The Best Boozy Advent Calendars of 2023

It’s November which means that Christmas items have been slowly but surely popping up everywhere we look, and whilst the build up to Christmas can be stressful, there’s no reason it shouldn’t just be the kids that get all the excitement.

This year’s boozy advent calendars are being released, and aside from being a great surprise each day, they’re actually a brilliant way to explore a drink you’ve been meaning to try, with 24 miniatures giving you a taste of what’s on offer.

We’ve got something for everyone with our handy guide below identifying the best advent calendar for gin, rum, tequila, vodka, whisky, wine, cognac, and beer. Treat yourself!

Oh, and wine drinkers in particular, if you want to save yourself a bit of money then how about making your own DIY Advent with beautiful, canned wines? Take a look here!

The Best Gin Advent Calendar

Craft Gin Club Advent Calendar

The biggest gin subscription club in the UK is offering a 50ml bottle of craft gin behind each door, finishing on a special G&T on the big day itself. There’s a brand-new selection of gins picked out over the year, including seven exclusives like Tarquin’s Mince Pie Gin that you can’t get anywhere else. You also get expert suggestions for mixers and garnishes for every bottle, which you can buy as a separate bundle if you wish. We’ve had a sneak peek and we don’t want to give too much more away but gin lovers, you will not be left disappointed!

Find here: £94.95

The Best Rum Advent Calendar

The Whisky Exchange 24 Days of Rum Advent Calendar

Rum isn’t the most popular spirit for calendars, and we’re not sure why. It’s more popular for cocktails, but sipping rums are an exciting world once you find your favourite, and trying 24 different miniatures is the perfect way to do that. Not only does this calendar opens doors to every type of rum from all over – with Caribbean classics and lesser known gems from Scotland and Australia, but you also get full tasting notes to light the way and two glasses.

Find here: £84.95

The Best Tequila & Mezcal Advent Calendar

The Spirit Co Tequila & Mezcal Advent Calendar

Because of its association with shots, tequila is far from the first spirit people think of when it comes to boozy advent calendars, but despite the 30ml minis included, this is about exploring the diverse world of fresh, fruity tequila and floral, smoky mezcal. Blancos, Reposados, Añejos and Mezcals await behind each door of this lovely looking calendar, for you to truly explore a spirit dating back to the Aztecs.

Find here: £131.99

The Best Vodka Advent Calendar

Drinks by the Dram – Vodka Advent Calendar

Here’s 24 wonderfully varied 30ml vodkas to put a kick into your Christmas build up, focusing on unique blends from all four corners of the planet. Vodka is another spirit that some drinkers only have bad experiences with after trying a throat burner, so these tasters are a great introduction to what the spirit can be. Reputable brands like Chase and Cîroc are includes, as well Jaffa Cake Vodka, Brecon Five and an intriguing Chardonnay Vodka.

Find here: £89.95

The Best Whisky Advent Calendar

Master of Malt Whisky Advent Calendars

Master of Malt have a stunning selection of 14 different whisky advents, for newbies looking to get into it, seasoned dram drainers, and everything in between. The Whisky Explorer’s Edition is a great for adventures, That Boutique-y Company is for unusual independent releases, and there’s the Japanese Whisky Advent Calendar featuring some of the country’s best producers. If you’ve got the money, then there’s even the Old and Rare selection for £999, and for a Christmas you’ll never forget, there’s the Very Old and Rare calendar priced at £9,999!

Find here: £99.55-£9999.95

The Best Wine Advent Calendar

Virgin Wines Advent Calendar

One of the original players in the world of wine advents, Virgin Wines are one of the UK’s largest suppliers and this year they have premium boxes of 24 mini wines (mixed, red, or white) from across the world, with an extra special treat behind door 25 to wash down the Christmas dinner. Click the link, pick your box and you can see exactly what bottles are included.

Find here: £89.99

John Lewis Fizz

It’s not just their Christmas ad that’s the best because this bubbly bonanza is probably the best sparkling wine selection out there, with champagne, prosecco and six variations of Bottega wines. There’s a couple of Freixenet bottles and a Charles de Mignon champagne as the highlight. Christmas is all about the bubbles, and this makes every day in the run up a joy.

Find here: £140

The Best Cognac Advent Calendar

The Spirit Co Cognac Advent Calendar

After falling in love with Cognac and the release of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, we have to include this gem. Celebrating the Charente vineyards, every day brings you a touch of rich, velvety French luxury of various ages. They’re perfect for whipping up Cognac Cocktails, or sipping to find your favourite.

Find here: £200.39

The Best Beer Advent Calendar

John Lewis Beer & Snacks Advent Calendar

Christmas is the season for snacks, so why not combine them with beer in this festive box, with 14 glass bottles and 10 accompanying snacks. Lager, craft lager, pale ales and iconic pub snacks are all thrown in to bring all the pub vibes to your celebrations.

Find here: £80

If you want to save yourself a bit of money and make your own calendar, then we’ve given you 12 Canned Wines to get you on your way!

Sloe Gin – What Is It and What Should I Try?

What is Sloe Gin?

Sloe Gin is a quintessentially British creation that uses high-proof gin and sloe berries, along with a touch of sugar to create a liqueur. Thanks to all the sloe berries decorating British hedgerows, it’s beloved here but if you ate them on their own, they’d be quiet tart. When worked into a Sloe Gin however, they add a warm richness that’s incredible for the colder seasons.

Making your own DIY Sloe Gins is a big thing, and you can find our handy guide on that here, as well as more information about this delicious liqueur. But, if you want to leave it in the hands of the experts and try some ready-made concoctions, these are some of the best to try.

The Best Sloe Gins to Try

Sipsmith Sloe Gin

Sipsmith’s London Dry is tremendous, and to make this Sloe Gin, they leave hand-picked Autumn sloes to rest with it for 4 months, bottling once optimum flavour is achieved. It’s not overly sweet, and instead smacks of quality, with velvety redcurrants, cassis and soft cherries.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 29%
Find here: UK £23.95 / US $42.99

6 O'clock Sloe Gin

With an abundance of handpicked sloes from Gloucester, this tried-and-true recipe is perfect for drinking at anytime because the sloe to gin ratio is high. It’s very dry, with intense fruit flavour and warming spice, but enough bittersweet notes to retain appeal all night (or day).

Size: 700ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: £24.66

Hayman's Sloe Gin

Winner of the top award in 2019, the yin and yang of sweetness and tartness is perfected here, with sloes steeped for months in their stellar London Dry. You get all that plum flavour, without overbearing sweetness, as well as complementing notes of almond and richness. A splash of tonic and an orange slice is delicious with this.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: UK £25.49 / US $29.99

Plymouth Sloe Gin

The bartender’s buddy and many Sloe drinkers’ go-to, Plymouth Sloe Gin is adored for its value and natural depth. It’s an explosion of natural berries, with none of the sugar overload. The touch of tartness is perfection, and the thick, luxurious mouthfeel is to die for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 26%
Find here: UK £26.99 / US $33.99

Foxdenton Estate Sloe Gin

Another absolute gem, Foxdenton picked up the top award at the 2016 Gin Masters for this Sloe. This is a far cry from poor quality toothache-inducing sloe gins, with the perfect touch of smooth jammy fruits but a bitter, pale dryness and juniper integrity that doesn’t get lost. A glass of quality, best enjoyed neat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 27%
Find here: £29

Wrecking Coast Honey Sloe Gin

Like so many gins, Wrecking Coast Honey Sloe Gin is divinely bottled. Inside? These Cornish producers have crafted a jammy, honey-kissed concoction that's equally at home in a hip flask on a chilly day or as the star of a summery spritz. It's an innovative collision of locally picked rich slows, Cornish honey, and a pinch of spice for a luxurious mouthfeel and moreish earthy warmness.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 34.5%
Find here: £30

Elephant Sloe Gin

What do you get when you combine award-winning Elephant London Dry Gin with wild sloe berries? A rich, nutty, slightly sweet, and oh-so fruity Sloe Gin, that’s what. Totally distinct, from the spice to the nutty notes to the blackberry sweetness, not only does Elephant Sloe Gin deliver a completely rounded Sloe Gin experience, but they also donate 15% of profits to elephant conservation.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 35%
Find here: UK £31.45 / US $54.99

Sloe Gin is delicious neat, if you find that a little too intense, try one of the above as a G&T for a refreshing yet rich red fruits delight. Check out our perfect tonics here!

7 Perfect Tonics for a G&T

Gin is the star of the show when it comes to the iconic G&T, no one will deny that, but with just two ingredients, it’s essential that you’ve got the right tonic too… after all, it will be making up most of the liquid in your glass!

Gone are the days of one simple tonic on supermarket shelves, because these days there all kinds of wonderful botanical innovations to take your G&T in an endless number of directions, but today we’re focusing on classic Indian tonics to make a classic G&T.

With such a subtle concoction, something as simple as the wrong tonic can ruin a G&T, so take a look at our go-to options below, sorted in price order, and see which suits your G&T serve best!

And once you’re done, you of course need a showstopping gin to go with, which it just so happens we have recently been hard at work on with The Best Gins for a G&T.

Morrisons Indian Tonic Water

Most supermarkets do their own tonic, with mixed success, but the best is Morrisons. At 80p a litre, it provides surprising balance for a budget, no-frills tonic. There’s plenty of fizz, a little sweeter but very little botanical flavouring so if you’re trying a premium gin, maybe treat yourself to something a little more refined but on the daily, this is reliable.

Size: 1L
Find here: 80p for 1

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

This Victorian brand are true pioneers in this space with a range that is an absolute joy to explore, each beautifully bottled, natural, and expertly made. Their premium Indian Tonic is pure natural botanicals with gentle citrus flavours, cinchona bark extract and sparkling spring water, and stands up very well to juniper-forward gins for a classic G&T profile. You can discover some of their other fantastic flavours here.

Size: 500ml
Find here: £13.50 for 8

Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water

This smooth operator includes a welcome pink grapefruit touch to its citrus profile, unfolding into classic quinine with a hint of juniper too. There’s a bit more to this than most tonics, so you’ll need to pair it with a bold, flavourful gin because it runs the risk of overpowering a delicate number. It’s delicious with a lot of character for a tonic and well worth trying.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £18.95 for 24

Classic London Tonic Water by The Artisan Drinks Company

A quintessential tonic water with impressive softness and clean character. Three natural citrus flavours enhance the subtle botanicals of your paired gin, which for this tonic should be drier, premium gins. Stylish label, stylish tonic.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fentimans Connoisseurs Tonic Water

If you’re into delicate, nuanced, and ultra-premium complex gins, then Fentimans could be a good way to go. The quinine and citrus have been dialled down so the gin won’t be overpowered, so if you’re fed up of tonic botanicals making it difficult to explore your gin, look no further.

Size: 200ml
Find here: £19.99 for 24

Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water

One of the more popular tonics for good reason, Fever-Tree has an expansive range but at the heart of it is their flagship award-winning Indian Tonic, infused with high quality quinine from the ‘fever’ tree in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nothing artificial, pure crisp and fresh tonic perfect for pretty much any gin – Hayman’s and Hendrick’s both work a treat though.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £5 for 8

Schweppes Signature Collection Crisp Tonic

Finely balanced quinine bitterness with light effervescence – just what you want from a classic tonic. You’ll be able to find this in supermarkets now and then, but if not then the Schweppes regular tonic isn’t a massive drop off either – both are good, but the Signature does have a refined elevation to it. It goes with lots of different gins, but London Dry like Portobello Road and Gordons works a dream.

Size: 150ml
Find here: £8.73 for 8

To find your perfect gin to go with, check out our selection here! And for more tonics with innovative flavours, go here.

The Best Gins for a G&T 2023

Gin and Tonics can take some getting used to, but if you’re served a good one then you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. With just gin and tonic, it’s so important that the driving force, the gin, is perfect.

The following bottles deliver an array of botanicals that pair perfectly with various tonics, plenty of complexity to keep things interesting, and enough bold flavour to be the star of the show.

Cross Keys Gin

Cross Keys Gin, the key to a perfect G&T! Straight from the heart of Latvia, this small-batch wonder is like a botanical bouquet with a Baltic twist. With botanicals like chamomile, linden blossoms, rosemary, and juniper, it's like a walk through a blooming garden. Pair this award winner with a twist of lemon, a sprig of rosemary and a splash of Mediterranean Tonic and away you go.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £25.89

Canaïma Gin

Invented to support the Amazon rainforest and the natives that still occupy parts of it, this gin gets closer to its cause than any we’ve seen. Not only does it use an intricate blend of rare botanicals like uve de palma and copuazu merey fruit, but they’re even hand-picked by these Venezuelan native tribes. The result makes for an earthy, more savoury led G&T with plenty of herbaceous notes and a fruity tang. A great story, and a fantastic gin at the end of it all.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: UK £31

Orkney Rhubarb Old Tom Gin

There’s been a flurry of rhubarb-infused gins and this is one of the best. Locally grown rhubarb adds a twist and tang to Orkney’s classic Old Tom, creating a harmonious balance of tartness and smooth sweetness. Other botanicals include citrus, rose petal, cinnamon and citrus which round off a really classy gin that makes for G&T with notable zest, florality and warmth.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £32.90

BVI Gin

Here's a gin with a heart as big as its flavour. BVI Gin, born from the aftermath of Hurricane Irma which devastated the British Virgin Islands in 2017. It’s full of flavour this one, with a beautiful richness and intensity from punchy juniper, hibiscus flower, angelica root and most noticeably, vivid grapefruit that works a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £35.95

Lind & Lime Gin

Inside this stunning bottle is a zesty gin packed with pink peppercorn and lime. In fact, it’s so limey that it’s named in honour of Dr. James Lind, who pioneered the battle against scurvy with limes. It’s one of the most refreshing gins out there, and a little tonic and of course, a lime slice makes for a stonking G&T.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.40

Blackeye Gin

Blackeye, created by rugby legends Mike Tindall, James Haskell, and Alex Payne, this gin is like a scrum of botanicals from rugby-playing nations worldwide. It's got a citrusy kick, a floral twist, and even a secret ingredient. This all comes together for a silky, citrusy G&T with a hearty crunch of juniper at its core.  Don't forget the orange garnish – it's a game-changer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.95

Blue Bottle Dry Gin

A true sip of Guernsey's charm, Blue Bottle is crafted with juniper, nutmeg, and even local gorse flowers, it's like a botanical bouquet from the Channel Islands. It’s eyebrow raising in its smoothness, with a delicious fresh and lively profile that prevails even with the higher alcohol percentage. Vanilla and cubeb back up a juniper-forward gin that goes well with Mediterranean or Indian tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

Seven Hills Tokaj Gin

You’re looking at a serial award winner with Seven Hills, scooping gongs at all the top international competitions. Hungary’s rich winemaking history meets the depth of 21 handpicked botanicals including local Hungarian Linden leaf grapes. Juniper, pine and pink grapefruit keep things fresh in a totally unique and delicious gin that makes for a floral and woody G&T. A must try for gin connoisseurs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £38.95

If you want to try something a little more elaborate than a G&T, then try making the best versions of The Most Popular Gin Cocktails with these delicious bottles above.

Halloween Potion: York Gin’s Mad Alice Bloody Orange

We’re always on the look out for new Halloween drinks, and never more so with it creeping around the corner, but we get extra excited when it’s from a producer we know and love already. Teaming up with Mad Alice of the Bloody Tour of York, York Gin have concocted Bloody Orange gin, complete with blood-red bottle, blood-splattered label, and an embossed red wax seal on some bottles.

Mad Alice is an iconic and award-winning tour guide in York, guides visitors through Europe’s most haunted city rich in history from the Romans to the Vikings to famous Outlaws and most importantly, rich with a ridiculous number of ghost sightings. Stabler, who plays Mad Alice says, “'I have loved York Gin ever since it launched years ago. The idea for a Mad Alice gin came to us over - yes, you guessed it - one or three G&Ts after my regular Friday night tour. I’ve tasted it - and it comes with my seal of approval. It’s bloody gorgeous. Ideal for a G&T or cocktail as the autumn nights draw in.’

If you haven’t heard us praise York Gin before then you can found out more about them here, but in short they have a spectacular portfolio of gins that not only taste delicious, but tell the rich historical story of the city also. Honestly, they never miss, and they’ve been wanting to make an orange elixir for a while. With the shadow of Halloween looming large, of course it had to be fresh blood orange - super smooth as always and bursting with vibrant zesty citrus.

If you want Bloody Orange to accompany you this Halloween, then you can pre-order now on the York Gin website for delivery at the beginning of October. Or, if you’re feeling brave and wish to descend into the darkness of York with Mad Alice lighting the way, then visit the city itself and enjoy 10% off at York Gin if you go on the tour, and vice versa!

The Best Gins For A Negroni

The iconic Negroni is still surfing a resplendent resurgence, and the secret to them lies completely and utterly with the gin. Campari is Campari, and you won’t tend to find much choice when it comes to vermouth, so it’s the gin that can take your Negroni in the direction of your choosing.

The trick is to find one that amplifies the aspect of the cocktail you’re craving. Spicy, Fruity, Zesty, Floral or Earthy? We’ve taken all the guesswork out and identified the gins that will steal the show in these lead roles. But first, how do you make one?

THE ORIGINAL RECIPE

Ingredients
30ml gin (pick from below!)
30ml sweet vermouth
30ml Campari
Orange slice (optional garnish)

Method
Super simple. Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into a mixing glass or shaker filled with ice and stir to mix. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish.

FOR A SPICY NEGRONI

Ophir Gin Aromatic Bitters European Edition

The Ophir range is a fabulous nod to the ancient spice route of the same name, and the European Edition is a treasure trove of flavours perfect for bringing some spice to your Negroni. Bitter cascarilla bark with burnt orange and smoked wood, this is a savoury-led spiced London Dry that will subtly steal the show. Definitely go for the classic orange wedge garnish here too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £24.99

Scapegrace Gold Gin

If you want a punchier gin with spice, then look to Scapegrace Gold – a Navy Strength number bursting with zesty orange peel and behind that, a core of spice with nutmeg, clove, and coriander. At 57%, everything hits with the citrus and the warmth of the spice, but the balance and smoothness is just what you want for a Negroni. Add the orange wedge and it’s a winner.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £54.99

FOR A FRUITY NEGRONI

Brockmans Gin

Less of a juniper forward gin, Brockman’s is all about fruit and florality. Ten botanicals including blueberries, blackberries, coriander, and lemon peel combine perfectly, complimenting the power and herbal notes of the vermouth and Campari. The secret to your fruity Negroni lies behind the Gothic charm of Brockman’s – not traditional, but tasty all the same. Swap out the orange wedge for a blackberry garnish too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27 (usually more!)

Edinburgh Gin Raspberry

Edinburgh Gin Raspberry, distilled in the heart of Scotland's capital since 2010, is a fruity delight that surprises gin purists. Fresh Scottish raspberries and raspberry leaves bring a refreshing burst of fruity goodness with just the right level of tartness, never sickly-sweet. There is enough powerful gin essence to stand out in the Negroni still, but those elegant berries just add enough layer to a fruity Negroni that works a dream. Commit to the raspberry with the garnish too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £26.24

FOR A ZESTY NEGRONI

Malfy Con Arancia Gin

A modern gin icon, this vibrant blood orange gin glows on the shelf and meets those high expectations with bold flavour. Forget concentrated artificiality; it's all about fresh, juicy Sicilian blood oranges that paint your glass a seductive ruby red. These oranges are backed up by juniper, grapefruit peel, Amalfi lemon peel, coriander, cassia bar, orris root, and angelica root, all harmoniously balanced to bring fresh zest and intense, sunny flavour to your Negroni. A blood orange wedge for garnish would be the obvious ideal scenario.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £29.95

Jinzu Gin

Jinzu Gin, a British creation with a delightful Japanese twist, dances on your palate with delicate cherry blossom and zesty yuzu citrus notes, all wrapped up in the smooth embrace of Japanese sake. Jinzu Gin,a Show Your Spirit competition winner, is an adventurous blend with a fleshy, citrusy burst that harmonizes with the subtle juniper and a hint of floral cherry blossom. Perfect for a Zesty Negroni, it's a gin-sake hybrid that's refreshingly distinctive yet delightfully approachable. Give it a go and surprise yourself!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £35.99

FOR A FLORAL NEGRONI

Eden Mill Love Gin

Distilled up in the charming St Andrews, Scotland, this gin is like a romantic bouquet in a bottle, plush with lightly floral notes, creamy vanilla sweetness, bursting berries, and a citrusy whisper. The way it unfolds with rhubarb spice, sweet strawberries, and a touch of rose water, it really adds such a soft lightness that’s so dreamy for a Floral Negroni. Rose petal garnish is a must.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £26.95

Bombay Sapphire

Perfect for a Floral Negroni, the iconic blue bottle of Bombay Sapphire is a star in the gin universe. Infused with care using perforated copper baskets during distillation, it's blend of ten botanicals, like licorice, cassia bark, and juniper berries, is both smooth and complex. It makes a classic Negroni with a subtle nod towards the floral whilst retaining that signature bitterness the cocktail needs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £23.99

FOR AN EARTHY NEGRONI

Forest Gin

This labour of love is a small-batch wonder, blending classic gin botanicals with foraged treasures from Macclesfield Forest - bilberries, gorse flowers, raspberries, and more. The charming porcelain bottle features a playful weasel, and the liquid inside is as refined as it gets, emphasising purity, cleanliness, and natural vibes. It’s perfect for a silky smooth, gently herbaceous Earthy Negroni.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £54.24

Plymouth Navy Strength Gin

Plymouth Gin, the Royal Navy's stalwart for two centuries, will surely anchor your Negroni. With classic botanicals like juniper, orange, lemon peel, angelica, orris root, and cardamom, it's juniper-led with zesty citrus notes. If you’re craving an extra bitter Negroni, Plymouth Navy Strength delivers. It also lets the Campari and vermouth shine, providing a robust backbone that delivers a more mellow overall profile.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £27.24

There are all sorts of mixology tips and tricks you can pull out to elevate your cocktail, but ultimately the central spirit will be what makes or breaks it. Check out our guide on the Best Whiskies for an Old Fashioned here!

There’s more substantial variations and twists on the Negroni with these alternative recipes here.

The Outlander Stars And All Their Boozy Ventures

If you love Outlander and want to get even more of it in your life, then how about exploring the major passion of several stars of the show– their drinks ventures.

Did you know that not one, not two but a remarkable three members of the cast have launched their own booze?

The most well-known is from Sam Heughan (aka Jamie Fraser) himself, with The Sassenach, a slang term used for English people that crops up regularly in the show. Their flagship and original launch was the delicious Sassenach Blended Scotch, naturally. We’ve featured it before because we love it, and so do the judged awarding it Double Gold at the 2020 World Spirits Competition. Sam described it as a, ’lifelong dream’ to have his own dram’ and it tastes like a dream too.

Sam’s successful spirits portfolio has since expanded too, with The Sassenach Wild Scottish Gin bringing 8 Scottish botanicals together to create a wonderfully fresh profile of apples, berries, sweet rhubarb and airy pine and heather. It’s beautifully bottled like the Scotch, as is the spirit that completes the trio -  El Tequileño (and you don’t need to speak Spanish to know what is). From the Scottish Highlands to the Jalisco Highlands, this Reposado tequila brings bold agave flavour and is definitely one for sipping.

Sam’s character Jamie shares a whirlwind romance with time travelling nurse Claire, played by Catriona Balfe who herself is involved in a very interesting gin project. In August 2020, Balfe launched Forget Me Not, a small-batch Scottish-based gin where 25% of the proceeds go towards funding art programmes – a really high percentage for a spirit so hats off. When times are tough, art is one of the first funding groups to be cut despite the joy it brings. Not only does this gin look absolutely stunning and taste even better, but it also helps plug that funding gap.

But we’re not done there. Outlander fans, you’ll know Graham McTavish as War Chieftain Dougal MacKenzie. When he’s not fighting for Clan MacKenzie, Graham is behind The Warchief, his very own 7-year-old bottled-in-bond bourbon (which is US certification guaranteeing certain standards). He said, “It’s a dream of mine from when I was very young in Scotland, when I thought about the journey that I wanted to take in life – going to America, and the opportunities that gave me. This is the distillation of that experience”. Sweet vanilla, caramel, chocolate, and baking spice – classic, characterful bourbon.

With all that passion for booze, it’s no surprise that Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe reportedly turned up to work a little bit worse for wear on one occasion… and where was that tasting – Graham McTavish’s house of course.

Still, it’s refreshing to see some celebrity drinks that dedicate real time, expertise and passion to the craft and producing an end result well worth trying – bravo.

Step Into The Curious Cocktail Cabinet of Hendrick’s Gin

Gin lovers out there will certainly be familiar with Hendrick’s, and possibly even their very own Gin Palace on the southwest coast of Scotland, but if that’s a little inaccessible for you then how about stepping inside the enchanting world of Hendrick’s Gin through, ‘The Curious Cocktail Cabinet’.

This is not your run-of-the-mill cocktail book; it's a guided tour led by none other than Ally Martin, the Hendrick's Gin Global Ambassador, and a maestro of mixology. His concoctions and creations have earned him accolades, and now he's sharing his expertise with you. With Hendrick's Gin at the helm, this book is a treasure trove of liquid delights, perfect for both novices and seasoned sippers.

Get ready to explore the secret garden of Hendrick's, where all eleven key botanicals are paired with an inventive cocktail to celebrate it. Discover the secret stories behind the legendary Hendrick's cocktails, straight from the imaginative minds of expert bartenders worldwide.

From iconic classics like the G&T, Martinis, Gimlets and Negronis to more complex and unusual serves, as you flip through the pages, you'll journey through seasons and continents. Summer stunners, winter warmers, and an array of peculiar ingredients will unveil the versatility of Hendrick's gins and truly elevate your cocktail game. Brewberry Yum, Mint 500, Hot Spiced Apple and plenty more intriguing concoctions await.

It really is a joy to shake, stir, and sip your way through this book, and because of the beautifully charming design, it makes such a lovely gift for any gin drinkers too. If you think it’s for you or someone you know then it’s available to pre-order now from Penguin and Amazon for £20 ahead of a September 7th release date!