even more reason to taste!  £32 for 50cl. See more here. 

Cambridge Distillery Negroni

This luxury gin producer Cambridge Distillery has smashed it with the presentation and preparation of this pre-mixed Negroni. Deliciously aromatic with a warming, spicy kick, this Negroni is a limited edition, so get it while you still can. They are also donating 10% of all proceeds to a teaching hospital nearby. What is not to love about that? Find it here for £30 for 50cl.

Bottle Proof Negroni

Created for the hospitality industry to help train bartenders and to offer a high quality, reliable cocktail product that takes seconds to prepare, Bottle Proof makes both single serve measures (in the cutest bottles) as well as 70cl bottles. Buy one small bottle of each and it makes the greatest, most colourful drinky gift! I loved their Negroni; more fruity than some with pretty, perfumed notes thanks to the addition of bitters. Find it here at Laraza Cambridge, in 60cl bottles for £29.70 or single serve, 95ml bottles for £4.75.

Batch

This SE London cocktail bar has pivoted prettily during lockdown to offer some of its most famous cocktails in batches for local delivery. All small-batch and handmade, their Negroni is famously good, thanks in part to an extra splash of Bathtub gin. Why have we never tried this before? You can order online or through Uber Eats and Deliveroo. Find the Negroni here for £15.

Cocchi Negroni In A Box

Here’s a Negroni that fits through your postbox and can be carried in your handbag! Using one of our absolute favourite Italian vermouths ‘Cocchi’, this is a delicious version with equal parts Cocchi vermouth, London dry gin and Campari. Perfectly balanced with a smoothness that‘s characteristic of Cocchi, this is a cocktail that upgrades your picnic and park drinks. Find it here for £8.25 per 100ml or £39.95 for a 5 pack. 

SendANegroni.com

Another letterbox Negroni with the added fun of being able to personalise it with a message. From the team behind Porter’s Gin, it's a blend of this with Campari bitter and a new Parisien vermouth called Baldoria Rosso. There are two versions to choose from: the Classic One, which uses Porter’s gin or the Tropical One, using Porter’s Tropical Old Tom. They make brilliant alternatives to a birthday card and a fun gift for anyone of drinking age. Find them here for £10 for 50cl, message and delivery all in. Banging.

Like this? Try our latest Drinker Discovery post, 7 Rums That Scream Luxury, and the World’s best Sipping Tequilas

The Best Gins For A Martini

Words by Colin Hampden-White

This Saturday it is world gin day which has been gathering popularity every year. With a multitude of gins to choose from in bars, the Martini is the most drunk cocktail of the day. This year is different as most of us will be locked down and at home. When we would have been in bars with a plethora of gins at our disposal, most of us don’t have the budget for more than one or two. Here we have compiled a list of the gins we think are the best gins in the world for making a Martini, from classics to new exciting brands, all lovingly created for your delectation. I believe there is a gin in the world for every palate, and here we come a long way in finding them.  

 Classics

 Bombay Sapphire

This is one of the most delicately perfumed gins in the world, which makes it perfect for a dry martini. Be careful with the vermouth with this one, it can easily drown it. But with just the right amount, which can be achived by simply rinsing the glass in vermouth, this can make a truly memorable martini. Chill the gin in the fridge for perfect results. One for those who have a delicate palate. Expect light juniper and sugared almonds, but still lots of herbaceous flavours too.

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.98 // US $32.99

Tanqueray 10

Introduced to the world in 2000, Tanqueray No. Ten is named after the still it is made in, pot still number 10, which is nicknamed Tiny Ten. The small batch gin is created using whole fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruit, alongside chamomile flowers and other traditional botanicals. Expect a burst of citrus with every sip. Quite notably, it is also the only gin to secure a spot in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. This iconic tipple makes a mean Martini.

ABV: 47.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £28.50 // US $49.99

No.3

A beautiful looking gin from Berry Bros. Made to a special recipe, the name No.3 refers to the address of Berry Bros & Rudd - Number 3, St James's Street. With juniper at its heart, it's also made with three fruits and three spices using copper pot stills. Juniper to the fore, supported by floral notes and spicy, warm cardamom. Plenty of citrus ‘zing’ complemented by the gingery spiciness of coriander. This is a powerful gin, and is superb in a Martini, especially when the bottle is kept in the freezer, I think it’s a good idea for all higher strength gin to be kept in the freezer all the time. Topping off this gins credentials is the fact it has won the International Spirits Challenge best gin in the world four times.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £33.49 // US $39.99

Beefeater 24

A more recent addition to the Beefeater range. When creating Beefeater 24, Desmond Payne knew he had to come up with something totally different for his selection of botanicals. He used tea! The 12 ingredients used are Japanese Sencha Tea, Chinese green tea and then Seville orange peel, grapefruit peel, lemon peel, juniper, coriander seed, liquorice, angelica root, almond and orris root. It is called Beefeater 24 because the botanicals are steeped in the spirit for a full 24 hours. The result is a fragrant gin with good sweetness and plenty of complexity. A cerebral gin for those who like to ponder.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £25.90 // US $44.99

Modern Classics

Sipsmith London Dry Gin

Produced in the workshop previously used by the late, great Michael Jackson (whisky writer, not Moonwalker), this super-small-batch artisinal Gin is flavoured very carefully, making it easier for the natural quality of the spirit to shine through. Distilled in a marvellously compact pot still / column still combo. named Prudence, Sipsmith epitomises distilling on a truly artisinal scale. At the time of her installation, Prudence was the first copper pot still to be brought to life in London for over 200 years. This makes a clean Martini, and is great for those who want to experiment with different vermouths as it will let the flavour of the vermouth shine through. 

ABV: 41.6%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £26.99 // US $37.99

Ki No Bi

This is my favourite gin for a Martini of all time. Ki No Bi Gin is the first release from the Kyoto Distillery! Unveiled in 2016, Ki No Bi Gin has been made using a rice spirit base, as well as a selection of botanicals including locally-sourced ingredients - like yuzu, hinoki wood chips, bamboo leaves, green sansho and gyokuro tea. The botanicals are split into six flavour groups (Base, Citrus, Tea, Spice, Fruity & Floral and Herbal), and each group is distilled individually before being blended together. Incredible stuff, this. Like No.3, Ki No Bi is great in a Martini when kept in the freezer. 

ABV: 45.7%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £43.99 // US $79.99

Chase GB

This dry, juniper led gin tastes like it has been designed for the much loved G&T, but as well as making a great G&T, it also makes a well-rounded Martini. This exceptional gin starts life as Chase's Potato Vodka, but is then combined with a selection of 10 botanicals - like juniper, almond, angelica, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ginger, lemon peel and liquorice root. Boasts a good balance of spice and citrus, with the all-important juniper commanding the room. If you like a juniper led gin, but also want to taste the other flavours coming through on the palate, then you will adore Chase.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £27.99

Cotswolds Dry Gin

The Cotswolds distillery was built to make whisky, but luckily for us, their founder Dan Zsor also has a passion for gin. The Cotswolds Dry Gin, is made with juniper, coriander and angelica root macerated in their pure wheat spirit for 24 hours. Following this, they add a botanical selection including bay leaf, grapefruit, lime, black pepper, cardamom seed and Cotswolds lavender to their carter head still for distillation. To bring it down to bottling strength, a robust 46% ABV, they use naturally refined Cotswolds water. A modern gin in a classic style which makes a rounded and easy to drink Martini.

ABV: 46%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £31 // US $46.79

The New Wave

Oxford Rye Organic Gin

The Oxford Artisan Distillery was founded by Tom Nicolson in the historical city of Oxford, making it the first, legal gin distillery in the 'city of dreaming spires'! The first gin release from these intrepid new distillers was Spirit of Toad, billed as an 'Oxford Dry Gin' this progression is made with rye grown exclusively on organic farms within a 50 mile radius of the site, this is truly a local spirit, now known simply as Oxford Rye Organic dry gin. It was distilled in two, handmade, purpose built stills, Nautilus (2,200 litre) and Nemo (500 litre), which were built by Paul Pridham from South Devon Railway. For those who like a little peppery kick to a Martini, this will be for you.

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £33.50

Due Sorelle

Due Sorelle, meaning two sisters in Italian has been created by two sisters. They wanted to create a gin that went very well with Champagne, and it really does. However it also makes a mean Martini. The sisters got together with the Yorkshire Dales distillery to create this gin. Only released towards the start of 2020 it has already got a loyal following. This versatile gin is fabulous in all gin cocktails, but when not mixing with lots of ingredients, it makes a great Martini, especially if you go light on the vermouth.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £39.95

Beaufort smoked sipping gin

Here’s something a little bit different and for all the right reasons. Inspired by Heston Blumenthal, Beaufort Spirit have created a ‘whisky barrel’ smoked water as part of their Smoked Sipping Gin. Szechuan pepper, pink pepper and citrus oils combine once poured to give the illusion of gunpowder smouldering in the glass. At 57% this gin certainly passes the ‘gunpowder’ test and has taken its place as the new ‘big smoke’ in town. Definitely one to discover if you like sipping gins. 

ABV: 57%
Size: 500ml
Find here: £39.95

Gießen Dry Gin

Giessen or Gießen in its home town in Germany is great if you’re looking for something exotic, Gin is an element of Gi(eße)n and the makers of this gin would like to introduce this essence to all connoisseurs of high-quality juniper distillates. In a meticulous search for the perfect taste, friends Yan-Tobias Ramb & Michael Karber have chosen ingredients that characterise their home in central Hessen and have accompanied through childhood into their lives today. In addition to the juniper berry, Dry Gin also emphasises the wonderful fruit combination of apple and rhubarb and refines it florally with elegant hibiscus blossoms and eight other exquisite supporting botanicals. For those who like a fruity gin, then look no further. You can even buy it in a Magnum sized bottle!

ABV: 46%
Size: 500ml
Find here: €35.39

Chase pink grapefruit & pomelo

OK, so this is a bit of a curve ball. Flavoured gins used to be not very good. They used to taste synthetic and unnatural, but today there are some great expressions of flavoured gin, and many of them can be found in our article on flavoured gin. They make fabulously fruity summer tasting Martinis. Not an everyday cocktail, but when you have a hot summer day and want to capture that summer feeling, take your favourite fruit flavour, buy a gin with that predominant flavour, chill it down and don’t use vermouth and sip it neat. Delicious. Our favourite at the moment is Chase pink grapefruit and pomelo gin.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £37.99

For more gintastic suggestions, we’ve got a great guide to Scottish gin which might just get you wanting to go to Scotland to visit a gin rather than whisky distillery.