The 7 Best Proseccos Under £15

Prosecco has taken a bit of a bashing in recent years, but we’re not sure why. It’s got every reason to be popular because it’s an amazing source of value and perfect for celebrating a special occasion without breaking the bank. That being said, you still need to be careful if you’re after quality under the £15 mark, so we’ve curated this list of excellence that punches way above its price tag. Pick out your favourite Italian fizz, pop it open and feel good!

Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé

Kylie Minogue's Prosecco Rosé is another hit from her extensive wine collection. This elegant sparkling rosé, produced by Zonin in Veneto's scenic Gambellara hills, boasts crisp and fresh notes of strawberries, raspberries, and blossom. The combination of Glera and Pinot Noir grapes does deliver a fair whack of residual sugar, but there’s definitely balance. With a pretty pale rose hue, it’s perfect for summer parties. The bottle’s baeautiful heart design adds a charming touch too.

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

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Prosecco Rosé

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Prosecco Rosé is all Glera grape and offers a fresh nose with intense red berry kisses – strawberry, red cherry and raspberry. This pale pink Prosecco definitely has a whack of sweetness, but it’s balanced by fresh acidity, featuring notes of grapefruit pith. Sourced from DOC vineyards in North-East Italy, this Prosecco is perfect with antipasti or light dishes like tomato sauces and fish where it really holds up.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £9.75

Alberto Nani, Prosecco Extra Dry NV

This organic Glera sparkler offers a vibrant, floral nose packed with peach, accented by apple, pear, lemon, and cantaloupe. It’s really quite a stand out, with a unique profile that’s pleasantly dry and crisp, intensely effervescent and beautifully bright gold. Pear, apple and pineapples intertwine for a wonderful all-rounder of a palate.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 10.5%
Find here: £9.49 (usually more!)

Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG

Priced at £9.50, Tesco Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG is cracking value. It’s brimming with flavour – think white peach, ripe pear, and white blossom. Sourced from the premium vineyards on Valdobbiadene Hill, it brings a really nice zesty refreshment too. Food wise it’s friendly and versatile, so would be good alongside canapés or light desserts in the sun on the patio.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £9.50

Freixenet Sparkling Rosé

Such a standout on the shelf, there’s a lot to love here. Freixenet Sparkling Rosé is light and effervescent, offering delightful notes of red berries over a delicate base of white flowers and apples. The blend of Glera and Pinot Noir provide great depth and elegance and overall, it just has that celebratory feel. Perfect for any time of day.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 10.8%
Find here: £11.95

La Gioiosa Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Valdobbiadene

La Gioiosa Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Valdobbiadene is a mouthful in more ways than one. Drinkers love the light, crisp profile of this Italian sparkling white which boasts delicious notes of lemon, orchard fruits, melon and honey blossom. It’s dry and fruity and cuts through with surgical acidity.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £12.99

Villa Degli Olmi Corte dei Rovi Prosecco N.V.

What a wine this is. With an incredible performance in competitions and a Vivino Best Pick stamp, this wine serially outperforms much more expensive rivals. The straw yellow pour from this 4th generation family winery reveals fragrant jasmine and vibrant citrus with apple. In the mouth, this floral-fruity blend continues with a gentle, creamy mousse. A subtle mineral touch brings some dryness towards the well-balanced finish and the flavour exploration you get for the money will leave you open mouthed. Delicious, and great alongside a variety of dishes too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £15

If you’re after some cheekier wines, how about surprising guests with The 8 Rudest Wines You Can Buy!

The Best Pimm's Alternatives To Try This Summer

If the British summer ever gets into full swing, you know exactly how to finish the question, ‘anyone for a glass of ‘………….’. Pimm’s debuted in the early 1800s, crafted by James Pimm as a tonic to aid digestion at his oyster bar in East London. Indeed, the tankard it was served in was known as a No.1 Cup – hence the name.

The classic Pimm’s ‘No. 1 Cup’ is a gin liqueur-based drink with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Today, it’s commonly served with lemonade, plenty of ice, and a mix of fresh fruit, making it the ultimate summer punch. The exact recipe is a secret, which has invited a host of other producers to have a crack at their own versions. This has resulted in some disasters, but also some worthy competitors… and as you’ll see, perhaps even some superior creations? But first, let’s start with the classic Pimm’s so we know what we’re comparing to.

Pimm’s No.1 Cup

The original, the benchmark, the irreplaceable? We’ll see. But what can’t be disputed is its position as the gold standard of British summer drinks. Its mahogany hue, with aromas of baked strawberry, orange rind, cooking spices, and a hint of medicinal herbs, ends with a delightful bitter quinine bite. Dark brown with a reddish tint, Pimm’s No. 1 offers a subtle blend of spice and citrus flavours. Quintessentially refreshing… but can we do better?

Size: 1L
ABV: 25%
Find here: £13 (usually much more!)

5 Great Alternatives to Pimm’s

ALDI Austin's Classic Summer Punch Spirit Drink

This is much cheaper alternative has a cult following for being not just an equal to Pimm’s, but for many people, better! Which? rated it number one, ahead of the original and all other own brand versions, praised for the refreshing flavour bursting with fruits. The harmonious balance and surprising layers of flavour is quite remarkable for the money. Try it and be the judge for yourself!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £7.99

Tesco Summer Cup

Tesco’s attempt is a fragrant blend of aromatic botanicals, zesty fruits, and delicate spices. With a rich cherry red hue, it looks and smells almost like Pimm’s but the taste reveals a clear difference. This is slightly spicier, more herbal and more bitter. But when mixed with the classic lemonade pairing the balance ends up about right. It’s somewhat simple with no fireworks, but absolutely does the job for under £10.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £8.50

Ableforth’s Summer Fruit Cup

Ableforth’s crack at a summer hit is a thing of beauty. At 31%, it’s punchier than Pimm’s but the alcohol is integrated softly into the whirlwind of rich fruits, lofty herbaceous notes and pronounced bitterness. Crafted by macerating strawberries, cucumber, orange, and mint in pure wheat spirit, it’s then re-distilled at room temperature. Perfect for Campari fans.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 31.2%
Find here: £17.95 (usually more!)

Sipsmith London Cup

What a bottle. Sipsmith London Cup offers a unique twist on the classic summer drink, infusing their signature London Dry with a host of interesting botanicals including tea, citrus, caramel, borage and verbena. With a lighter colour in the glass and flavours reminiscent of cola cubes and wild strawberry sweets, it finishes with a bitter bark bite and a pleasant weight from the higher alcohol content. Refreshing and distinct, it’s great with tonic or ginger beer.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 29.5%
Find here: £21.94

Cotswolds Summer Cup

This blend features two sherries added to the gin base, giving it a tangy kick. And you can tell it’s a real quality gin too. With a darker treacle hue and a bittersweet, caramel flavour, it boasts plenty of zest and a proper boozy punch. Big helpings of red fruit are balanced by cardamom, juniper, and lavender. Though not as thirst-quenching as Pimm’s, it’s still very quaffable. It’s very elegant inside and out

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £23

If you want more super summery drinks, try these superb simple rum cocktails.

The Launch of DRINK IT IN Festival in London

If you’re looking for a unique festival experience to round off the (so-called) summer, look no further than DRINK IT IN, which opens to the public on 7th September in Southeast London for the very first time! Here’s why it sounds like an absolute feast for the senses.

When it comes to food and drink, festivals are often dominated by bigger brands, but DRINK IT IN is designed by tastemakers for tastemakers, celebrating exceptional and distinctive smaller producers. You'll have the chance to sample and support everything from beautifully crafted alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to artisanal spirits and mood-enhancing cocktails. Check out the full list at their website link down below – there are too many to mention here!

An enchanting selection of drinks isn’t all, however. With so many drinks available, you’ll want to line those stomachs and that’s where the food comes in. An exciting variety of street food will be available, ensuring a wonderful culinary experience to complement your drinks. Senegalese soul food, luscious Korean wings and baos, as well as festival favourites like pizzas and burgers that pair perfectly with our wide range of drinks – it’s all there and more. Again, there are so many options so have a look and see which draws you in.

Where is all this taking place then? Well, what once was a multi-storey car park is now an artistic and cultural hub, hosting unforgettable experiences for Londoners and visitors since 2017 - Peckham Levels. It offers a dynamic blend of theatre, music, comedy, talks, and events, combined with the vibrant nightlife, food, and bar scenes of London. So, whilst there’s all this food and drink to get stuck into, there’s also local art everywhere, kids’ activities, music from DJs and live bands, cocktail-making competitions with Pritesh Mody from Sunday Brunch, sustainable fashion collections from All Saints founder Stuart Trevor and the opportunity to get professionally photographed as a model! Like we said, a feast for the senses.

Stuart Coleman, founder of DRINK IT IN and co-founder of non-alcoholic cocktail brand HAELU, comments: "We can’t wait to welcome people to the festival. It’s been a real team effort between the independent brands taking part, and our goal from the very start is to put smiles on the faces of everyone who joins us on the day. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a day full of flavour with friends and family."

With any festival, sustainability is a big challenge too, and DRINK IT IN has done their best to put on a great event without harming the environment by reducing waste, minimising single-use items and donating a portion of ticket sales to impactful organisations like The Drinks Trust, Equal Measures and Goal 17.

If you want to get involved, all the details are below:

When: Saturday 7th September: Afternoon session 12-5pm, Evening session 5-10pm
Tickets: Adult £17, Family £38 (two adults, two kids), Child £5.50 (under 5s free)
(And if you do fancy it, save yourself some money with our 15% discount code AIDY-DRINKITIN-15)
Where: Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Lane, London, SE15 4ST
Buy your ticket here.

Mount Gay Releases New Limited Edition Eclipse Navy Strength Rum

Rum’s Caribbean heritage goes way back to the 1600s so to be the world's oldest rum distillery takes some doing, and to still be at the top of their game is even more impressive. That honour goes to Mount Gay, who have just launched a new limited-edition rum: Mount Gay Eclipse Navy Strength. This release coincides with Cowes Week, a prestigious sailing event, highlighting Mount Gay's deep-rooted connection with the sailing community.

Established in 1703, Mount Gay has a rich history of crafting exceptional rums in Barbados. The new Eclipse Navy Strength, crafted by Master Blender Trudiann Branker, celebrates this heritage. Did you know that the term "Navy Strength" harks back to a time when sailors needed their rum to be potent enough to ignite wet gunpowder? This meant ensuring it was at least 57.1% ABV, the standard for Navy Strength.

"For this release, I took inspiration from Mount Gay’s long history with sailing," said Branker. "The history of navy strength spirits is fascinating and experimenting with the beloved Eclipse blend at navy strength revealed vibrant flavours. Whether with mixers or in cocktails, it is a delight."

First launched in 1910, Mount Gay Eclipse is renowned for its balanced and aromatic profile, featuring notes of vanilla, almond, ripe banana, and dark chocolate. This limited edition takes it a step further by incorporating older pot still rums aged between two to four years, enhancing its complexity. Bottled at the traditional Navy Strength of 57.1% ABV, Eclipse Navy Strength offers bold flavours of roasted pineapple, banana, mocha, and vanilla, all deliver with a big whack of boozy intensity.

It's a versatile expression that sounds like a lot of fun exploring over simply ice, but it’s perfect for classic and inventive cocktails alike. Mount Gay have suggested some tropical beauties that sound ideal for sunny sipping: 

Navy Paloma

Ingredients:
1oz (30ml) Eclipse Navy Strength
3-4oz (90-120ml) grapefruit soda
Garnish with grapefruit slice

Method:
Simply build in a highball glass and garnish with grapefruit slice.

Navy Punch

Ingredients:
1 oz (30 ml) Eclipse Navy Strength
0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh grapefruit juice
0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz (15 ml) orgeat (or vanilla simple syrup)
1oz (30ml) filtered water (omit water if making a single serve, simply shake and strain over ice)

Method:
A classic batch punch, simply mix everything together with ice in a jug!

Fresh Coco Mojito

Ingredients:
1 oz (30 ml) Eclipse Navy Strength
0.75 oz (22.5 ml) simple syrup (1:1)
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
2 oz (60 ml) young coconut water
10 mint leaves

Method:
Lightly press mint leaves in the bottom of the shaker tin, add rum, lime and simple syrup and lightly shake. Pour into Collins or highball glass, add coconut water and crushed ice to top. Garnish with mint!

Mount Gay Eclipse Navy Strength is now available at Master of Malt for £35. This limited-edition rum not only honours Mount Gay’s maritime legacy but also delivers an elevated tasting experience for rum enthusiasts – a win for everybody. Celebrate Mount Gay’s storied past and vibrant present with this remarkable new release, a true testament to their enduring craftsmanship and innovation. Cheers to 320 years of exceptional rum, and to many more in the future.

8 Interesting World Gins To Try

Although the British Isles is considered the home of gin, this article is a love letter to a unique collection of eight interesting gins from other world nations that are currently getting noticed. Let’s call it ‘Around the World in Eight Gins’!

Although some may be harder to find than others, once experienced, it won’t be hard to see why each is so highly regarded by judges and why they stand out in the global gin market because of local terroir, botanical herbs, fruit, flowers, or in recognition of their innovation and craftsmanship.

Our tour of these world gins begins in Spain, where gin drinking was first taken to legendary new heights back when gin and tonic was turned into an art form.

GIN MARE MEDITERRANEAN GIN (SPAIN)

Gin Mare is an iconic spirit brand, characterised by its savoury Mediterranean-inspired botanical profile of Spanish Arbequina olives, Greek thyme, rosemary from Turkey and Italian basil. The perfect gin to manage the emotions, this heady herbaceous gin gets you into a holiday spirit. As its aromas heighten the senses, you’re mentally transported to a place in the sun where vistas of azure blue sea brush with mother nature’s herbal bounty and coax you to taste the sunshine. As their marketing states: the Med is more than a place, it’s an attitude.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42.7%
Find here: £37.50

MONKEY 47 SCHWARZWALD DRY GIN (GERMANY)

Monkey 47 is named after its 47 botanicals (including lingonberries) many of which are sourced from Germany’s Black Forest. What’s special about this dry gin is the obsession with variety and innovation. They’ve fine-tuned a production process involving maceration, batch distillation, percolation and oxidisation. The local water used is soft and high quality and the handcrafted final product is bottled at a healthy 47% ABV. The custom-made, decanter-style bottles are dark glass to keep the exotically aromatic liquid protected from harmful ultraviolet rays. The gin is crisp, citrus-forward, reassuringly heavy and, as you’d expect, complex enough to please a true gin enthusiast’s curiosity.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £41.95

DOROTHY PARKER NEW YORK GIN (USA)

Deemed by some as the best American floral gin, Dorothy Parker Gin from the New York Distilling Company is made using a blend of traditional and contemporary botanical ingredients including juniper, elderberries, citrus, cinnamon and hibiscus petals. Although the floral notes are prominent, this is still very much a proper gin. The cinnamon spiciness develops wonderfully and is fantastic in gin cocktails.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: £34.75

FOUR CORNERS AMERICAN GIN (USA)

Made ‘from America’, this all-American gin is handcrafted using ingredients crisscrossing all four corners of the United States including wild juniper from the Pacific Northwest, yerba santa from the Mojave desert to Maine cranberries and wild cherry bark from Florida. The wide variety of botanicals works in harmony to showcase the best of the nation’s regions in one glass. It’s a terroir gin that celebrates the diverse and vast, iconic landscapes of the country. This gin was created to be a true taste of America and celebrated its success when it won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: $43.99

AMAZZONI GIN (BRAZIL)

The gin boom in Brazil is in full swing. Made at the first dedicated gin distillery in Brazil, Amázzoni Gin includes five botanical ingredients unique only to Brazil that shine alongside more traditional gin botanicals. These include cocoa, Brazilian chestnut, maxixe (a local cucumber-like vegetable) water lily and cipò cravo, a native flower similar to clove. It’s naturally earthy, floral and has some spice. A must-try.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42%
Find here: £37.25

GEELONG GIN (AUSTRALIA)

Adelaide-based Australian Distilling Co’s Geelong Gin out-tasted 60 gins from some of the world’s greatest gin brands this year when it won the overall Best of Class Platinum Award at the 2024 International SIP Awards. Proudly parochial, this uniquely Australian dry gin champions local ingredients to taste of the community that inspired it with overtones of raspberry sweetness to balance its peppermint gum and black pepper flavours. A story of innovation waiting to be discovered, Geelong is designed to be paired with a basil garnish in a G&T served as an aperitif.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42.7%
Find here: $83.00

ROKU GIN (JAPAN)

In Japan Roku means ‘six’ and each bottle of Suntory Roku Gin is infused with six uniquely Japanese botanicals that ripen throughout the year. Celebrating all four seasons of Japan, harvests occur at the peak of their season or “shun”. They include floral cherry blossom (sakura flowers are handpicked in Spring), and herbal Sencha and Gyokuro teas (plucked in Summer). In autumn it's time for the spicy Sansho pepper and winter is when the zingy yuzu fruit bursts into ripeness. Celebrate the bounty of nature, and careful craftsmanship and experience a year in Japan in every sip. Garnish with thin slices of ginger in a gin and tonic.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £31 (£25 Clubcard Price)

INDLOVU PINK GIN (SOUTH AFRICA)

Don’t poo poo this South African gin until you’ve tried it - it’s made using elephant-foraged botanicals, yes, ingredients eaten - then excreted - by elephants. Despite a varied diet, elephants only digest around 50% of their food which leaves a rich variety of pre-foraged plant life including roots, bark, fruit, flowers and seeds behind for reuse! To make Indlovu Pink Gin (Indlovu means elephant) the dung is collected by hand, GPS coordinates and date of collection noted, then dutifully washed, sterilised and dried for distillation with other ingredients including prickly pear. “The Bare Necessities of life will come to you” and give back as 15% of profits are donated to the Africa Foundation to support wildlife conservation. A gin that encapsulates the spirit of Africa and dares to be different is never to be forgotten. The circle of life.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: R369.00

So, the question is, how adventurous a gin lover are you? What flavours from around the world will you be adding to your home gin collection next and how much will you enjoy sipping these diverse gins that are so deserving of your attention? Happy sipping!

By Robbie Jerram

8 Red Leg Spiced Rum Cocktails You Can Easily Make at Home!

Image credit: Blake Acaster

For the uninitiated, crafting a well balanced cocktail at home can be an overwhelming task! Why even bother when you can crack open a crisp wine for your next house party? There’s always a time for wine, but we’re also firm believers in the merits of making something for your guests, and it doesn’t have to be complicated! Using minimal ingredients, a small shopping list and the smallest stock of equipment, you too can be the life of your next house party! We’ve teamed up with Red Leg Spiced Rum and Franklin & Sons mixers to show you just how easy it can be to make some delicious beverages! 

Franklin & Sons have a vast array of mixers to elevate your cocktail game without adding stress to the crafting of your drink or breaking the bank. Spiced rum provides a fantastic base for low-ingredient cocktails, as they’re full of spices and sugars that might otherwise be lost in a “simple three ingredient cocktail.” Red Leg blends their aged rum with sweet vanilla and ginger, and these deliciously layered flavours form the basis for today’s cocktails.

You can find Red Leg Spiced Rum Here: Master of Malt - £23
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 700ml

You can find Franklin & Sons here: Franklin & Sons Shop

Making Cocktails at Home

Making cocktails at home doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t have to spend crazy money to do it! Here’s some equipment that might be useful, and some cheap alternatives that will work perfectly fine on your kitchen counter: 

• A cocktail shaker is ideal, but in a pinch it can be replaced with a strong mason jar. 

• Strainers are essential behind a busy bar, but at home, you’ll do just as well with a mesh sieve. 

• Many cocktails need to be stirred with a bar-spoon, but using the long end of a normal spoon should do just fine. Pro Tip: Chopsticks do a wonderful job at stirring down a drink. 

• Crushed ice - cubed ice, a bag and a hammer will do wonders.

• Lovely glassware is great, and use the recommended glasses in this article as a guide, but use whatever you have at home. It’s supposed to be fun.

• Simple syrups. These can be store-bought but are cheaper to make at home. Simply combine equal parts sugar (white, brown or demerara) with hot water and dissolve. You’ve got a homemade syrup ready to impress! Fresh is always best.

Without any further ado, here’s… 

8 Simple Cocktails you Can Make At home

Caribbean Mule 

Image credit: Blake Acaster

This crisp, refreshing twist on the classic mule cocktail will keep your thirst quenched all summer long. Rum, lime and ginger beer is about as timeless a cocktail as you’re likely to get, and using a good spiced rum is a way to add complexity to the classic cocktail without overpowering it. For the best mule, always always use fresh lime, and muddle them into the glass to extract not only the juice from the lime, but the oils from the zest for added character. 

Ingredients: 
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum
4 Lime Wedges 
Franklin & Sons Ginger Beer

Method:
Muddle the limes in a copper mug (or a “mule mug”) and then add ice. Add the rum and fill with Franklin & Sons Ginger beer. Pull all the ingredients through with a spoon and serve. 
Optional Garnish: Mint and lime.

Spiced Ginger Julep

Image credit: Blake Acaster

Keeping up the theme of frosty classics served in unique vessels, this Spiced Ginger Julep is sure to leave your guests wanting more! Franklin & Sons’ Mandarin and Ginger soda adds a delightful freshness to this drink that one might not find in a classic julep, without skipping out on any of the alcohol content. Vanilla, ginger, mandarin and mint is a match made in pirate heaven! 

Ingredients: 
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
Handful of Mint
Franklin & Sons Ginger and Mandarin

Method:
Add all ingredients to a tin mug (or Julep Mug) and fill with crushed ice. Mix well to incorporate the mint and serve once ice cold and frosty. 
Optional Garnish: Mint Bouquet. 

Beachcombers' Hi-Ball 

Image credit: Blake Acaster

Did you know the classic Zombie cocktail was created by a legendary bartender (and avid rum-loving swashbuckler) who went by ‘Donn the Beachcomber’? The old recipe called for a secret blend of rum, spices and grapefruit. We’ve created this easy sipping ode to the Tiki giants of the past as a way to enjoy some of the exotic flavours of Polynesian paradise, without needing 14 ingredients and a flash blender. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
Franklin & Sons Grapefruit Soda
10ml Grenadine

Method:
Add rum and grapefruit soda into your funkiest tall glass, filled with crushed ice. Pop in a straw and top with more crushed ice to create an ice-layer, then drizzle the grenadine over the top. 
Optional Garnish: Cinnamon, mint, grapefruit. Umbrella, cherry, pineapple. Get Tiki! Go crazy! 

Sky High Mai Tai

Image credit: Blake Acaster

Even more Tiki! With this Sky High Mai Tai, you’ll be sure to host unforgettable evenings. The classic flavours of rum, lime and almond are balanced beautifully into this summery hi-ball cocktail consisting of Red Leg Spiced Rum, fresh lime (always fresh) and the decidedly Tiki Pineapple and Almond Soda from Franklin & Sons. If you’ve tried a Mai Tai before and found it to be a little on the strong side, we implore you to give it a second chance in the form of this cocktail.

Ingredients: 
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
15ml Fresh lime Juice
Franklin & Sons Pineapple and Almond Soda

Method:
Add cubed ice to a classy hi-ball glass, then simply add all your ingredients and mix with a spoon. 
Optional Garnish: Single, elegant pineapple leaf.

Light n’ Breezy

Image credit: Blake Acaster

It’s incredible how much variance you can get with ingredients as simple as rum and ginger. This time, we’re swapping out the muddled lime for the deeply herbaceous Angostura Bitters, and the much lighter Franklin & Sons’ Ginger Ale, creating an easy-going, ‘light n’ breezy’ cocktail that you’re bound to come back to again and again!

Ingredients:
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
Franklin & Sons Ginger Ale 
Angostura Bitters

Method:
Another super simple hi-ball cocktail. Add cubed ice to a gorgeous hi-ball, the rum and fill with ginger ale, mix well. Dash 2-3 drops of angostura on top to create a stunning aromatic layer.

Lychee-Guava Spritz

Image credit: Blake Acaster

This surprising combination of vanilla, ginger, lychee, guava and lime has all the complexity of a high-end cocktail with almost none of the work involved. If you don’t believe us, you’ll just have to try it for yourself. Sometimes the most contrasting ingredients make the most fun cocktails, as is this case with this globe-trotting spritz that’ll equally delight and amaze your guests! 

Ingredients: 
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
50ml Lychee Juice 
Franklin & Sons Guava and Lime Soda

Method:
Add all ingredients to a chilled, iced wine glass. The simplest cocktails are often the most delicious… 
Optional Garnish: Powdered Sugar painted on the glass (as pictured) 

Red Leg Daiquiri

Image credit: Blake Acaster

Classic cocktails are often much more simple than the average person expects. The Daiquri has a rich history, dating back hundreds of years and actually originating in the Royal Navy, rather than some sort of old-timey cocktail bar. The drink has stood the test of time, and Red Leg Spiced Rum adds an extra spiced kick to this simple classic. You can’t go wrong with rum, lime and sugar. 

Ingredients: 
50ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
25ml Lime Juice
20ml Demerara Syrup

Method:
Add all ingredients to a shaker, or a mason jar. Shake hard until chilled then strain into a coupe glass.

Red Leg Espresso Martini

Image credit: Blake Acaster

Espresso Martinis are unbeatable all year round cocktails! If you’ve reached this far into this article, you’re probably ready for a brew, and we have just the tipple for you! A potent blend of spiced rum, coffee liqueur and cold brew coffee makes for a well-balanced twist on the Espresso Martini. Remember to shake hard until it’s foamy and delightfully textured. Store-bought cold brew will do the trick, but nothing beats an Espresso Martini with top-notch homemade coffee. 

Ingredients: 
35ml Red Leg Spiced Rum 
25ml Coffee Liqueur
75ml Cold Brew Coffee

Method:
As above… Add all ingredients to a shaker, or a mason jar. Shake hard until chilled then strain into a coupe glass. 
Optional Garnish: Coffee Beans

You’re now armed to the teeth with eight delightful spiced rum cocktails. One bottle, infinite combinations. What are you waiting for? Call up your besties; happy mixing! 

By Miley Kendrick

Bodegas Hispano + Suizas: The Spanish Winery You Need To Know

Nestled in the picturesque Utiel-Requena region of Spain, Bodegas Hispano+Suizas is a testament to the dreams and dedication of three passionate individuals. Marc Grin, Rafael Navarro, and Pablo Ossorio, having spent decades immersed in the world of wine, embarked on a journey to create a winery that would make the most of the interesting viticultural area surrounding them. Their shared vision of accessible masterpieces and complementary but different experiences gave birth to Bodegas Hispano+Suizas, a name that honours the Swiss and Spanish heritage of its founders. Armed with expertise spanning traditional viticulture, cutting-edge winemaking techniques, and extensive experience, they needed to set up shop somewhere.

DOP Utiel-Requena

The excitement truly began in 2006, when the three brothers-in-wine set their hearts on a 61-hectare site in DOP Utiel-Requena, Valencia. With two centuries of history and continued renovations, the winery is always improving with plenty of work put in to adapt it for modern winemaking.

The surrounding region is renowned for its exceptional winemaking conditions. At 750m above sea level and 50km from the Mediterranean, the site enjoys cool breezes to offset the hot summers – allowing the trio to pursue some interesting varietals which we’ll get to later. Under the ground, clay-limestone soils contribute to the complexity and richness of the wines produced with their fantastic water and nutrient retention. All of this combined with Spain’s ancient vino roots means Utiel-Requena is one of Spain's most historic wine regions.

Of course, the passionate care given to the vineyard extends into the winemaking process itself. Harvesting at Bodegas Hispano+Suizas is a precise, environmentally friendly operation, spanning almost three months from the early August picking of white grapes for Cava, to the late October harvest of red varieties. Grapes undergo a cold soak to enhance their aromatic and phenolic qualities before fermentation in 400L American oak barrels. The wines are then aged in either these barrels or 225L French oak barrels from Allier, adding layers of complexity and elegance.

The Wines of Bodegas Hispano + Suizas

Now, the good stuff – the result of all that expertise and hard work. Their variety of grapes shows the strength of their set up, featuring whites of Chardonnay, Albariño, Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, and reds of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir (despite the heat), Petit Verdot and old vine Bobal. All the ingredients for unique and intricate flavour profiles are present, and that’s exactly what’s been bottled. Despite being a relatively young winery, they were honoured in 2016 as the "Spanish Winery with the Most Distinctions" by the Asociación Española de Periodistas y Escritores del Vino. As we’ve touched on, they have a broad selection but these are some favourites.

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Cava Tantum Ergo Chardonnay

Among their celebrated wines is the Cava Tantum Ergo, commended by Parker, Penin and Sevi with more than 90 points. If any of you are into your classical music, you may recognise that this, like all their wines, is inspired by classical music. This is a commitment to the founders' belief that a good wine must emerge like a symphony, each note in perfect harmony.  It’s a lauded Chardonnay and Pinot Noir mix pouring an intense golden yellow. Intense peaches and pastries hit the nose, before a powerful and creamy palate. The pairing with seafood is an obvious dream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £31.45

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Bobos Finca Casa La Borracha Bobal

Bobal is a local grape known for beautiful, flavoursome reds that retain their lightness, and the vines grown here are ancient. The notable French oak has matured the cherry and cassis into a full-bodied, velvety masterpiece, with an elegant toffee finish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £26.50 (usually more!)

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas Impromptu

This is their modern Sauvignon Blanc, awarded a stunning 97/100 in the 2019 SEVI wine guide and 95/100 in the 2023 edition. The aroma has been praised for its intensity, delivering a seductive mix of minerality, compote and tropical fruits, and it’s those fruits that dominate the flavour with richness and great acidity.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £28.09

Bodegas Hispano+Suizas has made quite the splash already, realising the dream and converging the talents of three friends who simply love wine. And with the aim of making exceptional wine that’s accessible also, more and more people will get to taste the rich tapestry that is Utiel-Requena's winemaking heritage – only a good thing.

How to Cool Wine and Beer Down Fast!

When everything else is sorted, is there anything more frustrating than a warm drink that should be chilled? If you find yourself with beer or wine that needs chilling pronto, then these tips will help. Now, there’s no magic involved here – if you want your drink colder, you’re gonna need to get the cold to the drink, either by putting something in it or around it.  Some require more effort than others, but all of them will make serving chilled drinks easier in the future. These are the best ways to cool down your wine and beer.

In the fridge

Well, it might be stating the obvious but by the time you’ve looked elsewhere for cooling options, your fridge could be doing the job. Obviously, if you’re on the move this isn’t an option, but if you’ve got the time, a fridge is the safest and most reliable option. No effort is needed, you just plonk it in. Depending on your fridge, it’ll take between 30-60 minutes to reach the temperature of your fridge… which you can usually adjust easily by the way! Sure, this isn’t going to work if you want to get drinking straight away, but if you can wait then it’s perfect. Oh, and chill horizontally – it cools quicker!

In the freezer

The pros and cons of the freezer are somewhat obvious. Of course, your drinks will chill quickly, in fact, they’ll be refrigerated temperature in about 15-20 minutes. However, if you are forgetful in any way, avoid this method. Beyond 20 minutes, wine bottles, beer bottles and cans will become structurally unsound and leak, crack or even explode – particularly if there’s plenty of bubbles. Also, the aromas and flavours will likely be altered and possibly ruined.

With a wet paper towel

This is something you can add as an additional trick to refrigeration or freezing. Wrapping a wet paper towel or tea towel around your bottle or can will speed up the cooling process because the cold is transferred to the liquid more efficiently. For example, in the freezer, you can expect your drink to be chilled in 10-15 minutes. If the towel is stuck to it when you take it out the freezer, just run it under the warm water tap for a second and it will slide off easily. Quick and effective.

With frozen grapes

For wine, toss a few frozen grapes into your glass. They chill your drink without watering it down, getting it to the perfect temperature within minutes. Plus, they’re edible and add a fun twist to your drink! What a useful garnish.

With metal stones

Along a similar vein as frozen grapes but more versatile and reusable are metal stones or whisky stones, which are essentially ice cubes that don’t melt. They often have a freezing gel inside or just conduct the cold brilliantly and will cool your drink down at the same rate as ice cubes – but with zero dilution. They don’t stay cold for that long though, be aware.

In an ice bucket

The bar and restaurant classic. If you have ice and a bucket available to you, this one is practical because it will chill your drink in less than 10 minutes, and you can pop it next to you to keep your next pour a crisp one. Remember to add a good amount of water as well as ice, and also a little salt lowers the freezing point of the water to make the ice melt faster and chill your drink quicker. A bottle of wine in a bucket of ice also looks pretty cool too.

In an active cooler

Most coolers promise to maintain the temperature of the things you put in, but active coolers bring the temperature down. Of course, power is required, so if you’re at the beach or somewhere then this won’t be any good, but if you’re by a plug socket, you’re in business. We recently identified our favourite coolers here. Each one has different weights, volumes and power but should take about as long as a fridge to cool your drinks.

With a corkcicle

These are neat and fairly new invention under a few different brand names. As you can see from the image, you freeze your ‘corkcicle’ for at least 90 minutes so it’s ready to replace the cork, or lid, of the wine you’ve just opened. Except with the corkcicle, the chilled extender reaches to the bottom of the bottle, chilling the liquid within. You can even pour through a tiny hole in the top of the cork. There are a few different options available online, so we won’t link a specific brand, but they all do similar things.

If you want to avoid this issue all together than a cooler is always best, so check out our best suggestions whatever your situation.