Summer may well be waning, but with this bank holiday weekend signalling a last hurrah for summer barbecues (unless the oft-promised ‘Indian summer’ decides to grace us with its presence this year…), we’ve rounded up some of our favourite drinks to wet your whistle this weekend.
What will you be drinking this Bank Holiday Weekend?
One would be forgiven for vetoing tequila after many a night in a dodgy student union, downing cheap shots, but HACIEN is a brand determined to show us just how beautiful a beverage it can be. Named for the haciendas of Jalisco where it’s sourced and bottled, it’s distilled from 100% blue agave, resulting in a natural sweetness and resulting in a tequila that is smooth and subtle, yet full of distinctive flavour. It’s bold enough to be drunk solo over ice, but the website has a library of recipes to suggest for its four flavours – Añejo Cristalino, Pineapple, Coffee and Blanco; we love the sound of the coconut and chilli margarita. From £39.95, available from www.hacien.com.
A whole host of low and no-option drinks have been developed in the last few years for those steering clear of the booze, many of which are really rather delicious. One such drink is the Jasmine Pearls Sparkling Tea by JING, a great alternative for champagne or sparkling wine if not drinking, with a hearty jasmine aroma, hints of honey and a gentle fruitiness; it’s terribly refreshing whilst also containing no sugar or calories. Win-win. We love it as part of a summer afternoon tea, or try it as an accompaniment to barbecue chicken and crisp salads. £22.80 from www.jingtea.com.
The Dorset Ginger Company is are master with ginger, developing a range of deliciously punchy drinks that are delightful solo as well as a mixer. Run by a husband and wife team, the range uses the finest quality ginger with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, delivering a ginger kick with every sip. With 11 varieties from Original and Extra Strong to Raspberry with a Hint of Ginger (which earned one star at the 2023 Great Taste Awards) and a Spiced Ginger Punch, we’re saving for when the weather turns. Available in 33cl and 75cl at £16.50 and £33 respectively for a case of six from www.dorsetginger.ltd.
It’s no secret that MOTH’s canned cocktails are the best in the business, well, this summer they added a Spicy Margarita into the mix. These potent little cans (a rather punchy 14.9%) are the best canned cocktails we’ve found and put the wishy washy supermarket versions to shame thanks to their bar-strength hit. Fresh flavours, a hint of salt, a tickle of chilli; perfect for decanting into a chilled glass with a rim of Takin (or drinking en route…) RRP £3.99 each, available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado and www.mothdrinks.com.
A crisp white is a must for any barbecue, and the new Les Grappilages Chablis 2023 by Laurent Delauney gets our vote. The brand-new wine from multi-awarded 5th generation Burgundian winemaker, Laurent Delaunay, has recently arrived at Morrisons to offer Burgundy lovers both current and future classic wines from the region at affordable prices.
Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages combines the region’s traditional winemaking heritage with a fresh, modern twist to create accessible, terroir-led wines, with a touch of haute-couture from the fashion-house favourite French Toile de Jouy print on the label. Pale gold with bright lemon, zesty mandarin and delicate white flowers on the nose and a crisp, flinty palate, well be pairing it with goat’s cheese salads and grilled fish. £18 from Morrisons stores and online at www.morrisons.com.
We love a refreshing iced tea in the summer, but not the awful sugar-filled versions often found in the shops. Purveyors of fine teas, TWG have the answer in their Summer Holiday Iced Tea Gift Set. With 15 fresh flavours like Moroccan Mint, Pink Flamingo – flavoured with delicate hibiscus flowers – Alfonso with mango and Eternal Summer, a fragrant rooibos with notes of sweet summer blossoms and raw berries, they are a delicious addition to any summer spread. £64 from www.twg.com.
White Claw’s hard seltzers have become ubiquitous at summer festivals as a lighter alternative to classic spirits and mixers. Refreshing, fruity and with some really rather tasty flavours, this summer they made their first foray into tequila with the launch of the White Class Tequila Smash in Strawberry Lime and Mango Passion Fruit. With just 80 calories and real juice, we love them for festivals and barbecues alike. Available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose, but order direct for the best offers, with 12 cans on the website, just £2.40 each www.whiteclaw.com.
