Are bloody marys the only thing to drink before lunch, or a weird hybrid of soup and snifter? Do you prefer yours with gin or vodka – or neither – and why do we order them on aeroplanes?

Just before Christmas, I found myself in the company of Neil and (Read more...)

Great food, tantalising drinks and good friends

Gin, lemons, sugar and mint: a simple but effective formula for the perfect alcoholic lemonade, from Felicity Cloake’s perfect picnic

For a non-alcoholic version, replace the gin with 150ml elderflower cordial.

Serves 10–20

8 unwaxed organic lemons, cut into chunks
300g caster sugar
500ml gin
Sprig of fresh mint

Put (Read more...)

Skinnygirl, the low-calorie wine and pre-mix cocktail brand founded by US reality TV star Bethenny Frankel, has added a Moscato to its line-up.

A balance of sharp, sweet and savoury flavours to enjoy as the days get longer

The Ethicurean cocktail

This cocktail has quickly become a classic at the Ethicurean, a delightful balance of sweet, sharp and savoury. As the days lengthen, it makes a perfect pre-dinner drink in the garden. Thyme (Read more...)

A cocktail bar in North-East of England is now offering a breakfast-inspired cocktail, which it has named “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

Bartenders at many city bars are also jumping on the raw juice wagon.    

Easter cocktails, deep-fried Mars bars, a Texan whisky maker and a rare Möet rosé have all featured in a busy week in the drinks industry.

The latest week in pictures takes in Champagne tastings, Auchentoshan cocktails, La Hechicera rum and Cocoa Psycho beer.

It has been one of the worst months of my adult life. On the upside I have come out the other side with something to smile about.

From Batman film sets to purple velvet trousers via canine cushions, boxing matches and lager aged in rum casks, it’s been a hectic week in the drinks trade.

In an era of doom and gloom, the drinks industry is looking to yesteryear to provide comfort and inspiration.

Euan McKirdy speaks to Tim Philips, the Diageo Reserve World Class bartender of the year, about his award, his new bar and the changing cocktail culture.

The Milanese tradition of the aperitivo hour is becoming increasingly popular in London. Read on for our top 10 bitters-based cocktails and where to drink them.

I don’t feel very good about my first cocktail and feel I need to take another swing at this.

Congratulations to all those who have successfully completed a dry January. The question now is what will you drink to celebrate?

If you enjoy Sambuca this cocktail should be a must try

The Hong Kong cocktail scene is gaining plaudits for taste and entertainment. Eliot Ip seeks out ten of the best places to sip and be seen sipping

Signing Sherry barrels, Spice Girls Champagne cocktails, skinny vodka Mojitos, aperitivo hour and Lady Gaga, it’s been a busy week in the drinks industry…

This is my first pre-prohibition Scotch cocktail, and I want to find the right way to receive them

The latest week in pictures takes in a Veuve Clicquot Champagne tower, a striking new Champagne bar in Brazil and a trip to the Tower of London.

A growing UK trend for cocktails, which is seeing them spread well beyond their traditional upmarket bar setting, is fuelling the ready-to-mix market.

It’s been a good start to my year at the drinks business and I have enjoyed doing write ups on American whiskey, but now I’m going to focus on Scotch cocktails.

Police have raided Nightjar cocktail bar in east London after it sold a drink containing whale skin.

Master of Malt has drawn on a Victorian recipe to launch a gin made from cold-distilled cream.

Boutique London cocktail bar the Nightjar has launched a cocktail list featuring rare vintage spirits at deliberately affordable prices.

Three things to do with gin if you fancy something more adventurous than a G&T

The first rule of the Manhattan is that there are no rules. (Just don’t forget the bitters.)

A new generation of bartenders are shaking up the scene with innovative recipes and molecular mixologyWith his dark suit, single white glove and air of twinkly indulgence Agostino Perrone, the head barman at London’s Connaught Bar, looks every part the…

Four classic cocktail recipes from the jazz age in America, when prohibition meant spirits of unreliable quality and powerfully flavoured mixers became the norm in cocktails