What is Masturbitter?

what is masturbitter? LELO  beer

No, that isn’t a typo or a new niche style of German beer, it’s a limited-edition craft beer with one aim in mind – to break down the taboos of male sex toys and sexual wellness.

Over recent decades, there has been an increase in women’s confidence and comfortability to discuss sexual pleasure in an open way, but for many men it remains a private no-go topic. Or rather, the topic itself is spoken about, but with a layer of humour or irony.

Luxury sexual wellness brand LELO has conducted research which shows almost 60% of men don’t feel comfortable talking to their friends about these topics, despite nearly half admitting to using them. But when discussing matters over a pint, men said they did feel more inclined to open up. This sparked a stigma-breaking idea.

Teaming up with the Great Beyond Brewing Company in Hoxton, London, LELO created this bold, new craft beer, and with the intriguing name, stand out sexual design and statistics on the can itself, there’s no escaping the topic when sharing these with your mates.

It might just be a beer, but by triggering conversations like these, forward steps are being taken towards a deeper, modern understanding of masculinity and more honest, open relationships between men. After all, the humble chat over a pint has been the precursor to so many intimate conversations between men, but there’s one kind of intimacy that’s been missing.

If you want to get yourself a Masturbitter (we never thought we’d been saying that), then they’re available directly from the brewery here for £4.29!

Coffee Connoisseur's Delight: 8 Irresistible Coffee Liqueurs You Need to Try

coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Coffee cocktails thrive all year round with respective summer and winter favourites - the Espresso Martini and Irish Coffee. Often overlooked are the coffee liqueurs that mix so well into not just these, but all varieties of coffee cocktails, shots/shooters and even just as sippers over ice. Today, we’ve carefully curated a selection of the finest coffee liqueurs, and even one or two coffee spirits for the sake of variety (and because they’re too good to leave out).

If you love artisan coffee, don’t miss out on these eight irresistible coffee liqueurs, in no particular order…

Thomas Green’s Specialty Coffee Liqueur 

thomas green coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

When legendary Leeds bars Domino Club and Rolands had to close their doors due to Covid in 2020, brothers and bar masterminds Alex and Johnathon began crafting their own high quality spirits and liqueurs. Thomas Green’s (named after one of Leeds’ first coffee shops) is the result of this now highly successful venture. Perfect for an Espresso Martini or just sipping over ice. They achieve their deep rich coffee flavour from local coffee roasters Shilo, who use a cold brew extraction that the brothers mix with their own vodka. 

ABV: 25%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £20.55

Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur

cazcabel coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Multi-award winning tequila masters, Cazcabel have their very own coffee liqueur. You’ll find this at bars all over the country, best served neat and straight from the freezer. This coffee liqueur is particularly rich, decedent and heavy on the chocolate notes of coffee. Their liqueur is made from their Blanco Tequila, crafted in Jalisco Mexico, which shines through the sweetness of this bartender’s choice liqueur. Use this as a sipper, or maybe try it in a Coffee Margarita - the blend of citrus and coffee is exquisite! 

ABV: 34%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.99

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

mr black coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Mr Black have been at the forefront of coffee liqueur innovation since their conception in 2013, crafted by their lead distiller, Philip Moore. This premium bottle boasts rich coffee flavour and less sugar, making it perfect for balancing an amazing espresso martini. Their Australian distillery doubles as their very own coffee roastery, which sources beans from Ethiopia and Brazil. The attention to detail in each bottle of Mr Black Coffee Liqueur makes this a worthy addition to any mixologist's collection. Cocktails aren’t your thing? Mr Black will be perfect over ice on a hot day for any true coffee lover. Pro zero waste tip: this bottle makes a particularly beautiful DIY lamp or decoration when you inevitably finish every last drop.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £29.89

Mouse Kingdom Coffee Liqueur

mouse kingdom coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Manchester’s own Mouse Kingdom define themselves as an ethical, considerate and bartender led brand. Their beans (sourced from various countries and roasted in local roastery “heart and graft”) are extracted in a French press for over 48 hours to create an immensely potent and characterful coffee that they blend with their own English wheat vodka. 

The label on this bottle changes every 1500 sold, and they pay local bartender artists to feature on their new label. Everything from the balance of their liqueur to the actual bottle itself is designed to be perfect for bartenders mixing up hundreds of Espresso Martinis a day. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £29.89

Luxardo Espresso Liqueur

luxardo coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

It takes 30 whole days to infuse the flavour of Arabica coffee into Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. Luxardo has a huge influence on the wider drinks industry, and is still a family owned business operating out of Italy. If there's one thing Italy is known for, it is a history and expertise with coffee, and this local passion shines through in Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. This coffee liqueur is also vegan friendly and comes in at a higher ABV than many of its competitors, making for a punchier coffee note in a classic Espresso Martini.  

Size: 700ml 
ABV: 27%
Find here: £21.75

Masons Espresso Vodka

masons coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Now for something very different - Masons Espresso Vodka offers a dry alternative to the traditionally sweet coffee liqueur. This is a perfect coffee spirit for sippers who want all of the coffee flavour, without any of the sugar. The vodka is “vapour infused” (often used to infuse botanicals into gin) using beans from El Salvador, and works as the perfect base spirit for an espresso martini. Sub the regular vodka for this and see your classic cocktail elevated to new heights! 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.44

St. George Spirits’ Nola Coffee Liqueur

st george coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Image credit: Karl Steuk

California based purveyor of great spirits, St. George offers up this fantastic coffee liqueur, potent on the nose with notes of plum and dates, and a profound, modern tartness on the palette that you may find in most high end coffee shops. Beyond the coffee, Nola blend their coffee with chicory root and Madagascan vanilla to balance out the more bitter flavours and create a rounded, luscious and almost herbal coffee liqueur. This is a truly unique liqueur and one for the lovers of slightly more tart, herbal coffee. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £36.95

(One to Watch!) Black Gold Coffee Cafe XO

black gold coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

This soon-to-be-launched coffee tequila won the gold award at the recent Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal awards and it’s easy to see why! We managed to get our hands on a bottle and can confirm the hype! Mexico is a global coffee powerhouse and all that heritage is here, combined with their most famous spirit. It’s so warming, with heavy toasted coffee notes that coat the tongue. We always welcome more sustainable brands on the market, and with their all recycled bottles, Black Gold is sure to impress. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 34%
Where to Find: Black Gold Cafe XO will be available on Amazon, retailing at £30

You’ve got the best coffee liqueurs, but what about the best vodka for the most famous coffee cocktail - the Espresso Martini! Make the ultimate cocktail with these great vodka recommendations.

By Miley Kendrick

coffee connoisseur's delight: 8 irresistible coffee liqueurs you need to try

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Waitrose April/May 2024

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

Shoppers of Waitrose, listen up. April and May have some incredible wine bargains including Rosé, whites, and reds. The best thing is all the wines except one are below £10 but taste way more expensive. You’ve got till the 7th May to pick up some bottles, so let’s begin with some tantalising reds…

Waitrose Red Wines April/May 2024

Terre di Faiano Organic Primitivo

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

Terre di Faiano are usually a great source of value on the shelves and this Southern Italian Primitivo is no different. The palate is soft with a crisp bite to the finish, taking you on an easy-drinking journey of dark berries, oaky vanilla, and chocolate. Pizza and this sounds like perfection.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.99 (usually £10.99)

Grant Burge Barossa Ink Shiraz

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

We love seeing this wine on offer. A wide net of Barossa grapes, once decanted for an hour, deliver so much intense depth of flavour. Brooding blackberry, ripe plums and indulgent mocha notes dominate. Serve with hearty meats and it sings.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.89 (usually £10.99)

Fairview Barrel-Aged Pinotage

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

From the Western Cape comes this full-bodied, plummy Pinotage. This grape has come into a life of its own over the past couple of decades, and what a fine example of that this is. The oak ageing imparts the perfect touch of spice, and it retains a light smoothness that is moreish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.79 (usually £10.99)

Marques de Calatrava Reserva

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

Spanish Tempranillo here carrying heavy oak influence, but it works a treat. Cherry and plum rise and fall together amongst a silky-smooth backdrop and earthier, leathery notes. Simple but excellent.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £6.99 (usually £8.99)

Waitrose Rosé Wines April/May 2024

Eminence de Bijou

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

The aromas jump up from the blush pink and fill the nose with delicate summer fruits. The first reveals the weight and intense hit of strawberry alongside subtle herbal hints. Vanilla rounds things off as well as a surprising touch of spice. Really satisfying and a bargain at this price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.99 (usually £14.99)

Cellier de Rouffignac Coteaux d'Aix En Provence

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

This is a deliciously elegant Provence Rosé. The ripe strawberries are the star of the show, flanked by the aromatics of lychee and elderflower. It’s on the dry and crisp side as Rosés go and brings super impressive complexity. Oh, and it’s organic!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.99 (usually £13.99)

Waitrose White Wines April/May 2024

The Ned Pinnacle Sauvignon Blanc

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

This signature Waihopai Valley Sauvignon brings tonnes of citric aromatics and ripe white peach notes. It’s juicy, bright and pungent with New Zealand character. Just great for a tenna.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.99 (usually £12.99)

The Ned Pinot Grigio

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

Sticking with The Ned – what a deal this is below £9. It stands out a little from the usual Waihopai style, bringing salmon blush and rich, full-bodied stone fruits. But there’s also mineral depth lingering too. Interesting and well worth picking up.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8.49 (usually £10.99)

Amandla Sauvignon Blanc

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

This is a great South African brand headed up by Pray Dlamini, a new superstar of wine. It’s bursting with lemon zest, tropical fruits of pineapple and passion fruit and incredible freshness. It’s much less green tasting than most Sauvignon but that makes a nice change.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.99 (usually £9.99)

Paul Mas Réserve Languedoc Blanc

supermarket wine bargains waitrose april/may 2024 the three drinkers

From the renowned Jean-Claude Mas vineyards in Languedoc comes this floral gem. Juicy peach offsets vivid lemon, and there’s a slight oily texture that’s really nice. At the end, minerality creeps in too so it’s then total package.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7.49 (usually £9.99)

If you shop elsewhere then not to worry, check our website for our other up to date Supermarket Bargains!

Elevating Cocktails With Tea

elevating cocktails with tea the three drinkers.jpg

In the modern realm of craft cocktail bartending, bartenders are always looking for ways to impart complex flavour profiles with real depth into their signature slings. From organic produce such as fresh fruit and vegetables to specialist ingredients such as acid powders and thickening and emulsifying agents, anything that can add complexity in flavour and texture can and will be employed.

To understand how to use tea effectively, we must first understand the variations of tea. The two major categories are herbal teas made using various herbs and spices steeped in hot water and include chamomile, ginger, and peppermint teas, and tea coming from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, which has six further subcategories; green, white, yellow, oolong, black and dark. The difference between these six types of tea is how the raw leaves are processed post-harvest.

Tea has versatility in not only breadth but also depth. When using tea in a cocktail there are two main questions to ask yourself before starting your process - What kind of tea do I want to use? And what kind of flavours do I want to extract from the tea leaves? The answer to these questions will determine what kind of tea leaves to use and how to impart their flavours into your libation.

With this knowledge, we will explore some of the delicious brew-based cocktails created by bartenders worldwide and the various techniques they employ!

SPIRIT INFUSION

elevating cocktails with tea the three drinkers

The Earl Grey Marteani was created by legendary New York City bartender Audrey Saunders for the opening menu of her bar Pegu Club. This gin-sour serve is a brilliant introduction to tea, cocktails, and both in combination, owing to its ease of replicability and the fact that it is just damn delicious.

The recipe calls for Earl Grey tea-infused gin, which may seem daunting to a beginner but requires no speciality equipment and minimal active time. Simply add ¼ cup or 8 grams of loose leaf earl grey tea to 750ml of London Dry Gin and leave to steep for at least 2 and up to 8 hours, before straining through a coffee filter and bottling.

Looking at Saunders’ choice of process is intriguing here as an infusion into the spirit allows the alcohol to leech out the flavour faster than cold brewing it before turning the cold brewed tea into a syrup, as well as allowing for a more shelf stable product than a tea syrup!

With these pros, however, always comes a con. As alcohol leeches out flavours a lot faster than water, it also pulls out the bitter tannic profile contained in all kinds of teas. To combat this, Saunders added egg white to the drink to soften the bitter, tannic finish of the drink.

While infusing the tea into spirit was ideal for Saunders’ application, infusing tea into a whole bottle of gin may not be the most ideal for home bartending use, so let’s turn our heads to the alternative of tea syrups!

SYRUP INFUSION

elevating cocktails with tea the three drinkers

Image credit: 1820rooftopbar on Instagram

When infusing tea into syrup, your choice between hot or cold brewing the tea will determine the flavours you extract from the tea. A cold brewed tea will be a more delicate extraction with the predominant flavour coming from the process used to preserve the tea leaf post-harvest, whereas, a hot brew will give you a more tannic profile a lot more akin to your regular cuppa.

A great example of hot brewed tea syrup in a cocktail is the Apricot + Dragon Ball Tea from the 1820 Rooftop Bar in Edinburgh, which uses a blend of 5 different teas to mimic the flavour profile of Johnnie Walker Black Label!

We spoke with the creative lead on the project Connor Norris on his thought process for the choice of teas and method of extraction:

“The cordial made a lot of sense in this serve, and the blend of teas chosen was based on the tasting notes of Johnnie Walker Black label that were perceived by the team. Rooibos tea was the backbone of the blend, providing the malty base and bridging the gap between the flavours of tea, and single-grain whisky. Lapsang tea offered the smoke that Caol Ila brings, while Hibiscus brought the fruity notes of Cardhu and the floral profile of Glenkinchie. Earl Grey mimicked some of the tropical notes found in Clynelish, and to round it out, Breakfast Tea added the classic tannic flavours that are brought to whisky through their cask aging.”

Connor’s method of infusion was a hot brew using the sous vide, which allowed a quicker infusion for the high-volume purposes of the venue but also allowed the tannic dryness of the tea to contrast against the sweetness of the apricot jam used in the cordial.

It is an all-around delicious beverage so we suggest it as a fantastic example of what a tea cocktail can be if you get the chance to visit.

COLD DISTILLATION

elevating cocktails with tea the three drinkers

This one is for my fellow cocktail bartenders who stepped into the prep space of their new venue and saw a rotary evaporator (rotovap) for the first time and wondered what exactly they had gotten themselves into - a feeling I have known all too well.

Fear not! As while a rotovap is an expensive and intricate piece of equipment, the theory behind its use is far simpler than the column and pot still distillation processes used in the making of spirits. Applying the same logic of hot versus cold brewing of tea to the vigor of your boil in your distillation chamber, you can achieve an incredible variance of end product while starting with the same raw materials. A few things to note first:

  • As pressure drops, so does the boiling point of the liquid.

  • As alcohol by volume increases, the boiling point of the liquid drops.

  • A rotovap is by no means necessary in making great drinks, with tea or otherwise.

  • For the sake of example, we will look at making a tea liqueur using distillation.

If the main goal of the extraction was to pull out the bitter tannins from the tea, then keeping the pressure relatively high and boiling aggressively at a higher temperature is the way to go. Whereas if you want to extract the flavours of the tea leaf and how it was processed, drop the pressure very low and keep the temperature low to keep the liquid on a simmer.

An old head bartender of mine once said that using a rotovap is very similar to using a barbecue - learning to read the fire and use that to your advantage is one of the keys to good barbecues. In the case of a rotovap, learning to read the boil and pressure and adjusting those to achieve the flavours that you want from them is the key to good rotovapped cocktails!

With this new-found knowledge of tea and infusion methods, you can sling yourself up a delicious tea cocktail with minimal faff for the home bartender, or go all the way to distillation for the professionals! An exciting world awaits…

By Fowwaz Ansari

fowwaz ansari drinklusive the three drinkers

What Are The Most Popular Whisky Cocktails?

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Whisky cocktails are some of the most iconic and classic serves, but over the last few years, their popularity has somewhat dwindled. Margaritas, Mojitos, Martinis, and Piña Coladas have taken over, but we believe whisky is underrated and underordered when it comes to cocktails.

Nonetheless, the whisky classics are legendary and remain widely favoured, and when it comes to winter warmers, whisky can’t be beaten. We’ll cover those delicious concoctions, as well as the rest of the most ordered whisky serves in this Top 10.   

The Godfather

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

A contemporary classic, The Godfather is made of just two ingredients: Scotch whisky and amaretto, with the latter bringing sweet, almond, and stone-fruit flavour. Some people just have a dash of amaretto, others go half and half, but it’s a boozy alternative to water when it comes to softening the spirit, and enhancing any oaky, smoky notes.

Ingredients
60ml Scotch whisky
10ml amaretto

Method
Simply combine the two ingredients in a rocks glass filled with plenty of ice and enjoy. Leave a little bit of room so that you can add more amaretto if you wish!

The Rob Roy

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Overshadowed by the similar Manhattan cocktail outside of the UK, this historic serve is named after Scottish hero Rob Roy MacGregor, who had just been the subject of an opera at the time of its creation. It’s short and crisp, and it’s great for really letting the whisky shine.

Ingredients
50ml Scotch whisky
20ml sweet white or red vermouth
A couple of dashes of Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry (garnish)

Method
All you need to do to make a Rob Roy cocktail is pour Scotch, vermouth and your bitters into a mixing glass and stir well with ice. Strain and garnish with a pretty cocktail cherry. Because no ice ends up in the cocktail, you might want to chill your glass beforehand.

The Rusty Nail

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

The origins of the Rusty Nail’s name are lost to history, but we do know that it was the Rat Pack’s love for it that cemented its place in cocktail history. If you just can’t get enough of whisky, then you have to try this because not only is Scotch the main ingredient, but the only other ingredient has it in too! Drambuie is a honey, spice, and Scotch liqueur, which gives a sweet and punchy feel. A sophisticated slow sipper that lets the whisky shine.

Ingredients
50ml Scotch whisky
20ml Drambuie

Method
Simply combine the liquids into a mixing glass and stir well before pouring over plenty of ice into a tumbler. As easy as that.

The Hot Toddy

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Was this the tastiest medicine of all time? That’s how Hot Toddies began in 18th century Scotland, as a way to fight back the chills and colds of the brutal cold weather. Whisky is the king of hot cocktails, and the soothing intensity of flavour of a Hot Toddy is perfection on a cold night. Riffs are plentiful with this cocktail, as you can see here, but this original is just the ticket.

Ingredients
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
Use a handled glass to see those alluring colours (or just a mug will do) and first add hot water (just below boiling). Using the cinnamon stick, stir whisky, lemon juice and honey until everything is the same viscosity and then taste. Adapt with sugar or lemon or even more whisky for personal preference!

The Irish Coffee

We adore Irish Coffees at The Three Drinkers, so much so that we’ve got our own special guide for them here. And it seems like the UK does too because it’s one of our favourite hot drinks, competing with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. The recipe goes back to Ireland in the 1940s at Foynes Airport, and you can find the full interesting backstory watching The Three Drinkers in Ireland. Indulgent, warming and velvety – nom.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons brown sugar
120ml hot coffee
45ml Irish whiskey
Cream lightly whipped

Method
Heat your glass first, before adding sugar, fresh coffee, and Irish whiskey. Pour the cream over the back of a spoon so that it sits seductively on top and enjoy – slainte!

The Mint Julep

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

The Mojito for whisky lovers, a good Mint Julep lures you in with icy freshness, before punching with sophisticated flavours. There aren’t many ingredients in play here, so it’s all about the quality of them and the ratios. It’s a Southern States favourite but you can find it across the world in many bars.

Ingredients
65ml bourbon
10 mint leaves (save some for garnish)
15ml sugar syrup

Method
Shake bourbon, mint, and syrup with ice before straining into a highball glass or julep tin, filled with crushed ice. If you want more minty flavour then use more mint, or muddle slightly. Stir well and add a mint leaf for aesthetics and fragrance.

The Sazerac

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

With whiskey and absinthe in the mix, this is a dangerous serve indeed. It’s seen as the cousin of one of the more popular cocktails later on this list, and it was crowned the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008. A twist of lemon or orange is a necessity to soften the boozy intensity a touch. Rye whiskey is the traditional spirit used (though it was French brandy centuries ago), creating a peppery, anise-laced bright and breezy mix.

Ingredients
 Absinthe rinse
10ml syrup
15ml chilled water
3 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
1 dash of Angostura bitters
50ml rye whiskey/bourbon
Orange twist for garnish

Method
Swirl absinthe round your glass. Ideally, you’d pour what’s left into the next glass and repeat but if you’re only making yourself a cocktail, then just try to use as little as possible to avoid wastage. Combine syrup, bitters, water, and whiskey in a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into your glass and garnish with orange for those gorgeous citrus oils.

The Whisky Sour

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

These last three cocktails are far and away the most popular whisky serves across the world. Closer to home, the Whisky Sour was the most ordered cocktail by men in the UK in 2017 – not just whiskey but full stop! Out of all the cocktails on this list, this is probably the hardest to pin down, but it absolutely has to be included. It first appeared as a Boston Sour in the 1870s, and now has tonnes of variations. Sometimes though, simple is best, and the below recipe is the modern classic.

Ingredients
50ml Bourbon
35ml lemon juice
12½ml sugar syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
½ fresh egg white
Cherry/orange/lemon for garnish

 Method
Shake everything very thoroughly with ice and strain into an ice filled glass. Many garnishes go well with this so take your pick out of cocktail cherries, orange twists or lemon wedges.

The Manhattan

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Legend goes that this popular order was first designed for a banquet hosted by Winston Churchill’s mother in 1870s NYC. Rye whisky is used, but because of its Prohibition history, Canadian whiskey has always played a big role too. Modern incarnations have taken it down various routes, from sweet and sour to swapping out the whiskey for rum or tequila.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon
25ml sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 dash orange bitters
Brandied cherry for garnish

Method
Combine everything in a mixing glass and stir well with ice until it feels chilled. Strain and garnish with a cherry, or ideally a brandied cherry! Delish.

The Old Fashioned

what are the most popular whisky cocktails? the three drinkers

Consistently one of the most searched for and sought after whiskey cocktails (even since Mad Men finished), the Old Fashioned is the most popular whiskey cocktail. It’s so simple because it’s effectively a glass of whiskey with a twist. Usually made from bourbon or rye, Angostura bitters, sugar and water are added to lighten, sharpen, and sweeten the mix. The polls show that this remains America’s favourite cocktail – over 200 years old and still going strong.

Ingredients
50ml bourbon/rye
Brown sugar cube
Splash of water
2 drops of Angostura bitters
Twist of orange to garnish

Method
Muddle (with the back of a spoon for example) sugar, water, and some orange peel. Make sure the sugar is dissolved – that’s essential. Fill the glass with ice, before slowly adding your chosen whisky and stirring. Orange twist for garnish and you’re all set.

Well now you’ve got your recipes, you need your star of the show – whisky! We’ve got some unique Scotch whiskies here, and delicious Irish whiskeys here!

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Sainsbury’s April 2024

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

Shop at Sainsbury’s? Love quality, affordable wine? You’ve hit the motherload! We’ve trawled through the offers for April’s best bottles and identified the stars. Here’s 5 reds and 5 whites that all cost less than £10, but taste far more expensive. The offers have already begun and you have until the 23rd April to take advantage!

Sainsbury’s Red Wines April 2024

Diablo Dark Red

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

We’re delighted to see this Chilean gem back on offer, although we have to say it more than justifies its full price too. The design may be devilish but make no mistake, this is heaven in a bottle. The fruity flavours are memorably deep, most notably cherry, blackberry and damson. Vanilla and dark chocolate round things off indulgently.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Carnivor Zinfandel Red Wine

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

You can guess from the name where this one takes you. It’s perfect alongside meats and everything you want from Cali Zinfandel – it hits hard and has great structure. The jammy blackberry is lovely and rich. It’s indulgent and well worth picking up below £10.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Journey's End Spekboom Syrah

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

Not only is this South African red delicious, it’s also got a really interesting background. Spekboom is also known as Elephant Bush, and it absorbs an incredible amount of CO2. Journey’s End plant loads of it, and still find time to make velvety, spicy reds like this. The savoury notes of smoky olives really bring everything together.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Altano Rewilding Edition Douro Red

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

This is another conservation-minded wine supporting Rewilding Portugal. On top of that, bucket loads of attitude and altitude make for a fresh and soft red driven by plum and damson. We’d serve this alongside midweek pasta dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

McGuigan Reserve Merlot

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

Ever reliable, McGuigan’s Reserve Merlot is a real crowd pleaser for £7. It’s pretty much the definition of easy drinking, with accessible notes of luscious plum, cherry and blackberry. It’s on the light side as Merlots go, but still full of deep fruits.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7 (usually £7.75)

Sainsbury’s White Wines April 2024

The Ned Sauvignon Blanc

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

The Ned are a constant source of value on the supermarket shelves. Their Kiwi Sauvignon goes with everything, delivering tremendous freshness and dryness. Think zippy lime, tropical touches and minerality where required. Solid as a rock.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Diablo Golden Chardonnay

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

Bargain Chilean Chard. There is all sorts going on inside this bottle. The buttery feel is instant, but then comes the tropical kick of pineapple, wet stone, and the gentlest waft of smoke. It goes on some surprising twists and turns, but it’s a delicious journey.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Rocca Murer Pinot Grigio Trentino

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

This is a crisp Trentino full of light citrus and peach, grassy notes and characterful minerality. Everything about it feels light and it strikes us as extremely food-friendly – think shellfish and vegetarian dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7 (usually £8.25)

Plaimont Côtes De Gascogne Colombard Sauvignon Blanc

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

What a punch for the money. Hailing from sunny Côtes De Gascogne, the razor acidity really slices through with this wine. Colombard is introduced bringing a softening effect but it’s the bundles of bright citrus that steals the show – perfect for tonnes of meals.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £7.25 (usually £9)

Amandla Our Future Sauvignon Blanc

supermarket wine bargains sainsbury's april 2024 the three drinkers

We’re always happy to shout out this wine. The distillery it comes from is a great South African female-led all black enterprise, and their wines totally brighten up the shelves. Their vivid Sauvignon is brimming with zesty citrus and tropical passion fruit. Sharp as a knife and utterly delicious. £8 is a steal.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £9.50)!

If you shop elsewhere then not to worry, check our website for our other up to date Supermarket Bargains!

5 Stunning Pink Cocktails to Make at Home

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Think of pink and perhaps the girly ‘life in plastic, it’s fantastic’ fuchsia of Barbieland comes to mind. Or pretty pastel pink cardigans lovingly knitted by granny for a baby girl. Did you know, it’s only in the past 100 years that pink was first associated with femininity. Before that it was simply a colour. What changed? After the war, several companies latched onto a novel marketing idea to categorise pink for girls and blue for boys. It caught on, eventually causing human perceptions in the West to shift which still bears influence over many people’s beliefs today. 

There now exists an ‘International Day of Pink’ every 10th of April to raise awareness against bullying and discrimination in the world. To show support for diversity, we are invited to wear pink. That’s it. Perhaps you already wear pink? Good decision, because it's believed pink can psychologically uplift us and make us feel happy and bubbly. 

Our focus is, of course, on the drinks and what better occasion to bring happiness and bubbliness to your drinking in the form of pink cocktails. Don’t be misled into thinking all of them are sugary sweet. either, because the recipes below have all been chosen for their harmonious balance of sour, bitter and sweetness.

PINK PALOMA 

A TEQUILA-BASED COCKTAIL THAT’S SIMPLE TO MAKE. STRONG, FRUITY AND BITTER.

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

The Pink Paloma (a lengthened Margarita) is one of the most popular drinks in Mexico. Tequila, pink grapefruit and a pinch of sea salt make an irresistible creation to balance sour and sweet. This amount of freshness and tartness all in one glass will momentarily carry you off into holiday mode, even on a school night. Even if you’re not into grapefruit, I urge you to try a Pink Paloma: the sweetness of the agave offsets the bitter citrus well.

Ingredients
50ml blanco tequila
25ml grapefruit juice
12.5ml lime juice
7.5ml agave nectar/syrup
50ml soda (grapefruit or ordinary)

Method
Pour salt onto a small plate. Rub the rim of a Collins glass with lime wedge, then dip into salt, turning to coat. Shake the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup with ice until well chilled. Pour/strain into glass with or without ice and top with soda. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or slice. 
For a non-alcoholic version, leave out the tequila but still include agave syrup (also known as agave nectar) which is alcohol free and will give lovely cactusy notes.

PINK VODKA LEMONADE COCKTAIL

AN EASY TO MAKE, BABY PINK DRINK THAT’S A REFRESHING BLEND OF SWEET AND TANGY.

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Are you a vodka drinker looking to jazz up a regular vodka and lemonade? Try adding a splash of Malibu, cranberry juice and sparkling Sprite instead of regular lemonade. Most grown up girls have known a time in life when only cranberry juice can put things right. So if life gives you limes and you’ve got cranberry juice to hand - turn to this cocktail. The bitter tang of the pink cranberry is balanced by tropical coconut and pineapple hints in the Malibu and the fizz of added lemon and lime from the Sprite has never knowingly undersold anyone’s happiness. There’s also a zero sugar option for those watching the calories.

Ingredients
45ml vodka
15ml Coconut Flavoured Rum (like Malibu)
10ml lime juice (or 15ml tablespoon if using regular lemonade)
20ml cranberry juice
Lemonade (Sprite or Sprite Zero Sugar works great)

Method
Combine all the ingredients in a glass, add ice and give it a good stir. La voilà! Lovely without any garnish but if you’d like to infuse some earthy tones, add a sprig of thyme.
For a non-alcoholic version give Sprite, cranberry juice and lime a try. You can easily determine the vibrancy of colour yourself by adding more cranberry juice if you like. You’re the boss.

RASPBERRY GIMLET

IF HAPPINESS WAS A DRINK… THIS IS THE ONE TO SIP.

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Image credit: Gin Squares

A Gimlet is a simple cocktail - two parts gin, one part lime juice. This vivid cerise riff on a Gimlet has the tart sweetness of raspberries added, muddled in to make that glorious colour. This beauty tastes as good as it looks. Barbie would definitely approve and it’s so simple, even Ken could (probably) make it.

Ingredients
50ml gin
25ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup or raspberry syrup
Raspberries to muddle
3 good raspberries for the garnish

Method
Muddle and shake with ice and double strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with three fresh raspberries on a cocktail stick or skewer.
For a non-alcoholic raspberry fizz, leave gin out, muddle the fruit in lime juice and raspberry syrup, double strain and top with a splash of soda. 

LUCIEN GAUDIN COCKTAIL

A VINTAGE FRENCH RIFF ON A CARDINALE (NEGRONI WITH DRY VERMOUTH). VERMILLION IN COLOUR, ELEGANT AND SUPER TASTY.

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Image credit: Julian Vallis

Can’t decide between a Martini and a Negroni? This is a Negroni inspired drink with a citric orange riff! The colour is pink and fun. Lucien Gaudin was a French champion fencer who competed in several consecutive Olympics in the 1920s. He was described as ‘poetry in motion’ for his strength and seemingly effortless control. The cocktail named in his honour dates back to 1929. It’s a strong one that amplifies the bitter orange aspect with the addition of dry vermouth and orange liqueur. The proportions below are true to the original recipe that won the Honorary Cup at the Professional Bartender’s Championship in Paris in 1929.

Ingredients
60ml Gin (Hepple is nice for it)
20ml Campari
20ml Cointreau
20ml Noilly Prat Original Dry Vermouth 

Method
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir to chill. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass and garnish with an orange twist. As this is such a spirit-forward cocktail there is no non-alcoholic equivalent! Serve on-the-rocks. Use bigger ice if you are unsure if you will like the dilution.

THE WIBBLE

CREATED IN 1999 BY DICK BRADSELL, THE GODFATHER OF THE LONDON COCKTAIL REVIVAL. A MODERN BRITISH CLASSIC.

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Image credit: Zach Sapato

Fellow #DRINKLUSIVE mentee Zach Sapato, US and UK National Champion Bartender, got the opportunity to make this cocktail for Bea Bradsell when she wanted to honour the anniversary of the passing of her father Dick. If you didn’t know, Dick Bradsell was the inventor of the Espresso Martini and The Bramble, two of the most popular cocktails of our time. Here’s how Zach made it:

Ingredients
25ml Sloe gin
25ml Beefeater Gin
25ml grapefruit juice
5ml lemon juice
5ml mure
5ml sugar syrup

Method
Shake ingredients with rock ice. Strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a lemon twist!

That’s five, but are you ready for a bonus cocktail? Don’t say we don’t treat you…

CHAMBORD ROYALE

ROMANTIC PINK FIZZ FOR CELEBRATIONS LIKE ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDINGS AND WETTING THE BABY’S HEAD. (IRRELEVANT OF GENDER OBVIOUSLY).

five stunning pink cocktails to make at home the three drinkers

Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur is crafted with 100% natural ingredients including blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants and infused with XO Cognac and other botanicals. It’s noted for its unique flavour, unmatched quality and distinctive orb-shaped bottle. It’s a special bottle to keep in your drinks cabinet should an occasion for celebration arise unexpectedly. To make a Chambord Royale, simply serve 120ml of Brut Champagne in a flute or coupe glass, add 15ml of Chambord. It turns your bubbly pink which can then either be garnished with a raspberry if you wish or just leave it as nature intended. 
Prosecco, ‘Nosecco’, Cava and Sparkling Wine work just as well, if you’re watching the pennies or not drinking alcohol. It’s the Chambord that makes this so special. Why? Because it turns your bubbly pink. That’s something to feel happy and bubbly about. A perfect cocktail for all who care to Think Pink, Drink Pink.

By Robbie Jerram

robbie jerram drinklusive the three drinkers

Wine Lovers Must-Know: The Ideal Serving Temperatures for Every Bottle!

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

Whether it’s a weeknight after a hard day’s work, or you have been planning to open that bottle on a special occasion, there is nothing more important than serving your wine at the ‘right’ temperature. Whites well chilled. Reds at room temperature. Sorted, right? Yes and no.

There is a tendency for white wines to be served too cold, and red wines too warm - even in some bars and restaurants. We wouldn’t go so far as dipping a thermometer in every glass but being aware of it makes a surprisingly big difference to your enjoyment of the wine.

The average temperature of a domestic fridge is 4-6ºC, which is too cold for most whites or Rosé. But have you heard some seasoned drinkers even lightly chill their reds? The wines below are examples of the most commonly drunk categories in the UK; with the suggested temperature range as general guidelines. Our palate is highly personal so trust what works for you and your drinking companions. It is more art than science!

Sparkling and Sweet Wines

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

The basic rule is, the lighter or sweeter the wine, the cooler the serving temperature – around 5-10°C. Too cool is better than too warm as a cold glass of wine will quickly warm up indoors or outside in the summer. 

A fine sparkling wine such as the Busi Jacobsohn Blanc de Noirs 2018 or Champagne equivalents are best served straight out of the fridge (4-6ºC) and kept cool in a bucket with ice and water, or wrapped in a rapid Champagne cooler you keep in your freezer. Remember that as the bubbles dissipate, your glass of fizz is warming up too. When served too warm, the sparkler can lose its sparkle and taste flat, if not totally lifeless. Vintage champagnes would benefit from a slightly warmer range between 8-10ºC to help its subtle nuances emerge. 

The Royal Tokaji Blue Label Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2014 is a delicate and refined sweet wine from Hungary which goes down a treat with blue cheeses and fruit desserts. It is best served between 7-10ºC but experiment with even warmer temperatures as the honey nectar opens up in your glass. 

Rosé and Light-bodied Young Whites (e.g. Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio)

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

A typical Provençal Rosé such as the Miraval Sainte Victoire and aromatic dry whites such as the Faustino Rivero Ulecia Albariño from Rías Baixas, Galicia in Spain and the Shaw+Smith Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills, South Australia will all benefit from 20 minutes out of the fridge before serving. The three wines above have very different characteristics so experiment between 10-14ºC. Should you find the second glass begin to feel a touch warm, you can put the bottle back in the fridge for 10 minutes, or wrap a rapid wine cooler around the bottle and it will regain its freshness within minutes. 

What happens to a bottle of fine white served too cold?

bacchus wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

Forgetting to heed my own advice, this scrumptious LDNCRU Bacchus 2021 was immediately served straight out of the fridge (6ºC) when dinner was ready. There was hardly any nose. Was it over the hill? The first glass was bland with none of the tasting profile suggested on its back label: grapefruit, gooseberry and lemon zest aromatics with a herbaceous finish! By the second glass with the bottle left at room temperature (18ºC), the grapefruit flavours became evident with underlying minerality which is not so common with English wines. When the third glass was poured, oh my, there was a steely and complex salinity that would have worked so well with the food at about 15ºC. Too late as there was hardly any wine left in my only bottle! Lesson learnt.

Light Reds, Fortified wine and Fine Whites (e.g. Beaujolais, Darker Sherries and Best White Burgundies)

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

German Pinot Noir or Spätburgunder tends to be lighter than their New World counterparts (e.g. California, New Zealand and Oregon); and most Burgundy reds. If you wish to taste the wine at room temperature and find it a little flat or even lifeless, when it is too warm in the summer, it is indeed advisable to lightly chill your bottle in the fridge for 20 minutes. Pinot Noir is very sensitive to temperature change, and you should be able to taste the difference from a previously missing freshness. Try between 11-14ºC.

There is a wide range of sherries from Andaucía, Spain. The above On the QT Oloroso lies somewhere between the palest and driest Manzanilla (best drunk well chilled at 6-8ºC) and the sweetest Pedro Ximénez (PX) served at room temperature. Our palate also changes if the wine is drunk with hopefully complementary food rather than on its own. Oloroso can be served lightly chilled (12-14ºC) or at room temperature (18ºC) according to your preference.

The Domaine Jean Monnier & Fils Meursault is a fine Burgundy white that deserves care and respect. Such whites or their New World equivalents such as some Californian Chardonnay or South African Chenin Blanc are best served not too cold (14-15ºC).

Aged and Fine Reds (e.g. Barolo, Finest Bordeaux and Red Burgundies)

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

You might have heard of suggestions to open your aged or fine red and let the wine “breathe”. That is true but it does little to nothing as the surface area of the wine in contact with oxygen is so small.

The above Brunello di Montalcino 2016 and Château Saint-Ange St-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 are two fine reds best decanted at least two hours ahead of serving, to avoid sediment in your glass and let the wine aerate to release the aroma and unlock its full potential at room temperature. By that, we mean 18ºC and not full-blast central heating or the average Australian summer.

So if necessary, you can also lightly chill your finest reds before decanting. They will warm up rapidly with a large surface area exposed in a typical decanter, letting you discover the dark fruits, spice and tannins in harmony or not.

wine lovers must know the ideal serving temperatures for every bottle the three drinkers

Photo Credit: Will Wong

There is no precise temperature to serve any particular wine but avoid anything over 20ºC. We hope you experiment with the above general guidelines, and through trial and error, you will find that sweet spot where your tasting experience is greatly enhanced. But on your next summer holiday, will you ask for an ice-bucket for that bottle of fine red you ordered?

By WIll Wong

will wong drinklusive the three drinkers