The Cocktail Lovers

Are you doing 'Dry' this January? If so, we've got your back. In our last episode in this season we're putting the growing non-alcoholic category very much in focus and trust us, we were very impressed.We start by tasting two new products, High Point Ruby Aperitif made in Cornwall and Savyll, a range of ready-to-drink cocktails from London.Lyaness is our bar of choice. Why? Because we love the way they put as much creativity, care and attention into their 'boozeless' concoctions as they do their boozy counterparts. And book-wise, it's all about Kingsley Amis's cocktail essays, 'Everyday Drinking'.Last but by no means, we head to Club Soda Tasting Room & Shop to talk to Laura Willoughby MBE who's on a mission to make the world a better place for people who are drinking less or not at all.What we're drinking:LLB (Lemon, Lime & Bitters)150ml lemonade/soda or lemon & lime soda15ml freshly-squeezed lime juice4-5 dashes Angostura aromatic bittersLime to garnish (optional)Method:Pour lemonade and lime into an ice-filled Collins glass. Add 4-5 dashes of bitters and garnish with lime (optional). Serve with metal straw and stir bitters into the drink.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our digital and print magazine, visit our website, thecocktaillovers.comTo see the products featured in this episode, check out our Instagram page @thecocktaillovers and see their websites below:Club Soda Club Soda ShopEveryday Drinking by Kingsley AmisHigh Point Ruby AperitifLyanessSayvll Beverage CoThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our penultimate episode sees us looking back on some of our favourite people, places and products from the past 12 months including:PlacesAmaroCommon DecencyHimkokLineSeed LibraryVelvetProductsBeefeater Crown JewelCapreolus DistilleryFords Sloe GinNixta Corn LiqueurWoven WhiskyPeopleSimone Caporale & Marc AlvarezDrew FlemingGiacomo GianottiDan & Joe SchofieldWhat we're mixing:Chicago15ml cognac15ml triple sec orange liqueur2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters1 brown sugar cube100ml Champagne or sparkling wine to topOrange peel garnishMethod:Drop the sugar cube into a champagne coupe or flute and a couple of dashes of the Angostura Aromatic Bitters on to it. Add the cognac and and triple sec. Carefully top up with the Champagne or sparkling wine. Squeeze the orange peel over the drink to express the oils and discard.The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hands up if you've still got the Christmas shopping to do? Yup, us too… Don't worry, there's still time to get your Santa on (Royal Mail permitting) and to help you, we've picked out a list of gifts for the cocktail lovers in your life – from £10 and under to blow the budget.see thecocktaillovers.com for gift ideas and website detailsWhat we're mixing:Julie's Sherry Cobbler ( 1 large or 2 small serves)90ml Lustau East India Solera Sherry30ml dark rum15ml double cream15ml simple syrup or cinnamon syrup)1 small eggGrated nutmeg to garnishMethod:Combine the sherry, rum, cream, syrup and egg in a shaker and shake without ice (30-45 seconds) to emulsify the egg. Add ice to the shaker and shake again, until chilled. Strain into a wine glass over fresh ice and garnish with grated nutmeg.Taken from The Craft Cocktail Party – Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion by Julie ReinerThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martini anyone? Whether you're a gin or vodka fan, we've got a winning base for you. In the vodka corner we have Elit, smooth-as-you-like thanks to its signature freeze-filteration process, and representing gin we have the re-released Beefeater Crown Jewel, weighing in at a hefty 50% ABV.Martinis feature in our book choice, 'Cocktails, A Still Life', written by Christine Sismondo and James Waller and starring stunning oil paintings by Todd M. Casey, while artfully made drinks are on the menu at Line in Athens, the latest offering from Vasilis Kyritsis, Nikos Bakoulis and Dimitri Dafopoulos.In the hotseat we have Dawn Davies, Buying Director at Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange. Who better to ask how to buy, what to try and what we'll be drinking in 2023.What we're mixing:The Franklin30ml dry vermouth75ml London Dry Gin1 dash Orange Bitters2 green olivesMethod:Add the vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Discard the vermouth, then add the gin to the ice with Orange Bitters and stir. Strain into a chilled Martini or Nick & Nora glass, add the two olives and serve.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:Beefeater Crown JewelCocktails, A Still LifeElit VodkaLine AthensSpeciality DrinksThe Whisky ExchangeThe Cognac Show – 10-11 March 2023The Rum Show – 14-15 July 2023The Whisky Show – 29 Sept-1 October 2023The Champagne Show – November 2023 dates tbcThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's getting chilly here in Cocktail Towers so we're gravitating towards the rum corner of our cocktail cabinet. Our first review sees us warming up with Rum Union, a new product from the Holyrood Distillery in Scotland (!), before we succumb to the tropical heat found in La Hechicera Rum, hailing from sunny Colombia.We've always liked the look and feel of velvet as a fabric but the new bar at the Corinthia Hotel in London, takes our love of Velvet to another level. Check in for live music, lush interiors and a stunning cocktail list from Salvatore 'The Maestro' Calabrese and his talented team. Then there's our book review, the clever Pour Me Another by J.M. Hirsch – we urge you to dive in to discover your new favourite drink.Lastly, we catch up with Leo Robitschek, Vice President of Food & Drinks at Sydell Group. Tune in to hear how he rose from medical student to Bar Director at Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park and Managing Partner of Food & Beverage at NoMad Hotel, as well as getting his top tips on making drinks for the Holiday season.What we're mixing:Perfect Manhattan50ml rye whiskey or bourbon25ml sweet vermouth2 dashes Angostura aromatic bittersMaraschino cherry to garnishMethod:Add ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry pierced on to a cocktail stick.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:Common Decency at NoMad London*La HechiceraPour Me Another – 250 ways to find your favourite drink by J.M. HirschRum UnionVelvet*Holiday Spectacular pop-up at Common Decency runs for six weeks from 16th November.NoMAD Eggnog Recipe (serves 20)6 eggs, separated8 oz sugar16 oz cream32 oz milk2 oz Frangelico4 oz Chivas 12 yr6 oz Michters bourbon6 oz Martell Cognac6 oz Havana Club Selecion de Maestros rum1 whole nutmegMethod Place the egg whites in a 5-quart bowl and the egg yolks in a separate 5-quart bowl. Add 6 ounces of the sugar to the bowl with egg yolks, then whisk until the yolks turn pale yellow and thicken. Whisk in the cream, followed by the milk, Frangelico, whisky, bourbon,Cognac, and rum. Grate the nutmeg over the top and whisk until combined.Add 2 ounces of sugar to the egg whites and whisk until stiff peaks form. Slowly whisk in the egg yolk–spirits mixture. Reserve in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, pour a serving into a single rocks glass and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do we do when there's a nip in the air? We warm up with some gorgeous drinks.First out of the drinks cabinet is Stauning Smoke Whisky – our pick for Bonfire Night, or any autumn/winter night for that matter. We follow that with an indulgent but dairy-free treat, Black Lines Oatnog.Sterling in Manchester ticks all of the boxes that we look for in a bar that we want to hunker down in all winter: sexy lighting, plush leather seats, great service, good vibes, and onehelluva drinks and food list.Our book choice is just the ticket for staving off the cold, it's The Cocktail Edit – Everything you need to know about how to make all the drinks that matter by Alice Lascelles.Then ahead of the Athens Bar Show next week we talk to Thanos Prunarus, owner of Baba au Rum and In Love Again to talk about the bar scene and warming hospitality in one of our favourite capitals in the world.What we're mixing:Benny & Hot50ml Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur50ml hot waterSqueeze of lemon juiceMethod:Stir ingredients together in a heat proof glass and serve.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:Athens Bar Show 8 & 9 November 2022Athens Rum & Whiskey Festival 9 & 10 December 2022Baba au RumBlack Lines OatnogIn Love AgainStauning Smoke WhiskySterlingThe Cocktail Edit – Everything you need to know about how to make all the drinks that matter by Alice LascellesThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As born and bred Londoners, we're always chuffed when we have any opportunity to shine a light on all that's great about our beloved capital.We start with our two products: East London Liquor Company Kew Gin made in, you guessed it, East London, then take our tastebuds West to Chiswick to sample Sipsmith Cacao & Orange Gin.Our book is 'The Cocktail Cabinet – The art, science and pleasure of mixing the perfect drink' by London-based flavour expert Zoe Burgess and as London Cocktail Week is in full swing, we highlight a few of the many events taking place in every corner of the capital.Our guest this week is one of the OGs of the Cool Britannia bar scene, Nick Strangeway, who reflects on the London bar scene, past and present.What we're mixing:Shaky Pete's Ginger BrewCreated by Pete JearyIngredients50ml homemade ginger syrup*50ml freshly-squeezed lemon juice35ml London Dry Gin (we used Beefeater)100ml London Pride aleMethod:In a blender, blitz the ginger syrup, lemon juice, gin and half a cup of cubed ice for 10 seconds so ro. Strain through a coarse sieve into a frozen beer mug, so you still have a few ice chips in with the drink. Top with the London Pride and drink straight from the glass, as you would a beer.*Ginger syrup150g fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced350g caster sugar250ml waterOver a low heat, bring all the ingredients to the boil. Cool, strain, bottle, refrigerate.Recipe from Hawksmoor at HomeFor more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our digital and print magazine, visit our website, thecocktaillovers.comTo see the products featured in this episode, check out our Instagram page @thecocktaillovers and see their websites below:East London Liquor CompanyHepple GinSipsmith Orange & Cacao GinThe Cocktail Cabinet – the art, science and pleasure of mixing the perfect drink by Zoe BurgessFor the full London Cocktail Week programme and to sign up for your £15 wristband to entitle you to £7 cocktails, masterclasses and events across London, visit londoncocktailweek.comThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Want to know which bar has been voted the best in the world? Of course you so but you'll have to wait until the end of this episode…Before that we have our two product reviews: Abasolo El Whisky de Mexico which takes us to the cornfields of sunny Mexico, followed by The Fords Gin Co Sloe gin which blends sloes from the UK and France.We're in Venice for this week's chosen venue – the Art's Bar at the stunning St. Regis hotel. Our book choice is 60-Second Cocktail – Amazing drinks to make at home in a minute' by Joel Harrison and Neil Ridley.This week's guest is Mark Sansom, Director of Content at The World's 50 Best Bars, 50 Best Restaurants and 50 Best Discovery. Here we speak to him about the nuts and bolts of The World's 50 Best Bars awards ceremony which he hosted in Barcelona earlier this week and share details of who made that much-coveted top spot, and other highlights from the list.What we're mixing:X Muse Fresh-piration by Denis Broci, Bras Manager, Claridges Hotel50ml X Muse Vodka10ml Italicus75ml soda waterFresh mint sprig and pink grapefruit wedge to garnishMethod:Pour the first two ingredients over ice in Rocks glass. Top up with soda water and stir gently to combine. 'Clap' mint sprig in your hands to release the oils and aromas before placing on the inside of the glass with the pink grapefruit wedge.60-Second Cocktails – Amazing drinks to make at home in a minuteAbasolo El Whisky de MexicoArts Bar, St Regis HotelMark SansomThe Fords Gin Co Sloe GinFor the full World's 50 Best Bars 2022 list, see hereThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boy, do we have some good stuff for you. In this episode we bring you two delicious products: an Eau de Vie from Capreolus Distillery in the Cotswolds and Old Duff Genever, from an Irishman based in New York.Our library pick is a must-read for hosts at every level – André Darlington's fabulous 'Bar Menu – 100+ drinking food recipes for cocktail hours at home', a brand new book which does exactly what it says on the tin.From New Orleans, it's all about the delights of the stunning Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons hotel, and for a hotel closer to home, we speak to this week's guest, Anna Sebastian. Tune in to hear what she's done to breathe new life into the historic American Bar and its sassy younger sister, the Beaufort Bar and hear her thoughts on what you can do to bring some five-star hospitality into your own home.What we're mixing:White Negroni30ml gin30ml Lillet Blanc30ml SuzeLemon zest to garnishMethod:Fill a Rocks glass with ice and stir ingredients over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our digital and print magazine, visit our website, thecocktaillovers.comTo see the products featured in this episode, check out our Instagram page @thecocktaillovers and see their websites below:Anna SebastianBar Menu – 100+ drinking food recipes for cocktail hours at homeCapreolus DistilleryChandelier Bar at the Four Seasons hotelOld Duff GeneverThe American and Beaufort Bars at The SavoyThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back and while we've been away, we're thrilled to say that The Cocktail Lovers podcast picked up Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans – whoop-la!So what are we coming back with? Only the good stuff… Our drinks reviews take in Beesou, a honey-based aperitif from Britain and Ki No Bi, a big-hitting gin from Japan. Our library pick also puts Japan in the spotlight with Julia Momose’s award-winning book The Way of The Cocktail.Closer to home, we head over to Little Mercies in London’s Crouch End for good vibes, top-notch drinks and an array of simply delicious bar bites. Then it's over to Paris where we catch up with Alex Francis from Little Red Door to talk about what’s in season, the importance of local and why their fabulous menu embraces farm to glass drinking.What we're mixing:Millionaires Martini40ml gin40ml dry vermouth20ml Champagne or sparkling wineMethod:Stir the first two ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Pour into chilled Coupe glasses and top with Champagne or sparkling wine.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our digital and print magazine, visit our website, thecocktaillovers.comTo see the products featured in this episode, check out our Instagram page @thecocktaillovers and see their websites below:Beesou Bitter Honey AperitifKi No Bi GinLittle MerciesLittle Red DoorThe Way of The Cocktail – Japanese Traditions, Techniques & RecipesThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.