Franklin & Sons: an icon of mixers, sodas, and tonics

Founded in Victorian London all the way back in 1886, Franklin & Sons are true pioneers in the soft drinks space, leading the way with natural ingredients and innovative flavourings to offer the most complete range of mixers, sodas, and tonics out there.

Within their remarkably diverse range, there will always be the perfect bottle to jazz up your drinks which is why we made the most of their offering throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, and if you’re a listener of our Bring a Bottle podcast, you may well have heard us merrily sipping our way through even more of them on there.

Beautifully bottled too, it really is well worth exploring all of their wonderful flavours for yourself to see which jump out, but below are just some of the Franklin & Sons that we have loved trying, and recommendations for what to enjoy them with!

FRANKLIN & SONS TO EXPLORE

Original Ginger Ale

Ultimate warmth and refreshment with a completely natural feel, Franklin & Son’s Original Ginger Ale blends natural root ginger extract with their pure sparkling spring water for classy and subtle flavouring. Celebrating the classic ginger and cognac combination, you can see it used as a Highball in Episode One where the spice of the two blend perfectly.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Ginger Ale
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour in your cognac over plenty of ice and top up with the fizzing ginger ale. Voila!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Sicilian Lemon

The first Franklin & Sons bottle to appear in the series, the Sicilian Lemon is used for the gorgeously simple and sunny Courvoisier Gala Highball below. Legendary Sicilian lemons and natural botanicals like cinchona bark blend with sparkling spring water to make this burst of citrus.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Sicilian Lemonade
Plenty of ice

Method:
Highballs are simple so let’s keep it that way – pour everything over ice and give it a little stir.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Mandarin & Ginger Soda

The Mandarin & Ginger featured in one of our One Drink, Three Ways segments where you can find three deliciously different serves it’s perfect for. With natural zest, warmth, vibrance and refreshment, this soda elevates all kinds of different drinks which is why it crops up again in Episode Two of the series emphasising the fruity spice of cognac.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac
80ml Mandarin & Ginger Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Super simple – cognac poured over ice and topped up with the soda! An orange wheel is the perfect garnish.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water

The Rosemary and Black Olive tonic is so distinct. Almost reminiscent of focaccia, this savoury mixer adds a stunning culinary dimension to cocktails. We pair it with Umami gin for an entirely unique herbaceous G&T that is just asking to be paired with some side dishes.

Ingredients:
30ml Umami gin
80ml Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water
Plenty of ice

Method:
Simply pour each over ice, stir well and sip away.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Guava & Lime Soda

A very light and lofty soda with natural guava and Tahitian lime as well as a sprinkling of ginger, this completely livens up what can be a dull vodka and soda combination. Refreshing, fruity and tropical!

Ingredients:
30ml guava vodka
80ml Guava & Lime Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour each over ice and stir well to combine thoroughly!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Natural Rose Lemonade

Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac shows our Helena using Natural Rose Lemonade to bring colour, natural sweetness and an inviting aroma to the wonderful cocktail below. The English rose petals, lemon juice and crisp sparkling water are a floral twist on the original 1886 lemonade and add so much summery elegance to almost any concoction – delicious.

Ingredients:
50ml gin (we used Audemus Pink Pepper Gin)
Splash of Champagne
Top up with Franklin & Sons Rose Lemonade

Method:
Stir gin and ice and add to your cocktail glass. Top up with a splash of Champagne and Rose Lemonade. For the garnish, cut thin strips of lemon skin and wrap them around a chopstick for an appetising spiral effect.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pink Grapefruit Soda

You can see Aidy takes this essential Pink Grapefruit soda for a spin in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, when partnered with Reposado Tequila, fresh lime and Grand Marnier in a Paloma/Margarita hybrid. The soda is amazing for adding fizz alongside bright and balanced citrus notes with a dash of bitterness.

Ingredients:
50ml reposado tequila
50ml Grand Marnier
25ml fresh lime juice
Pink Grapefruit Soda

Method:
Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice into a rocks glass over ice and stir. Top up with Pink grapefruit soda and stir very gently to combine.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pineapple & Almond Soda

This is another favourite of ours that you really need to try. To be honest, you could enjoy it flying solo as a soft drink, but it’s so versatile that it can be mixed with the nutty caramel notes of cognac, the profile of a tropical rum, or even earthy tequila/mezcal. Stewed caramelised pineapples shine through at first, but when mixed the marzipan almond notes flood the palate – this is what drinks innovation should look like.

Find here: £20 24 x 200m

If you want to see these delicious Franklin & Sons drinks in action, check out The Three Drinkers in Cognac! Or, if you’re curious as to their other flavours, have a flick through their range here!

6 Sparkling Teas You Need To Try

Drinking a quite staggering 150 million cups of tea a day, Brits famously love the stuff, but this doesn’t mean everyone is overly keen to experiment with how they drink it.

A hot cup of tea has more than cemented its place as drinks royalty, but as we say goodbye to the cold and grey days and welcome in the sun, a hot cup of tea doesn’t have quite the same pull so we’re here to let you know about the newest way to drink tea – chilled and bubbly!

Aside from being another way of enjoying tea, sparkling tea is also a fantastic non-alcoholic alternative to sparkling wines so let us introduce you to some of the most delicious ones out there to try.

Belle & Co. Alcohol Free Sparkling Rosé

You wouldn’t expect such well balanced fizz for the price, but that’s exactly what you get with this. The level of sweetness is perfect, as is the effervescence and it’s built a reputation for being almost identical to alcoholic Rosé. The green tea is not substantial but rounds out the red berry profile nicely. Flawless for under a fiver.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £3.50

REAL Royal Flush

This is a bottle of bubbles that really quenches the thirst for a sparkling wine like Prosecco. Produced in the Chiltern Hills, it uses first flush Darjeeling that carries rhubarb and notes of stone fruits in what is a really fruit-forward mix. The touch of acidity on the palate makes it great alongside various dishes such as grilled fish. And it’s top-notch value!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £8

Copenhagen Sparkling Tea BLÅ

Whilst working at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen, Jacob Kocemba decided to treat tea in the same way as grapes. At first, this was a handy way to pair drinks with desserts, but it turned out so good that the rest is history! They now have a really neat portfolio of bubbly teas, with BLÅ being one of their newest. It’s actually inspired by 13 different teas, most noticeably jasmine but also Darjeeling and various white teas. The result is a delightfully complex and aromatic fizz that feels soft and fresh. Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company has been doing this longer than anyone, so it’s no surprise that this feels astoundingly well put together. A must-try!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £13.75 (usually more!)

Saicho Darjeeling

We’ve enjoyed Saicho for a while now for its distinctive tea flavour, such as this stylish bottle of Darjeeling picked from the Himalayan foothills. Fresh peach and orange peel balances out a more savoury, herbal side with anise and lavender in this really stylish and flavoursome fizz.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £15.74

Fortnum's Rosé Sparkling Tea

Fortnum and Mason have included 8 certified organic teas in this fizz that not only carries really moreish and complex flavours but tannins you would expect from a wine too. Hibiscus and jasmine tea come to the fore and despite the lightness, every sip feels like a treat. Deep and lingering Darjeeling anchors the loftier tropical fruits, cranberries, subtle ginger and fresh elderflower and raspberry. If you’re looking to retain your caffeine hit then there is 150mg per litre too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £17.95

Jing Jasmine Pearls Sparkling Tea

The jasmine-scented green tea here is sublime, pulled together by tea maker Liu Guioqing in Shekou Garden in China. Everything about the fizz and bottle screams elegance, with reinvigorating green tea depth, refreshing dry mouthfeel and sophisticated natural notes of jasmine flower and honey. Delicious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £21

After even more tasty no-low alcohol drinks? Check out these varied beauties!

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.

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

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

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

GIN

Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin

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

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

Manly Spirits Co. Australian Dry Gin

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

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

Ink Gin

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

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

WHISKY

Starward Tawny Whisky

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

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

RUM

Bundaberg Rum

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

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

VERMOUTH

Regal Rogue Wild Rosé Vermouth

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

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

LIQUEUR

Brookie’s Mac

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

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

NON-ALCOHOLIC

Brunswick Aces Spades Sapiir

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

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £27.49

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

The Best Whisky Alternatives For Burns Night

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

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

WINE

Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz

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

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

1000 Stories Chardonnay

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

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

SPIRITS

Mount Gay XO Triple Cask Blend

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

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

Firkin Gin Islay Cask

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

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

Storywood Speyside 14 Añejo Tequila

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

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

Kalak Peat Cask Vodka

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

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

Beeble Honey Whisky Liqueur

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

Size: 500ml
ABV: 30%
Find here: £32

NO LO

Feragaia

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

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19.94

Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’

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

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £22

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

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The 10 Best No-Lo's For All Drinks Lovers

Year after year, no or low-alcohol drinks seem to get better and better, so we’ve picked our best up-to-date alternatives to your favourite spirits below! These beautiful drinks feel like a treat, not a compromise, so whether you’re a seasoned No-Lo explorer, or just experimenting for Dry January, pick out your go-to alternative here... let’s get started.

BEST RUM ALTERNATIVE

Caleño Dark & Spicy

Caleño produces non-alcoholic spirits inspired by the vibrancy of Colombia, and their Dark & Spicy release is a wonderful bottle in the vein of dark rum. It’s built around the tropical tang of pineapple, with a pleasant gingery kick, vanilla pods, subtle coconut, and a splash of lime. They’ve nailed the profile and serving it with ginger ale gives it the extra kick for more of a spiced rum feel if you’re looking for that.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%      
Find here: £17.99

BEST TEQUILA ALTERNATIVE

Mockingbird Spirit

For all you tequila lovers, Mockingbird uses Mexican blue weber agave just like tequila and the similarity in taste is remarkable. All those familiar notes are there, with the slightly smoky and sweet profile, but without the hangover that may follow! In fact, Mockingbird includes pure ashwagandha for added health benefits. It’d be perfect in a Margarita mocktail or as an inventive mixer.

Size: 700ml                                          
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £22.99

BEST GIN ALTERNATIVE

Sea Arch Coastal Juniper

Inspired by the beautiful Devon coastline, this gin-esque creation includes a selection of gorgeous seaside botanicals. The aromatic juniper is front and centre with herbal notes of sage satisfyingly sitting behind. Grapefruit and coriander create a crisp and clean palate, whilst the sweetness of the blood orange and juicy lemon undertones adds beguiling complexity. Sea kelp and samphire, angelica and cardamon complete a fantastically well-rounded, fresh, and bright drink, leaving you fulfilled and refreshed like a long coastal walk! Simply serve with a classic tonic to unfold the vibrant citrus and seaside herbs.

Size: 700ml
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £17.12

BEST FOR WHISKY LOVERS

Crossip ‘Dandy Smoke’

Dandy Smoke is probably the most praised release from Crossip, an alcohol-free brand with some fantastic other releases from Fresh Citrus to Blazing Pineapple. Dandy Smoke is a must try for whisky lovers looking for a booze-free alternative, with perfect smoothness, smokiness, and warming spices. It has that slightly viscous texture required for a truly satisfying sip and underlying punchy aromas similar to Islay drams so a little really does go a long way with this one. Try it over ice with your chosen mixer (ginger ale would be perfect), or knock up some fresh mocktails!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £22

BEST FOR VODKA LOVERS

STRYYK Not Vodka

We’ve been keeping tabs on STRYYK for a while because of their Not Rum and Not Gin, and now it’s time for Not Vodka, a spirit that is often ignored in the No-Lo space. The tingling capsicum gently warms the throat, matching the sensation of Vodka sipping, with some fresh cucumber and mint flavour before a peppery finish. It feels fantastically fresh and clean but may get a little overwhelmed with a strong mixer, so we recommend some ice, tonic and lemon to bring out the zesty notes. Super refreshing!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £17.82

BEST VERMOUTH ALTERNATIVE

Feragaia

From the off, we should say that Feragaia doesn’t claim to replicate any alcoholic drink, aiming to stand in its own right instead. However, we think that if you’re on the hunt for booze-free Vermouth, it’s well worth a shot! Hailing from the Scottish Lowlands, it’s a distinctive blend of wild botanicals, grounded in earthy root flavours and warming spice like pink peppercorn. Complimenting well, the lighter top notes of fresh lemon, blackcurrant and kelp provide perfect balance, creating a unique mix of aromatic herbs and bittersweetness. It’s another No-Lo drink that just needs ice and a little tonic to make it sing. It’s seriously invigorating and probably like nothing else you’ve tried before!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19.94

BEST CANNED NO LO

Something & Nothing Yuzu Seltzer

Winner of a Great Taste award in 2020, Yuzu Seltzer’s star is Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit with a pleasantly sharp taste – think a blend of lime, lemon, and grapefruit. Super simple and natural, it’s just fresh grape and lemon juice added to swirl around the yuzu base to fill out the flavour, and voila! Healthy revitalising Seltzer that hits the spot.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £2.95 / 12 Pack £19.75

BEST NO LO COCKTAIL

Caffè Carnivale Espress0% Martini Nitro Cans

Let us introduce you to the winner of a Gold Medal at the pre-mixed masters, praised for it’s uniquely crafted sophistication. Cold brew espresso is blended with cocoa and Madagascan vanilla, with everything poised perfectly, from sweet chocolate to earthy coffee. There’s even a somewhat boozy aftertaste you may detect! A must-try for any Espresso Martini lover!

Size: 200ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £2.50 / 10 Pack £9.99 / 12 Pack £29.99

BEST NO LO APERITIF

Everleaf Forest

Everleaf is a sustainably minded brand with three non-alcoholic aperitifs in their current collection – Mountain, Marine... and our favourite, Forest. This is a fragrant bittersweet concoction with great depth of flavour and mouthfeel, and unlike many no-lo creations, it won’t get lost when mixed. The sustainably sourced botanicals like saffron, Madagascan vanilla, gentian (a purple flower imparting bitterness), and orange blossom to create a satisfying forest flavour palate with a slightly floral touch. It’s stunning complexity has won it awards, and it’s the ideal addition to many mocktails like a Spritz!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £19

BEST CBD NO LO

EDI Spirited Euphoria

Last up we’re shouting out one of the Best CBD No-Lo drinks on the market, EDI aka Endorphin Dealer Institute and their Spirited Euphoria hemp spirit. Packed with 420mg of CBD, nootropics which support cognitive function and adaptogens to help ease stress, the liquid itself doesn’t replicate any alcoholic spirit in particular, but has a delightful clean mouthfeel, with a citrusy bittersweet dryness and slightly peppery woody finish. A fresh slice of orange with ice is perfect to sit back and relax with this one, adding a splash of fruit juice if you’ve got a sweeter tooth!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 420mg
Find here: £40.10

Like the sound of CBD drinks to relax you over winter? Check out 8 Of The Best here! Gin, Rum, Vodka, there are amazing options for all.

The Best Hot Toddy Cocktail Variations

What is a hot toddy?

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

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

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

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

For the traditionalists: The Original Hot Toddy

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

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

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

For the bourbon drinkers: Ginger Toddy

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

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

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

For the cider drinkers: The Hot Apple Toddy

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

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

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

For the gin lovers: Hot Gin Toddy

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

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

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

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

For the rum drinkers: Hot Rum Toddy

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

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

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

For the vodka drinkers: Toffee Apple Hot Toddy

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

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

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

For the non-alcoholic drinkers: Apple Berry Toddy

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

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

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

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

Words by Calum Ecroyd

8 CBD Drinks To Relax You Over Winter

Every year, more and more people are becoming familiar with CBD and at The Three Drinkers, we like to keep a particular eye on CBD infused drinks. There can be a lot of misconceptions about CBD so with the dark nights drawing in, what better time for us to give you the lowdown on what CBD is and which drinks you should try!

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a naturally occurring molecule that plants in the cannabis family produce. Now for people not familiar with it, the confusion can arise from the fact that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also in cannabis plants, and this is what produces the ‘high’ associated with marijuana.

CBD does not come with this ‘high’. Instead, it has shown to be beneficial for deep relaxation and stress relief, hence why you’ve seen it popping up all over the place over the last decade. So, if you want to combine a delicious drink with something to de-stress and pick you up from any winter blues, CBD drinks are well worth trying!

Gin

Cloud Gin

In many ways this is a classic gin, except nestled amongst the familiar juniper, coriander and blueberry botanicals is CBD. Masterminded by two brothers in Yorkshire, they chose to emphasise the similarities of CBD and alcohol in calming anxiety. And so, born in the overlap of that Venn diagram was Cloud Gin. It’s perfect for sipping the evening away after a stressful day and a beautiful bottle that’s worth keeping too!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: 35mg
Find here: £39.95

Rum

Dead Man’s Fingers Hemp Rum

With their eye for experimentation, it’s no surprise that Dead Man’s Fingers has its own CBD drink – the world’s first CBD hemp rum! It was awarded Gold at the Rum Masters in 2020, with praise for the herbal grassy notes, pine, coffee, and a warming spicy finish. Hemp contains CBD naturally, but this won’t be as strong in that department as some others on the list. Enjoy it with some ginger ale, or in an ‘Ernest Hempingway’ cocktail because why not!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: Minimal
Find here: £22

Vodka

Aqua Sativa Hazy Dry

Formerly known as Strangeways Spirits, Aqua Sativa is continuing its aim to become a pioneer of CBD drinks, and with the Best Alcoholic Beverage Award at the World CBD Awards in the bag, their vodka has to be a must try. Hand-crafted, distilled and bottled in Manchester, try it on the rocks with lemon and see what you think!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
CBD: 20mg
Find here: £37.99

Beer/Cider

Cannabrew

Back in 2019, Elliot Horner started exploring CBD to ease his aches and pains from rugby. He ended up merging that with his passion for craft beer and arrived at Cannabrew – one of the UK’s first CBD breweries. The CBD oil used is specifically made to work well with the range of beers and ciders, and what a range! Somerset Cloud cider, clean and crisp Soul lager and a citrusy Session IPA. They actually have even more, but we think these are a great place to start. Cannabrew is completely vegan, plastic free and even has a tree planting scheme, so it won’t just be the CBD giving you a feel good factor!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5% (Cider 4%)
CBD: 15mg
Find here: £19.99 6x330ml

Bitters

OTO

OTO is a reliable and renowned name in the CBD world, with skincare, pure oil, and other products available, but it’s their bitters we’re interested in. It’s a blend of herbaceous botanicals that adds to your drink, from a few drops in your morning coffee, to a dash in a Friday night cocktail. Unlike the other drinks on this list, these are much stronger, so whilst it may be much pricier, only tiny amounts are needed to bring on the calmness.

Size: 75ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 1350mg
Find here: £51.75

No Alcohol

Goodrays

Goodrays is one of the loudest voices educating people about the often-misunderstood CBD. These seltzer style cans are 100% vegan and sustainable, contain Vitamin D aka the sunshine vitamin (perfect for winter), natural flavouring and also hemp extract, which is shown to help with stress and inflammation. Goodrays has four flavours right now, but our top two are the Blood Orange & Grapefruit with its juicy tartness and their Passionfruit & Pomelo with its tropical sweetness.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 30mg
Find here: Blood Orange & Grapefruit: £6 4x250ml
Find here: Passionfruit & Pomelo: £6 4x250ml

Gibson’s Goodology Tea

Gibson’s Goodology cans are luxury CBD Teas, tailormade to help revitalise, refresh and re-balance. There are no artificial flavours or sweeteners, just five ingredients: tea, fruit puree, agave, lemon juice and CBD. If you’re tired of sugary sodas, caffeine crashes and alcoholic cocktails, then this natural tea is the opposite. They have three very inviting options currently; a nutty shisho tea with a sweet blueberry finish, a punchy passionfruit with earthy green tea, and a floral jasmine tea with tart rhubarb. Also, if you are still drinking alcohol, we reckon these would be great as a gin mixer so why not give it a whirl?!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 25mg
Find here: £14.99 3x250ml

EDI Spirited Euphoria

The mysteriously named Endorphin Dealer Institute (EDI) has its own alcohol-free hemp spirit called, ‘Spirited Euphoria’, and it’s designed to trigger the enjoyment of alcohol without the downsides. It’s a dry, bittersweet, and subtly aromatic flavour and although it’s a non-specific spirit, it’s incredibly refreshing and enjoyable. There’s hemp, nootropics (cognitive enhancers) and adaptogens (stress reducers) all working together meaning that not only is there no hangover, but you also feel on top of your game. Sounds good to us! It’s perfect over ice with a little orange, or if you want a sweeter flavour pair it with some fruit juice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 420mg
Find here: £40.10

If you’re more of a white than red kind of person, then we’ve got a list of our favourite white wines for under £10 here! And with the sleigh bells of Christmas ringing louder each day, there are some more great value reds perfect for Christmas here too. 

Words by Calum Ecroyd