I can’t believe the August bank holiday is looming already!
This summer seems to blow hot and cold – as I type this it feels quite autumnal, but warmer weather is hopefully on its way again soon – at least in time for the long weekend.
During our brief summer, I’ve been finding out about some great summer drinks for you:
Pomello Aperitif
This is an alcoholic liqueur (18% ABV) that incorporates the flavours of pomelo (a variety of grapefruit) and elderflower. It’s delicate and slightly sweet but has a gentle bitterness too, and great for cocktails including a spritz, a margarita, a martini and even just with soda or tonic. It’s very versatile and offers you ‘summer in a glass’.
Around £27 a bottle from its website, or Drinks Supermarket, the Whisky Exchange and other fine wine stores.
Aluna Tropica
This new rum gives a true taste of the tropics and will delight rum aficionados as well as convert anyone who says they’re not rum fans.
A blend of premium rums from Sri Lanka, the Caribbean and South Asia, this golden drink bursts with flavours of pineapple, lemongrass and almonds, finishing with honeyed spice. It really is most unusual and it will take you on a flavour journey to the tropics.
£32 a bottle from alunacoconut.com.
Tesco Blood Orange Spritzi
This spritz from Tesco is a ready-made take on the classic Aperol Spritz and it’s surprisingly good. It’s fruity and refreshing, made with wine and natural blood orange flavourings.
This aromatic aperitif is a combination of blood orange and bitter herbaceous flavours for a refreshing zesty drink that’s great for sharing. Serve over ice with a slice of orange.
And it’s stonkingly good value at just £5 a bottle.
Asda Canned Wines
Canned wines are great for any summer occasion and for those not wanting to commit to a full bottle, they offer a great compromise as well as a range of different wines.
Asda has launched its first range of wine cans, Pica Pica, with six varieties available: two white, two rosé and two sparklings. They’re very drinkable indeed and reasonably priced at just £2.50 for a 250ml can (a third of a bottle and equivalent of a ‘large glass’ in a bar or restaurant).
Choose from Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio Rosé, Sparkling White or Sparkling Rosé.
The Pica Pica range also has two canned wine cocktails: Cassis & Sparkling Wine Spritz or Elderflower & Mint Wine Spritz – and they’re only £2 a can.
Niche Cocktails
This company has created a range of premium canned cocktails that taste just as good, if not better, than those you’d make from scratch. Simply pour straight into a glass.
Whether a gin buff, whisky fiend or rum fan, you can choose from 3 or 6 can packs Negroni, Blood Orange Old Fashioned and Manuka Honey Whisky Sour are perfect for those who like robust cocktails, whilst its Matcha Mojito, Mocha Martini and Brazilian Lime Margarita are great choices.
Niche Cocktails are available to order online www.nichecocktails.co.uk
Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence Rosé
A glass of rosé is, to me, the very essence of summer drinking and I really enjoyed trying Screaming Devil Côtes de Provence Rosé.
With white peach, bright mango, and passion fruit aromas, along with some rhubarb notes on the nose, a vibrant palate, fresh and saline, zesty length, and intense aromas.
It’s perhaps a cheeky take on the ubiquitous Whispering Angel, (but I love the name) – and it’s fabulous with a summer salad.
Priced at £15 a bottle, from Ocado, or on offer at £10 at Asda. or Amazon.
Graham’s Blend Nº5
A refreshingly different and lower alcohol long drink alternative to a G&T is the P&T (port & tonic), especially when made with Graham’s Blend Nº5.
This is the only white port crafted for mixing, and made solely with aromatic Malvasia Fina and Moscatel Galego grapes. It’s medium-dry and has fresh citrus notes plus a touch of orange blossom.
It’s fabulous over ice, topped up with tonic and served with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint.
Around £28 a bottle from Waitrose Cellar, Master of Malt and other fine wine shops.
X MUSE Vodka
If vodka is your chosen tipple, then do try this deliciously smooth X MUSE (pronounced tenth muse).
It’s the first-ever blended barley vodka from Scotland, made using two specific varieties of heritage barleys – Plumage Archer and Marris Otter – grown in the UK, distilled separately and prized for their complex flavour. Also the purest water, drawn from an ancient aquifer at Scotland’s Bonnington Estate.
X MUSE is really smooth, rich and complex enough for straight-up sipping (ideally on the rocks) as well as being a great essential component of cocktails and martinis.
It is rather special and, not surprisingly, not cheap at £55 from xmusevodka.com and Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange
Cocoa Canopy Mochatini
Sometimes we hanker after an indulgent treat, especially after a meal.
Some summer drinking ideas from premium drinking chocolate brand Cocoa Canopy are just perfect for sipping in the sunshine. How about a Mochatini? It is the ‘go-to’ for fans of Espresso
Martinis and it delivers on rich, chocolatey goodness.
There’s a recipe on the link here where you can also buy these delicious chocolate beads (available in five different blends) that you just melt with a dash of boiling water, then whisk and add cold milk. In your cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice, 30 ml of coffee liqueur, 30 ml of vodka, one shot of espresso, and the melted chocolate.
But of course you can also make a really fabulous chocolate milk shake for anyone wanting to avoid alcohol!
Spice Drops
On the subject of cocktails, how often do you need just a little hint of a herb or spice and find that you don’t have it to hand?
When looking for a hint of mint perhaps, or a touch of cardamom or ginger, I find that these little bottles of Great Taste Award winning concentrates from Spice Drops are perfect.
You can so easily add that extra flavour bomb to your cocktail – from around £4 a bottle depending on the variety, from Ocado.
