Aunt Bessie's New Roast Dinner and Dessert Beers are Here!

Calling all quirky beer lovers! Aunt Bessie's is back with a delightful surprise that will tickle your taste buds and transport you down memory lane!

You may remember that back in 2020, they joined forces with Northern Monk to craft “the UK’s first two-course meal made in beer form,” and now they're at it again, this time with an extra couple of tantalizing puddings in mind.

Picture this: a Roast Dinner Brown Ale, a Jam Roly Poly & Custard Pale Ale, a Sticky Toffee Pudding & Custard Porter, and an Apple Crumble & Custard Pale Ale. Yes, you read that right – they've brewed beers inspired by some of the nation's most cherished comfort foods!

The Roast Dinner Brown Ale is brewed with actual Aunt Bessie's Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings and the Jam Roly Poly & Custard Pale Ale is infused with plum, apricot, and strawberry, which are the same ingredients found in the original Aunt Bessie's pudding recipe.

This isn't the first time we've seen such unique brews though. Remember when Seabrook crisps teamed up with Northern Monk to create Prawn Cocktail and Cheese & Onion flavored beers? Or when Byron’s Burger released its pickle beer?! It seems like the world of beer and food is always full of surprises!

If you're itching to try Aunt Bessie's latest four-pack of brews (4 x 330ml for just £5.50), you can either click right here or head to your nearest Morrisons.

The Fig Martini

With its mesmerising amber colour and a hint of warmth in every sip, the Fig Martini is the perfect cocktail to enjoy as we head into autumn. Combining the smoothness of vodka with the rich, sweet allure of fig-infused simple syrup, and a zesty splash of lemon juice, this is a cocktail of delightful contrasts that's as elegant as it is fun.

Ingredients

60ml / 2oz vodka
30ml / 1oz fig-infused simple syrup (recipe below)
15ml / 0.5oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
fresh fig (for garnish, optional)

Method

1. Start by making the fig-infused simple syrup. Combine 240g/1 cup of water, 240g/1 cup of granulated sugar, and 4-5 fresh figs (quartered) into a pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then, allow it to simmer for 10-15 minutes so the flavour of the figs infuses into the syrup. Once the syrup has cooled, strain out the fig pieces.

2. Add the vodka, fig-infused simple syrup, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a handful of ice into a mixing glass.

3. Stir until chilled and combined (roughly 30 secs), and then strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.

4. Garnish with a slice of fresh fig to add an extra touch of sophistication.

It is really that easy! So, when life gives you figs, don't just make jam – shake up a Fig Martini and let the good times roll.

If you would like to see the other cocktails featured on our website then read more here, and if you’d like to know where the UK’s award winning cocktail bars are based, look no further than here!

The Country That Went From Producing The Most Wine to Almost Nothing

It’s hard to imagine it now given the 21st century landscape of wine production, but in the 1960s it wasn’t Italy, Spain or France producing the most wine on the planet. It wasn’t even other modern day wine nations like Argentina or Portugal.

It was Algeria, and by a wide margin too. In 1960, Algeria exported twice as much wine as France, Italy and Spain combined! Nowadays, the Algerians produce barely anything which is why it’s so surprising that they once topped the global charts. So, what happened?

Well, producing very little wine is actually a return to the norm in Algeria. For most of the 19th century, hardly a bottle was produced. In 1830, the French invaded and re-organised Algeria and within a few decades, settlers arrived and of course, being French, vineyards were planted. The Atlas Mountains provided an ideal micro-climate for developing a French-Algerian wine industry.

Whilst grapes here flourished, the opposite was happening on the continent. The phylloxera epidemic in the 1870s devastated Europe’s vineyards, and the demand for Algerian vines grew. By 1930, Algeria was already producing 7% of all wine. Now, you might be wondering how that works given that Algeria is predominantly Muslim, and the answer is that they exported most of it. In fact, 40% of wine exports were from Algeria before the First World War, and just before the Second World War, this had risen to a staggering 67%!

Other countries, like France, produced a lot but they also kept most of it. As a result, Algeria had become an unexpected global powerhouse of wine. This looked set to continue, as Algeria signed up to trade agreements and communities in the 1950s. Then, a push for independence was made in Algeria and after years fighting, Algeria was granted independence, but how did this affect wine production?

Well, initially, not so much. New President Ahmed Ben Bella maintained the status quo, but with French settlers leaving, they were now entirely reliant on exporting to foreign countries. Stability was short-lived however, with a coup d’état in 1965 and years of dictatorship, religious extremism and civil war to follow.

As a result, European trading communities stopped treating Algeria in the same way, withdrawing their benefits, and making the whole process far less appealing for all parties. For instance, Algeria now had to buy bottles from Europe for them to be legally sold in Europe. French-owned vineyards were now run by Algerian Muslims or the state, and many were converted to produce different goods.

Desperately seeking new markets, Algeria agreed a wine trade agreement with the Soviet Union but prices were unprofitably set and this fell apart. By the time the 20th century came to an end, Algeria produced and exported next to nothing.

In 2021, the Algerian government launched an action plan to help several industries but there was nothing for wine. With a similar climate to Spain, Algeria could one day produce large quantities of wine again but for now, it just looks set to remain an interesting story of the rise and fall of the largest wine empire ever.

Drinky Desserts: Your Guide to Sweet Wine Styles

No longer relegated to the ‘what do I do with this?’ cupboard or have a capful for cooking and the rest left to gather dust, no no no. Sweet wines are back and FINALLY showing their worth to a whole new audience as the great drinky desserts they truly are, boosted by the summer trend for sweet wine cocktails and boozy puds.

Here’s your guide to some key styles of sweet wines from around the world that you can swap with sugar syrup in cocktails, simply sip chilled, or splash into your puddings. 

Noble Rot Style

TRY: L’Or du Ciron Sauternes 2016

Perhaps the most famous (and expensive) sweet wine in town, Sauternes is a posh, dessert vino from Bordeaux made largely with Sémillon and Sauvignon. Here, a ‘noble rot’ fungus desiccates the grapes so what is left is super concentrated, honeyed and sweet. Think marmalade, candied peel, marzipan and spice. Great alone or with ice and loves a lemon drizzle cake. 

Find here: M&S / Ocado
Price: £14.75

TRY: Château Combet Laroche Monbazillac

Often described  - a tad unfairly-  as ‘poor man’s Sauternes’, Monbazillac hails from just east of Bordeaux and makes wines in a similar style. Less unctuously sweet than Sauternes and often with a subtle, burned caramel flavour, this is a great, sugar syrup alternative in Old Fashioned twists and thanks to the lower price point, means less guilt when splashing it around!

Find here: Lidl
Price: £7.99 full bottle

TRY: Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh

A brilliant, price savvy Sauternes alternative, Pacherenc hails from Gascony in southwest France and uses gorgeously greengage-scented local grapes like Gros Manseng. A noble rot wine like Sauternes where affected grapes dehydrate and give a complex, marzipan note, this is a lighter, fresher version that’s crying out for citrusy cocktails. Use it to replace the vermouth and honeyed rim in the famous Oppenheimer martini cocktail.

Find here: Lidl
Price: £7.99 full bottle

Late Harvest Sweet white

TRY: Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora

Late harvest wine is sweet because grapes stay longer on the vine and dry out, concentrating the sugars without the help of ‘noble rot’. This late harvest style keeps a more zesty freshness than the noble rot wines and this delicious drop hails from cool Victoria in Australia. It uses the grapey, floral Muscat grape and rare Flora grape to produce a lightly sweet vino that you’ll want to spritz on as perfume! Great in frozen cocktails and boozy brulées.

Find here: Tesco
Price: £8.50 half bottle

Moscato

TRY: Barefoot Pink Moscato

Cheap and very cheerful, Moscato wines are usually very fruity and sweet, aromatic and lower in booze than regular vino. Moscato is another name for the Muscat grape and this peachy pink from Barefoot is unashamedly ‘fun’, tasting like boozy strawberry ice lollies. It's perfect for pink, pimms-like wine cocktails. Just add peaches and strawberries with soda or lemonade!

Find here: Asda
Price: on offer £5.50 (down from £7.50)

Sweet Fortified: Muscat

TRY: Campbells of Rutherglen, Rutherglen Muscat

If you love the idea of boozy, salted caramel, then this dark, Aussie Muscat is for you! Gorgeously sweet with a salty freshness this sweetie style is unique to southern Australia’s Rutherglen area. It loves anything with spice or salt and is amazing in cocktails. Try it with fruit and cinnamon in a Rutherglen Sangria or pour it over ice cream with some coffee as an affogato. Stunning!

Find here: Waitrose
Price: £13.39

sweet fortified: Madeira

Blandy's Duke of Clarence Madeira

Madeira from the Portuguese island of the same name is the sweet-salty, nutty, fortified and aged booze that smells incredible, like fruit cake and fudge! Made with the red Negra Mole grape and white Malvasia, Bual, Verdelho and Sercial grapes, it comes in several styles from dry to lusciously sweet. And while it’s often relegated to splashing into Christmas puds, it’s actually rather wonderful in complex cocktails like a salted caramel martini or anything with chocolate in it. This one is full-on and fruity. Bold and retro.

Find here: Morrisons
Price: on offer £11.50 (down from £15) full bottle

Passito

TRY: Heaven on Earth organic, Fair Trade Muscat d’Alexandria

What is Passito wine? It’s a style of sweet wine that has been partially dried, often on straw, to allow water to evaporate before being pressed to concentrate the sugars. This golden, deliciously Autumnal wine is made with muscat grapes in South Africa and dried on a bed of Rooibos and straw. It’s grapey and peachy, all apricot and honey deliciousness! Awesome sipped alone or with blue cheese.

Find here: Ocado

Price: £10 (£8.50 on offer)

Splash out, passito: Vinsanto

Vinsanto 2002, Late release, Estate Argyros

Not to be confused with the fortified wine ‘Vin Santo’ from Tuscany, Vinsanto hails from Santorini in Greece and is made with Assyrtiko that has been aged for a significant amount of time. This 2002 late release was made with Assyrtiko grapes from over 200 year old vines and aged for at least sixteen years. It has insane complexity and is  beautifully balanced. You won’t want to mix this super special one - sip it alone, over ice cream or with a nibble of dark chocolate.

Find here: Epinoia.co.uk

Price: £76.70 Link

Enjoyed this? Make sure to check out more of our wine content here.

10 Must Try Cabernet Sauvignons From Around The World

We love this heavy-duty, thick-skinned grape with its full-bodied, well-structured, punchy character and because of this hardy nature, you can find Cabernet Sauvignon pretty much everywhere.

Today, we’re focusing on the key styles as we embark on a globetrotting adventure through France, Chile, USA, Argentina, and Australia. We’ve got two of the best options from each to present you with, one representing incredible value, and the other giving you the chance to splash out on something special. Let’s dive into the purple pool of Cabernet Sauvignon.

FRANCE

Domaine de la Baume Cabernet Sauvignon Les Thermes 2020

This is a captivating 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ruby red bursting with blackberries and blackcurrants against a woody, coffee bean backdrop. The structure, elegance and cosy character of this wine is exceptional, especially for the price, and it’s also delicious alongside fancy cheese.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9.99

Les Mougeottes Cabernet Sauvignon

A warming hug of a wine, this Les Mougeottes Cab is moreish well rounded and full-bodied, but does retain a certain lightness. A bright bouquet of oaky vanilla invites on the nose, before the smooth mouthfeel reveals blackberries, plum and dashes of coffee and subtle tobacco. Silky and sophisticated.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.75

CHILE

Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep, intense, and full of personality, this Maule Valley Cab is aged in a combination of French and American Oak barrels. The results is pretty remarkable for the price – a delicious inky red layered up with dark wood, tobacco, vanilla and rich fruits that linger. So, so silky too – a must try for a tenner.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10

Ventisquero Grey Glacier Cabernet Sauvignon

This Chilean gem boasts a dark ruby hue with a violet touch, delivering a symphony of flavours from plums to blueberries, and a touch of wet leather for that intriguing edge. The party continues with dark chocolate, coffee, and a hint of black pepper on the palate, embraced all the way by robust tannins. Complexity wise, this is a real benchmark and whilst the initial intensity isn’t as strong as some, it just gets better and better.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £17.95

USA

Apothic Red Cabernet Sauvignon

Time for some American Cab now. Picture jammy dark fruits and vanilla essence silkily entwining as the Cabernet and Zinfandel grapes combine. There is subtle smokiness, but this liquid is all about the oaky, vanilla and dark fruits riding on that wonderfully smooth texture.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9.50 (usually more!)

Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Meet this Napa Valley superstar, deep, rich, and full of intrigue. Aged in French oak for 16 months, the woody vanilla is tantalising. A flurry of dark cherries, blackberries and a little kick of spice fill the palate, with a supremely balanced profile and lingering peppery finish. Exquisite.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £18.49

ARGENTINA

Vinalba Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Over to Mendoza for a punchy and powerful expression now, with Vinalba Reserve. rafted by the winemaking virtuoso Hervé J Fabre, the nose is a classic blackcurrant symphony with hints of cherry and a spicy plum cameo. Its palate is a red carpet of rich blackcurrant flavours, leading to a smooth, juicy, and delicately spicy finale that leaves you wanting to return for another sip straight away. Fantastic alongside hearty stews or venison. Serious bang for buck with this bottle.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £11

Luigi Bosca de Sangre 2020

There’s a reason we reference Luigi Bosca a lot, and that’s because the portfolio is just superb. This suave Cab really is one of the best out there, brimming with black fruit swagger, comforting peppery warmth, silky tannins, and a powerful, full-bodied punch. The centuries of craftsmanship in this family business are in every drop and it’s so difficult to go wrong with this.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.3%
Find here: £21

AUSTRALIA

McGuigan Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

If you’re hunting for value, then this is a must try. Hailing from New South Wales, it’s vibrant and fruit-forward, particularly with ripe blackcurrants. Classic oaky vanilla provides support, as well as juicy cherry and trademark silky tannins. There aren’t any major shocks, this is just gloriously well-rounded and loveable Cabernet Sauvignon from Down Under.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.75

Bird in Hand

Straight from the Adelaide Hills is this interesting Australian Cab, with explorative notes of plum and blackcurrant, but also a violet florality and nuanced flavoursome oak. The elegance and structure are to die for, with generous depth framed by lush, long tannins. The fruits are juicy, but with touches of sourness and acidity that round everything off brilliantly. A true stand out and such a treat.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £15

Prefer a glass of Pinot? You’re in luck because we’ve just been settling on our favourites for 2023 here!

KFC and Dead Man’s Fingers Unite for New Spiced Rum

We’re more than used to unusual drinks collaborations by now, but KFC and Dead Man’s Fingers still raised an eyebrow from us. Introducing the limited edition '11 Herbed and Spiced Rum', a bespoke blend born from the unexpected marriage of Kentucky zing and Cornish soul, aiming to tantalize taste buds and show that innovation pays off.

It’s a curious infusion of Dead Man's Fingers' spiced rum with a dash of KFC's legendary secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. Yes, the Colonel's finger-licking formula is part of this spirited concoction! This audacious blend has been artfully crafted to mark the occasion of National Rum Day (16 August), giving you a delightful reason to raise your glass and toast to creativity.

So, let’s get into what you must be wondering – the taste. Well, KFC say this, ‘Although the Colonel’s recipe remains a secret, we can reveal it has the perfect balance of our herbs and spices including black and white pepper, together with the freshly fried goodness of our golden breading that makes our chicken taste so damn good. Infused with the unmistakeable notes of Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum, the new tipple also has whispers of creamy caramel, vanilla, treacle toffee and nutmeg’. So, on the surface of it at least, there’s no reason why the flavours wouldn’t work, but we’re yet to try (though we would love to!).

If you’re local to Margate, then you’ll get the opportunity to attend the pop-up chicken and rum shack to launch the new bottle, where you can even see how it works in a cocktail courtesy of expert on site mixologists. Zinger Punch or Colonel’s Colada anyone?

If you want to try it at home, then Dead Man’s Fingers suggest a cola pairing if you can’t pull together one of their cocktails, and you can purchase from Amazon (among other places) for £25.

5 Need To Know Weird Beers

If you’ve got even a passing interest in beer then you’ll have definitely come across some peculiar flavours over the years, and there’s no shortage of them in 2023. We embrace the weirdness, but that doesn’t mean they all taste good. In fact, a lot of them miss the mark.

Below are 5 need to know weird beers that we think are really worth a try, from pale ales that sound appetising off the bat, to ales that need to win you around. Cheers!

Northern Monk + Aunt Bessie’s Apple Crumble & Custard Pale Ale

We can always rely on Northern Monk to collaborate with the unexpected and concoct an unusual beer. In the past there’s been Seabrook’s Prawn Cocktail and Cheese & Onion cans, and in fact this isn’t the first time they’ve teamed up with Aunt Bessie’s, releasing a Sunday Dinner Brown Ale previously. These past creations are no longer available, but their newer release, ‘Apple Crumble & Custard’ is and it’s one that is far easier to immediately get on board with. The custard is more forward, with the apple bringing a subtle, candy style flavour. Overall, it isn’t too overwhelming as you might expect and does provide a nice nostalgic sweetness!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.5%
Price: £2.50

Fungtn Lion’s Mane IPA

We’ve mentioned these low-alcohol gems before because of their innovative use of medicinal mushrooms. The natural starchy quality of mushrooms complements brewed beer, for example, Lion’s Mane IPA uses Lion’s Mane mushroom. This gives earthy depth, building on the subtle caramel, hay notes among the bitterness. This IPA won has won numerous awards but check out their other mushroom projects like Reishi Citra Hop and the new Shiitake Dark.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0.5%
Price: 12 for £33.60

Eagle Brewery Banana Bread Beer

You might have had enough of banana bread when everyone started making it during the pandemic, but now you’ve had a rest, how about experiencing it in a whole new form? This Eagle brew uses their own natural mineral water and Fairtrade bananas, bringing inviting banoffee aroma with the silky, rich malt blend and touch of peppery spice. Unlike so many flavoured beers, it does really taste of banana, and it’s delicious.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 5.2%
Price: 8 for £12.50

Hammerton Crunch Peanut Butter Milk Stout

Smooth and silky texture, this is like drinking liquid peanut butter… albeit the stout version. It took tonnes of experimentation, but the balance of roasted peanuts and biscuit is spot on. It’s surprisingly light, with malty, chocolatey, coffee notes in the background. Delicious.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5.4%
Price: £3.70

Marmite Love Hate Ale Camden Town Brewery

This one completely lives up to the saying, so we just had to include it. Not everyone loves it, but those who do really do. Now, it is very yeasty, and the profile of Camden Hells unsurprisingly comes through, so if you’re drawn to that already then definitely give this a go. Real marmite, Pilsner and Munich malt combine for a smoky, bready for an unforgettable experience.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 4.8%
Price: 12 for £24.99

Take a look at our Beer Cocktails guide and experiment with these odd flavours in one of the recipes! You never know what you’ll create!

The Best Whiskies For An Old Fashioned

The definitive cocktail of the dram drinker, The Old Fashioned is so simple using just whisky/whiskey, a sugar cube, a little dash of Angostura bitters and an orange twist.

Like with all recipes so simple though, the base ingredient has to be good quality so you need a whisky that can live up to the headline act billing. There are so many directions you can take the Old Fashioned in using your drink of choice, be it smoky, zesty, spicy, or sweet, so have a read through of these bottles and the effect they’ll have on making a stunning Old Fashioned.

Classic Glen Moray

A complete favourite here at The Three Drinkers with so much flavour for the money. Fresh and sweet Speyside orchard fruits flood the palate, with rich honey and vanilla bringing sweetness and just a touch of lemony zest to keep you on your toes and add subtle refreshment to the cocktail. Such a popular and reliable Scotch and for good reason.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.74

Jura 10 Year Old Whisky

We can never praise Jura enough, a really characterful distillery on a tiny Scottish isle that sits at the centre of a resilient community which saved the production years ago and has gone on to completely flourish since. Jura 10 is now a prized inclusion in Jura’s core range, adored for its delicate, fragrant smokiness intertwined with velvety, sweet honied raisin notes and hints of cocoa and vanilla. A decade of maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a sherry cask finish, imparts complexity and depth on your Old Fashioned too.

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

Deanston Virgin Oak Single Malt

We loved sipping our way through Deanston on our podcast, and their Virgin Oak Single Malt is perfect for cocktail versatility. Crafted by hand, it matures in ex-bourbon casks from a Kentucky cooperage, then blooms in virgin oak casks, creating a subtly zesty and spiced character that will really bring out the best in the Angostura. Aromas of heather honey, green apples, and citrus zest lead to candied fruits and creamy toffee on the palate, all before a lingering finish with spices and honeyed malt. And let us tell you, this tastes so much older than it actually is so the value here is immense.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.3%
Find here: £27 (usually more!)

Glenturret 12 Year Old

Glenturret’s 12-year-old is always a stunning dram, and the latest batch is no different. European oak and American oak hogsheads casks boast creamy vanilla, and spiced, dried fruits that create a really appetizing profile in an Old Fashioned. The warmth of the spice here, with that touch of ginger in particular is a dream in the cocktail.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £64.90

GlenAllachie 15 Year Old

A real crowd pleaser and favourite of Billy Walker, GlenAllchie’s 15 year old is masterfully enhanced by sherry casks boasting dark chocolatey fig notes with indulgent mocha, honey and treacle flavours. The spices are sweet, there’s tremendous warmth, there’s smoothness and balance – it’s so complete. A jewel for Old Fashioned enthusiasts.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find here: £66.95

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Whisky

If you’re bored of Old Fashioned’s always ending up the same, then this is the one for you. Not a beginner’s choice, this is a dram that embraces the essence of Islay with quintessential peated single malt delivering serious smoke and a touch of medicinal, seaweed character. A decade of Bourbon cask ageing marries those peat notes with warm spice for a full body that carries a little surprising fruity sweetness and sprinkles of salt. Rich and briny, this will take your cocktail in directions you never expected.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £39.45

Well, now you’ve got the whisky, how about the Old Fashioned? Master the traditional recipe going back centuries here, and experiment with twists too – especially check out the Maple Old Fashioned!