Our top picks for summer alcoholic drinks…
Looking for the perfect way to beat the summer heat?
Look no further than refreshing summer drinks! As temperatures soar, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a chilled beverage to cool off and unwind. While there are plenty of options to choose from, one particularly enticing choice is an ice-cold alcoholic beverage.
Not only do these drinks offer a refreshing respite, but they also add a touch of relaxation and celebration to those sunny days. In this article, we’ll explore the delightful world of summer drinks and delve into why enjoying an alcoholic beverage when it’s hot can enhance your summer experience.
So, sit back, grab your favourite cocktail, and let’s dive into the refreshing realm of summer libations!
BACARDÍ Rum
BACARDÍ® Rum has today announced the launch of BACARDÍ Caribbean Spiced, the brand’s first premium spiced aged product, that blends spices with coconut, pineapple, and coconut blossom. Its unique flavour profile makes it perfect for all your favourite Caribbean-inspired cocktails this summer.
Hitting supermarket shelves and bars nationwide from March, the new BACARDÍ Caribbean Spiced combines the unique sweetness of coconut blossom and juicy pineapple with cinnamon, vanilla, and the subtle oaky char from the barrel. Cocktail lovers can expect to be delighted with notes of caramelised pineapple and lightly toasted coconut – a feast for the palate that will transport you to the tropics with every single sip.
With versatility at its core, Caribbean Spiced is made for mixing. Whether it’s elevating a refreshing rum and cola, adding a twist to a classic with a zesty Coco Daiquiri or shaken up in a Caribbean Colada – rich with the flavours of cinnamon and pineapple, it’s set to bring the sunshine to any occasion whether you’re at home or enjoying it at a bar. Just mix and sip to taste the exceptional craftmanship and tantalising tropical flavours. Or for purists, BACARDÍ Caribbean Spiced works wonderfully neat.
Plymouth Gin
Plymouth Gin is continuing its sustainability journey this spring with the launch of its ‘Ocean Edition’ bottle, created in partnership with ocean charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT). For every one of these brand new, limited-edition bottles sold, Plymouth Gin will donate £1 to the OCT.
The blue-tinted Ocean Edition bottle, with a design inspired by the waves of the sea, will be available to purchase just in time for the spring sea-son from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons and Amazon, for an RRP of £26. As with the rest of the bottles that make up the Plymouth Gin range, the packaging has sustainability at its heart – its label is made from recyclable paper and the glass used is 100% recyclable.
The limited-edition bottle is the most recent step of Plymouth Gin’s partnership with the OCT which started in 2021 – with both organisations situated amongst the stunning scenery of the southwest coast. The Plymouth Gin distillery has its home on Plymouth harbour, at the heart of the local community, and, like gin is to tonic, its story is indelibly anchored in the benefits of the surrounding sea.
Baileys Colada
Back by popular demand! Baileys Pina Colada is the perfect treat for all your summertime occasions. A blend of our irresistible Original Irish Cream with the flavours of coconut & sweet pineapples to create a smooth & creamy drink.
This limited time only flavour is perfect to enjoy at home, come rain or shine… Baileys Colada is like summer in a bottle! Simply enjoy a 50ml measure over ice, or for extra indulgence, drizzle 50ml of Baileys Colada over vanilla ice cream. Better yet, whip up a Baileys Colada Cocktail by blending 50ml of Baileys Colada with a handful of pineapple and ice – delish!
Havana Club Havana Club 7 Años
Havana Club 7 Años is the answer and the go-to choice this Father’s Day. The aromatic tobacco, sweet tropical fruits, molasses, spices, and vanilla encapsulate the rich, natural flavours of Cuba, transporting your taste buds to vibrant streets of Havana with every drop. Full-flavoured, rich and sophisticated, this acclaimed[1] flagship rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, with ginger ale as a long drink or in a cocktail such as a Cancha, Old Fashioned, Cuba Libre or a Mai Tai.
Tempus Two
Tempus Two has created a new unapologetically bold yet gorgeously simple wine bottle label to bring a glass (or two) of fun to the conventional world of wine. The new labels celebrate Tempus Two’s easy and unstuffy approach to wine drinking, as well as making the perfect stylish accessory to any dinner party. The labels also feature a new flavour scale, designed to simplify conventional tasting notes and empower shoppers to navigate the wine aisle more confidently.
The range includes four crowd pleasers:
- The Malbec, featuring notes of mellow plum, is available to buy in Sainsbury’s now
- The Sauvignon Blanc, filled with grapefruit and gooseberry, is available to buy in Sainsbury’s from the 10th of May, and Tesco and Waitrose from June
- The perky pink Rosé, featuring notes of strawberry and rose petals available to buy in Sainsbury’s from the 10th of May
- The Shiraz, filled with hints of blackberries and savoury oak, is available for buy in Waitrose from June and Tesco from July
NIO Cocktails
Italian ready to drink brand, NIO Cocktails has launched four new cocktails leading with King Charles’ favourite, a Dry Martini, crafted with Tanqueray gin – just in time for the Coronation!
NIO have used the highest quality gin and vermouth with hints of vanilla, woody notes and herbs from the South of France for this premium cocktail blend.
NIO have also released a Tea Sour, Strawberry Margarita and have launched their latest partnership with Disaronno – creating a Dissarono Sour. The launch of these four new cocktails means that this Coronation Bank Holiday you can enjoy a delicious and excellent cocktail without having to lift a finger (just add the drink in a glass with ice and you’re all set).
Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc
With its crisp, refreshing flavours of grapefruit, green apple, and pineapple along with notes of white flowers and herbs, Cono Sur’s Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for summer and can accompany every dish you would serve on a hot summer’s day.
Cono Sur Bicicleta Malbec
The juicy and smooth medium-bodied Malbec is intense in red fruits including cherries, raspberries and plums, complimented with warm touches of chocolate and coffee. It pairs beautifully with full-flavoured foods like red meat, and when it comes to cheese… Swiss and Gorgonzola are a must.
Kleine Zalze Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
A classic, multi-layered blend with redcurrant and dark plum flavours combined with notes of peppery spices, all balanced by subtle well-integrated oak.
Rooted firmly on a hillside, this majestic tree guards the valley where wine has been made for centuries. With this range, Kleine Zalze continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality.Wine has been made here since 1695. Today, this family-owned winery situated outside Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands, continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality.
Kleine Zalze Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022
Balancing aromatic intensity and natural acidity, this is a fresh, delightful blend of tropical fruit, lime and grassy, herbaceous notes.
Rooted firmly on a hillside, this majestic tree guards the valley when wine has been made for centuries. With this range, Kleine Zalze continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality.Wine has been made here since 1695. Today, this family-owned winery situated outside Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Winelands, continues the tradition of producing wines of outstanding quality.
Journey’s End Haystack Chardonnay 2021
A big, rich, South African Chardonnay packed with ripe tropical fruit flavours and a buttery character, it has good acidity which stops this being cloying. The Gabb family, who own this property, were originally from Shropshire.
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec 2020
A benchmark for Argentinian Malbec. Sourced from vineyards with a perfect combination of altitude and stony soils with large rock deposits, which give this wine fresh, spicy notes and structured, yet soft, tannins. Delicious with steak and barbequed meats.
The Zuccardi Serie A range demonstrates the richness and diversity of Argentina’s many micro-climates and soils. Serie A stands for “Argentina Series” as the way of expressing our most representative grape varieties by recognizing the best growing regions specific to each, and selecting top vineyard sites along the foothills of the Andes Mountains.This Malbec has a purple-black color and is bursting with blackcurrant and plum aromas. It is full-bodied with rich black cherry and chocolate notes and a velvety finish. All grapes are from estate vineyards in the Uco Valley, an exceptional area for Malbec, with the perfect combination of altitude and stony soils with large rock deposits, giving the wine fresh, spicy notes and structured, yet soft, tannins.
Cune Rioja Rosado 2022
A very appealing pale dry rosé made from Tempranillo. Aromas of red summer fruits and a palate reminiscent of summer pudding drizzled with cream. Multiple award winning and for very good reason! Try this bold, structured, juicy Cabernet Sauvignon with smoky meats – think BBQ “burnt ends”!
Don Papa Rum
A premium aged, single-island rum, Don Papa is distilled from some of the finest sugar cane in the world on the island of Negros in the Philippines, locally known as Sugarlandia. Aged for over seven years in American oak barrels before being blended to perfection. With a rich smooth taste, and just a touch of vanilla, Don Papa is perfect straight, on the rocks or in your favourite cocktail.
Codorníu cava rosé
Codorníu cava roséis the ideal bottle to have on hand this Summer. The cavas in the Codorniu Rosé Collection take inspiration from the first cava signed by Josep Raventós, uniting tradition and innovation in the same bottle.
The grapes to produce their cavas are carefully selected from centuries-old vineyards, following the guidelines of sustainable viticulture. By following the traditional method of double fermentation, Codorníu combines innovation and tradition, closely monitoring each stage of the process until a final product of unparalleled quality is obtained.
