The Cocktail Lovers

In the last episode in this current season, it's all about the summery feels…Our product reviews takes our tastebuds to sunny Mexico as we sample Nixta De Elote, an intriguing corn liqueur, and Vida De Muertos, a new expression from Del Maguey Mezcal. Bar-wise, we keep things a little closer to home as we head up to the terrace at The Nest at The Treehouse Hotel to soak up the sublime views and taste the delicious seasonal cocktails. Then on to our book choice, which is all about the man who brought rays of light to the London bar scene: Mr Dick Bradsell, in the hot-off-the-press 'Dick Tales – Thank Yous and Sluggings' edited by Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown.Lastly, we couldn't reference summer drinks without talking tiki, and we couldn't talk tiki without catching up with Sly Augustin, owner of Trailer Happiness. Tune in to find out how he brings the sunshine vibes to his basement bar in London's Notting Hill.What we're mixing:White Port & Tonic50ml Graham's Blend No5 White PortTonicLemon wheel and mint sprig to garnishMethod:Pour the Graham's Blend No5 into a Highball or wine glass with plenty of ice. Top up with tonic and garnish with fresh mint and a lemon slice.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:Del Maguey Vida De MuertosDick Tales – Thank Yous and SluggingsNixta De EloteThe NestTrailer HappinessThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With World Martini Day on 18th June and World Music Day on 21st June, we have Martinis, we have music and a whole lot more…We start with our two product reviews: Gin D'Azur from sunny Provence and Birch Botanical Spirit from bonny Scotland, before heading over to London's longest serving bar, the American Bar at the Savoy to check out its brand new menu.Then it's music, first in our featured book, Booze and Vinyl – A spirited guide to great music and mixed drink by André and Tenaya Darlington, followed by our interview with Jon Nickoll, resident pianist at the American Bar. Listen in to hear to hear about his journey in music, duets with Amy Winehouse and Paul McCartney and special performances live from his piano.What we're mixing…Dry Martini (of course)Ingredients:3 parts gin (we used Beefeater London Dry)1 part dry vermouth (we used Martini Bianco)Lemon twistMethod:Stir ingredients over ice in a chilled mixing glass. Pour into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a lemon zest.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:American Bar at the SavoyBirch Botanical SpiritsBooze and Vinyl – A spirited guide to great music and mixed drinkGin D'AzurJon NickollThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bunting at the ready people, this week's episode is a right royal celebration of Her Majesty The Queen.We taste two drinks created specially for the Platinum Jubilee. For £20, we have Foxdenton Jubilee Summer Pudding Gin Liqueur; add a few more noughts and you can buy the second product that we're tasting, the exceedingly regal Royal Salute Platinum Jubilee Edition, a snip at $20,000.Having created cocktails for Her Majesty The Queen during his tenure at the American Bar at the Savoy, we thought it was only fitting to highlight the drinks of Joe Gilmore in his book Joe Gilmore And His Cocktails, and lastly, we head over to The Goring, a firm Royal favourite since it opened in 1910 to talk to its General Manager Michael Voigt, Bar Manager Tiago Mira and sample its Platinum Jubilee cocktails.What we're mixing:Dubonnet Cocktail1 part gin2 parts DubonnetLemon twistMethod:Stir ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Pour into a chilled Nick & Nora garnish and garnish with a lemon zest.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:Foxdenton Jubilee Summer Pudding Gin LiqueurJoe Gilmore And His CocktailsRoyal Salute Platinum Jubilee EditionThe Goring HotelThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21st is World Whisky Day, so taking as our inspiration, we're keeping things suitably dark and tasty.We kick things off with our two product reviews: the first, The Wiseman Bourbon – new to the UK; the other, one of our favourites, Takamaka Rum, bringing its St. André Series all the way from the Seychelles.Shochu Lounge in Fitzrovia keeps the dark and sexy vibe going strong and as for (mostly) dark, contemplative – read 'classic' drinks to make at home, we're picking out 'Old Man Drinks' by Robert Schnakenberg.Where does the whisky come in? That's down to this week's guest, Thomas Aske. co-founder of our favourite whisky bar Black Rock. Tune in to hear how he went from bar back to bar owner and, drum roll please, winning over the hard nuts in Dragons Den to amplify his monthly subscription service, Whisky Me.What we're mixing:Whisky Highball (serves one)50ml blended whisky (we used Johnnie Walker Black Label)100-150 ml soda waterLemon peel to garnishMethod:Fill a chilled Highball glass with ice. Add whisky (preferably from the freezer) and top up will chilled soda water. No need to stir. Garnish with lemon peel 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:Black Rock BarOld Man DrinksShochu LoungeTakamaka RumThe Wiseman BourbonWhisky MeThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no particular theme to this week’s episode, just plenty of the good stuff we think you should have on your radar.Starting with our two featured products: Acqua Bianca Liqueur from the Maestro Salvatore Calabrese and the nifty, very natty Crafty Little Rye from The Oxford Artisan Distillery – both great tipples to keep in mind for the warmer days ahead.Rather than a standard bar review, we’ve gone large, talking about the cool experiences and fab drinks offering at Edinburgh’s latest visitor attraction, the state-of-the-art Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh. As for our book, it’s an oldie but goodie packed with great recipes and ideas, it’s the excellent Good Things To Drink With Mr Lyan & Friends.Then it’s over to Eric Van Beek from Handshake in Mexico City. With four bars in the World’s 50 Best Bars List, Mexico City and its bars are definitely on our must-visit list. Read more about them in the latest issue of The Cocktail Lovers magazine, available now. And did we mention that we’re proud winners of the Best Food & Drink Podcast in the Publisher Podcast Awards? Time for a cocktail to celebrate:The Dandy (serves 2)25ml cognac12.5ml Dom Benedictine Liqueur12.5ml Luxardo Liqueur12.5ml sugar syrupChilled Brut Champagne to topSeasonal berries to garnishMethod:Add first four ingredients to a mixing glass, stir to combine. Pour into chilled Coupes and top with Champagne. Garnish with seasonal berries. For a Punch, double the measures of the first four ingredients and add to a punch bowl. Pour the contents of a chilled bottle of Champagne into the bowl and garnish as above.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, including signing up for our brand new 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:Acqua BiancaCrafty Little RyeGood Things To Drink With Mr Lyan & FriendsHandshake BarJohnnie Walker Princes StreetThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today is National Tea Day, so naturally we're brewing up something special in that department. But rather than mixing things up for ourselves, we're featuring two canned cocktails: one, Empirical Can O1 with milky oolong tea, the other, Riddles Ice Tea starring tequila. The tea theme continues in this week's library pick, the mouthwatering, truly amazing 'Time For Tea' by Tom Parker-Bowles.With tea taken care of, we head to Canary Wharf to sample the cocktail delights at The Lowback, the fab new addition from the Hawksmoor team, then it's over to Liam Broom and Chris Tanner for cocktail tips and to find out about their cool collaboration at Silverleaf.What we're mixing:English 75 (serves 1)50ml gin15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice5ml sugar syrupEnglish Sparkling Wine to lengthenMethod:Shake first three ingredients over ice. Pour into a chilled flute and top with English Sparkling Wine. Stir gently to combine.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:EmpiricalRiddles Tequila Ice TeaSilverleafThe LowbackTime For TeaThe 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 calling this the Big G episode. Why? Because it's where we mix up grape, grain and gin.We look ahead to National Gin and Tonic Day as we sample two gins: one from India, the other from Cornwall and we get our grape fix from this weeks’ library pick – not a recipe book but a memoir called 'Wine Girl', by Victoria James.We have an interview with the OG of British motor racing, the one, the only Jenson Button who talks about his latest project, which blends two of his newfound passions: coach building and whisky. And our last G is reserved for Gabriel Waterhouse, who heads up The Water House Project in East London. The food is fab but wait 'til you try the house made non-alcoholic pairings. Quite frankly, they’re bloody genius.What we're mixing:Americano2 parts Campari2 parts sweet vermouth3 parts sodaOrange twist to garnishMethod:Fill a Highball glass with ice, then add the Campari and sweet vermouth. Top with the soda water and stir gently to combine. Garnish with an orange 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 details below:Coachbuilt WhiskyJaisalmer GinPenny Drop Cornish Old Tom GinThe Waterhouse ProjectWine GirlThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We start by mixing a special cocktail with Dima's, a proudly Ukranian Vodka.The rest of the show takes in two wee bottles with big ideas. There's Beeble, a honey-infused whisky and Smål, a diminutive gin bursting with flavour and attitude. Our library pick makes no apology for its heftiness – each of the 900+ pages in 'The Oxford Companion To Spirits & Cocktails' is there for a reason.And on to our featured bar, Seed Library. With its delicious drinks, groovy 70s-esque living room vibe and carefully curated vinyl collection, it's a must-visit for oldies and newcomers alike.Then there's our sponsored interview from Geoff Robinson talking about the characteristics of Santa Teresa 1796 rum and the brand new City Solera programme.What we're mixing:Ukranian Fizz30ml Dima's Vodka10ml freshly-squeezed lemon juice10ml limoncello3 slices of cucumber90ml sparkling wineMethod:Shake the first four ingredients over ice. Double strain into a chilled flute or wine glass and top with 90ml of sparkling wine. Garnish with a strip of cucumber or lemon slice (optional).For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:BeebleDima's VodkaSanta Teresa 1796 RumSeed LibrarySmålThe Oxford Companion to Spirits & CocktailsTo donate to Ukraine, see:Disasters Emergency CommitteeRed CrossUnicefFor details of Santa Teresa City Solera programme follow Geoff RobinsonBenjamin Nolf, (France) ben_spiritsLuis Viera, (Madrid) luisviera_ronsantateres#CitySolera1796The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keeping the International Women’s Day thanks and praise going, this week’s episode shines a light on just a few of the many (many) phenomenal women and womxn working in the drinks industry.We sample two drinks: an Irish Whiskey created by Ireland's first modern whiskey bonder, Louise McGuane, and a craft IPA from Master Brewer Jaega Wise over at Wild Card Brewery. Mezcal is on the menu at Doña, the fabulous bar and entertainment space created by Thea Cumming and Lucia Massey, while Alice Lascelles excellent '10 Cocktails – The Art of Convivial Drinking' is this week's library pick.For this special episode, we had to have a very special, phenomenal guest and for us, Julie Reiner fits the bill perfectly. With more than 20 years in the industry, covering everything from bar owner and educator, to consultant, judge and author, she's a true inspiration for bartenders – male, female or otherwise – all around the world.For our International Women's Day tribute, check our write-up hereWhat we’re mixing:Hanky Panky (serves one)Created by the late, great Ada 'Coley' Coleman, head bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy, London from 1903-192645ml gin (we used Fords Gin)45ml sweet vermouth (we used Martini Rosso)2.5ml Fernet BrancaMethod:Stir ingredients over ice in a mixing glass. Pour into chilled Nick and Nora glasses and garnish with orange zest.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:Ten Cocktails – The Art of Convivial Drinking by Alice LascellesClover ClubDoñaJJ Corry Irish WhiskeyInterview with Louise McGuane in The Cocktail Lovers magazineWild Card BreweryThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What better way to kick off season three than raising our glasses in honour of World Bartender Day? And who better to share the occasion with than the legendary Peter Dorelli? As former head bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy, winner of mucho accolades including countless Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Contribution Awards and a driving force in the drinks industry for coming up to 60 years, he has plenty to talk about. Tune in to hear why he served chipolatas to surprised guests at the American Bar, the importance of body language and why he's full of admiration for bartenders today.But not before we pour some drinks. From the cabinet this week we sample Baldoria Dry Umami Vermouth and Silver Circle Aquavit, two fresh takes on traditional spirits, both devised to tease out the creative juices in bartenders and hometenders alike. Ditto our library pick, Meehan’s Bartender Manual, a must-read tome from one of our previous guests, Jim Meehan (link).And as it’s World Bartender Day, we’re shining a light on Amaro, a small but perfectly formed, new bartender-owned bar by Elon Soddu. Trust us, like everything we’ve picked out in this episode, it’s an absolute gem.What we’re mixing:Gibson (serves one)50ml London Dry Gin (we used Tanqueray No. TEN)15ml dry vermouth (we used Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry Dry)Silverskin onion/s to garnishMethod:Combine gin and vermouth in an ice-filled mixing glass. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with one or three silver skin onions threaded onto a cocktail stick.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:Amaro BarBaldoria VermouthGibson Bar LondonGibson Bar SingaporeMeehan's Bartender Manual and Jim Meehan on The Cocktail Lovers podcastSilver Circle AquavitPeter Dorelli's special cocktail for The Cocktail Lovers:Romantic Interlude35ml Havana Club (3 Anos)20ml Madeira Malmsey20ml Aperol20ml fresh Clementine juice1 tsp Bonne Maman fig conserveMethod:Shake all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of Clementine peel.The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.