Every day’s a school day here at cocktail towers – and, as ever, we’ve enjoyed our lessons on the people, places and products featured in this episode. We’ve learned about The Heart Cut, the single cask, small batch spirits company founded by Georgie Bell and her partner Fabio; been tutored on armagnac courtesy of Marquis de Montesquieu armagnac and genned up on sharpening our tastebuds by studying Mandy Naglich’s book How To Taste – a guide to discovering flavour and savouring life. Our bar...

We’re on an international journey in this episode. First, we head to warming climes for the new, limited-edition Equiano Ominira – a special blend of rums from the Caribbean and Africa. Then from one of Japan’s coldest regions, we’re tasting the delicious Toku Saké. As for our book, we’re opening up 101 Cocktails to try before you die from Belgium born, Madrid based, Francois Monti Back in London’s Soho we drop into the brand new incarnation of Three Sheets, from Max and Noel Venning and...

Our inaugural episode of the season is pretty damned special, it's the first one where you can watch as well as llisten in to our featured interviewee. And it's a good one, where award-winning film director Paul Feig tells us about making movies, how and why he created a gin and how to make the perfect Martini. But before the chat, we review two products from Scotland: the brand new, super-stylish The Aberturret gin and the Bruichladdich, the new face of single malt whiskies. Our book choice...

It's the last episode of season six and have we got a great interview for you! We head over to New York to catch up with one of our absolute favourite bartenders/owners/humans, the one, the only Steve Schneider, talking about his latest venture, Sip & Guzzle. But before we hear from Steve, we're doing the usual: opening up bottles, dipping into a book and heading off to a cocktail bar to sample its goodies. The products in question are Linie Aquavit, a caraway-based spirit which dates...

It's our first episode of 2024, so we're giving a respectful nod to those going dry as well as those who are resolving to continue drinking alcohol – only better. Our two product reviews are a case in point: First we go all regal and head over to Highclerc Castle where they make a gin based around 10 botanicals found in the castle's Victorian orangery and monk's garden, then we pop the cork and bust out a fabulous alternative to Champagne and sparkling wine – REAL Peony Blush fermented...

We're taking a trip down memory lane in this episode, looking back at some of our favourite bottles and bars that we've been fortunate enough to experience in the past year. But first, we add two new products to our list: Belle De Brillet, a delicious pear and cognac liqueur and Stonewashed Cosmo, one of a limited-edition, ready-to-pour range from Mr Lyan x Whitebox cocktails. What we're tasting: Tayer Studios x Maya Njie Amber + Sandalwood (Tayer Aquavit, Ardbeg 10yo, Americano Cocchi, Muyu...

Sponsored episode In this special episode we're joined by Victoria Symington, Brand Marketing Manager, Graham's and Alina Bazen, Graham's Blend Series Global Cocktail Competition 2023 winner. Victoria talks about working in the family business, the nuances of the two Graham's Blends Series ports and why the Graham's Blend Series Global Cocktail Competition was conceived, while, Alina shares her experience of the competition, exploring Porto and the Douro Valley and finding out about the...

Innovative and inspirational are the words that spring to mind when we think about the contents of this week’s episode. Here’s why… Our products are Savoia Orancio, a delicious, new aperitivo and the first to be made with an orange wine base. While beautifully reimagining what a premium pink gin can be is Shivering Mountain. The book we’re championing is Welcome Home from the bright minds at Death & Co, New York – highly recommended for bartenders and home-tenders alike and we head over...

We've packed a lot into this week's episode, so sorry not sorry that it's a little longer than most… We start with a tasting of Aber Falls Single Malt Whisky from Wales and continue with Brugal 1888 Double Aged Rum from the Dominican Republic, while our pick of the week on the book front is 'Signature Cocktails' by Amanda Schuster. Instead of one bar review, we have seven from a recent visit to Venice. There's a mix of historic and modern, all recommended for the next time you visit The...

We're focusing on flavour in this episode, starting with apples which get a look in with our two featured products: Showerings, a 100% apple-tastic Dry Vintage Cider hailing from Somerset and Le Morton Calvados Domfrontais, comprising 70% pears, 30% apples, hailing from Normandy. Olly Smith takes us on a journey of flavours in his World Cocktail Atlas, and we check in to Sweeties at the Standard in London to check out Zoe Burgess’s favoursome cocktail list. Lastly, Juliette Larrouy takes time...

We're born and bred Londoners so we make no apology for saying that London Cocktail Week is one of our favourite times of the year. To set the mood, we're opening two products raised in the capital: Jensen's Old Tom Gin and The London Essence Co, a range of premium mixers. Our bar review sees us going back to one of the original good-times spots– a bar that started life as the Covent Garden Cocktail Club back in 2008, before changing its name to the London Cocktail Club when it expanded to...

Today is the day that Himkok in Oslo unleash their most ambitious project yet – a catwalk collection inspired by the 13 cocktails on their new menu. But before we hear from head of research and development at Himkok, Paul Voza about that, we have this week's bottles, bar and book recommendations Our drinks reviews take in two products of the agave variety: the first is Patrón El Alto Tequila; the second, The Lost Explorer Salmiana Mezcal. On the bars front, we sample the cocktails and soak up...

We've been saving opening our new stash of bottles for this season, so expect plenty of exciting tastings coming your way in the next few months. Starting with our two featured products in this week's episode: Hayman's Exotic Citrus Gin from London and the very recently released Vapoura Spiced Rum, made in the heart of England. Over to Paris for the day and to The Cambridge Public House, a trés chic bar inspired by a British pub. The two-and-a-bit Eurostar journey gave us plenty of time to...

The first episode of season six sees us focusing on all things new (or newish). Our pick of the new crop of products takes in Pod Pea Vodka from Manchester, and Ardray, a new whisky, blending the artistry of Japan with the traditions of Scotland. It’s over to the historic American Bar to check out the first menu by its newest head bartender, Chelsie Bailey, and our book choice is relatively new – it’s Doctors & Distillers The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits and...

Our last episode in this current season sees us taking a vacay through the world of drinks. We start with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin with Californian Orange Citrus, before getting a taste of Mexico with Nocheluna Sotol. Italy is our destination of choice as we head to Palermo and to Villa Igiea for Salvatore Calabrese's Once Upon A Time cocktail menu at Igiea Terrazza Bar. When it comes to our book choice, it could only be Around The World 80 Cocktails, from Australian bartender and...

June 19th, or Juneteenth as it's known, is a recognised holiday in the US, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. With that in mind, we're focusing on some of the many talented Black voices and stories in the drinks world – past and present, home and away – that we feel people need to know more about. Such as our two chosen products: Uncle Nearest and its 1884 Small Batch Whiskey from Tennessee and One True Maverick, a triple-distilled, premium vodka from south London....

It's the first day of June, so naturally we're thinking easy sipping – whether we're heading out to bars or keeping things simple but stylish at the requisite picnics, barbecues and festivals. With that in mind, our first product review is the super tangy pre-mixed, non-alcoholic Sakura Paloma from Everleaf, followed by one of the most successful bottled cocktails in the past few years, the award-winning Mirror Margarita by Deano Moncrieffe from Hacha bars. For the perfect summer serves, we...

Yes, it's World Whisky Day on 20th May but this episode isn't completely whisk(e)y flavoured. We're sampling a new non-alc botanical spirit! A brand new gin! A fabulous new bar in Hackney! And a few more bits besides. We kick things off by mixing up a Black Manhattan. No, we hadn't heard of it either but now that we've tried the delicious rye and amaro based cocktail, we're definitely keeping it in our repertoire. It sets us up nicely for our two tastings – the first of which is Botivo, a...

To tie-in with the latest issue of our magazine, this episode sees us going unapologetically geeky on numbers. We start with our two products: Dewar's Double Double 21-Year-Old anda series of three gorgeous artisanal products from The London Vermouth Company. The five-star Atrium Bar at the Four Seasons hotel in Florence gets our thumbs up – not just because it fits the theme but because it's blooming gorgeous and definitely one you should have on your list if you're Florence-bound. We then...

There’s something different and altogether rather special about this episode’s theme. It’s all about PATRÓN Tequila and more specifically about PATRÓN Perfectionists. As the name suggests it’s a celebration of the very best in tequila, education and cocktail creation. Once again the global final took place at the home of Patrón, the stunning Hacienda PATRÓN in Jalisco, Mexico. And we were fortunate enough to be there to follow the action and join the judging. We talk with previous global...

There’s no particular rhyme or reason for what’s on our agenda this week, save for the fact that each item has either piqued our interest or seriously rocked our boat. Product-wise we’re championing Sake Sling, a new ready-to-drink sake-based cocktail developed by the late Wayne Collins. But if you’re in the mood for something stronger, London Rye from the East London Liquor Co should definitely do the trick. Our book choice is A Sense Of Place, a veritable treasure trove of beautiful prose...

We start this week’s episode with a classic cocktail recipe and end it with a modern classic - a woman who is destined to be written about in cocktail history books… But first, our products, both a little bit different… We start with Tia Maria, not the coffee version but the more recent Matcha Liqueur, then move on to Charmed Circle Strong Waters from those clever folk at the Holyrood Distillery. Our bar review sees us enjoying the New Orleans-inspired goodies at the Alligator Bar at Louie...

We’ve gone unashamedly female-focused in this episode. Why? Because there are amazing women doing great things every single day in the world of hospitality (and also, yesterday was International Women’s Day). Our first product is Appleton Estate 8-Year-Old Reserve Rum created by the legend that is Master Blender Joy Spence. That’s followed by Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Murcian Lemon Gin, conceived by Dr Anne Brock at Laverstoke Mill.  Mallory O’Meara’s award-winning Girly Drinks – A World...

What better time to kick off the brand new season of The Cocktail Lovers podcast than the eve of World Bartender Day? To celebrate, we're focusing on bartender-owned treats, starting with our choice of cocktail to kick off proceedings: the totally tropical, crowd-pleasing Porn Star Martini created in London by the late, very great Douglas Ankrah. Then it's on to our two product choices – a non-alcoholic aperitivo called Amarico made in Italy and Orange Botanical Liqueur 'Triple Sec' from the...