From Kendall Jenner's Eight Reserve tequila, to Ryan Reynold's Aviation gin, here are the best spirits to amplify your at-home bar
Any budding mixologist knows the frustration when you find a delicious cocktail recipe online, only to find that you're missing a key ingredient from your at-home bar. Whether you're after a flavoured gin for a fancy bramble, an ultra-premium tequila for a mouth-watering margarita or a clean vodka for a martini your friends won't stop talking about, we've rounded up all the best alcoholic spirit drinks that not only bring your cocktail game to all-new heights, but they'll enhance the overall aesthetic of your spirit shelf.
Kendall Jenner's Eight Reserve has to be one of the prettiest spirit bottles around, the beautiful hand-made ceramic 8-shaped bottle is as much of an accessory as it is an ultra-premium Añejo Reserve. This award-winning blend of Añejo and Extra Añejo tequila launched in the UK just last November. It's been aged for up to eight years, creating a unique level of complexity, softness and depth. Best sipped neat.
Our favourite on the go? Gin seltzers, since they're such big news this year. And Chase Distillery has launched the UK's first. Taking inspiration from their success over the pond, their hard gin seltzer aims to tap into the active Millennial demographic (you) who are on the hunt for a drink that’s flavourful but that also complements a healthy, fitness-driven lifestyle. Each can is just 89 Calories per 250ml and they're made from Chase Gin (which is made entirely from scratch on their Herefordshire farm) and botanicals and sparkling water. Other seltzers we're loving include the DRTY Hard Seltzer White Citrus and Smirnoff's Orange & Grapefruit Seltzer.
Obviously drink responsibly and with the finest glassware from John Lewis/Oliver Bonas/Anthropologie. Oh, and check out our pick of the most Instagrammable places to drink at while you're deciding which thirst-quencher to plump for.
Best welsh gin
Cygnet 22 Welsh Dry Gin, £48.50, John Lewis
Cygnet Gin is a world-class premium gin hand-crafted in Wales and founded by the welsh national treasure and mezzo soprano, Katherine Jenkins OBE. The ultra-premium Cygnet 22 is distilled with a balanced blend of 22 botanicals including Manuka honey, herbal juniper, vanilla and chamomile. Cygnet gin is perfect if you want to raise a glass for St David's Day (1st March). Iechyd da ('cheers' in welsh)!
Best ultra-premium tequila reserve
Eight Reserve, £240, Secret Bottle Shop
Eight Reserve’s outstanding flavour comes from the heart of Jalisco, Mexico, where decades of expertise and passion have resulted in a painstakingly crafted blend that is incredibly smooth and rich. Key tasting notes are cooked agave, vanilla, cinnamon, dried berries and praline, with aromas of clove, toasted nuts, honey and orange peel on the nose with spiced accents. Eight Reserve is formed from a
blend of one, three, and eight-year añejos, creating an unparalleled depth and flavour. Eight Reserve is best enjoyed on its own: neat or on the rocks.
Best vodka
Grey Goose Original Vodka, £30.99, Amazon
An absolute staple for any cocktail trolley. Why not try making Le Grand Fizz a la Russe - a bittersweet spritz packed full of zesty citrus notes, perfect for catchups with friends in the sunshine. You’ll need a bottle of this, some peach liqueur, a grapefruit (juice and wedge), tonic water and thyme. Combine all ingredients except the tonic water over cubed ice in a large wine glass. Stir and top with tonic. Garnish with grapefruit wedge and sprig of thyme for added flavour.
Best fruity gin
6 O'clock Gin Romy's Edition Mango, Ginger & Lime Gin, £38, Amazon
This Spring, artisanal British gin maker, 6 O'clock Gin is adding an innovative new flavour to its acclaimed ready-to-drink range, in collaboration with chef Romy Gill MBE. Inspired by Romy’s memories of summers in India the gin is packed full of flavours from traditional Indian cooking, including deliciously moreish Mango, Ginger & Lime.
Best Elderflower Liqueur
St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, £25.49, Drinks Supermarket
Joe McCanta the Global Ambassador for Grey Goose says “Light and fragrant, the St-Germain Spritz has a similar alcohol content to a glass of wine, but with an added dose of sophistication. The combination of champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine blended with the citrusy, light, and floral notes of St-Germain make this a sipping drink to enjoy for a sunny holiday.”
Best drink to manifest a holiday
Hawksbill Caribbean Spiced Rum, £26.89, Amazon
If you’re into cocktail making, there are endless creations to be made with this versatile spirit. Anything from Mai Tai’s to Mojitos to Hurricane cocktails can be created with this Caribbean spiced rum.
Best gin from around the world
Aviation American Gin, 700ml, £31.89, Amazon
Aviation American Gin is crafted in small batches in Oregon and owned by the ever so stunning Ryan Reynolds. It’s been voted the world’s highest rated gin - softer and sweeter, with juniper in the background and citrus and floral notes in the front.
Best gin for Summer
Hayman's Peach & Rose Gin Cup, £19.95, Amazon
Hayman’s Peach and Rose Cup combines Hayman’s classic London Dry Gin with notes of fresh peach, sweet fragrant rose and juicy orchard fruit. Ideally served as a summer spritz with lemonade and fresh fruit to garnish, this is screaming out to be paired with a garden dinner party!
Best gin gift
Cotswolds Dry Gin 46% Abv with Gift Box, £31.99, Amazon
This elegant black bottle and gift box is a great gift for any gin lover. Cotswold dry gin is made with ten times the average volume of botanicals and has fresh notes of grapefruit.
Best drink for refreshing yourself
Chase Pink Grapefruit & Pomelo Gin, £38, Amazon
Distilled on the famous Herefordshire-based Chase Farm, this award-winning Pink Grapefruit and Pomelo gin is - quite simply - the most refreshing summer drink of them all. Pair it with Fever Tree's Mediterranean tonic, which can be bought in bulk on Amazon.
Best drink to remind you of holidays
Malfy Gin Rosa, £26.59, Master of Malt
Malfy is a premium Italian gin inspired by the idyllic Amalfi coast. A blend of fresh citrus fruits, vibrant flavours and fragrant botanicals, it's is guaranteed to bring a touch of that laid back, La Dolce Vita lifestyle to your summer drinks cabinet whether you can go abroad or not. Recommended cocktails to make with this particular gin? A Gin Rosa and Tonic, an Amalfy Sunset Spritz (Malfy Gin Rosa, Prosecco, San Pellegrino, an orange wheel, a strawberry slice and a thyme sprig), and a Sbagliato Corretto (Malfy Gin Rosa, Lillet Rose, Italian Bitter Apperitif, Prosecco and a pink grapefruit twist).
Best drink for a tropical kick
Faith & Sons Mango Gin, £31.99, The Bottle Club
Lover of all things tropical? You'll love Faith & Son's tropical mango gin, where the heady combination of the sweet juiced mangoes and the brand's fragranced signature gin creates a fruity spirit.
Best drink for making cocktails
No Name Distillery Pineapple & Coconut Gin Liqueur, £17.99, The Bottle Club
In need of a summery treat? Reach for this liqueur by No Name Distillery, which sees an infusion of pineapple and coconut into a London Dry gin base. You can make a tonne of Caribbean-inspired cocktails with this, but how about starting with a juniper-y twist on a Mojito?
Best drink for flavoured gin lovers
Bottled at 40%, this perfectly balanced juniper-forward gin is full of natural flavour. Aromas of rhubarb are complemented by a lift of spice, leading to a smooth, full finish.
Best British-distilled rum
Dark Matter Spiced Rum Liqueur, £28.95, Amazon
Scottish-distilled molasses-based dark spiced rum. The signature spice blend contains Oriental ginger, Indonesian long pepper and Thai green peppercorns to create a rum with an unashamedly unique flavour profile.
Best for buying in bulk
Hernö Pink Gin, £39.99, Selfridges
This crisp, classy gin is available with 10% off when you buy six or more bottles at Selfridges right now. As if we needed an excuse...
Best drink for rum fans
BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez, £40.75, Amazon
BACARDÍ, the world’s most awarded rum, has launched BACARDÍ Gran Reserva Diez, a gold sipping rum that has been barrel-aged for a minimum of ten years under the Caribbean sun. It has notes of banana, pear and tropical melon, caramelised vanilla and oak. To sample the burst of Caribbean flavours head to the BACARDI Rum Rooms in London during Cocktail Week.
Best drink to share with Dad
WhistlePig Rye Whiskey, £79.95, Amazon
From the snowy Vermont Mountains to you; WhistlePig’s signature warming Whiskey with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and tobacco is just gagging to be shared with the family and friends.
Best drink for its sustainable accolades
Reyka Vodka, £26.95, Master of Malt
Reyka Vodka is not just made in Iceland, it is made of Iceland. Powered by renewable energy, it’s distilled in small batches, using glacial spring water that runs through a 4,000-year-old lava field in Langjökull.
Best drink for brunch
Longbottom & Co.'s Bloody Mary, £1.79, Ocado
Longbottom & Co’s Virgin Mary mix is the perfect addition to your tequila-fuelled fantasies (or keep it virgin if you prefer), and vegans, we’re here for you too as it’s made from Longbottom’s very own Worcestershire sauce which is completely vegan-friendly!
Best gin seltzer
Chase's Gin Seltzer Trio Pack, £7.50, Chase Distillery
Following huge success in the US, Chase has launched the world's first gin hard seltzer. It’s crafted in the UK with award-winning Chase Gin and sparkling water with natural botanical flavours. Designed for gin-lovers, this low calorie RTD is the perfect beverage to enjoy on-the-go.
Best drink to save for winter
Gordon's Sloe Gin, £17, Amazon
A new winter gin recipe to cosy up in front of the fire with. Spiced with juniper notes and a burst of berry flavour. All you'll need is Gordons sloe gin and warm apple juice. If you're feeling really fancy then garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise, two gloves, nutmeg and berries.
