The Ultimate Mother’s Day Drinks Guide

Mother’s Day is nearly here which you no doubt already knew (most of you anyway ;)) so if you’re wanting to gift some drinks that are a little bit different from the same options every year, look no further.

For whatever drinks Mum likes, we’ve got our briefcase full of options open and ready for your perusal. Wine, gin, whisky, rum, Irish cream... there’s even mead! A glass of these on the big day from you and you’ll earn serious brownie points.

For the wine loving mum

Pasqua - ‘Hey French You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t’

The Pasqua family have been pulling together classic white wines in the Soave area of Venito since the 1920s, but this bottle expresses them best, living up to the bolshy name. Designed by CB Hoyo, the striking label is 100% gift-worthy and as soon as you set eyes on it, you know you’re in for something distinct. Inside is a blend of vintages from 2015 to 2018 and the complexity is remarkable, with light freshness and floral notes pinned down by strong structure. Think fruit-forward peach, mandarin and subtle zest with a rounded comforting finish hinting at nuts and freshly baked bread. Unique and definitely worth gifting this Mother’s Day.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £32 Harrods

Specially Selected Fleurs D'eau Sparkling Brut Rosé

Aldi’s sparkling range is seriously underrated, and this perky blend is full of fruit with juicy melon and pear on the nose and a delicate and superbly balanced dry palate of strawberries, redcurrants and a little honey. Each sip feels harmonious, and is bound to make Mum’s Day!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £7.99 Aldi

For the gin loving mum

Mirabeau Rosé Gin

One of our favourite gins inside and out, Mirabeau kicks off with the familiar botanical base (juniper-forward, angelica, coriander, orris, citrus) but then comes the showstopper. Local Saint Tropez twists of Provence including rosemary, thyme and bay and of course, their splendid Classic Rosé distillate elevates this to the next level. So, satisfying, glamorous and brimming with fresh fruit and florality. It’s the cheapest way to transport your Mum to the French Riviera this Mother’s Day!

It's a cocktail game-changer too, as we discovered here!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £28 Waitrose

Whitley Neill Banana & Guava Gin

This is Banana & Guava gin that’s eye-catching for different reasons. Bringing summer forward, this is a smooth and refreshing gin for Mum’s with a sweet-tooth. The guava is juicy and tropical, the banana is ripe and distinct, but the overall blend carries itself with a sophistication and balance you might not initially expect.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £26 Tesco

For the whiskey loving mum

The Three Drinkers & Sliabh Liag - The Legendary Red Silkie Irish Whiskey

That’s right, we’ve worked with the wonderful Donegal distillers Sliabh Liag to produce a classic Irish whiskey that leans into our love of good wine. Velvety rich liquid carries plush red fruits from Pomerol barrels in Bordeaux, and it’s all wrapped in very subtle smoke with a little candied orange and caramel. Humble brag, but we think we’ve made something very special (Sliabh Liag did all the hard work of course!). Oh, and £1 from every purchase goes towards the amazing mental health charity My Black Dog!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £49.99

For the rum loving mum

Depth Charge Spiced Rum

This is powerful Caribbean rum with oodles of flavour. Lime and mandarin bring fresh and zippy citrus to the core, but baking spices linger on the tongue moreishly too. It’s the opposite of forgettable with great vibrance – cola notes, peppercorn, orange, caramel, vanilla and a citrus streak throughout holding it together. There’s so much to explore neat over ice, but its versatility means it’ll be a hit with your usual rum mixers. A guaranteed hit for a Mum that likes spiced rum that’s for sure.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £23.95

For the Irish Cream loving mum

Coole Swan Cream Liqueur

In a nutshell, this is white chocolate Irish Cream – I know right? Decadent Belgian white choc, single malt whiskey and fresh Irish Cream combine for the pinnacle of decadence. It’s unbelievably velvety with surprising balance given the sweetness. Serve it chilled or as a special Mother’s Day treat drizzle it over cheesecake for a truly indulgent dessert.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 16%
Find here: £26 Tesco (£22 Clubcard Price!)

For the Cocktail loving mum

Vineyards Peach Bellini

If you’re planning a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed offering, then why not start the day with some fizz for that special touch? Sweet peach fizzes in this crisp and refreshing ready to go Bellini. A smile in a glass and lovely way to start the day!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 4%
Find here: £3.15 Tesco

Raspberry Mojito

If you’re short on time, then don’t look down on these super affordable cans of Raspberry Mojito. They’re perfect for a refreshing fruity blend with raspberry and lime tang, but still have that cocktail style to add the extra touch on the big day. You could even be sneaky and pour it into a tall glass – would anyone know?

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £1.95 Morrisons (Buy 4 for £6)

For the cognac loving mum

H by Hine VSOP Cognac

H is a delicious VSOP Cognac from one of the region’s oldest houses, Hine. A blend of over 10 Grande and Petite Champagne eau-de-vie, this smaller bottle will leave any Cognac loving Mum wanting more – but there’s always her birthday! Apricot, acacia, white pepper and iris can all be picked up when exploring this floral nectar that brings modern craftsmanship to a heritage brand... just as the bottle suggests.

Size: 200ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £20.95

For the mead loving mum

Gosnells Mead Tasting Box

Yes, there are mead loving mums, and they’ll be sure to appreciate the country’s top mead brand, Gosnells. This stylish set includes four different meads using bees from various urban and rural areas, and a booklet guiding you through the process and how the taste is affected. You also get four honey tasting pots as well! If you’re looking for a slightly unique gift, this is it.

Find here: £35 4 x 500ml mead bottles + 4 x 30ml honey pots

For the No-Low loving mum

Belvoir Elderflower & Rose Presse

We love Belvoir for their beautifully packaged and wonderfully crafted range of fizzes and cordials – I mean just look at this. It well and truly has the special feeling that some non-alcoholic drinks can fail on. It’s a Mother’s Day twist on their adored Elderflower Pressé with fresh lemon, freshly picked flowers and rose petal extract for delicate and 100% natural sparkling water. It tastes as delicious as it sounds – if not more and has gift written all over it.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £2.25 (usually more!)

REAL Dry Dragon Sparkling Tea

Another striking bottle, this kombucha uses Dragonwell Green Tea for a fizzy delight that’s kind of similar to Prosecco, but arguably a lot lusher. It’s one of the crispest liquids out there, with no artificial sweetness and a really elegant profile. It also has some health benefits too so it looks amazing, tastes great and it’s good for you!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £8 Waitrose

LA Brewery Rose Infused, Sparkling Kombucha

People are just loving kombucha right now so here’s another lovely bottle. The best of Devon’s white rose petals are infused alongside wild elderflower for a deeply floral and delicately poised dry liquid, that refreshes as much as it tantalises. It’s got fun fizz and just the right touch of acidity to be a great Mother’s Day white wine alternative.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £10

If you’re after more of an experience for Mother’s Day, then consider booking one of the many tasting trains cruising through the glorious British countryside.

The Best of Indian Gin & Spirits

India’s history with gin goes way back. In fact, India is the home of the adored G&T! Over the last decade, their production has really stepped up, leaning into the delicious fragrance of their tropical fruits and spices to make mouth-watering blends.

And gin is only half the story! Check out the best Indian gins below, as well as other spirits using those splendid Indian flavours.

Made in India

Jaisalmer Gin

This Indian craft gin comes from Radico Khaitan, the same producer behind Rampur whisky which we’ll get to in a bit! Produced at the foothills of the Himalayas, 11 botanicals create a welcoming fragrant juniper-forward gin. 7 of those botanicals are Indian, meaning there’s very pleasant spice and uplifting citrus from coriander, orange and lemon peel, cubeb pepper berries, Darjeeling green tea leaves and cardamom. It’s ideal for a bold and aromatic G&T.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £38.95 // US $54.89

Stranger & Sons Gin

This is a Gold Medal winner at the Asian Gin Masters for consecutive years now, picked out for its unique profile. Made in Goa on the Indian west coast, Third Eye Distillery uses home-grown pepper and coriander for a persistent spicy undertone, lifted by native Indian citruses like sweet Gondhoraj limes from Calcutta and Nagpur oranges. The warmth of sweet liquorice rounds it off beautifully. And the cherry on top, all used citrus is returned to be made into cordials or pickles so nothing is wasted!

Size: UK 700ml
ABV: 42.8%
Find here: £32.94 (usually more!)

Hapusā Gin

Nao Spirits bring us this Himalayan craft gin and we can’t praise it enough. Fully deserving of the Gold medal for Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards, the botanicals are a celebration of kitchen cupboard Indian ingredients like ginger, cardamom, turmeric, mango, coriander seeds, almonds and Gondhoraj limes. The mango and Gondhoraj in particular make this gin stand out from the rest, making for a super vibrant and tangy gin anchored by a subtle earthiness. We’d say keep to a plain good quality tonic for this one to give the botanicals room to shine.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: UK £38.95 // US $43.99

Rampur Double Cask Single Malt Whisky

This Indian Single Malt is mostly matured in American oak bourbon as well as European oak sherry casks imparting sweet dry sherry spice, earthy vanilla pods and baking spice. If you love sweet well-rounded whiskies then this gorgeously packaged bottle is a must-try.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 45%
Find here: UK £59.95 // US $89.99

Amrut Fusion

Sipping on this delightfully complex whisky may throw up some reminiscence of Scotland, and that’s because the ‘fusion’ here is the combination of Indian barley and peated Scottish barley. The Amrut Distillery in Bangalore blends the two to layer up the mildly smoky peat with vibrant dried stone fruits, a little rich honey and a long spiced finish. The soft, smooth woodiness would make a gorgeous Rob Roy and it was voted the best whisky for just that in New York in 2012!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: UK £53.94 // US $76.99

Paul John Bold

‘Paul John’s Bold’ almost sounds like an aftershave, but it’s actually one of the best fully peated Indian whiskies around. Like Amrut Fusion, Scotland is involved and this time it’s Islay peat that makes its way over to Goa and dries out Indian barley. Honeyed oak and fruity coffee come to the fore with a gentle spice and subtle peaty finish. Great stuff from an intriguing producer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £39.99

Flavours of India

6 O'clock Gin - Romy's Edition

6 O’clock Gin worked closely with celebrated chef Romy Gill MBE who we actually talked to on Episode 82 of the Bring a Bottle podcast! Ginger and lime are stalwarts of Indian cooking and here they’re infused with the juice of India’s national fruit – the mango. The spice is reserved, the fruits are rich and as a G&T with mango garnish, it’s in a world of its own.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £37.50

Love Delhi Gin

Love Delhi looks at a gin from the culinary perspective because it’s made by one of the most popular Indian caterers in the UK. Mango sits at the centre of the blend, alongside prominent rich juniper and pomegranate that counterbalance the spicy undertone perfectly. It’s a wonderfully tropical gin that really sings with a dash of tonic. By the way, if you ever liked Mumbai Gin then this is the rebrand!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £27.99

Crazy Gin Lassi

We just love sipping on this during Episode 86 of the Bring a Bottle podcast. The idea is simple – create an Indian-British drink in the same way as British-Indian food has come together so successfully. Turmeric, coriander, black pepper, cumin, and pomegranate add spice and bittersweetness, joined by creamy yoghurt (Lassi is an Indian yoghurt drink). The gin is also fat washed with ghee so it’s unbelievably smooth. We’d recommend trying it for a really distinct martini.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £39.94

Sollasa

Sticking with Indian food, this is a spirit specifically designed to complement just that. The ‘Manasollasa’ is a 12th-century Indian recipe book considered to be the first of its kind so that’s where the name comes from. A lovely gin alternative, it’s incredibly refreshing with mandarin, lychee, mint, and cardamom for a citrus-forward food-loving spirit. At just 20%, you can sip on it for a lot longer than other spirits if you’re eating something particularly fiery, and it will also add oodles of flavour to a cocktail without so much alcohol. Look at the bottle too! Stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £27.59

The flavours on display here complement Indian food wonderfully, but if you want some other options including beer and wine to deal with those bold and spicy flavours, check out ‘What You Should Be Drinking With Curry’.

Buckingham Palace’s Coronation Gin with Windsor Raspberries

Never has there been more pressure on a tipple to be fit for a King, because the Royal Collection Trust has launched its official pairing with King Charles III’s coronation on May 6th.

Royal Windsor is a pink gin, infused with juicy raspberries grown at Windsor Castle for an inviting vibrant hue. According to the Royal Household, these bright berries are offset by the rounded spice of pink peppercorns and cassia bark, and an added touch of sweetness from orange peel and rose petals.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was well-known for enjoying a gin cocktail, with one of her favourite concoctions being a gin and Dubonnet with lemon and ice. The King is also very fond of a crisp G&T when on his travels, but for the Royal Windsor gin, the recommended serving is a generous pour of the show stealer with fresh muddled raspberries topped up with pineapple juice, which sounds gorgeously sweet and suitable for the summer around the corner come May.

This isn’t the Royal Household’s first foray into gin either, because in 2020 its London Dry, again made using palace ground botanicals, sold out in only eight hours and the sloe gin of last summer was a roaring success too.

The 38% ABV gin is officially available now for £38 here but is currently only shipping to the UK, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.

So if you’re a passionate Royalist and want the perfect spring sipper to celebrate the Coronation, or you’re just a gin lover looking for an excuse to try a lovely-sounding blend, grab yourself a bottle of Royal Windsor.

To read more about the other products launched by the Royal Household, click here!

12 Stunning Welsh Spirits You Need to Try

The range and quality of Welsh spirits are astounding, with master producers in every field. For some reason, it’s not always the first country on people’s lips when it comes to drinks so if you want to explore the finest Welsh spirits then we’ve got some belters for you below.

Whisky, Gin, Rum, Vodka, Liqueur, Vermouth – let’s dive in. Lechyd Da!

Whisky

Aber Falls Single Malt Whisky – Autumn 2021 Release

Sat in the shadow of Snowdon is Abergwyngregyn and the Aber Falls distillery. They’re new to the game having formed in 2017 and because of the pandemic, their inaugural release had to wait until 2021 – but it was worth it because it just might be the best value you can get from a whisky in the UK. It’s matured in a combination of Oloroso, Pedro Ximémnez, bourbon and virgin oak casks so you’ll notice generous doses of rich fruit and warming spice. The cherry on the cake is that local farmers are sourced for their Welsh barely with one eye always kept on sustainability. Bravo.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.44

Penderyn Portwood

This is Penderyn’s best whisky that justifies the price tag with every sip. Unbelievably smooth and light, rich and creamy notes of roasted nuts and chocolate blend with a resemblance of plum wine and a gorgeous jammy undertone. The initial ageing in Bourbon casks and second maturation in Port pipes has worked wonders. Simply sit back and savour over ice.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: UK £54.90 / US $84.99

Gin

Brecon Botanicals Gin

Hinted at by the illustration, this special gin (from Penderyn again) infuses botanicals from the four corners of the world. Strictly speaking, only the final stages are completed in Wales but it’s so good that we’re still including it. Joining the pure Brecon Beacons water is a beautiful bouquet of citrus and bergamot, oriental spice, and coriander. Award-winning for good reason and incredible value to boot.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £23.65

Aber Falls Orange Marmalade Gin

Aber Falls might have a very remote setting, but we’re circling back there for their bold Marmalade Gin. It would have been easy to go overboard with the sweetness here but it’s balanced perfectly with punchy fresh range. It smells, looks and tastes absolutely divine and is developing a loyal fanbase already. It throws up so many interesting serves too, but ice, tonic and a slice of orange isn’t a half bad place to start.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £23.90

Hensol Castle Welsh Dry Gin

Tucked away in the cellar of the 17th century Hensol Castle is their craft gin distillery, and this benchmark London dry is the cream of their crop. It’s wonderfully refreshing with a seesaw of zest and floral notes from 11 locally sourced botanicals like lavender, marigold, and jasmine. Stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £30

GWYR Gower Gin

Gower is a Welsh name with the original meaning of, ‘pure’, which is fitting for this gin. Juniper, lemon, pink grapefruit and fennel are the botanicals at play for a naturally crisp gin that manages earthy savoury notes and citrus sweetness so well. Full of flavour by itself, but try it with some ice and pink grapefruit tonic and it sings.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £37.95

Rum

Anglesey Rum Co. Skerries Dark Rum

Super smooth and deep in flavour, this is a delicious 100% pure cane molasses dark rum. If that wasn’t enough molasses, it’s also added after distillation is finished and the result is a really deep flavour with notes of chocolate, salted caramel and demerara sugar. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, it’s stunning with cola, but also give it a go in a Dark Daiquiri.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £38

Devil's Bridge Spiced Rum

Now that’s a gorgeous eye-catching bottle, and not just because of the plethora of awards on the side. The legend goes that the Devil built the bridge in Wales in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross! We’re sure he would have taken a bottle of this instead, it’s that good. Initially matured in bourbon barrels in the Caribbean, the magic is sprinkled in Wales with bara brith (spiced Welsh fruit cake) added, as well as Glengettie black tea and Shirgar Carmarthenshire butter... so make no mistake, it may begin miles away but this is a Welsh rum alright. Buttery and rich, there’s so much depth to the spice with no synthetic quality at all. Distinct and delicious!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £39

Bullion Rum

If you’re going to come out with a fully gilded bottle then it better be good, and there’s no sense of being underwhelmed here. Behind the glimmering gold is a selection of secret herbs and spices as well as salted caramel for a subtly sweet and warming tipple. It’s bold enough to enjoy on the rocks, but it’d be interesting to experiment with it in cocktails too.

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

Vodka

Benjamin Hall Vodka

For below £20, this is a must-buy. It’s to-the-point grain vodka with smoothness beyond the price point. It tastes really clean with none of the afterburn that scorches the reputation of cheaper vodkas and would be an ideal go-to for any vodka cocktails.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £17.95

Cream Liqueur

Merlyn Welsh Cream Liqueur

Let us introduce you to this mouth-watering Penderyn liqueur using malted barley spirit and fresh cream. It’s in the same vein as Bailey’s, but thicker and with a hefty kick. The quality of the spirit under the cream shines through for a liquid that feels lush rather than sickly sweet. This won’t last long, trust us.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 17%
Find here: £16.90

Vermouth

Still Wild Extra Dry Vermouth

Wild thyme, coastal herbs and a hint of seaweed are some of the cold distilled wild botanicals that flavour this Pembrokeshire vermouth. There’s a bold brightness to every sip and inviting but complex herbaceous and floral notes that run through. The slight salty finish is crying out for a crisp Martini.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 18%
Find here: £26

If you’re after a few more whiskies and aren’t afraid to cross over the border, check out our Top 10 English/Welsh Whiskies here.

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