Top Jubilee Tipples for Every Budget

Whether you’re having a street party or not, with a double bank holiday, chances are there will be some celebrating going on! Here are a few Jubilee- tastic drinkies that will suit every budget. 

La Gioiosa Prosecco Rosé Millesimato Brut

La Gioiosa Prosecco has released a Limited-Edition Prosecco Rosé Millesimato in collaboration with British designer Yvonne Ellen just in time for us to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!

The label features Yvonne’s pet budgies, Paul and Simon as well as a parakeet - a breed found in abundance in London’s Hyde Park. The flowers are versions of some beautiful native Italian plants intertwined with leaves from Glera and Pinot Nero grape which are the two grapes used to make this fizz. It’s elegant and aromatic with notes of pear, cherry and almond. 

Find it for £9.50 - £10.99 at Sainsbury’s (on offer),  Waitrose and various supermarkets.

Lateral Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile 2021

With the cost of living crisis, everything is getting more expensive. Enter Tesco to save the day, with a range of wines for £5 and under. This Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon does a great job of actually tasting like the grape it’s made from with notes of ripe blackcurrant, mocha and spice. It’s smooth and medium-bodied - awesome with steak and grilled meats. There are 11 wines in the range from Malbec to Pinot Grigio and Chenin Blanc. 

Find it for £3.89 at  Tesco

M&S Strawberry Gin Liqueur (20% abv)

With a bottle that is so pretty you might not want to open it, M&S are offering a sweet, Strawberry gin with very very subtle juniper notes that’s a bit of a guilty pleasure. Try it neat over ice, with lemonade or in cocktails. Made by the famous Warner’s Distillery in Northamptonshire and a great idea for gifting. 

Find it for £16 at M&S in stores only

Buckingham Palace Gin (42%)

Your splash out option is this small batch, elegant and aromatic gin that has been made with botanicals hand-picked from Buckingham palace’s very own grand including Lemon verbena, hawthorn berries and mulberry leaves. This is an exclusive bottling for Waitrose and it would make the perfect gift. You’ll want to keep the bottle afterwards too.

Find it for £40 exclusively at Waitrose

See what else we’ve been tasting on talkTV here. 

The Best Eco-Friendly Gins

Words by Leigh Andrews

With us all having to be more aware of the effect our lives have on our precious planet, we’ve found some great gins whose distillers are making a conscious effort to help us look after our environmental impact! From gin pouches through your letterbox, to refilling your bottle directly at the distillery, and even an innovative aluminium refill bottle, we’ve got a great selection so you can keep enjoying your gin knowing you’re doing your bit to help!

Rock Rose Pink Grapefruit Old Tom

Dunnet Bay Distillers, the super talented bunch behind Rock Rose, and recent winners of an Environmental/Sustainability award are stepping ever closer to their net-zero ambition with their fantastic fully recyclable pouches. They also have a refill rewards club where you can choose any one of their gorgeous gin pouches (or vodka) to be delivered with some extra little delicious free goodies including tonics, at intervals of your choice directly to your door! We chose this SUPERB Pink Grapefruit Old Tom, an incredibly well-balanced gin, with the delicious zest of fresh organic pink grapefruit peel and that gorgeous Old Tom signature sweetness lingering on the palate. Enjoy with a light tonic garnished with fresh pink grapefruit peel.

ABV: 41.5%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £32

Glaswegin Original London Dry Gin

One of those iconic bottles you want to keep on your shelf forever and the gin inside is no less of a talking point. Winner of World Gin Awards Best Scottish London Dry, Glaswegin not only provides a refill pouch for their amazing bottles, they also supply upcycling kits to turn your bottle into a soap dispenser (which they also sell refills for) or to keep the spotlight on that design winner….a Glaswegin Lamp Upcycling kit! To calm you down after all that homeware excitement, how about filling up your bottle and enjoying a bold, lightly sweet citrus gin that has an exceptionally smooth mouthfeel and a fresh finish, this is a no nonsense gin so serve simply with ice and tonic or we absolutely LOVE it with a sprig of fresh mint!

ABV: 41.1%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £32.95

Darnley's London Dry Gin

Truly a cottage industry, Darnley’s established their gin making in a cottage right next door to their Kingsbarns whisky distillery. Passionate about using all natural ingredients, many of their botanicals, including the feature Elderflower in their London Dry, are growing wild in their surrounding area. In their drive for sustainability, all of their original gins including their Spiced and Navy Strength are available in refill pouches. So how about popping a pouch of this fabulously floral London Dry into a picnic basket and enjoying a glorious lazy afternoon sipping on a Darnley’s and light tonic with a slice of lemon and a big dose of sunshine?!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £28

Bullards Old Tom Gin

2020 Winners of The Gin Guide Sustainability Award, Bullards, as well as making AMAZING award winning Norwich gin are also passionate about reducing their carbon footprint. Encouraging their customers to keep their stunning bottles for life, Bullards has produced what we think is an exceptionally ergonomic refill pouch. Easy to pour and even easier to drink! You can choose from any one of their 4 exceptional gins, or why not try all of them, it would be rude not to! This Old Tom is wonderfully warming with pink pepper, rich fruity mango and luscious sweetness from Norfolk honey, lifted by gorgeous grapefruit citrus. Serve with tonic over ice with a slice of lemon or grapefruit for a true taste of Norwich!

ABV: 42.5%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £35

Wood Brothers Single Estate Gin

A true farm to bottle gin! Wood Brothers make their own base spirit using winter wheat grown on their Oxfordshire farm giving them full control of the quality going into their bottles. If that isn’t impressive enough they even reuse the waste water from the distilling process to heat the greenhouses to grow some of the botanicals such as lavender, rosemary and dill that go into this outstanding gin as well. Their stylish statement piece bottles deserve to be kept to grace your gin shelf. We LOVE this superbly smooth, aromatic gin with a light tonic and a sprig of rosemary, and it can absolutely hold its own in a classic Negroni or a gorgeous Martini!!!

ABV: 44%
Size: 500ml
Find Here: UK £27

And now some refills with a difference……..

There are some other options instead of pouches; if you are lucky enough to live near a local gin distillery you love, or even make a destination visit to, they could very well offer bottle refills where you take your empty bottle and they refill it for you for a discounted price! One absolute favourite is ….

Pickering’s Gin Navy Strength - bottle refill

In what was the old Edinburgh vet school animal hospital, lies Pickering’s Gin. Based on an inherited family recipe this exceptional gin is one you will keep wanting to refill that lovely little chunky bottle with, and in our case being the Navy Strength that little bottle comes with its very own Bearskin - not a real Bearskin we hasten to add but a perfect little replica! And you NEVER have to throw it away because if you treat yourself to a visit to the distillery, one of the lovely team will happily refill your bottle, it's like the everlasting gobstopper of the gin world! In Original or Navy Strength, they even let you attempt to do a wax resealing…I need a lot more lessons, my attempt was described as  “unique”! Just as well it has a hat to cover it! 

Bring out the wonderful spices of cardamom and anise, and the sweetness of the fennel in this gorgeous gin in a simple serve with tonic, ice and a generous squeeze of lime! 

ABV: 57.1%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: Pickering's Distillery 15% discount for refills

And last but definitely not least is this fabulous Refill Project innovation from London Spirits Competition Gold Award Winners Isle of Harris……created as part of an ongoing refill solutions experiment…

Isle of Harris Gin - Aluminium Refill Bottle

Anyone familiar with the absolutely beautiful Isle of Harris gin knows it comes in an equally beautiful bottle evocative of the wind-blown seas around the Isle. It’s a bottle that nobody wants to part with and now you don’t have to! Looking for an easily recyclable refill solution, they’ve come up with a ‘top-up’ subscription where you will be sent your gin monthly in a 500ml aluminium bottle, to regularly top up your existing 700ml gin….the neverending bottle!!. With aluminium being the most cost-effective material to recycle this is a great alternative to recycling the glass bottle…and who would want to! This wonderfully refreshing gin with that delicious sweet saltiness umami of the sugar kelp and that warming peppery finish is a gorgeous sipping gin!  If you want to get that WOW factor, serve it with a good tonic, a few drops of sugar kelp water and garnish with pink grapefruit! 

ABV: 45% 
Size: 500ml
Find Here: 12 month subscription see website for details

Wondering what to add your gin to? Then, have a gander at The Most Popular Gin Cocktails. If you're looking for more gin-ius (see what we did there?!) suggestions, then why not check out these Colour Changing Gins?!

8 Delicious Gins for a G&T

Spring is at last upon us, the days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer and a G&T in the garden is becoming a more and more appealing thought. But, with so many gins out there, it can be hard to know which to try. A good G&T comes down to a good gin so we have brought to you our favourites from this year so far, so you can mix your next G&T up with confidence.

58 Gin English Berry

This multi-award-winning gin is a berry-focused expression from the folks at 58 Gin. Slow berries which have been distilled as well as macerated are used in the creation of the spirit, leading to a crystal clear gin with a beautiful balance of citrus and savoury flavours. Mix it with your favourite premium tonic and garnish with a slice of grapefruit. Nom!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £38

Adnams Copper House

This is Adnams’ best-selling gin and we are not surprised in the slightest. Made using six botanicals including orange peel, hibiscus and coriander, it is delicate and floral with subtle hints of spice and is jam-packed full of flavour. Mix it with your favourite premium tonic water and garnish with fresh orange peel for a knock out G&T!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £22 currently on offer at Sainsburys £28 normally.  

An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin

If you’re looking for something slightly different to your traditional citrussy, juniper forward gins then this is it. All the way from County Donegal in Ireland, An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin contains five different varieties of locally-harvested seaweed alongside its other botanicals leading to a delicious savoury gin with gentle heat and a subtle lemon sweetness. It’s a perfect starting point for those looking to get into gin and a delicious option for those already converted! Try it with lemon tonic and a slice of lemon as a garnish for a mouth-wateringly good G&T.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43.2%
Find here: £29.25

Bullards Coastal gin

Imagine sitting by the ocean, the waves gently rushing to the shore and the wind in your hair – that’s this gin in a glass. Inspired by the Norfolk coastline, its botanicals of sea purslane, marsh samphire and sea aster, impart a subtle saline note to the gin which is beautifully complemented with citrus. For a sweeter G&T mix it with your favourite tonic and garnish with blackberries. Or, for a more savoury take on it, garnish with rosemary or cucumber.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £36  

Bulldog London Dry Gin

Made with poppy, lotus leaves, lavender, almond and dragon eye to name just a few of the 12 botanicals, this gin really packs in the flavour. It is quadruple distilled in copper pot stills giving it a beautifully smooth and crisp finish to boot. Try it mixed with your favourite premium tonic and a handful of blackberries as a garnish, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a slice of grapefruit and fresh ground black pepper!

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £21.95  // US $24.98

Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin

Using botanicals hand foraged from the Wicklow Mountains, the amount of care that goes into creating this gin is inspiring. With pine, juniper, herbaceous and floral notes it makes for a gorgeous G&T. You can see more about how the botanicals are hand foraged in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Ireland. Enjoy this gin with your favourite tonic, a twist of lemon and a sprig of mint for a delicious G&T!

ABV: 41%
Size: US 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: US £33.75 // US $28.99

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla

One sip of this gin and you’ll be picturing yourself sitting under the warm Mediterranean sun looking out over the rolling hills. Inspired by a recipe first written over 140 years ago by Charles Tanqueray on a visit to the orange groves of Spain, this gin is citrus-focussed, with crisp juniper, peppery coriander, and sweet liquorice. Try it with your favourite premium tonic and an orange wedge garnish… trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

ABV: 41.3%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find here: UK £25 // $29.99

Whitley Neill Oriental Spiced Gin

This brand new spiced gin from Whitley Neill will take you on a journey to the Orient with its exotic flavours and aromas. Think gentle spice from cardamom with sweet citrus, followed by notes of cumin perfectly complimenting the juniper. It’s rich and fragrant with a long elegant finish. Mix it with premium Indian tonic water, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange wedge for a real treat!

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £26

Wondering which tonic to use in your G&T? Check out The Best Tonic Water for your G&T and if it’s garnish inspiration you’re after then how about having a read of The Best Ready Made Garnishes for a G&T.

Two Stunning Pink Drinks

Words by Colin Hampden-White

It’s the beginning of April, the sun is in the sky longer for us in the northern hemisphere, and whilst the temperatures aren’t quite pushing the mercury very high I am starting to think of summer and those long lazy days with a glass of something cool to hand. Recently I have discovered two drinks which I think will become firm favourites in the months to come. One very much an alcoholic drink, although the way it can be drunk can bring the abv down considerably, and another which is alcohol free.

Kyrö Pink Gin

Firstly I want to introduce you to Kyrö Pink Gin. This gin was born from the team in Finland trying to make a pink gin which would please everyone. Now the saying goes that “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time” but this time I think the poet John Lydgate might have got it wrong. This gin has well balanced flavours of strawberry and creamy vanilla with a tang of raspberry in the background. The juniper is very present but not intrusive and there is a little coriander and pepper on the finish too. This is a rye-based gin giving those peppery notes, and all the red fruits come from infused strawberries, lingonberries and rhubarb, which are all foraged. It makes a wonderful gin and tonic and is complex enough for high balls. All in all a great summer drink.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38.2%
Price: £25.95

Wild Idol

My second pink of choice would be Wild Idol. I have tried many low or no alcohol wines, and none of them really work, so I was sceptical about this as I popped the cork, on what is a gorgeous bottle. It looks exactly like a bottle of premium sparkling wine and is priced as such as well. Firstly, as it pours into the glass, it looks like sparkling rosé, with the requisite mousse and fine bubbles and a bright pink which is not too vibrant to look synthetic, and that’s because it isn’t. Made from several grape varieties and made without the need for removing alcohol the process is pure and gives a lively drink with lots of red fruit flavours balanced with a racy acidity, much like a sparkling wine. It is vegan and gluten-free. Thankfully this is where everything changes from a sparkling wine. I realised that the drink in itself is good and satisfying, giving no need for alcohol or the feeling that I’d like alcohol in it. If I wanted alcohol, I would have poured an alcoholic sparkling wine. This a something which looks and feels special, and anyone not drinking alcohol and served this at any event where others were, would feel no less special.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Price: £35

The Best Gins to Gift this Mother’s Day

Words by Leigh Andrews

If you want to earn serious brownie points this Mother’s day for that mother figure who loves everything gin, then step away from the toiletries, save the flowers for a garnish and check out these fabulous juniper creations! These ginstastic tipples will get her taste buds tingling and she’ll be bragging to her friends that she got the best Mother’s Day Gift ever!

For the Romantic Gin loving Mum

Eden Mill Love Gin

The bottle screams love - it’s even written on it! Distilled in picturesque St Andrews in Scotland, this is a lightly floral gin with beautifully creamy vanilla sweetness, bursting berries and a slight hint of citrus. Perfect with loads of ice, light tonic and raspberries or neat over ice. Pretty and delicious.
ABV: 42%
Size: 500ml
Find Here: £26.95

Atlas Love Cake Gin

A well-deserved ultimate winner of The People’s Choice Drinks Awards last month, this gin is bound to bring smiles to faces. Influenced by the romantic legend behind Persian Love Cakes, this is a beautiful, lightly sweet gin with deliciously warming spices that linger on the palate. Add hints of icing-sugar dipped Turkish delight and a perfect, light citrusy finish and your mum will soon be asking for a refill.  

ABV: 43% 
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £48

For the Herbaceous Gin loving Mum:

Gin Mare

With Mediterranean vibes sending you to sun, sea, and olive groves this gin is savoury and magnificent! If your Mum loves to be transported to sunnier climates and loves her herby gins, then this one is an absolute winner. It’s fabulous served with loads of ice, some lightly crushed basil, a popped sweet cherry tomato and mediterranean tonic. Sunshine in a glass! 

ABV: 42.7%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find Here: UK £33.95 // US $62.99

Badvo Pitlochry Gin

Imagine walking through the wilds of a Scottish glen with all of the wonderful aromas of the natural botanicals around you. That is this gin! From the very first sip, there is no mistaking this herbaceous gin for a wallflower! Made using only 100% hand foraged botanicals, there’s gorse, heather, a field of cut grass, wild apples, and a subtle finish of mint. GLORIOUS! Serve neat over ice or with tonic and a slice of green apple.

ABV: 45%
Size: 200ml/700ml
Find Here: 200ml £15.95 // 700ml £39.95 

For the Pink Gin loving Mum

Mermaid Pink Gin

Apart from having one of the most ethereal looking gin bottles that anyone in possession of fairy lights will want to fill, this gin is an absolutely outstanding variation of the Isle of Wight distillery’s original Mermaid gin. A light, strawberry sweetness cuts through the savoury saltiness of rock samphire and enhances the citrus finish. Perfect served with your choice of tonic and cut strawberries.

ABV: 38%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £35.79

Tarsier Oriental Pink Gin

Inspired by the sights and sounds of Southeast Asia, this gin is jam packed full of fabulous exotic flavours such as lychee and red dragon fruits nestling beside peppery juniper and lifted by wonderfully tart raspberries, calamansi lime and a subtly warm, spiced finish. It’s fantastic with tonic, a handful of raspberries and torn mint, and even better when you see the massive smile on your Mum’s face when she takes her first sip!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £34.95

For the Flavoured Gin loving Mum

Whitley Neill Blood Orange

This one is definitely not a liqueur; it’s a gin that has serious oomph! Full strength and packed with sweet orange citrus, it’s a big and bold flavoured gin that doesn’t forget its gin essence. You still get that punch of juniper but that gorgeous blood orange is unmistakable. Your Mum will love the fact that you didn’t think that all she would want was some delicate little flower of a gin. This is for Mums with zest!

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find Here: UK £27.95 // US $34.99

Anno B3rry Pink Gin

Apart from looking like fun in a bottle, this glorious gin from Anno distillery in Kent contains all the things to make a pink gin sing… and maybe your Mum too! It’s packed full of strawberries from Kent, cocoa (who doesn't love chocolate strawberries?), elderberries and rosehip. It tastes like the best strawberry candy on the palate, with a fresh, bitter chocolate balance and a soft, smooth finish when mixed with tonic. Fabulous!

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: £33.99

For the Navy Strength Gin loving Mum

Locksley Distilling Co VSOT

VSOT means Very Special Old Tom! As far as we know, this is the only Navy Strength Old Tom in existence and it is OUTSTANDING! So smooth with all the incredible depth of velvety sweetness that an Old Tom is known for, the gin is lifted by gentle grapefruit notes and wonderful warming spice on the long finish. It’s one of those Navy Strengths that is easily able to be taken neat, but likewise, makes a killer cocktail like a Gibson or Negroni, or a gorgeous G&T with a wheel of grapefruit.

ABV: 57.5%
Size: 200ml/700ml
Find here: £20/£50

Whittakers Gin Navy Strength

A SUPERBLY smooth gin from the Yorkshire Dales which, despite the hefty ABV ,still lets the flavour shine bright! The fantastic fruitiness of hawthorn berries and bilberries comes right through after the initial hit of that punchy ABV, followed by luscious hints of lemon and a light herbaceous finish. This one will be just the ticket for your Mum to put her feet up and chill out with! It’s perfect in a Martini, neat over ice or with tonic water and a sprig of thyme or lemon.

ABV: 57%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £37.85

For more gin-spirational (see what we did there?!) articles, have a look at What is London Dry Gin and Which Should I Try?, The Most Popular Gin Cocktails or The Best Gin for a G&T!

Irish Spring

It doesn’t get much simpler than this! Using Glendalough’s Wild Botanical gin, sustainably hand foraged from the mountains around the distillery, this cocktail is light, refreshing, and a perfect sip for a Spring day… or any day to be quite honest!

Ingredients
60ml Wild Botanical Gin
20ml Fresh Lime Juice
20ml Simple Syrup
Garnish with Fresh Mint

Method
Shake up all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Or for a longer version, this can be built over ice in a highball glass and topped with soda water.

You can find out more about Glendalough Distillery by watching The Three Drinkers in Ireland on Amazon Prime!

Liked this? Why not check out The Most Popular Gin Cocktails or how about 10 Delicious Martini Variations?!

What is London Dry Gin and which ones should I try?!

Words by Leigh Andrews

Whether you are a classic gin enthusiast or favour the flavour, we are all familiar with the term ‘London Dry’ that graces our bottles - but what does it actually mean? Well, hold on to your school caps folks, here’s what you need to know and some delicious bottles you need to try!

Is London Dry Gin only made in London?

Unlike Plymouth Gin, which can only be made in Plymouth, London Dry doesn’t have to be distilled in London. It actually relates to the distilling process itself, which given the capital’s vast gin making history and the fact that this particular distillation technique (apparently) originated in London, the name stuck.

What is London Dry Gin?

To be called a London Dry, the base neutral spirit must be of an agricultural origin such as grain, potatoes and sometimes, even milk! It needs to be distilled to 96% alcoholic volume. This spirit is then redistilled with its plant botanicals, of which the lead must be juniper to create the gin profile we all know and love. You can’t add any flavourings or botanicals after distillation (sorry flavoured gin fans!) only water, and because it must be dry you can only add a minute amount of sweetening if any. 

So now you can wow your friends with your new found gin geek knowledge, here are some excellent London Dry gins you can impress them with at your next get together!

Which London Dry Gin Should I Try?

Whitby Gin Original

Nestled in the heart of the seaside town that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this award winning glorious gin has depths deeper than Dracula’s tomb! It’s distilled using locally foraged sugar kelp from the rich seas around Robin Hood’s Bay just 6 miles from Whitby, local honey and heather from the North Yorkshire Moors. The dry juniper is beautifully balanced with a citrus background against a herbaceous floral sweetness. Try it neat over ice (yes it is that smooth) or with your favourite tonic and a slice of red grapefruit or a sprig of rosemary to bring out the herby notes…..no garlic though unless you want to keep Dracula, and all your friends, at bay!

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Find here: UK £37.95

Beefeater London Dry

An absolute classic in the world of London dry, great with a mixer and can hold its head high in a martini. Don’t bypass Beefeater because of its fantastically affordable price point. This gin is steeped in tradition! The botanicals are still weighed out by hand and not to mention it’s full range of gins are stocked in the Yeomans bar within the Tower of London - we have witnessed it first hand, the Beefeaters really do drink Beefeater! Still made in London using the original 200 year old recipe this gin features the zestiness of Seville oranges and lemon peel, the warm spiciness of coriander, liquorice and angelica with beautiful floral notes. All under an umbrella and bowler hat of Juniper, this is what London Drys are made of! Serve in a copa glass full of ice, with tonic and a slice of orange and lemon or in a classic gin martini with dry vermouth and a twist of lemon peel.

ABV: UK 40% // US 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75L
Find Here: UK £16.78 // US $29.99

Sweet Potato London Dry Gin

Even just the name of this glorious gin makes you want to try it just to see if it really does have sweet potatoes in it! In short, yes it does, and what an addition it is. Whoever thought of putting sweet potato as a gin botanical, together with cardamom, coriander and lemon zest, needs a pat on the back. This gin is smooth and aromatic with a classic strong juniper forefront, a deep earthy vanilla heart and a glorious finish of lemon cheesecake with florals lingering on the palate. With a punchy 45% ABV, this is another London Dry that you can easily have neat as well as in a G&T with a light tonic and a citrus slice, or with soda, grapefruit peel and a sprig of mint.

ABV: 45%
Size: 500ml
Find Here: UK £27.99

NB London Dry Gin

This London Dry comes with some serious credentials! Previously voted the Best London Dry Gin in the world, it was selected by the Royal family to represent her majesty's 90th birthday. More recently it featured at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding, was listed in the Rolls Royce "Top 100 Brands", AND was selected for the afterparties for ‘The Open’ 2018 and ‘The Brits’ for three consecutive years. This gin can do nothing but live up to the hype! You’d think this was some massive corporate distillery entrenched in a big brand, but no- NB’s distillery is family-run and nestles just off the beautiful coastal town of North Berwick, Scotland. You can happily spend a lost afternoon on their tasting tour in a beautifully relaxing lounge area (which can even be hired for a special occasion!) and enjoy this fantastic London Dry. This is a ‘no messing’ gin with a Juniper and herbal nose, lemon citrus on the palate and a light spicy finish. It is definitely a gin shelf staple! Glorious with a light tonic and a twist of red grapefruit zest.

ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Find Here: UK £27.50

Little Bird London Dry

Another of our London based London Dry gins, but we definitely didn’t pick this one purely because of location. This gin sings everything classic vintage and that includes the recipe, the bottle and the foundation of its beginnings. Friends gathered together, chatting about what their perfect gin would be and making it happen. The bottle itself features a 1940’s style redhead tattooed pinup on the label named “Miss Ginger'', and the spirit inside is just as nostalgic. Not surprisingly given the label, ginger features beside pink grapefruit and orange peel for superb crisp citrus on the nose. Glorious grapefruit with the warming ginger on the palate, light florals, juniper and that citrus lingering on. For fans of citrus forward London Dry gins, this one is an absolute cracker. Serve with Mediterranean tonic, loads of ice and a pink grapefruit wheel.

ABV: 40.6%
Size: 700ml
Find here: UK £29.45 

Fuzzy Duck Distillery London Dry (Hero)

There is nothing fuzzy about the fabulous flavours in this new kid on the block. This ethically run distillery, founded by four friends with an aim to use locally sourced, seasonal British produce is more than achieving its aims. Holding on to the forefront of juniper as is classic of a London Dry, we then get aromas of the mediterranean, citrus and a light spice. This is a beautifully bold gin and can hold its own in character and style. The suggested serve with rosemary, blackberries and mediterranean tonic truly compliment the botanicals in this gin and take us from this awful winter weather to sunshine, herb gardens and lazy afternoons.

ABV: 42%
Size: 500ml and 700ml
Find here: UK £27 to £30

Liked this? How about having a read of these 8 delicious Scottish Gins or these Best Gins for a Martini

Fun Drinks Choices for Valentine’s Day

Drinks picked by Helena

Valentine's day, Galentine's day or ‘I'm just going to give myself some love’ day can be a stressful time with all the pressure to HAVE FUN. Fear not, though! I have donned my cupid cape and found 8 fun drinks and drinks gifts that are perfect for Valentine’s Day, whichever element of it you are celebrating!

Spirits

Personalised London Dry Gin & Single Malt Whisky

The Whisky Exchange are offering a customisable London Dry Gin and a stunning, customisable, Sherry finished, single malt whisky for you to gift a loved one this V day. For each, you can choose from six label designs and ten messages - or simply write your own text! The gin is crisp and refreshing; a classic London Dry with lots of citrus and juniper. The whisky is rich and round with notes of dried fruit, caramel and Christmas cake. Prices include personalisation and gift tube.

Gin: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £39.95
Whisky: ABV 48%, Size 700ml, £54.95 

Ballycastle Red Velvet Cream Liqueur

Fans of Baileys Irish cream will love this, especially those who have enjoyed their new Red Velvet version and are looking for something less pricey. Aldi’s version is an indulgent blend of double cream, spirit and red velvet cake, serve it chilled over ice with a strawberry if you can find one. Forget dessert, This IS your dessert!

Find it in-store for £7.25 (700ml)

Mermaid Pink Gin Gift Set

The Isle of Wight Distillery is rapidly building an excellent reputation thanks to their stunning range of gins, vodka and rum that are all plastic-packaging free. This pink gin combines the flavour of fresh, Isle of Wight strawberries with their famously smooth, aromatic and complex gin and the bottle could not be prettier! If you want to take your gifting to the next level, however, then seek out their gift set, which includes a bottle of the Mermaid Pink Gin (70cl) and two gold-plated, gorgeous, copa glasses. 

Gin: ABV 38%, Size 700ml, £39.90
Gift pack: ABV 44%, Size 700ml, £65.50

Wine

Specially Selected Sparkling Shiraz

A sparkling red? Yes, for something a little different. Try this slightly chilled. It’s one of the rare style of red wine that goes with chocolate too (the darker the better). Sparkling Shiraz has been an Aussie no-so-well-kept-secret for a while! It will take you for Valentine’s day into summer barbecues in the sunshine too and this onen is awesome value.

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £6.99
Find here: Aldi

Coral Ethical Rosé Wine

This delicate, Spanish pink is an organic and vegan-friendly rosé wine with Tempranillo grapes in a carbon-neutral winery and packaged in an ultra-light bottle that uses recycled and recyclable materials. Think aromatic notes of grapefruit and strawberry with a refreshing, peachy palate. 10% of its profits are also donated to the restoration and conservation of coral reefs, which represent 25% of marine biodiversity. A rosé with heart!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £9.99
Find here: Abel & Cole, Adnams, Amazon.co.uk

W/O Frappato, Terre Siciliane, IGT 2020

A little taste of Sicily in a ‘wild glass’, which means glass bottles that are 100% post-consumer recycled. The first in the UK to do this! It does mean that each bottle is slightly different with a minimalist,easily  biodegradable label. Frappato is a native grape to Sicily and it offers a comforting, rustic red that’s all about spicy red fruit compote notes. It’s an unpretentious, comfort  blanket of a wine! Your new go-to week day favourite. 

ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: From £11.99/bottle or £9.99 for 6
Find here: Laithwaites

Specially Selected Amarone della Valpolicella D.O.C.G 2018

Amarone is a great choice for those looking for a rich and velvety red wine this Valentine's day. Think dark cherries dipped in melted dark chocolate and spice. Delicious! This is part of Aldi’s impressive ‘Specially Selected’ range and for an Amarone, it is excellent value. It even sounds like the Italian word for love: ‘Amore’. Yes please! I’ll have a glass of that.

ABV: 15%
Size: 750ml
Price: £19.99
Find here: ALDI

Bubbles

Codornìu Cava Rosé  NV

Codornìu is the big name in Cava, producing a fantastic range of traditional method bubbles in all sorts of styles and at all price points. It is fantastic value for some classic Spanish bubbles, with a herbaceous nose and a crunchy, red cherry tang. This is definitely a winner with all sorts of food.  

ABV: 12%
Size: 750ml
Price: £9
Find here: Ocado

Splash out: Veuve Clicquot Rosé

The widow ‘Veuve’ Clicquot invented rosé wine so this really is the original! A super special bottle where the Pinot -Noir dominant wine is the most elegant pink colour and super silky, with delicately complex aromas and flavours of brioche, summer fruits, toast and apricot. This is truly a fizz to savour; give it time to let it open up in the glass and enjoy!

ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Price: £49
Find here: Tesco

If you enjoyed this, then don’t forget to have a look at our other wine and spirits recommendations!