Best gin for the ultimate drinks trolley
Gin has come a long way from its medieval roots as a medicinal liquor and today there are countless varieties, all with different balances of botanicals so you can find the perfect one for your taste. These are all delicious starting points…
Silent Pool Gin, £38, from Silent Pool Distillers
Buy gin from Silent Pool Distillers
Gin77, £25, from Bristol Distilling Co.
Buy Gin77 from Bristol Distilling Co.
Tarquin’s Handcrafted Cornish Dry Gin, £35, from Tarquin's Gin
Buy Handcrafted Cornish Dry Gin from Tarquin's Gin
Aber Falls Small Batch Gin, £32, from Aber Falls Distillery
Buy Small Batch Gin from Aber Falls Distillery
Mermaid Gin, £38, from Isle of Wight Distillery
Buy Mermaid Gin from Isle of Wight Distillery
Best flavoured gin for the ultimate drinks trolley
Mix things up and enjoy a new gin experience with one of the many flavoured varieties available – whether you enjoy with tonic, as part of a cocktail or on its own, here are some delicious options…
No.1 Wildflower Gin, £34.95, from Cotswolds Distillery
Buy No.1 Wildflower Gin from Cotswolds Distillery
Whitley Neill Quince Gin, £26, from The Drop Store
Buy Whitley Neill Quince Gin from The Drop Store
Sloe Gin, £25, from Sipsmith
Slingsby Marmalade Gin, £21.50, from Spirit of Harrogate
Buy Slingsby Marmalade Gin from Spirit of Harrogate
Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin, £27.50, from Master of Malt
Buy Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin from Master of Malt
Best rum for the ultimate drinks trolley
From mojitos to daiquiris, pina coladas to mai tai, rum is an essential of the cocktail cabinet, but it can also be enjoyed on its own or over ice – here are some good quality options to try…
Ron Zacapa Reserva Limitada 2019, £89.95, from The Whiskey Exchange
Buy Ron Zacapa Reserva Limitada from The Whiskey Exchange
Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum, £22.75, from The Whiskey Exchange
Buy Appleton Estate Signature Blend Rum from The Whisky Exchange
Cut Overproof Rum, £39.33, from Master of Malt
Buy Cut overproof Rum from Master of Malt
Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Rum, £43.95, from Master of Malt
Buy Eminente Reserva 7 Year Old Rum from Master of Malt
Havana Club Añejo Especial, £17, from Waitrose
Buy Havana Club Añejo Especial from Waitrose
Best bourbon for the ultimate drinks trolley
A type of American whisky, bourbon has been distilled since the 17th century an today is a feature of cocktails like the Manhatten and the Old Fashioned, as well as being suitable with simple mixers or drunk on its own.
Angel’s Envy Bourbon, £56.90, from House of Malt
Buy Angel’s Envy Bourbon from House of Malt
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, £31.20, from Master of Malt
Buy Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon from Master of Malt
Peerless Small Batch Bourbon, £72, from Native Spirits
Buy Peerless Small Batch Bourbon from Native Spirits
Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, £46.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon from The Whisky Exchange
Ezra Brooks Black Label Bourbon, £25.90, from Master of Malt
Buy Ezra Brooks Black Label Bourbon from Master of Malt
Best scotch for the ultimate drinks trolley
The clue is in the name, and Scotch is simply a malt or grain whisky (or a blend of the two), which is made in Scotland. Here are some option for your next dram…
Old Pulteney 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky, £35, from Old Pulteney
Buy 12 Years Single Malt Scotch Whisky from Old Pulteney
Contrasts: Peat Smoke Sherry Cask, £49.99, from Benromach
Buy Peat Smoke Sherry Cask from Benromach
Tamdhu 12 Year Old, £40.95, from Master of Malt
Buy Tamdhu 12 Year Old from Master of Malt
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt, £69.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt from The Whisky Exchange
Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Lowland Single Malt, £41.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Glenkinchie 12 Year Old Lowland Single Malt from The Whisky Exchange
Best cognac for the ultimate drinks trolley
A type of brandy produced in France, Cognac is a great digestif, with a taste that’s distinct from standard brandies, and is also a versatile cocktail ingredient
Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru Grande Champagne Cognac, £45.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Pierre Ferrand Ambre 1er Cru Grande Champagne Cognac from The Whisky Exchange
Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac, £41.25, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Merlet Brothers Blend Cognac from The Whisky Exchange
H by Hine VSOP, £34.90, from Master of Malt
Buy H by Hine VSOP from Master of Malt
Rémy Martin XO Excellence, £155, from Fortnum & Mason
Buy Rémy Martin XO Excellence from Fortnum & Mason
Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac, £52, from The Wine Society
Buy Frapin VSOP Grande Champagne Cognac from The Wine Society
Best tequila for the ultimate drinks trolley
Its bad rep can be put down to the poor-quality varieties often served in bars, but buy a good tequila and it’s a whole different ball game, and makes for a smooth shot on its own, or a distinctive flavour in cocktails.
No2 Reposado £37.95, from El Rayo Tequila
Buy No2 Reposado from El Rayo Tequila
Fortaleza Reposado Tequila, £62.44, from Master of Malt
Buy Fortaleza Reposado Tequila from Master of Malt
Patron Reposado Tequila, £49.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Patron Reposado Tequila from The Whisky Exchange
Cazcabel Reposado Tequila, £29.99, from Proof Drinks
Buy Cazcabel Reposado Tequila from Proof Drinks
Código 1530 Rosa Tequila, £49.95, from Master of Malt
Buy Código 1530 Rosa Tequila from Master of Malt
Best vodka for the ultimate drinks trolley
The staple of many a cocktail, this ubiquitous clear spirit can also be drunk neat. Although Russia is most famous for producing vodka, the drink is now made in countries across the globe. Here are some quality varieties to try…
Grey Goose Vodka, £38.45, from The Whiskey Exchange
Buy Grey Goose Vodka from The Whisky Exchange
Original Potato Vodka, £38, from Chase Distillery
Buy Original Potato Vodka from Chase Distillery
Vestal Polish Potato Vodka, £20, from The Drop Store
Buy Vestal Polish Potato Vodka from The Drop Store
Black Cow Vodka, £25, from Black Cow
Buy Black Cow Vodka from Black Cow
Belvedere Single Estate Rye Vodka Smogóry Forest, £52.50, from The Drop Store
Buy Belvedere Single Estate Rye Vodka Smogóry Forest from The Drop Store
Something quirky for the ultimate drinks trolley
If you don't fancy mixing up your own cocktails, why no add a few pre-made ones to your drinks trolley? To celebrate 100 years of the modern Bloody Mary, Bloody Drinks has partnered with Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce to create limited edition cans. You'll want to grab these quick, before they sell out!
Limited edition Lea & Perrins can, from £13, Bloody Drinks
Buy limited edition Lea & Perrins can from Bloody Drinks
Best vermouth for the ultimate drinks trolley
Great in a negroni or martini, Vermouth is a fortified wine, flavoured with various botanicals. You can find various types of both sweet and dry vermouths and these are some good ones to get you started…
Otto’s Athens Vermouth, £19.09, from Amathus Drinks
Buy Otto’s Athens Vermouth from Amathus Drinks
Punt E Mes Red Vermouth, £14, from Master of Malt
Buy Punt E Mes Red Vermouth from Master of Malt
Sacred English Amber Vermouth, £18.95, from Sacred Gin
Buy Sacred English Amber Vermouth
Vya Sweet Vermouth, £19.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Vya Sweet Vermouth from The Whisky Exchange
Antica Formula Carpano Vermouth, £32.10, from Master of Malt
Buy Antica Formula Carpano Vermouth from Master of Malt
Best flavoured liqueurs for the ultimate drinks trolley
Ideal for rounding off a meal, flavouring a cocktail or as a tasty gift – there are so many flavoursome novelty liqueurs out there and these are a few favourites…
Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur Spirit, £29.95, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Lanique Rose Petal Liqueur Spirit from The Whisky Exchange
Beeble Honey Whisky, £31, from Beeble
The King’s Ginger, £23.50, from Berry Bros & Rudd
Buy The King’s Ginger from Berry Bros & Rudd
Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco Liqueur, £27.45, from The Whisky Exchange
Buy Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco Liqueur from The Whisky Exchange
