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 tea. John...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 9
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 Vet...
Dec 21, 2023•33 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 versatil...
Dec 09, 2023•27 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 to t...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 6Ep. 7
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 Floating...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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 o...
Oct 27, 2023•59 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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 two f...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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 th...
Sep 28, 2023•54 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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 pore ...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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 Cocktail b...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 1
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 O nce 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 writer...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 10
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. And...
Jun 15, 2023•55 min•Season 5Ep. 9
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 sugg...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 5Ep. 8
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 bitter...
May 17, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 7
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 expl...
May 09, 2023•54 min•Season 5Ep. 6
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 winners...
Apr 20, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 5
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 and ...
Apr 06, 2023•58 min•Season 5Ep. 4
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 Londo...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 3
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 Histor...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 2
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 Ape...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr•Season 5Ep. 1
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 the...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Our penultimate episode sees us looking back on some of our favourite people, places and products from the past 12 months including: Places Amaro Common Decency Himkok Line Seed Library Velvet Products Beefeater Crown Jewel Capreolus Distillery Fords Sloe Gin Nixta Corn Liqueur Woven Whisky People Simone Caporale & Marc Alvarez Drew Fleming Giacomo Gianotti Dan & Joe Schofield What we're mixing: Chicago 15ml cognac 15ml triple sec orange liqueur 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters 1 brow...
Dec 30, 2022•47 min•Season 4Ep. 9
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 details What we're mixing: Julie's Sherry Cobbler ( 1 large or 2 small serves) 90ml Lustau East India Solera Sherry 30ml dark rum 15ml double cream 15ml simple syrup or c...
Dec 16, 2022•50 min•Season 4Ep. 8
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...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 7
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, lus...
Nov 17, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 6
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 li...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 4Ep. 5
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 ...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 4Ep. 4
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 hom...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 3
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 Ba...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 4Ep. 2
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 Cockt...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 4Ep. 1
