What Are The Best Drinks For Summer 2017?

Summer is a time for indulging in the best spirits, wines and tipples available. There is nothing quite like sitting in a sun-soaked garden, grabbing a glass and enjoying yourself. That’s why we have collected some of this Summer’s best drinks and accessories to help you make the most of the sun! 

Super summer spirits

Outer Space Vodka (£34.95)

If you are looking for something unique and “out of this world”, then Outerspace Vodka is certainly one to watch. According to reports, the unique and edgy “alien” design and packaging have made it one of the fastest growing liquor brands globally. Since launching in the U.S. just 18 months ago, the brand is now available in 42 states and has gone on to sell over 40,000 cases with its distinctive green alien head attracting something of a cult following among consumers and on social media.

Aside from the eye-popping alien aesthetic, it also tastes wonderful. Made from only the finest American corn, smoothness is leant to the drink through 5 levels of distillation. The final level of distillation sees the liquid purified over a 4-billion-year old meteorite! Super smooth, stylish and a certain talking point this Summer.

Available immediately in 700ml. Buy here.

Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin (£33.95)

Rhubarb is one of our favourite fruits for the summer season. Zingy, fresh and full of flavour it really does enhance anything it accompanies.  Warner Edwards Rhubarb Gin is one of the brand’s latest additions to their gin offerings and it is sublime.

They use hand-picked Queen Victoria Rhubarb from a Crown Estate farm to give them the best flavour and soften the plant using their still. The rhubarb is added to the award winning Warner Edwards Harrington gin, along with juniper, citrus and coriander.  The result is a hint of sweetness and pleasant rhubarb flavour, rather than an overbearing and sickly finish. Balance here is key and the overall sweet and sour combination is a treat. Plus, if you are looking to gift the gin, it comes in an elegant presentation box too! Buy here.

Inspired by the popular summer cocktail, Piña Colada, the new limited-edition expression has been crafted using natural pineapple and coconut flavours, delivering a taste of coconut cream and a juicy tropical fruity note that carries through into a long, smooth finish. Cîroc Summer Colada will launch in the UK on May 1^st, accompanied by two recommended perfect serves, Cîroc Colada and Summer Colada Sunrise.

Cîroc Summer Colada

Fancy something a little different and something VERY summery? Cîroc have it covered! As an exclusive summer edition, Cîroc Summer Colada presents itself in a white bottle, embellished with metallic accents, including a golden orb as part of the logo and a golden cap, celebrating its style credentials. 

Building on the success of recent launches, including Cîroc Pineapple and Cîroc Mango, the limited-edition variant is positioned to capitalise on the growing consumer demand for tropical flavour profiles. Cîroc Summer Colada lends itself well to both simple and more complex summertime serves, making it perfect for at home and on premise drinking occasions, providing customers exciting ways to celebrate in style. It joins the seven-strong portfolio which includes Cîroc Mango, Cîroc Pink Grapefruit and Cîroc Apple, Cîroc Red Berry, Cîroc Pineapple, Cîroc Amaretto and Cîroc Original.

 

Cîroc Summer Colada 70cl will be available nationwide from May from Amazon!

Cîroc Colada

50ml Cîroc Summer Colada

50ml Pineapple Juice

10ml Lime Juice

Garnish: Fresh Pineapple Wedge

Serve: In a tall glass filled with crushed ice

Bushmills Black Bush Whisky

Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey combines a high amount of malt whiskey matured in former Oloroso Sherry casks, with a sweet, batch-distilled grain whiskey. This unique recipe means Black Bush has rich, fruity notes and a deep intense character, balanced by an incredibly unique smoothness. It’s best enjoyed neat, or over ice.

Picked up the top prize in its category at the World Whisky Awards 2010.

Why not try a Hipster Irish Coffee

Ingredients

• 40ml Black Bush 
• 1 individual Espresso 
• 10ml Chocolate spirit 
• 30ml Cream 

Method

Shake all but the cream and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Gently float the lightly whipped cream on the top

Kraken Spiced Rum (£23.50)

Kraken Spiced Rum is a classy act. Not only is the bottle striking, but the super smooth aged rum is one of our favourites in this price range.  The Kraken Rum is aged for 12 to 24 months and blended with 11 spices including cinnamon, ginger and cloves to create a strong, rich and dark smooth Rum.

The legend has it that The Kraken Rum is “an imported rum from the Caribbean blended with secret spices. IT IS SAID that a ship carrying one of the largest quantities of black spiced rum ever to be brought over from the Caribbean islands, for unexplained reasons, never reached its destination. Stories were plentiful, and while an attack by the Kraken is suspected, no stories were ever confirmed.”

What makes this such a special rum is the way the back story is carried through the packaging and into each drop.

Jose Cuervo Especial Silver Tequila

Tequila. It makes you happy! If you are a tequila fan, thisJose Cuervo Especial Silver offers a great balance for shooting and mixing too.

Developed by Jose Cuervo master distillers at La Rojeña, Especial Silver Tequila is unaged for a pure taste. Comprised of 51% agave and powerful sugarcane spirit, the tequila has a good smoothness, with hints of herbs and caramel. Certainly one to try for tequila fans, as it offers something different to their more commonly seen aged tequilas.

Try a Salty Chihuahua

Ingredients

• 50ml Jose Cuervo Silver 
• 170ml Pink Grapefruit juice
• Salt rim

Method

Rim 350ml highball glass with salt and build ingredients over cubed ice

Fizz, wines and other exciting Summer tipples

Thomson & Scott Skinny Prosecco (£17.95)

If only you could enjoy prosecco without guilt or calories. Hang on, with Thomson & Scott SKINNY Prosecco, now you can!

This low calorie (only 67 per glass), 50% less sugar offering will leave you wondering why you even needed full sugar prosecco on the first place! Vivaciously bubbly and effervescent, this prosecco is relatively dry on the palate and has all the hallmarks of a great prosecco. Plus, it is organic and suitable for vegans. Caution, once you have tried this, you may not be able to justify your typical higher calorie prosecco! Buy here.

Shorn Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 75cl

Summer is perfectly complimented by a great glass of ice cold, sauvignon blanc – there is no question about that! That’s why we were excited to hear about the new Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Shorn.

Pale straw in colour this delicious Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region has aromas of tropical fruits such as pineapple and grapefruit. The palate is fresh and zingy with citrus and gooseberry flavours, which result in crisp acidity and a clean dry finish. For under £10 a bottle, this is a strong contender for any bbq or summer gathering. A crowd pleasing flavour with a  freshness that will match any warm day.

 Mr Gladstone’s Curious Emporium Range

Sometimes it is nice to try drinks which break from the norm and offer a twist on classic flavours. The new playful range from the Curious Emporium range is available in four varieties, Rhubarb & Custard, Pineapple cube, Strawberry bonbon and Pear Drops.

Aiming to tap into nostalgic flavours, these 100% natural flavoured drinks are an intriguing take on your usual alcoholic beverage. Best served chilled or over ice, we would suggest these are more of a sipping drink, as the sweetness can get a little much after a while!

Live Strawberry & Lime Pouch

For a big group gathering, we cannot think of a drink more suitable thin this Strawberry & Lime infused rose!

The 1.5l pouch has more than enough for you and your friends, but if that is too much, it will keep the product fresh for four weeks once opened. Available in Co-op stores up and down the country, this highly drinkable offering really is bundles of fun. Not much more we can say about it really, other than give it a whirl!

Summer drink accessories

CORKCICLE CLASSIC

Summer sun, albeit brilliant when it arrives, sometimes looks to undermine your fun by warming up your wine. How rude!

Thanks to Corkcicle, your warm wine days may just be over! This innovative product chills your white wine or bring down the temperature of a warm red wine, without diluting your drink. The Corkcicle is easy to remove from the wine bottle, only takes 2 hours to freeze and tested to the highest standards. Simply place in the bottle and cool your wine from within. Genius! It’s £14.99 from Root7.

MARTINI MASTER 

Do you wish that you could create the perfect, bar-style martini in the comfort of your own home? If so, we would strongly recommend this Martini Master from Root7.

Thanks to a handy design, all the tools to make this classic cocktail can now be found in one place. Equipped with: channel knife/zester, reamer, jigger, knife and strainer. £15 from https://www.root7.com/martini-master. Martini’s not your thing? Mojito Master is also now available.