8 Beautiful Pink Gins for Romance

The Pink Gin boom has seen more and more supermarket shelves become that bit more colourful over the last decade, and never more so than for Valentine’s Day of course. Whether it’s a crisp gin and tonic or a fancy cocktail you’re after, these are the 8 best pink gins for sharing the love this Valentine’s.

Stonewall Pink Rhubarb Gin

We love Stonewall not only for their stunning gins but for their support of the LGBTQ+ community through the re-telling of the Stonewall Riots. They don’t stop there though, they donate £1 from every bottle to Stonewall UK to fight for acceptance and equality in the UK – a Valentine’s Day for everyone! This tangy gin kicks off with tart rhubarb that’s balanced with sweeter tropical notes before a mild spice to the finish. The go-to Pink Rhubarb Gin, we recommend this for a sublime G&T.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

Tarsier Oriental Pink Gin

Bursting with incredible exotic flavours with red dragon fruits and lychee, Tarsier Oriental is inspired by the founder’s trips to Southeast Asia. Tart raspberries cut through perfectly and the peppery juniper is stunning. The fresh feel of every sip is gorgeous, and there’s no bitterness to the aftertaste that you can get with some pink gins – just subtle warmth and spice.

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

Cantium Rubesco Pink Gin

This is a gin that instantly stands out. So much so that if you’d have seen it on a supermarket isle you might assume someone had lost their flask? Well, half of that is true. Once finished, the Cantium ‘bottle’ can indeed be used as a reusable flask! This pink variation has been infused with sweet strawberries and tart raspberries for a super fruity taste you won’t forget... not least because you’ll literally have the flask on hand!

Size: 700m
ABV: 42%
Find here: £39.95

Malfy Gin Rosa

Malfy are masters of citrus gins, and the Rosa is no different, starring Sicilian pink grapefruit in the leading role. It feels wonderfully vibrant and fresh, with a depth of flavour. There is zero sticky artificial sweetness, just well-crafted gin that will add a splash of sunshine to February. Perfect with Mediterranean tonic and a grapefruit wheel of course!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: UK £26.49 // US $27.99

Zymurgorium Flagingo Pink Gin

Zymurgorium’s Unicorn Marshmallow Gin Liqueur and Sweet Violet Gin Liqueur have been loved by many, and now they’ve stepped up from liqueurs to a stronger Pink Gin with Flagingo. Inspired by the exotic strut of the flamingo, Caribbean tropical fruits of mango, pineapple and passion fruit sit at its core. Warm ginger and allspice mellow the fruits for a beautifully balanced gin from this inventive producer. A lovely bottle to gift too!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38%
Find here: £17.11

Glendalough Irish Rose Gin

Irish Rose is based on Glendalough’s Wild Botanical gin that we loved, using sustainably hand foraged botanicals to tell the story of the gorgeous landscape surrounding the distillery. Fresh flowers are vapor distilled with three rose varieties added so it carries welcoming floral notes. Like the Wild Botanical gin, its appeal is in its craftmanship, with subtle sweetness and spice creating a delicious blend. If you want to find out more about Glendalough gin, check out The Three Drinkers in Ireland.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £30 // US $29.99

Kyrö Pink Gin

This Finnish rye-based gin has a lovely indulgent creamy vanilla note alongside sweet strawberry and the beautiful tang of raspberry and rhubarb. The juniper is mild with pepper and a little coriander on the finish and overall, the well-roundedness of the expression is pretty astounding. There’s sweetness and tang, but also a slightly spicy and herbaceous tone. One you’ll definitely want to spend Valentine’s Day finnish-ing!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38.2%
Find here: £29.95

Northern Fox Traditional Pink Gin

This Yorkshire distillery has a fantastic portfolio of drinks, and their Pink Gin might just be their best. It harks back to traditional pink gin, which originally used Angostura Bitters so not the fruity pink hue you expect. It’s fantastically dry and crisp, sacrificing red berries for a juniper-forward profile building to clove and cinnamon. If you’re desperate for the pink colour still, then hopefully the fox’s bowtie is enough for you!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.95

If you’re on the hunt for Valentine’s fizz instead, then you’ve got to check out our guide on the best bottles to pop this year!

The Best Spirits for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is all about love and couples so I’ve put together pairs of spirits I love from each of the main spirits categories. These are not, one for him or her, as I don’t believe in imposing flavour on anyone. These are simply pairs of the best examples of spirits I’ve tasted recently, and if you needed to replace your other halves favourite spirit in time for Valentine’s Day, then I don’t think you’d go wrong with any of these.

The Best Tequila For Valentine’s Day

Mijenta Blanco 

There is tequila I used to drink in my youth, mainly with salt and lemon, late in a bar whilst in Edinburgh at university, and this is about as far removed from that style of Tequila as you can get. It is elegant and vibrant with fruity flavours and delicate agave notes running all the way through the palate. Made from 100% Blue Weber agave and bottled with no filtration, Mijenta supports whale conservation and partners with The Ocean Foundation. They also use local glass, and the labels are created using agave waste. There is a feel-good factor to this lovely tequila, just as it makes you feel good whilst drinking it.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £54.95 // US $49.99

Volcan De Mi Tierra Blanco 

Created with a blend of Blue Agave from both the highlands and lowland of Jalisco, the agave is grown in the shadow of the volcano, hence the name. The volcano erupted over 200,000 years ago and created rich volcanic soils which are perfect for growing agave. This Tequila has lots of complexity and is great for sipping, using in a Paloma, and it makes a mean Margarita as well.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £44.74 // US $48.99

The Best Gin For Valentine’s Day

Mermaid Pink Gin 

This pink gin is unlike many others. It is vibrant and not too sweet. It still has the Mermaid Gin at its heart, and the fruity extra flavour comes from an infusion of strawberries grown on the Isle of Wight, where this distillery is found. The strawberries mix well with the original botanicals, and it makes a brilliant G&T, especially if topped with strawberries! The pink hew is just enough to let you know this is a pink gin and therefore to expect lots of fruitiness.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 38%
Find it Here: £37.99

Kyrö Pink Gin

Made in Finland, the team at Kyro has attempted to make a pink gin for everyone. Well, I’m not sure about that, all I do know is that this is my favourite pink gin ever! If it’s others as well, then that just goes to show they’ve been pretty successful. Made with foraged strawberries, rhubarb and lingonberries, there is a creaminess to the gin, and it tastes very fresh and not artificial at all. I’m sure this would be great in cocktails, but above all, it makes a very refreshing G&T. 

Size: 500ml
ABV: 38.2%
Find it Here: £29.95

The Best Vodka For Valentine’s Day

Dima’s Vodka Ukrainian Three Grain

This vodka not only tastes brilliant but is doing something to put right some of the wrong in the world. £5 from every sale gets donated to Ukraine to help the war effort. Back to the vodka, it’s made from three grains giving a lovely depth of fruity earthy flavours and is brilliant chilled a little with a little pickle - just how it’s drunk in its home country. It also makes excellent cocktails, not just in flavour, but the vodka has a creamy mouthfeel which helps everything slip down nicely. As they say in Ukraine: Budmo!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £35

X Muse

Made in Scotland from a blend of two heritage varieties of barley, Maris Otter and Plumage Archer, this vodka has huge complexity of flavour and great texture. X Muse, pronounced Tenth Muse, reflects the sum of its parts, blended together as the tenth muse was a sum of all other nine in mythology. Not just an interesting story, it’s one of the best vodkas I’ve tasted in recent times.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £55.74

The Best Whisky For Valentine’s Day

Glen Moray Port Finish

Glen Moray creates the best value single malt whisky by far, and this expression is no different. This port finish is part of the Glen Moray Classic range and has had an eight-month finish in a port cask. This not only gives delicate red fruit flavours alongside those classic orchard fruits and honey, but a slightly pink tinge. Well, it is Valentine’s day.
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £26.90 // US $34.99

GlenAllachie 11

GlenAllachie is becoming known for its use of different oak finishes and maturations, and here we have a whisky first matured in American ex-bourbon casks for nine years, and then finished in ruby port casks. There are lots of caramel, honey, and vanilla notes, but also red berries and some hedgerow fruit as well. There is a rich hew of pink, and this whisky goes to show that as long as the casks are good, single malt doesn’t have to be old to be very good.  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 48%
Find it Here: £81.15

The Best Brandy/Cognac For Valentine’s Day

Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal

Back in 1738 it was illegal to plant new vines on your land, until Louis XV gave permission to Rémy Martin. This was the Accord Royal of 1738 of which this cognac gets its name. There are lots of complex citrus fruits, with orange being predominant, and caramel and a touch of spice. Smooth and very easy to sip on a winter’s evening, it also makes a good long cocktail too. Add a little ginger ale, a dash of lime and a sprig of rosemary, and all you’ll need is the sun to top it off.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: UK £52.50 // US $69.99

Hennessy XO 

This is the Cognac that started the XO movement. The name was given to the Cognac by Maurice Hennessy in the 1800s. First bottled for friends and family in 1870, it uses a blend of more than 100 eaux-de-vie from Petite and Grand Champagne regions of Cognac as well as Fins Bois and Borderies. It is a deep brooding cognac with lots of dark chocolate and orange flavours. Perfect with a cigar, but as I found out on my last visit to Hennessy, brilliant in the heat of the day in a fishbowl glass and plenty of ice. Magnificent.

 Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £164.99 // US $199.99

The Best Rum For Valentine’s Day

Ron Abuelo XII Two Oaks 

Matured in two different types of oak cask, this rum from Panama is rich and smoky, but has a sweetness running through the whole palate making it smooth and deeply drinkable. Aged for over a decade in ex-bourbon casks, it was then transferred into heavily charred virgin American oak giving the rum its smoky deep character.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £46.95

Duppy Share 40%

This rum is created from blends of Jamaican and Barbadian rums. The former gives lots of fruity flavours and the caramel, baked banana flavours are typical of Barbados. The rums are up to five years old and the resulting rum is smooth with lots of tropical sweetness working well by itself or in any rum cocktail, especially a daiquiri. The name is taken from the Jamaican spirits called Duppies which stole rum across the Caribbean.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find it Here: £26

Words by Colin Hampden-White

If you’re looking for more Valentine’s/Galantine’s Day inspiration then why not check out our Beautiful Pink Gins guide or perhaps Sparkling Wine is more up your street?

Down Under’s Finest: 8 Australian Drinks You Need to Try

Australian wine is probably their most well-known alcoholic output, but there are incredible and overlooked gems to be found whatever you drink.

We’ve turned Down Under upside down trying to find the cream of the crop and have pulled together this almighty list, including gin, whisky, rum, vermouth, liqueur and even a sublime alcohol-free option so let’s waste no more time.

GIN

Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin

Over the last decade, Four Pillars have grown from a small craft distillery into multi-award-winning gin royalty. Olive Leaf is their savoury expression, using three virgin olive oils and olive leaf tea to create a gorgeously rich and subtly vegetal profile. The juniper is earthy, with herbaceous bay and rosemary and bright touches of lemon balancing out perfectly. It’s just crying out to become a martini with an olive garnish of course.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43.8%
Find here: £36.45

Manly Spirits Co. Australian Dry Gin

Manly aims to produce bottles that capture the beautiful Sydney beaches around their distillery, using local land and marine botanicals like sea lettuce, pepper leaf, finger lime and orange peel. The beach lifestyle might be carefree, but decades of expertise go into this expression. With the ocean being sensed at the beginning of every sip, it’s another gin that has a savoury and ever so slightly salty element to it. However, with refreshingly light citrus playing off it it’s somewhat unusual with a sweeter finish that goes down a treat. Perfect for a layered G&T with ice and a slice of fresh lemon or orange.  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £38.44

Ink Gin

Hailing from Tumbulgum (great name), Ink Gin uses botanicals that are local to the area to create a fresh and citrussy aroma with some elderflower immediately noticeable. The palate has a lovely peppery spice, with light orange notes before a long crisp finish that leaves you wanting more. Husk Plantation Distillery are the brains behind this creation, and it has an ace up its sleeve– it’s a colour changer! Infused with butterfly pea flower petals, it’s pH sensitive and turns pink when mixed with tonic or citrus juices. Mind you, the original colour is so nice you might not want to change it! It’s an incredible gin option for celebrating with that party trick up it’s sleeve, but the taste alone is worth the price tag.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £38.99

WHISKY

Starward Tawny Whisky

This is a luxury wine-finished New World Whisky from progressive Australian producers Starward. A limited-edition release, Tawny is a single malt that’s matured in fortified wine casks to give sublime flavour. It’s created in the image of an after dinner treat, so it leans towards the sweeter end of whisky, with notes of banana bread, raisins, dried fruit peel and peanut butter on the nose. The palate brings Christmas flavours to the fore. Think spiced plums, citrus, and malt and grape sweetness. This sweetness leans into the finish too, undercut by a warming spiciness that rounds everything off perfectly. This is a dram that is full of flavour throughout, and every sip feels like a treat. Nom!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 48%
Find here: £84.90

RUM

Bundaberg Rum

From the off, we should say that Queensland’s finest isn’t technically a rum. To earn that classification, rums have to be a minimum of 37.5% ABV, so Bundaberg is a whisker away. But what’s 0.5% between friends? It’s sweetness that accounts for the lower percentage here, with Demerara, molasses and underlying spices filling the nose.  The flavour is extremely distinctive, with quite a dry feel and sugary spice right through to the finish. It comes into its own mixed with cola but feel free to give it a go neat first – it divides opinion!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37%
Find here: £34.50

VERMOUTH

Regal Rogue Wild Rosé Vermouth

Regal Rogue tend to really let their wines off the leash in their vermouth range, and Wild Rosé is no different. It’s bold, fruit forwards with native Ozzy illawara plums, strawberry and rosella creating a red fruit bonanza that feels natural. It’s super versatile too, working simply with tonic, or to give a fruity lift to spritzers and cocktails!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 16.5%
Find here: £16.74

LIQUEUR

Brookie’s Mac

Byron Bay brings us not only surfing, scuba diving and Bounty advert beaches, but Cape Byron Distillery who have pulled together this industry-acclaimed macadamia liqueur. The nuts are locally sourced (no really, they’re in the distillery’s garden) and mixed with Australian wattleseed to create a velvet-smooth rich nutty liqueur. Behind that, there are hints of roasted coffee and sweet butterscotch that make this an absolute winner. We’d recommend sipping it over ice, but it could also be used in cocktails like Espresso Martini, or even in desserts. Stunning bottle too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £34.99

NON-ALCOHOLIC

Brunswick Aces Spades Sapiir

Crafted in the London Dry style, this is a top-notch No-Lo option from Brunswick Aces in Melbourne. Just like above, wattleseed brings a nutty, wheaty character, joined by botanicals like lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepper berry and of course, juniper. It’s not flat and flavourless like some 0% gins, instead, it’s zesty with wafts of lemon and juniper, underpinned with herbaceous garden notes, aromatic cardamon and subtle nutty flavours.  It can bring a savoury base to a mocktail or tonic, but it’s definitely bold enough to cut through stronger mixers like cranberry or ginger ale too! Love it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £27.49

But wait a minute… this is Australia’s finest offerings and there’s not a single wine!? Well, we’ve dedicated an entire article to that so hold off on the petitions and check that out here.

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night

January 25th brings Burns Night, the birthday of The Scottish Bar, Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. His classic works like Auld Lang Syne are known across the world, and traditionally, haggis and Scotch are served after reading Rabbie’s words to ‘address the haggis’.

It’s the perfect excuse to pour out a special dram, but believe it or not Scotch lovers, not everyone loves it! So, whether it’s wine, spirits, or even alcohol-free drinks you’re looking for, these are the best alternatives to sip on during Burns Night, that give nods to the event without going the whole hog, or the whole haggis. Enjoy!

WINE

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

Another fantastic wine drinker’s choice for Burns Night is this Double Barrel Shiraz... because it’s literally aged in Scotch whisky barrels! Available in almost all supermarkets, this Jacob’s Creek range includes other wines finished with Scotch, but the Australian Shiraz is really top notch. It’s first matured in traditional oak wine barrels, building richness and elegance with hints of blueberry and ripe plum. Finishing in Scotch barrels leaves for a seriously moreish easy-drinking smoothness as well as vanilla and charry oak notes. It’s a fantastic food-friendly Shiraz that would sing alongside beef, mushrooms, and blue cheese.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £10 (usually £12!) Sainsbury’s // US $21.99

1000 Stories Chardonnay

1000 Stories make a number of wines, with each fermenting in charred barrels that once housed iconic Kentucky bourbon. We’ve picked out their Chardonnay which reimagines the Cali classic without losing the characteristic of what makes the full-bodied grape so loved. The result is lush, charred vanilla and toasted caramel perfectly balanced by the more familiar baked apple and pear. The inclusion of a little Viognier adds even more intrigue with tropical hints in the background. Gorgeous!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5% 
Find here: UK £16.50 Tesco // US $16.99

SPIRITS

Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend

The peak of rum heritage is Mount Gay who release some absolute crackers, and the dark and brooding XO is right up there. Resting for between 8-15 years in a combination of American whiskey, bourbon and Cognac casks creates a precision balance. A lovely oakiness underlines everything, decorated with inviting notes of waxy pear and sticky toffee fig pudding. Full-flavour, impossibly smooth, and finally the very gentle warming spice that you need on Burns Night – it’s the best rum option to replace Scotch. Try it with a large coconut water ice cube to really accentuate the coconut notes too.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £54.59 // US $64.99

Firkin Gin Islay Cask

Firkin Gin produce some delicious gin, many finished with wines and whiskies. We even tried their Côtes Du Roussillon in, ‘The Three Drinkers Do Scotch Whisky’, but on Burns Night, gin lovers should go to their Islay Cask! Best known for Scotch, Firkin Gin have imparted that Islay character into this London dry-style gin by resting it in oak casks that used to house local whisky. In amongst the juniper, lime and honey botanicals, peat smoke wafts through on the nose before distinct vanilla and sea-breeze notes on the palate. The peppery finish ties up the peaty elements nicely, for a gin that is both light, zesty, and coastal, but smoky too. Explore it neat but perhaps serve with ginger beer after that.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £34.99

Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

Raised in Texas but born in Scotland, Michael Ballantyne founded the award-winning Storywood to produce tequila, ‘with the heart of Mexico and the soul of Scotland’. It’s unusual to see Speyside and Tequila in the same sentence, but the 100% blue weber agave añejo matures in Scotch casks from the area for 14 months to create one of the most uniquely layered tequilas around. Think caramelised nuts and toasted oak, intertwining with the earthy and vegetal agave that sits at the heart of it. Innovative and well worth a try to see if the combination is a hit for you!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £49.30

Kalak Peat Cask Vodka

Another expression you don’t see often but just so happens to be the perfect alternative to Scotch for Burns Night... cask-aged vodka. Kalak’s crisp Irish malted barley vodka is distilled four times and finished in virgin American oak casks charred over Irish peat fires. What an image that is! A mellow smoke coats the bakery profile of vanilla, gingerbread, and cream wonderfully. The whisky presence is far from overbearing if you’re worried about that, it just adds a new toasted layer to the existing characteristics. We think this would also create some really unique cocktails, like a Smoky Martini. Cheers to Rabbie!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £33.90

Beeble Honey Whisky Liqueur

If you’re anything like us you’ll be instantly curious about that distinct honied hue and giant bee, and even more intrigued about what ‘honey spirit’ is. When the founders began their first hive, they found it difficult to avoid wasting the honey that stuck to the frames. They tried soaking them in whisky and the first Beeble batch was born. They now have over 130 sustainable hives, and still only use honey, water, and whisky. English apple blossom honey blends with Scotch for a super silky and floral bottling at just 30%. If you really don’t like whisky, then maybe stay clear but if you want to explore a much easier drinking sweet liqueur version, then this is a must try. It won a Great Taste Award in 2020 for its original flavour so see what you think!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 30%
Find here: £32

NO LO

Feragaia

If you don’t drink alcohol but still want to sip on something special for the celebrations, then how about Feragaia? It’s a Scottish alcohol-free spirit combining 14 wild botanicals including chamomile, bay leaf and seaweed with local Scottish water. The grounding spices like pink peppercorn work well with the coastal Kelp and fresh lemon and blackcurrant for a really balanced and clean feeling of flora and earth. It might look like a very pale whisky, but Feragaia doesn’t intend to try to replicate a spirit, instead they hope that this stands in its own right as its own thing. Bravo!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19.94

Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’

Crossip has a great range of booze-free spirits, but it was Dandy Smoke that picked up The Independent’s Best Overall Non-Alcoholic Spirit of 2021, and it has that Scotch profile we’re looking for. It’s smoky (obviously!) and velvet smooth with satisfying viscosity, which is important because a thin feel can be an issue with booze-free spirits. Underneath the enjoyable texture are layers of warming spice with a subtly medicinal punch not dissimilar from Islay expressions. It’s a smaller bottle than most but a little goes a long way with this one. Try it with cola or ginger ale, or even at the base of a fresh mocktail!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £22

If after all that you’ve come full circle and just want quality Scotch for Burns Night, then check out our list of the very best, from budget to blowout.

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Hot Toddy Cocktail Variations

What is a hot toddy?

There’s nothing quite like a hot toddy to soothe the winter chill in our bones is there? The history of the hot toddy is by no means set in stone. In India, toddy has long been a fermented palm tree sap concoction, and by the end of the 1700s, it came to mean, ‘a beverage made of alcoholic liquor with hot water, sugar, and spices’ in the United Kingdom.

One man credited with its popularity is Robert Bentley Todd, an Irish physician who prescribed hot brandy, cinnamon, syrup, and water in the 1830s to his patients with flu. Now that sounds better than tablets to us!

These days, the winter warmer is loved by many to jump-start mornings, soothe colds, and sore throats, as a nightcap, or just to heat up during the chilly nights. So versatile! And the good thing about that is, there are tonnes of room to adapt the recipes...

So, without further ado, here are our best hot toddy variations, whatever you’re in the mood for, and even if you don’t like whisky!

For the traditionalists: The Original Hot Toddy

Some recipes are as simple as whisky + sugar + water, and others read more like full shopping lists, so we’ve kept it fairly simple with cloves and cinnamon for mellow and warming spice, honey for sweetness, lemon juice to cut through and of course, a gorgeous splash of whisky at the heart of everything. Balanced and beautiful, it’s soothing comfort in a mug.

Ingredients
1 clove
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
100ml-150ml hot water
35ml Whisky (Johnnie Walker Black Label is great)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Grab your favourite mug or handled glass and add the water. Mix in the whisky, lemon juice and honey until it’s completely disappeared. Chuck in the clove and the cinnamon if you like it. Most important of all, have a taste and adapt it how you like! You can add some sugar, or some more lemon, or even a splash of whisky if it’s not got enough oomph.

For the bourbon drinkers: Ginger Toddy

Bourbon works just as well as Scotch in a Hot Toddy, so it’s just down to your preference, but we love it with the ginger here. Those warming spicy notes, with vanilla and caramel bourbon hints create a delicious bakery feel to the cocktail. This is guaranteed to leave a lovely zing in your mouth and warm you down to your toes!

Ingredients
35ml bourbon
15ml ginger syrup
100ml hot water
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Combine the bourbon, ginger syrup and hot water in your favourite mug and stir thoroughly, adding a splash of lemon juice if you want extra zing! Then enjoy!

For the cider drinkers: The Hot Apple Toddy

Now be aware that this has a serious kick to it because the water is being swapped out for apple cider. You can still add cinnamon and a clove if you wish, but if you’ve used a good cider then there should be bold enough flavours without. Along similar lines, if you’d prefer an even fruiter version, use apple brandy instead of whisky! Oh so satisfying and that subtle tang is lovely.

Ingredients
1 tsp honey
100ml apple cider
35ml whisky or apple brandy
1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Method
Heat up your cider in a saucepan and pour this into your mug or glass coated with honey at the bottom. Add your whisky and optional spices and stir well.

For the gin lovers: Hot Gin Toddy

There are even options for you gin lovers out there. The Hot Gin Toddy relies on the beautiful botanicals in the gin, with the heat opening them up and giving them a new lease of life. It’s just as warming, but with a pleasantly aromatic profile that’s surprisingly light and refreshing too.

Top Tip: Dry gin will work better because the botanicals tend to react to hot water more reliably.

Ingredients
1 tsp sugar
35ml gin (dry)
100ml hot water
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick (garnish)
1 lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Super simple, just mix everything really well with the hot water and give it a final stir with the cinnamon stick. Make sure the water isn’t boiling hot because this may be too harsh on the gin.

For the rum drinkers: Hot Rum Toddy

Rum fits so nicely into the Hot Toddy recipe, with those warming spices and underlying sweetness accentuated beautifully. Whilst Scotch has always been the Hot Toddy go-to in the UK, rum used to be far more readily available in America, so this or brandy was usually used. Any rum works, but we would suggest dark rum for that deep caramel flavour, and the spicier notes.

Ingredients
1 tbsp honey
35ml rum (preferably dark)
100ml hot water
1 cinnamon stick
Lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Stir together everything so that the honey is completely dissolved and drop in the cinnamon stick giving it plenty of time to diffuse. Garnish with a lemon wedge to finish, and squeeze in a little juice if you prefer! Truly a fireside sipper that gives the original a run for its money.

For the vodka drinkers: Toffee Apple Hot Toddy

This may ring some bells because we recommended it as the perfect Bonfire Night cocktail when Lewis Stairs, founder of Sunday Cocktail Club joined us in Ep.96 of the Bring a Bottle Podcast. It’s gorgeously smooth, with that slightly sweeter bourbon intertwining with crisp toffee vodka. The apple juice completes the hot toffee apple vibe, and it’s a fantastic option if you’ve got a sweeter tooth.

Ingredients
25ml toffee vodka
50ml bourbon
40ml apple juice
Splash of lemon (optional)
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Method
All you’ve got to do is heat everything up in a saucepan until it’s hot throughout, but not bubbling. Keep some cool apple juice behind to cool it down if needs be. We love the very subtle sour edge that the lemon provides, but feel free to leave it out – it’s your creation! Feel free to check out Lewis making it here.

For the non-alcoholic drinkers: Apple Berry Toddy

There are lots of alcohol-free hot toddy variations using different types of tea, but we wanted something that still has the boozy profile to it... just without the booze itself. Step up Crossip Rich Berry, perfect for mulled wines but also hot toddies. It’s packed with rich blackberries and cherries, and a lovely layer of spice. Obviously, there isn’t quite the power that comes from a spirit, so swap out the water for some lovely hot apple juice and it’s a warming winner with heaps of flavour.

Ingredients
25ml Crossip Rich Berry
125ml Apple Juice
Lemon (garnish)

 Method
Like every hot toddy, it’s easy to pull together. Just heat everything together and decant! A little squeeze and garnish of lemon is a nice finishing touch. The only difficult bit is trying not to finish it all in one sitting!

If you are looking for more delicious drink ideas this January, why not check out our recommendations for the best no and low alcohol drinks?

Words by Calum Ecroyd

One Drink, Three Ways: Mirabeau Gin

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves which you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

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Mirabeau is always one of our top choices for quality and value when it comes to rosé, so when they announced their journey into juniper a couple of years ago, we had high expectations! We were not disappointed. 

In this gin, there are the familiar base botanicals of juniper, citrus, orris root, angelica root and coriander, but inspired by the surroundings of the Saint Tropez estate, it’s the Riviera twist of herbs like bay, thyme and rosemary alongside the neutral grape spirit and base distillate of Mirabeau Classic Rosé that really grabs your attention. The result is a fantastically fruity and well-rounded gin with fresh citrus character that’s bursting with floral notes, rose petals and lavender. Those herbs add an extra kick at the end too for an extremely satisfying and complete drink with all the glamour of the Côte d’Azur.

There really is plenty here to enjoy neat, but with so many appealing notes, it only makes sense to get some stunning cocktails going eventually...

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Helena’s Choice: Mirabeau Pink Gimlet

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Mirabeau gin is perfect for a characterful, gin sour style cocktail. The lime and grapefruit play up to the citrus in the gin and are pitched perfectly against the sweet syrup. Everything tastes incredibly fresh and balanced while showing off the beautiful, fruity gin. Simply pour all the ingredients into an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake together, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with half a wheel of lime and that’s it. You’re transported to the French Riviera!

Mirabeau Pink Gimlet

Recipe

50ml Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin

25ml Simple Syrup

50ml Lime Juice (1 lime)

75ml Pink Grapefruit Juice (1/2 a Grapefruit)

Crushed Ice

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Aidy’s Choice: Mirabeau Rosé Negroni

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Negronis are, by their nature, one of the most adaptable cocktails and I adore this rosé led version. All three work together to elevate the fresh floral and citrus notes, and the underlining herbs add a tonne of depth from the background to round it off. Immensely refreshing and a lip-smacker alright. Simply add the Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin, Lillet Rosé and Luxardo Bitter Bianco into a tumbler filled with plenty of ice and stir gently until the ice starts to melt. Take the zest of a grapefruit and wipe it around the rim of the glass. Pinch the zest to express a little oil, add it as a garnish and enjoy!

Mirabeau Rosé Negroni

Recipe

25ml Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin

25ml Lillet Rosé

25ml Luxardo Bitter Bianco

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Colin’s Choice: Mirabeau Rosé G&T

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There are cans of Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin & Tonic in Waitrose, but this cocktail version is a notch above if I can be so bold. The floral Mediterranean tonic with its herbal notes complements similar notes in the gin and provides a really light and refreshing base. The Angostura bitters emphasise the citrus fruitiness and embolden the cocktail to become more than just a refresher. 

Place some ice in a large wine glass and gently wipe the rim of the glass with the zest of grapefruit. Pour in the Mirabeau Riviera Dry Rosé Gin, the tonic, and add the drops of angostura. Stir gently with the sprig of rosemary which also makes the perfect garnish once you’re finished. Perfection.

Mirabeau Rosé G&T

Recipe

50ml Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin

150ml Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic

4 drops Angostura Bitters

Zest of Grapefruit

A sprig of fresh Rosemary

ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35

We’re always mixing up new cocktails at Three Drinkers HQ, so make sure to check out the rest of our recommendations here!

The Best Pre-Lunch Christmas Drinks

Once the mimosas have been drunk, breakfast had and Christmas lunch is beginning to be prepared, the chef, and everyone else for that matter, might be wanting a little something to drink before the grand meal gets under way. Personally, I don’t eat much at breakfast, so one of the next drinks can be a great substitute, whether with or without alcohol. One of my favourite drinks of all time is the Bloody Mary. Traditionally made with vodka there are other options out there. If you’re not a tomato juice fan, then a gin and tonic can go down very well pre-lunch too. And there is always the traditional Christmas drink of Sherry. Forget the old days of cream sherries, there are plenty more options of something tasty to sip away at to get your appetite going.

The BEst Spirits for a Bloody Mary cocktail

Glen's Vodka

Glens Vodka is the second best-selling spirit in the UK. And it is made in Scotland! Made by the Loch Lomond Distillery Company, who know how to make great spirits, this is a clean, smooth and easy going vodka created for mixing, and it is great value for money. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find It Here: £13

Dima’s Vodka

We at The Three Drinkers have long been a great supporter of Dima’s Vodka, and in my opinion, it is the best vodka on the market today. It has superb flavour without being flavoured, it has a great texture that feels creamy in the mouth, and it is incredibly smooth. Beyond all this, it comes from Ukraine and is created by Ukrainian Dima, hence the name. Every bottle sold goes to help fund the Ukrainians in their battle against Russia making buying a bottle even more worth it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £35

Ardbeg 10 Year Old

For whisky lovers out there, this makes one of the best Bloody Marys I have ever had. Choose a rich thick tomato juice, or even add some passata to the drink, and once the spices are added, with the Ardbeg 10 Year Old, a smoky, earthy, and delicious drink evolves. With the power of the whisky, you can use as little or as much spice and Worcester sauce as you like, and it’ll taste great.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: UK £42.90 // US $52.99

X Muse Vodka

Pronounced 10th Muse, this vodka is made with heritage varieties of barley in Scotland, which are distilled separately and then carefully blended. Based on the mythical 10th Muse which was supposed to be an amalgam of the other 9 muses, this vodka has huge amounts of flavour and complexity which shine through in a Bloody Mary. This is a vodka which really does push the boat out, but is worth every penny, and definitely worth the splurge on Christmas day. Beyond the tomato juice, this is a vodka to savour and sip.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find It Here: £55.74

The Best Gin for a Gin and Tonic 

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin

The quintessential British gin. Gordon’s has been the country’s gin of choice for the humble gin and tonic for a very long time. And with good reason. It is a classic London dry gin with plenty of botanical flavour alongside the juniper and the resulting G&T is very, very good. It’s also great value and, if you don’t happen to be drinking, they make a very good 0% version, which, having tasted quite a few decent no alcohol gins, is my favourite.

Gordon’s Special London Dry Gin
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75L
ABV: 38%
Find It Here: UK £16 // US $21.99

Gordon’s 0% London Dry Gin
Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find It Here: £12

Finger Lime Gin

Made from an unusual fruit, which although is called a ‘lime’, it’s not certain if it actually fits into the citrus family or not, this gin is definitely zesty with oodles of citrus flavours which mixes with tonic superbly well. If you can find some finger limes to garnish, the little green caviar-like cells will bounce up and down the drink with the bubbles creating a very pretty display. A little like a gin and tonic snow globe. Perfect for Christmas.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find It Here: £34.95

Anty Gin

Created by the Cambridge gin distillery, this is a special gin which, although made of ants, wood ants to be precise, tastes great, and adds a little more interest to a simple gin and tonic. A great talking point when guests or family descend on you for Christmas, it may be a convenient distraction from any brewing family feud!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find It Here: £194.99

The Best Sherry for Christmas

Tio Pepe Dry Sherry

This sherry is made from the Palomino grape variety and aged for around five years. It is crisp and zesty, and the perfect drink before a meal that is likely to be of gargantuan proportion. Easy to sip and take your time over, and especially good if you like dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find It Here: £9.50

Lustau Oloroso Emperatriz

If sherry means rich and nutty flavours with lots of dried fruit aromas and flavours to boot, then this is a sherry you’ll love. There is lots of complexity and alongside the usual flavours you will find dark chocolate and nougat. The Solara this sherry comes from was founded in 1921 to mark the visit of Eugenia de Montijo to Jerez, who was the last Empress of France.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £20.95

Bodegas Tradición 30 Year Old Palo Cortado

Palo Cortado is an unusual sherry. Many cheaper versions are created by the sherry maker, but those that happen naturally are rare. They are created when the “flor”, which is a naturally occurring fungal barrier that lies on top of the sherry in the barrel to prevent the oxygen from getting to the liquid, naturally and for no reason disappears, allowing the sherry beneath to start to oxidize. The best of these naturally occurring barrels are put aside to become Palo Cortado. It’s hugely complex, yet has great delicacy and finesse, this is one of the greatest examples, and would delight any sherry drinker.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find It Here: £103.05

Having sated oneself between breakfast and the great meal to come, the main event is next. With a huge number of drinks to choose from, I will keep it simple. To find out how to indulge yourself during this gourmet festive event, move on to my next set of drinks here. If you missed the Best Drinks to Enjoy on Christmas Morning, click here.

9 Christmas Themed Gins You Need to Try

If you need some inspiration for the gin lover in your life or just a treat to yourself, these Christmas themed gin gifts are guaranteed to capture the spirit(s) of Christmas!

One Port Barrel Rested Gin

A truly distinguished limited edition gin, which has taken One Gin’s premium sage edition to another glorious golden level by resting it in port barrels. This could definitely be taken neat, with notes of rich warming spices, a hint of smokiness, sage and smooth sweet vanilla. It reminded us of sitting by the fire watching old black and white movies with a gorgeous Christmas drink. Delicious served neat over ice or with premium tonic and a wedge of clementine and lemon. 

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £34.76

Tarquin’s Christmas Crackers

Why crack open one Christmas cracker when you can have three?! The stunning, original Tarquin’s Cornish Dry Gin features in this gorgeous set of three generous 50ml miniatures, alongside their best selling Rhubarb and Raspberry, and British Blackberry Gins. The bottles are perfect replicas of the full size versions and are miniature works of art in themselves. Any gin fan would love these in their Christmas stocking, just don’t ask them to share! 

Size: 50ml each bottle
ABV: 42%, 38%,38%
Find here: £18

Hayman’s Sloe Gin

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the perfect sloe gin and Hayman’s has managed to create an extraordinary one just for you with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The sloes are steeped for around 3 months in their original London Dry gin ensuring the perfect depth of flavours. There’s distinctive almond on the nose followed by beautifully rich fruits, cut with the sharpness of the sloes in complete harmony. Perfect for that Christmas dinner tipple, or any other time come to think of it! Serve neat with ice, with a premium tonic and a wheel of orange, or for that real Christmassy feel try it with hot cloudy apple juice, an orange wheel and a stick of cinnamon. Divine!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: UK £22.99 // US $29.99

Angels Share Glass Pink Gin Bauble

A beautiful hand-blown glass bauble from Angels Share Glass filled with Premium Pink gin from the award-winning Stirling Distillery, this bauble would be the perfect addition to any gin lover’s Christmas tree. Originally makers of the stunning whisky filled glass angels, they have now branched out to include gin baubles in their collection and we love them! Even better, you can refill them with your favourite tipple for next Christmas! Presented in an easily wrapped gift box that even an amateur gift wrapper can handle!

Size: 50ml
ABV: 40%
Find Here: £17.95

Tappers Figgy Pudding Gin

The beautiful amber colour of this fabulously festive gin tempts you in and the flavours do not disappoint. We definitely all want this figgy pudding! With rich winter fruits, citrus and spices this is Christmas personified. Figgy Pudding gin is made using the age-old skill of cold compounding the fruits and botanicals in the gin base, allowing a deep rich flavour and natural colour. Serve it with lots of ice, premium clementine tonic, fresh fig and a cinnamon stick.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 39.6%
Find here: £32

Fuzzy Duck Gingerbread Gin

The name alone makes you want to pour yourself a gin! The smell of gingerbread fresh out of the oven, Christmas songs playing on the radio and everyone wanting the end of the loaf - you can’t beat it. Fuzzy Duck distillery doesn't use any syrup in their gins, it’s all natural goodness just like homemade gingerbread! They’ve definitely hit the nail on the head with this gorgeous tipple. Ginger and cinnamon spice are perfectly balanced with a gorgeous silky mouthfeel. This is a full bodied beauty that deserves to be cherished! Serve it neat over ice or with Mediterranean tonic, plenty of ice, cranberries and a slice of ginger.  

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £38

Warner’s Christmas Cake Gin

For all of the lovers of sumptuous, dark, fruity Christmas cake this gin will be right up your snow-covered, fairy-lit street! Distilled with hand picked sloe berries, spices, rich fruits and dark chocolate…yes we said dark chocolate, this is no ordinary Christmas gin this is a Warner’s Christmas Cake gin! From a 50ml stocking-filler miniature to a gorgeous gift set, including a stunning etched Warner’s copa glass, there is something here for everyone. Their recommended serve is plenty of ice, cola, and a slice of orange or why not try it in an Espresso Martini?!

Size: 5cl or 70cl
ABV: 40%
Find here: £5 to £45 (gift set inc glassware)

The Boatyard Distillery Winter Solstice Gin

A stunning Christmas inspired gin hailing from the beautiful banks of Lough Erne, County Fermanagh, North West Ireland. Without losing its juniper heart it’s been distilled with gorgeous Christmas pudding fruits of candied orange peel, raisins, ginger and spices. Expertly blended with a French Sauternes dessert wine giving such a silky sweetness to this perfect winter tipple. You won’t want to put it down until the last Christmas carol is sung!! Serve with premium tonic, plenty of ice and a slice of orange or why not try an Irish coffee with a twist; 50ml Boatyard Winter Solstice Gin, 75ml Filter Coffee, 10ml Muscovado Syrup (2 parts sugar 1 part water) and a Double Cream Top!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £30

Chew Valley Clementine and Cranberry Gin

Hailing from the multi award-winning Somerset distillery. In their own words “This is not a typical “Flavoured” gin. It is a true premium quality gin with hints of winter essence”. The botanicals in this fabulous gin, including fresh clementine peel, ginger and cranberries are vapour infused for the finest flavour extraction. There are no added sweeteners in this gin, which will definitely appeal to those who want something a little less sweet for their Christmas tipple but still want those warming winter flavours. Serve with lots of ice, premium tonic and a slice of orange peel or try it in some mulled apple juice with a stick of cinnamon .

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £34.95

Smugglers Spirits Gin Baubles

You will definitely want to be sneaking these gorgeously colourful gin baubles onto your tree! Full of festive cheer, they are generously filled with a fabulous array of gins from the award-winning Smugglers Spirits. Including their cracking navy strength Old Sins gin, beautifully warming seasonal Winter gin, the fantastic original Smugglers gin as well as their small batch, hand-crafted Orange, Raspberry and Strawberry gins. Just watch that nobody else spirits them away!

Size: 50ml per bauble (x6)
ABV: From 38% to 57%
Find here: £24.50

If you’re looking for more gin suggestions this Christmas, then make sure you have a read of The Best Gins to Gift This Christmas. We don’t stop there though, for gifting suggestions for rum, vodka, tequila, whisky and more click here!

Words by Leigh Andrews