The Whisky Event, London

Over the last decade the growth in the number of whisky festivals and events around the world has been incredible. No longer does one have to wait all year for one of the big festivals like the Whisky Show in London or Whisky Live in Paris. There are plenty all over Europe and here in the UK. From Birmingham to Newcastle, new festivals have been popping up all over the place and they are all very good in one way or another, each with their own unique offering. Some have a great venue, for example or others concentrate on independent bottlers and some on education. With all this choice it is difficult to choose.

There is a relatively new festival in London. With Whisky live and The Whisky Show I would have thought really isn’t need for another London whisky show, and this is where I would be wrong. The Whisky event is like no other whisky show I have been to. It is held over one evening in June and is possibly the most fun and entertaining whisky event held in a single session I know. It doesn’t take anything away from the other shows, but certainly adds to the whisky landscape in London.

Whisky festivals by nature are about the whisky. However, there is more to it than that.

At the Whisky Event, the numbers are more limited giving more space and time to talk to producers and brand ambassadors. The range of whiskies for a smaller festival are impressive with major brands taking part like Diageo, William Grant and Sons and Whyte and Mackay, but also independent bottlers, both established Scottish companies such as Douglas Laing and newer exciting ones like Fruitful Spirits and Spiritfilled. Unusual distilleries like Wire Works from England and Pōkeno from New Zealand.

One of the biggest differences between all other whisky shows and the whisky event is the food. Whisky and food intrinsically go together. Whisky is a social thing, so is food, and with great whisky it seems obvious that there should be great food to go with it and the company it attracts. At the Whisky event the food is fabulous, with an incredible sushi chef creating fresh sushi, there are roast meats, luxurious charcuterie, salads, seafood and superb desserts, if you’ve left enough room.

This year the event will be bigger than ever. With twice the number of exhibitors, whiskies and held in a luxurious space at the Grosvenor hotel, I think it’s a show that should be in anyone’s whisky calendar. Whether you are at the beginning of your whisky journey and want time to talk to people or want to expand your knowledge and experience some of the best masterclasses with rare whiskies and the world’s most knowledgeable educators and presenters, this is a great show. I have my ticket and I hope to see you there.

The Whisky Event is in London on the 2nd of June 2024
Find out more here.

Words by Colin Hampden-White

8 Cannes Film Festival Inspired Cocktails To Try

Come with us to the South of France for the summer, soaking up the glitzy French Riviera, as the arrival of the Cannes Film Festival, each year, truly signals the start of the summertime! Now, in its 77th edition, but still retaining its glamorous edge, the Festival was originally set up to rival the International Venice Film Festival and takes place for two weeks annually in May - it attracts the international glitterati, plus there is lots of sun, sea and fun to experience whilst traipsing up and down the famous La Croisette promenade at Cannes, hoping to see and be seen!

If you are able to book a flight and obtain a ticket to this prized event for the summer, there are free open air evening film screenings at the Beach Cinema that are also available for the public to watch. You can expect to see Hollywood stars for the 77th edition, with Meryl Streep being a guest of honour at the opening ceremony - also director Greta Gerwig, of Barbie fame, heads up the jury and the opening night film will be the comedy The Second Act from French director, Quentin Dupieux starring Léa Seydoux (previously seen in the James Bond film No Time To Die). Judith Godrèche’s short film Moi Aussi (Me Too) will appear at the Un Certain Regard programme’s opening ceremony, with Canadian director Xavier Dolan as the chair of this programme’s jury.

You might be wondering why we’re just focusing on a French film festival, but, did you know that not only does the Cannes Film Festival have official wine and sprits suppliers, such as Campari and Rémy Cointreau, but there are also many cocktail parties occurring throughout the festival? Starting with the exclusive opening night cocktail do, there are many after parties, dinners and drinks events each night of the festival as cocktails, wine and films truly make great pairings! The Carlton Hotel on the Croisette and other venues are known to create special Cannes Film Festival cocktails as part of the excitement for the festival. 

Sometimes, there might even be new celebrity drinks’ launches too at Cannes – Brad Pitt launched his French Riviera inspired gin, The Gardener Gin, at the Carlton Hotel during the 76th Cannes Film Festival!  However, if you are not visiting the French Riviera for the festival but still wish to experience some of the luxury, and have that excuse to dress up, then we’ve got you covered with our Cannes Film Festival inspired selection of gorgeous cocktails to try in some beautiful cocktail bars or to make at home (or at your accommodation in between film screenings), the choice is yours!

Birdcage

Nestled within an art deco setting in the stylish Palm Court restaurant of the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, the Birdcage cocktail is representative of the hotel’s history and is also inspired by Charles Beaker’s ‘Jigger, Beaker and Glass’ and ‘Knife, Fork and Spoon’ books. Legend states that the cocktail’s name is in memory of the fact that birds nestled within the eaves of the bar’s roof! That sounds cosy to us and rather apt for a film script, you heard it here first! The cocktail is served within a bird shaped glass and is actually presented in a gilded birdcage to add to the magic of these gorgeous surroundings to make you feel every bit the film star! Created by Salman Ullah and designed to recreate that golden era of travel, it is a tart but soft, well blended cocktail with the botanicals from the gin providing that extra flavour and an orange peel garnish as the bird’s tail. Featuring Melifera gin, Grand Marnier, lemon juice, sage honey and lavender bitters, this cocktail will transport you to the French coast as the French Melifera gin is inspired by the Immortelle flower from an island on the French Atlantic coast!

Price: £20
Address: Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/longr-sheraton-grand-london-park-lane/dining/

Tot & Voltaire

A visit to the underground Hokus Pokus bar, in London’s King’s Cross area, unveils an air of mysticism with a steam punk vibe which resembles a sci-fi film setting and is so gorgeous that it will take your breath away! Its focus on creativity within mixology will leave you feeling like a guest of honour at a magical drinks lab! Trust us, this bar has that wow factor and amongst its potions is the Tot & Voltaire cocktail, which contains peach infused Black Tot Carabian Blend Rum, white vermouth, green apple and Xin and Voltaire Aurelie Sorbet. The Xin and Voltaire sorbet provides that deliciously creamy sensation within this refreshing, citrus cocktail and is a French brand offering a frozen whisky cocktail. The added wow comes as Tot & Voltaire is served with a complementary  Molecular Sphere of house made orange potion and caviar of pomegranate. This cocktail will provide that ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your evening within an innovative bar!

Price: £18
Address: The Megaro Hotel, 1 Belgrove Street Underneath, London WC1H 8AB
Website: https://www.hokuspokus.co.uk/menu

Peach Bamboo

Step inside the downstairs bar of the multi-level Dram Bar as a new addition to the London cocktail bar scene which opened in November 2023. Using sustainable ingredients within its cocktails, the Peach Bamboo created by Chris Tanner is a tasty fusion of fruit from the naturally fermented peach alongside Tio Pepe, Carpano Bianco and the renowned French St Germain Elderflower Liqueur. This is a twist on the classic Bamboo Cocktail with that distinct flavour of the vermouth and the fino sherry combining to create a refreshing and light profile to tantalise your taste buds. Its elegant, luxurious taste will evoke that Mediterranean desire and you can even sit outside on the terrace to enjoy the Peach Bamboo or indulge in a game of pool, there are many options at Dram Bar!

Price: £14
Address: 7 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LZ
Website: https://www.drambar.co.uk/

Royal Vesper

This is a sparkling cocktail developed in the glamorous Sheraton Grand London’s Palm Court restaurant and has film star history carved into it! The Royal Vesper is an adaptation of the Vesper cocktail of James Bond fame from Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale novel, and the subsequent films, and is named after Bond’s first love. This cocktail contains gin, of course, Sauvelle Vodka, Lillet Blanc, Supasawa, lavender syrup and champagne for that truly French connection! Tangy and fruity like a rosé champagne cocktail with a dried lime garnish, its balanced but strong flavour profile holds its own against savoury snacks such as rice crackers and wasabi.

Price: £20
Address: Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/longr-sheraton-grand-london-park-lane/dining/

French Riviera 

Of course, this French Riviera cocktail is aptly named for our selection and it was created in a cocktail class at TT Liquor Bar (now known as TT) in Shoreditch, London. Its inspiration comes from the South of France and also a classic cocktail bearing the same name, which was created by head bartender Tom Byrne in 2015 at the former Charlotte’s Bistro in Chiswick. Its ingredients include Hennessy and honey with the French Cognac depicting the South of France’s charm and the honey providing the sweetness to the palate. The French Riviera is a refreshing citrus blend that you can re-create at home to take out in to the garden and showcase your cocktail making flair!

Ingredients
40ml Hennessy
15ml White Rum
15ml Lemon Juice
1 Spoonful of Apricot Jam
1 Spoonful of Runny Honey

Method
Add the cognac, rum and lemon juice to your cocktail shaker.
Add a big spoonful of apricot jam and a big spoonful of the honey to the mixture and stir all ingredients vigorously.
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake hard for approximately 10-15 seconds. Strain the mixture in to a glass and add new ice cubes.
Add a dehydrated orange slice to garnish.

You can also pop in to TT, as it has a cinema and a shop, and you can be taken downstairs to its renowned Cellar Bar and visit its caverns and indulge in more cocktails! Presently, there is a hip hop inspired cocktail menu  for music lovers, where the delicious Liquid Swords cocktail can be sampled. This blend of Hennessy, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, maraschino and Moët champagne, sounds sweet but as it is connected to the rapper GZA and the 1995 Liquid Swords album it will definitely surprise many! This cocktail will appeal to Kir Royale lovers with its sweet and sour profile and don’t forget to keep the music pumping!

Price: £14 (Liquid Swords)
Address: 17B Kingsland Rd, London E2 8AA
Website: https://tt-london.co.uk/cocktail-bar-shoreditch/

French Garden

Here’s another French based cocktail that you could make at home to capture that French Riviera glamour.  The French Garden cocktail was created by Raphaelle Chaize, who is the Beverage Expert at Giffard. Giffard is a recognised French liqueur and syrups specialist and its rhubarb liqueur features within this cocktail and offsets the lemon juice perfectly to create a nicely tangy blend.

The French Garden is a light tasting cocktail, that is not overly sweet, and the sparkling wine adds that extra kick to this concoction. This will be an ideal cocktail for those balmy, late summer evenings, whilst dancing to Europop classics, and will appeal to fans of the classic French 75 cocktail.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon pink berries
20ml Melifera Gin
20ml Giffard Rhubarb Liqueur
15ml Lemon Juice
10ml Honey Syrup
Champagne/ Crémant to top

Method
Crush the pink berries in the cocktail shaker and combine with the honey syrup.
Add all of the ingredients, save for the champagne, into a shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice cubes to the two thirds level. Shake the mixture vigorously for approximately 7 to 10 seconds.
Strain into a chilled glass and top with a champagne or crémant float 

Bees Knees

As you sit by the beach or else on a party boat cruising up and down the Côte d’Azur or perhaps you might be indoors preparing for an al fresco summer party, you can quickly prepare the Bees Knees cocktail to add a sting to your plan!  This cocktail uses the French Melifera gin, honey water and lemon juice – it really is as simple as that!  The lemon and honey provide a sharply sweet contrast as a refreshing flavour against the juniper taste within the gin. This will be the ideal cocktail to make and bring to an outdoor cinema screening, on the beach or elsewhere! Bees Knees will pair perfectly with some mackerel based canapés or sliders!

Ingredients
50 ml of Melifera gin 
10 ml of lemon juice 
15 ml of honey water (a spoonful of honey diluted in hot water)

Method
Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker. Add ice cubes and shake the ingredients vigorously. Pour the cocktail through a sieve in to a glass and serve. 

Clarendelle Rosé Spritz

French rosé wine truly epitomises that essence of the French Riviera and its lifestyle as well as being that renowned pale pink Provençal style of rosé, which hails from the South of France. Clarendelle Rosé also neatly falls in to our selection and flexes its wine muscles as it was a wine partner for the Oscars film awards! Domaine Clarence Dillon is Clarendelle’s family company and supplied all of the wines for the awards ceremony. But, as we are talking about cocktails, you can’t go wrong with a rosé spritz- make it yourself or opt for a Cannes specialty of a rosé and champagne cocktail near the Croisette! This rosé spritz is intended to evoke that special spark for your dining experience, it is sensual, not overly sweet and the added presence of bubbles amplifies that sense of occasion! The fruitiness of the rosé is not diluted within this cocktail and pairs well with the elderflower as that match made in Heaven! A twist on a Hugo Rosé Spritz and a French Spritz, you can indulge in this well balanced cocktail before an afternoon of retail therapy! 

Ingredients
25 ml Giffard Elderflower Syrup or St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
75 ml Clarendelle Rosé wine 
1 tablespoon lemon juice
50ml Champagne/ crémant to top 
Splash of sparkling water to top
Mint leaves (if required)
Add lime wedge garnish (if required)

Method
Mix the rosé wine, elderflower syrup and fresh lemon juice and gently stir.
Add ice cubes to a glass and pour in the rosé mixture. Top with champagne/ crémant. Add sparkling water (or elderflower flavoured tonic water) to taste, as a float.
Stir all of the ingredients.
Garnish each glass with mint and lime wedges, if required.

As we like to spoil you, we have one more addition to our Cannes Film Festival inspired selection! For that extra special French luxury treat which will lavish you with that royal treatment and wrap you up in its effervescence in Cannes or at home, you just can’t beat a glass of classic champagne, such as Pommery Brut Royal!

Pommery Brut Royal

An elegant, cool glass of Champagne brings out that excitement in everyone, as the quintessential drink of luxury which instantly conjures up images of being pampered! A flute of Pommery is ideal for those red carpet style moments and celebrations. This Champagne house utilises the traditional method with a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

It is a pale lemon colour non vintage Champagne and those notes of biscuit and brioche are instantly on the nose combined with the green apple and pear aromas. Pommery’s fine, dry but smooth finish ensures that a glass will be perfect as an aperitif for those formal evening events and it will ensure that your night starts on the right notes!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Price: £45 (currently on special offer at £35.99 until 21 May 2024)

Et voilà, these cocktails should conjure up the spirit of the joy of the French Riviera and the glitz of the Cannes Film Festival for you, whether or not you decide to travel to France! Plus, it is the ideal opportunity to try some new cocktail bars and French drinks, which sounds good to us too, during the summer months with or without a film pairing session. There’s no excuse needed really – Santé!

By Latoya Austin

Is This The End Of Drinking Culture As We Know It?

You’ve probably heard the news about Gen Z (those born between 1997-2012) drinking less alcohol, and the same for Millennials (1981-1996), but did you know that Gen X, those born between 1965-1980, may be becoming a generation of non-drinkers too?

Research from research agency Censuswise and drinks brand Eisberg shows that one in five Generation Xers are completely teetotal and over a third are ‘sober curious’ or cutting down on booze. This age group of Brits, between 43-58, is the biggest buyer of wine but increasing numbers are admitting to suffering memory loss, embarrassment, and fatigue after a night of drinking. As a result, 31% of them are drinking less than they were this time last year.

Of course, these hungover symptoms are nothing new. Indeed, many of us will be over familiar with them! But this turn away from alcohol is new, as drinkers are undergoing a trackable attitude change to drink. This change appears to get stronger as the generation gets younger, with under a quarter of Baby Boomers (1946-1994) trying to cut down, but significant rising numbers of teetotallers amongst Millennials and more noticeably, Gen Zers.

Now, most people (particularly after a heavy night) have said, ‘I’m not drinking again’ or something similar, only to find themselves in a similar situation sometime later, so does it actually mean anything when people say they’re planning to cut down? Well, half of Gen X have actually tried alcohol-free options, so they’re putting their money where their mouths are and trying the flurry of No-Lo brands, such as Eisberg themselves. Part of this willingness to try these options appears to be the increase in quality, as 28% say they believe the options have become more appealing. We’ve seen this ourselves – where options used to be extremely limited, there is now innovation and research, resulting in way more exciting No-Lo drinks.

As people become more conscious of issues around wellness, the demand for alcohol alternatives has increased, and so has the research and development of drinks brands in turn. Whether this trend will continue in the same direction no one knows, but if it does, it will be the end of drinking culture as we know it.

If you feel like you want to try a No-Lo alternative for your favourite drink, then we’ve got a couple of guides here and here with suggestions.

The UK’s Best Adults-Only Soft Play Centres

Most of us have memories of soft play centres from our childhood, whether it was a rainy weekend or a birthday party but save the young parents that might get involved themselves with their own kids, it’s a world we say goodbye to forever as adults. Or is it?

We all like passing the time in restaurants and pubs, but boozy soft play bars like these are bringing back the silliness to adult life. Not only are they nostalgic, with the retro games, ball pits, slides, nets and tunnels we remember, but you also get the grown-up bonus of drinks. Suddenly those climbing walls don’t look as straightforward!

Take a look below to find your nearest adults-only soft play centre – they each offer something different, but they all offer a turn back in time.

Howlers, Newcastle

Image credit: Howlers

Howler’s is Newcastle’s only ball pit bar, but as a £1m project, it’s much more than that. There’s also karaoke, stag and hen events, bottomless brunches, corporate events, and all kinds of parties. It promises the bizarre and bonkers, and whilst we would say it rolls back the years to your childhood, this will likely be very, very different.  And if you’re worried about sharing a ball pit with that many people (many of whom will be tipsy to say the least, let’s face it), then take comfort tin Howlers’ fancy cleaning machine that gobbles up 10,000 balls over the hour and spits them out clean. On top of that, the entire pit is emptied and cleaned ready for the weekend!

Location: 28-32 Collingwood St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE11JF
Entry Fee: The Howlers Bottomless Bonkers Ball (£12+) The ChachaBuchi Bottomless Brunch (£29.99+)
Website: https://howlersnewcastle.com/

Wonderland: Adult Soft Play, London

Image credit: Wonderland: Adult Soft Play

If you’ve seen any adult soft play centres online, it’s most likely to be this TikTok hit. Situated in Palmers Green and open most weekends, it’s a three-storey mystically themed retro style soft play centre with slides, ball pits, swings, tunnels, DJs, boozy slushies as well as a fully-fledged arcade and bar games area. ‘Never Grow Up’ is the motto and the aim of the game here!

Location: 220 Green Lanes, London N13 5UD
Entry Fee: £22
Website: https://www.kbo2.co.uk/adult-events/27

Big Fun, Hull

Image credit: Big Fun, Hull

By day, Big Fun is full of children playing, but on Friday Nights, it’s Adult Night! The Bar is open all evening serving legendary drinks like the Double Vodka Slush, including BOGOF Happy Hour 8pm-9pm. There’s even private rooms for £60 if you don’t fancy waiting for the slide. It’s not a small recreation of a play centre, because it literally is one, so you get the entire colourful labyrinth to crawl, slide and jump through – and all for under a tenner.

Location: 335 National Ave, Hull HU5 4JB
Entry Fee: £8.95
Website: https://www.big-fun-hull.co.uk/adult-nights/

Ocean Adventurers, Bristol

Image credit: Ocean Adventurers

South of Bristol and east of Weston-super-Mare lies Ocean Adventurers Soft Play. This is another genuine children’s soft play that hosts adult only nights called ‘Adventurers After Dark’. Three stories of laser tag, karaoke, interactive games, and full soft-play arena await. And if you’re wondering whether everything will be too small for you, think again, because they’ve installed a giant games area where everything is oversized. There is so much to do here for £10 if you’re fancying something different from a bar or nightclub.

Location: Ocean Adventurers, Unit 11, Cheddar Business Park, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3EB
Entry Fee: £9.95
Website: https://bookings.oceanadventurers.com/book/adventurers-after-dark---adult-only-nights/327

Pirates Play, Nottingham

Image credit: Pirates Play

This Nottingham play centre is a slightly different offering. You can pre-book a private adult party with them, where their party hosts lead your group through games across the three stories of soft play. Think tag rugby and shot relay which is perfect for any competitive groups out there. Alternatively, you can be left alone to do as you wish – it’s up to you. You’ll get to blast your own playlists through the speakers too! And get this, you can even bring your own booze, snacks, and nibbles – how good is that?

Location: 41 Rowley Dr, Nottingham NG5 1GD
Entry Fee: £295 for up to 25 people / £10pp thereafter (Laser Tag added for £35)
Website: https://bookings.oceanadventurers.com/book/adventurers-after-dark---adult-only-nights/327

Ballie Ballerson, Edinburgh, London, and Cardiff

Image credit: Ballie Ballerson

With bars in England, Scotland and Wales, you’re never too far away from a chaotic ball pit with Ballie Ballerson. Their giant glowing ball pits are famous with an insane number of balls. Whilst they don’t have the slides and tunnels too, they are very much proper bars in their own right. Cocktails are served by champion bartenders, bottomless brunches, hen dos, and all kinds of entertainment are a constant. If you’re after a classic chaotic bright ‘n’ busy bar experience with a touch of fun and games, this is for you.

Locations:
London - 97-113 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3BS
Edinburgh - 14 Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QN
Cardiff - Unit 6-7 Brewery Quarter, Cardiff CF10 1FG
Entry Fee: £4.50-£12.50 depending on date and location (more for brunch, karaoke etc.)
Website: https://ballieballerson.com/

If you’re looking for more drinks related group events, then a distillery tour is always worth looking into. Here are a few to get you started!

All The Drinks Days To Know 2024

We all know there’s a day for everything these days, and if you celebrate every single one of these whole-heartedly then you’re in for a long year. But, for your convenience, here is every single national and international day relating to spirits, wine, beer, cider, cocktails and liqueurs.

Joking aside, they’re great opportunities to break up the year and try something new, with loads of promotions, innovative releases and information around to explore what just may be your new favourite drink. Or perhaps you work in one of these industries, or just want an excuse for a celebration because why not? If we’ve got an article or guide relating to the day, then it’s clickable too, so you can quickly find out everything you need.

January drink dates

Ginuary
Dry January
Monday 1st - Bloody Mary Day (Article: Peated Tomato Juice)
Thursday 11th - Hot Toddy Day (Article: Must-Try Hot Toddies)
Wednesday 17th National Hot Buttered Rum Day (Article: Traditional Xmas Drinks)
Saturday 20th Baltic Porter Day
Thursday 25th Burns Night (Article: The Best Scotch for Burns Night)
Thursday 25th Irish Coffee Day (Article: Best Irish Coffee Recipes)
Wednesday 31st Brandy Alexander Day

February drink dates

Thursday 1st - Furmint Day
Saturday 3rd - Pisco Sour Day (Article: What is Pisco?)
Thursday 8th - International Scotch Day (Article: The Best Scotch to Sip)
Tuesday 13th - Galentine’s Day (Article: Best Cocktails to Make for Galentine’s)
Wednesday 14th - Valentine’s Day (Article: Best Cocktails to Make for Valentine’s)
Friday 16th - International Syrah Day
Sunday 18th - World Drink Wine Day (Article: Our Wine Articles)
Thursday 22nd - Margarita Day (Article: The World’s Most Popular Cocktails)
Saturday 24th - World Bartender Day

March drink dates

Sunday 3rd - Mulled Wine Day (Article: Traditional Xmas Drinks)
Sunday 3rd - International Irish Whiskey Day (Article: The Best Irish Whiskies)
Tuesday 5th - Absinthe Day (Article: What is Absinthe?)
Wednesday 13th - International Riesling Day (Article: Best Riesling to Try)
Friday 15th - Espresso Martini Day (Article: Best Martini Variations)
Sunday 17th - St Patrick’s Day (Article: The Best Irish Whiskies)
Thursday 21st - World Vermouth Day (Article: What is Vermouth?)
Friday 22nd - World Water Day (Article: 7 Perfect Tonics)
Wednesday 27th - International Whisk(e)y Day (Article: Best Whiskies to Gift)

April drink dates

Sunday 7th - National American Beer Day
Sunday 14th - Tannat Day
Wednesday 17th - Malbec Day (Article: Delicious Argentinian Malbec)
Friday 19th - Amaretto Day (Article: What is Amaretto?)
Sunday 21st - National British Tea Day (Article: Elevating Cocktails with Tea)
Friday 26th - International Viognier Day
Saturday 27th - World Marselan Day

May drink dates

Sunday 5th - Cinco de Mayo (Article: The Definitive Cinco de Mayo Cocktail?)
Monday 6th - International Sauvignon Blanc Day (Article: Beginner’s Guide)
Tuesday 7th - National Cosmopolitan Day (Article: The Best Cosmo Variations)
Thursday 9th - World Moscato Day (Article: The Rise of Moscato)
Monday 13th - World Cocktail Day (Article: Our Cocktail Guides)
Thursday 16th - National American Mimosa Day (Article: The Best Fizzy Cocktails)
Friday 17th - World Pinot Grigio Day
Saturday 18th -World Whisky Day (Article: The Best British Distillery Tours)
Tuesday 21st - International Tea Day (Article: The Best Sparkling Teas)
Wednesday 22nd - World Paloma Day (Article: The Best Tequila Cocktails)
Thursday 23rd - International Chardonnay Day
Saturday 25th - National Wine Day (Article: Our Wine Articles)
Thursday 30th - National Mint Julep Day (Article: Exploring James Bond Cocktails)

June drink dates

Saturday 1st - National Bubbly Day (Article: Celebratory Champagne Cocktails)
Monday 3rd - World Cider Day (Article: Best British Ciders)
Tuesday 4th - International Cognac Day (Article: The Three Drinkers in Cognac)
Thursday 6th - Moonshine Day
Saturday 8th - World Gin Day (Article: The Best Gin to Gift)
Saturday 8th - International Drink Chenin Blanc Day
Sunday 9th - International Dark n Stormy Day (Article: Dark n Stormy Variations)
Sunday 9th - World Verdejo Day
Friday 14th - National Bourbon Day
Saturday 15th - British Beer Day (Article: 10 Craft Beers to Try)
Saturday 15th- Sunday 23rd English Wine Week (Article: Best English Fizz)
Wednesday 19th - National Martini Day (Article: Martini Variations To Make)
Friday 21st - World Lambrusco Day
Friday 28th - International Rosé Day (Article: Great Value Supermarket Rose)

July drink dates

Tuesday 2nd - National Anisette Day
Wednesday 10th - Pina Colada Day (Article: Pina Colada Twists)
Thursday 11th - Mojito Day (Article: The World’s Most Popular Cocktails)
Friday 12th - International Cava Day (Article: Cava You Have to Try)
Saturday 13th - World Rum Day (Article: Best Rum Cocktails)
Sunday 14th - Grand Marnier Day (Article: Grand Marnier Cocktails in Our Show)
Friday 19th - National Daiquiri Day (Article: Daiquiri Twists)
Wednesday 24th - National Tequila Day (Article: The Best Tequila to Try)
Thursday 25th - Cheese & Wine Day (Article: Perfect Cheese & Wine Combos)
Thursday 25th - International Shiraz Day
Saturday 27th - National Scotch Day (Article: The Best Scotch to Sip)

August drink dates

Thursday 1st - Albarino Day (Article: One Drink, Three Ways Albarino)
Thursday 1st - India Pale Ale Day (Article: 10 Craft Beers to Try)
Friday 2nd - International Beer Day (Article: 10 Craft Beers to Try)
Saturday 3rd - Mead Day (Article: What is Mead?)
Sunday 4th - National White Wine Day (Article: Our Wine Articles)
Monday 12th-Sunday 18th Afternoon Tea Week (Article: Fizz for Afternoon Tea)
Tuesday 13th - National Prosecco Day (Article: Guide to Prosecco Styles)
Sunday 18th - Pinot Noir Day (Article: The Best Pinot Noir to Try)
Sunday 25th - Whisky Sour Day (Article: Sour Variations to Make at Home)
Wednesday 28th - Red Wine Day (Article: Our Wine Articles)
Friday 30th - Mai Tai Day (Article: Most Popular Rum Cocktails)
Friday 30th - International Cabernet Sauvignon Day (Must Try Cab Sauvs)

September drink dates

California Wine Month
Sunday 1st - Cap Classique Day
Friday 6th - Chianti Day
Monday 9th - International Boxed Wine Day (Article: Best Boxed Wine)
Tuesday 10th - Canned Cocktail Day (Article: The Best Ready-to-Drink Cocktails)
Mid September Negroni Week (Article: The Best Negroni Twists)
Friday 13th - Cachaca Day
Sunday 15th - National Creme de Menthe Day
Friday 20th - Grenache Day
Friday 20th - National Rum Punch Day
Saturday 28th - National Drink Beer Day

October drink dates

Tuesday 1st - International Coffee Day (Article: Boozy Coffee Recipes)
Friday 4th - Vodka Day (Article: 8 Super Smooth Vodkas)
Sunday 6th - Orange Wine Day
Saturday 12th - Pinotage Day (Article: Our Pinotage Guide)
Monday 14th - Prokupac Day
Wednesday 16th - Irish Liqueur Day (Article: The Best Irish Cream Cocktails)
Saturday 19th - International Gin and Tonic Day (Article: The Best Gins for a G&T)
Sunday 20th - Calvados Day
Sunday 20th - National Brandied Fruit Day
Monday 21st - National Mezcal Day (Article: What is Mezcal?)
Friday 25th - Global Champagne Day (Article: The Best Bubbly to Drink This Xmas)
Saturday 26th - International Mavrud Day
Thursday 31st - International Carignan Day
Thursday 31st - Halloween (Article: Easy-to-Make Halloween Drinks)

November drink dates

Friday 1st - Honkaku Shochu and Awamori Day
Friday 1st - International Xinomavro Day
Thursday 7th - International Stout Day (Article: 10 Craft Beers to Try)
Thursday 7th - Merlot Day
Thursday 14th - Tempranillo Day
Sunday 17th - Zinfandel Day
Monday 18th - Apple Cider Day (Article: The Best British Ciders to Try)
Monday 18th - International Poitín Day (Article: What is Poitin?)
Thursday 21st - ​​Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Sunday 24th - International Carménère Day

December drink dates

Sunday 1st - International Maratheftiko Day
Wednesday 4th - Cabernet Franc Day
Saturday 7th - National Rhubarb Vodka Day
Tuesday 10th - Lager Day (Article: 10 Craft Beers to Try)
Tuesday 10th - World Aszú Day
Saturday 14th - Screwdriver Day
Monday 16th - Pinot Meunier Day
Friday 20th - Sangria Day (Article: The Perfect Autumn Sangria Recipe)
Tuesday 24th - Eggnog Day (Article: Traditional Xmas Drinks)
Wednesday 25th - Gimlet Day
Tuesday 31st - Champagne Night (Article: The Best Champagne to Try)

If we’ve missed any drinks days, make sure you let us know by reaching out via Instagram or email: sophie@thethreedrinkers.com!

The Three Drinkers Return for a Third Series on Amazon Prime!

Award-winning drinks duo Aidy Smith and Helena Nicklin return to our screens this May for the third series of their award-winning Amazon Prime travel show, The Three Drinkers, joined by special guest ‘Third Drinkers’ Eddy Temple-Morris and Eulanda Shead-Osagiede.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac follows Aidy and Helena as they embark on a cultural and gastronomic journey in and around the picturesque French region of Cognac.

With a lifestyle-focused approach, the duo takes an unpretentious look at the fabulous spirit of Cognac and other local delights, taking in the people, places and local attractions of the region along the way. In classic Three Drinkers style, they bust the misconceptions about cognac through their lighthearted, on-screen approach, helping the audience discover brand new ways of enjoying this world-class spirit from grape to glass. Ditching outdated balloon glasses and mundane tasting notes, this is a series for those who seek to be inspired and learn through humour, quirky facts and takeaway tidbits of drinks knowledge.

The 2-hour series is made up of 4 x 30 minute episodes in which the Drinkers discover the art of cognac with help from famed houses as Courvoisier and Remy Martin, alongside the world famous orange liqueur of the region, Grand Marnier. They also check out local, pioneering gin makers, Audemus Distillery while discovering the fascinating world of mixers, sodas and tonics with Franklin & Sons.

Throughout the series, the team takes a deep dive into highballs and cocktails based on occasion, discover the unique dishes of the region, try their hand at water sports, chocolate crafting, shoemaking, beekeeping, become hotel waiters/waitresses and even collect botanicals from deep within the Charentais wilderness for their own locally inspired gin.

“We like to look at drinks through a lifestyle lens, showcasing these stunning sips in a relaxed, unintimidating setting,” says Helena.

“One of the most important aspects of this series is to highlight that cognac doesn’t belong at the back of your grandparent’s cupboard and we’ll be exploring a number of simple serves and cocktails that the audience can create from the comfort of their homes or be inspired to order the next time they’re at a cocktail bar,” Aidy adds.

The Third Drinkers

This series welcomes Virgin Radio presenter and Persian foodie fanatic Eddy Temple-Morris alongside a returning appearance for travel presenter, journalist and influencer Eulanda Shead-Osagiede. While Aidy and Helena are tasked with inspiring spirit sceptic Eddy into falling in love with the liquid gold of cognac, Eulanda seeks out some of the hidden, lifestyle gems of the region, setting the duo amusing tasks along the way.

A more diverse representation in drinks

Aidy and Helena have been clear on their goals to enable more diversity and equity into the world of drinks. Aidy is a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ and disability diversity representation as the only TV Presenter in the United Kingdom (and one of a small handful globally) with Tourette Syndrome, battling the stigmas of one of the most misrepresented disabilities in the world. Helena has been well known for her stance on female empowerment within the industry, removing the perception that women only enjoy certain spirits.

“It’s been an ongoing mission to showcase that diversity in drinks is possible and we’re delighted to stand with our partners who have helped us make that a reality in this latest series,” Aidy says.

“The importance of on-screen diverse talent amplifies the narrative that all of our voices matter. The Three Drinkers is a beautiful example of this, looking at the talent within the show and I’m so proud to be a part of that movement., says Eulanda, who is a leading voice within the travel entertainment sphere for BAME talent.

“Three series ago we set out with an aim to create a new travel show with a drinks hook,” Helena says, “Nearly six years on, we’re so happy to see how each project has evolved and we can’t wait to share this latest one with the world.”

This armchair series is packed with fun, memorable moments, helping viewers to create exactly what they see on screen at home while inspiring them to visit the region to see it first hand.

The Three Drinkers in Cognac will launch in mid-May on Amazon Prime in 120 countries and territories, in 9 languages. You can follow The Three Drinkers in the run-up to the show at @TheThreeDrinkers alongside Aidy (@Sypped) and Helena (@HelenaSips).

How To Create the Perfect Home Bar

For any accomplished drinker or host, a well-stocked home bar is the perfect next step. Once you’ve added your touch of personality to the design, it might just become your favourite piece of décor in your home! Not only that, but it makes every drinks gathering feel special as you blow guests away manning the bar and offering whatever their heart desires, from classy short serves to extravagant cocktails.

The best thing is that you’ll probably have a lot of the stuff needed already! It’s just a case of setting it up in one spot and filling any gaps in your inventory with those home bar classics… and luckily, we’re here to guide you on exactly what those are and how to get started.

From the off, we should say that when it comes to your home bar inventory, it’s really a case of how far you want to go. If you’ve got the enthusiasm, time, and money to stock every item listed on this page then of course that would be a next level bar, but if you’re limiting yourself then just go for your favourites and the most widely used… which we’ll point out along the way!

What spirits do you need in a home bar?

Where else to start but the foundation spirits? These will be the heart of almost everything you pull together after all. There’s no need to splash the cash on top-shelf bottles across the board though! If you know that you and your friends like gin but no one drinks vodka for example, then stock your favourite bottle and even some other types of gin and just include a budget vodka option, or skip over it altogether. Remember, mixologists start small and master a few favourite cocktails before expanding further afield!

Having said that, ideally, you want to be able to provide guests with everything so stock up on as many of these base spirits as possible:

Vodka: It’s used in more cocktails than any other spirit. Say no more.
Tequila: The Margarita was the most popular cocktail in the world last year and tequila is getting more and more popular every year.
Gin: It’s probably the most popular spirit in the UK over the past couple of years and it’s always handy to be able to pull together a G&T! Ideally, you’ll have at least a couple of different types but begin with one.
Whisky: There’s a lot of variety here so aim to include a Bourbon, a Scotch, and ideally another bottle of your choice.
Rum: Rum is generally more affordable than the others so it’s good to have a light (Daiquiri, Mojito and many more) and dark rum (tropical cocktail essential) available.

What modifiers and liqueurs do you need in a home bar?

These are drinks that are cropping up so often in cocktail recipes that you won’t regret having most if not all of them there when you need them.

Amaretto: Sweet almond liqueur that’s used in a variety of simple and fancy cocktails.
Dry and Sweet Vermouth: Essential. Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis… you’ve gotta have it.
Orange liqueur (e.g. Grand Marnier): Always popping up and elevates many cocktails so it’s a must.
Coffee liqueur: Advised because of the popularity of Espresso Martini alone.
Bitters: A dash or two of these really elevates your cocktails to dazzle guests, and they last for years so it’s worth buying at the beginning. We’d get Angostura orange bitters as a priority, but Peychaud’s and vanilla bitters like Bob’s are great little options too.
Absinthe: Not an essential, but it does appear in cocktails with oomph a fair bit, and it’s a lively option to bring out if the night calls for it!
Garnishes: Lemon and lime may be the most used ingredients in the world of cocktails so make sure you’re well in stocked in the citrus department. Behind those would be oranges, cherries, edible flowers, and herbs that make for magical final touches if you’d like!

What wine do you need in a home bar?

To be honest, this depends massively on whether you’re a wine person or not. If you are, then you’ll know what you like and you may rarely touch any other drinks from your bar. If not, then you might just want something to offer guests, so find out what they like, and store it in a cool and dark place.

If you’re thinking about what to get here are some ideas:

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are very popular all over the world, but full-bodied Malbec and Shiraz are the most popular in the UK.
White: Crisp whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are the UK’s favourite white wine type.
Rosé: It’s growing in popularity and has been for years so there’s a good chance it will be someone’s preferred choice, especially in summer.
Sparkling: Brits absolutely love fizz and drank 1/3 of the world’s Prosecco in 2017! Also, it’s traditional to have some Champagne ready to go if a celebration is in order, but Cava and Crémant are fantastic more affordable alternatives.

What beer and cider do you need in a home bar?

People often skip over beer and cider when it comes to home bars because they don’t have the elegance of a glass of wine or complexity of a fun cocktail, but if a home bar is all about providing the best drinking experience at home then you need to be able to offer guests what they want, right?

People absolutely love a crisp, cold beer or cider. There are so many brands and types that you can’t be expected to have something for everyone, but you can’t go wrong stocking up on some bottles of chilled apple cider, light easy-drinking beer, and IPAs.

What mixers do you need in a home bar?

You’ll probably have all the mixers in that you already enjoy, but because they’re often quite affordable these are some that it’s best to stock up on. You might have once associated mixers with simply overwhelming a cheap and nasty spirit, but now they can take a leading role.

Ice: It’s the most used ingredient in cocktails and short serves and there are lots of different ways you can buy or make it but make sure clean and fresh water is used because it’d be a crime to spoil a delicious cocktail with nasty ice.
Essential juices: As mentioned above, lime and lemon juice are vital, but also orange, pineapple, apple and grapefruit juice (in that order). Fresh is always best but that isn’t practical across the board, so we’ll leave that down to personal preference!
Syrups: Plain syrup is an ever-present sweetener that you’ll see in recipes across our site, and it’s so simple to make. It’s just heating water and sugar in an equal ratio! Once you’ve mastered that you can easily infuse it with your favourite flavours. Craft distilleries also sell some amazing versions!
Pop: It may also be worth having some super familiar fizzy pop like Lemonade or Cola behind the bar too - they’re the most popular mixers in bars across the country after all!

Is glassware actually important?

Having proper glassware is one of the main things that take your home bar to the next level. It will do more to make it feel like an authentic bar than anything else and help create an exciting tasting experience.

Don’t get us wrong though, you absolutely don’t need to go around spending the earth on hundreds of cocktail glass variations made from hand-etched crystal. Plenty of stores stock affordable ranges that cover the fundamentals:

Rocks glasses/glass tumblers: Perfect for spirits and spirit-forward serves
Martini glass: Iconic.
Wine glasses: White wine glasses tend to be smaller than reds so if you’re into wine or are expecting people who are then you could get two sets but it’s not essential.
Champagne flutes: They’re handy for all of the fizzy serves and let’s be honest… bubbly looks strange in anything else!
Tall glasses/Collins glasses: The go-to for more cocktails with multiple mixers.
Lowball glasses: Perfect for whisky mainly, but also muddled ingredients and neat serves. If your bar is going to be full of whisky though, you might want to look at the unique Glencairn glass that we used during The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky TV show!

What basic tools and equipment do you need in your home bar?

There are some super basic pieces of equipment that you’ll find yourself reaching for every other cocktail that complete the home bar look wonderfully. Kitchen items can be used for a few of them, especially as you find your feet, but after a while, you’ll want to upgrade to the real thing. It’s also worth noting that most decent ‘Beginner Cocktail Kits’ will include most if not all of what you’ll need, rather than buying individually.

Muddler: It just makes it a lot easier and quicker to muddle – it’s that simple.
Strainer: This is an essential that will add smoothness and elegance to all of your creations, particularly if you’re using fresh juice.
Bar spoon: This makes it easier to mix and is also needed to layer spirits with different viscosities to create those beautiful blends.
Jigger: We all know the perils of ‘home measures’ so this just helps to measure and pour alcohol without going over the top. It also makes it easier to balance out cocktails.
Cocktail shaker: Of course! If you invite people around for cocktails then they’re going to want to see this come out at some point!

How should you set up a home bar?

Once your stock is all sorted, you need to decide what format your home bar is going to take. This completely depends on the space available in your home, the money you wish to spend on setting it up, and how much you plan to use your home bar!

You may not have something far off the minimal setup already. This could be a countertop that’s nicely set up with trays, glass racks, corner racks, etc., a bar cart to wheel out on summer days, or a table adapted for bar use. As long as there’s somewhere to store ingredients, glasses, and a space to work, you can easily make it look like a bar by stamping your own personality on the design. Paint, mirrors, plants, lights, you name it – sprinkles of magic soon bring the home bar to life.

However, we’ll all be familiar with the range of in-built home bars. If you have the space and you’re committed, this is the way to go. If you have a spare corner of the room or even outside space, then it can be surprisingly simple to install a basic wooden bar. Alternatively, you can splash out on the more extravagant setups we’ve seen everywhere from Instagram to Come Dine With Me.

If you’re looking for specific drinks from each category to stock up your home bar then you’ll find guides to the best options across our website.

If you happen to love rum, then you’re in luck because we have more specific rum products that will be perfect for you here. You’ll use a lot of them whatever you drink so it’s worth checking it out.

Is it Paris? Is it New Orleans? No, it’s Louie London

The more you delve into Louie London, the more the expectation dials are ramped up, and frankly, the more it lives up to them.

Sitting among the Mousetrap and The Ivy among others, the Covent Garden site is a joint venture between Guillaume Glipa and Laurent de Gourcuff’s famed French restaurant group Paris Society. Sprawling foliage contrasts art-deco furnishings and glitter in a way that, if done badly, could result in travesty (if that’s not too strong a word). Instead, it’s pure alchemy.

The plan from the start was to evoke this varied global feel. More specifically, a culinary and décor blend of Paris, London, and New Orleans. As Louie puts it themselves, ‘American heart, a French palate, and a New Orleans soul’. Working from the beautiful base that is an already impressive Georgian town house, every floor is distinct and carefully curated. Topping the building is the magical Alligator Bar, an open lounge and 80-seat bar hosting live jazz piano and DJ sets that have become extremely sought after events, with guests spilling out onto the terrace gazing over the flickering lights of London. Trademark New Orleans cocktails, your Sazerac for example, are served here. Madame Laveau, Rockefeller Martini and Alligator Boogaloo are among the other eclectic options, with a sommelier on hand if you’d rather head wine-wards.

This gastronomic gem serves up incredible Atlantic-straddling dishes with primarily French fayre and Louisiana twists such as crab cake platters with squid ink tarma sauce, fresh oysters, French curried monkfish with port wine jus, and the signature pecan tart, reimagined with spice, white chocolate ganache and caramel. Guests can graze on little plates or indulge in the mains section and grill, being seated across the sophisticated ground and first floors.

It will come as no surprise that a night at Louie London is at lavish expense, but if you leave as chuffed as the portly alligator on the logo, and you will, then you’ll have no regrets.

Words by Aidy Smith