With May being a pivotal month in our return to normality, we believe it is time to raise a glass (or two) of something special to celebrate. And this month Jo Aspin has you sorted.
1. Aber Falls Whisky
Welsh distillery Aber Falls launches its first whisky this month. Milled and distilled with 100% Welsh malted barley and rock-filtered water, this vibrant and fruity single malt, takes you on a journey through tropical fruits, dark chocolate and golden syrup with a touch of vanilla to finish. Distilled in copper pot stills and then matured in a mix of wooden barrels, including American and European oak, Spanish sherry, Virgin oak and Orange Wine casks, it’s no wondered this whisky has so many layers. Plus as Dr Kirsty McCallum their Master Blender testifies, it’s also down to down to Aber Falls’ unique setting. Nestled between the Menai Straits and the Carneddau mountain range, the site offers a remote microclimate, creating the ideal conditions to influence the whisky.
2. Nio Espresso Martini
Give your park drinks a serious upgrade with this new drop from NIO (Needs Ice Only) ready-made cocktails. This beautifully blended Espresso Martini features Kettle One vodka mixed with Borghetti coffee liqueurs and we’re pleased to report the booze ratio has not been scrimped on! Arguably as good as anything you would have served up over the bar. Simply shake, twist open and pour over ice for minimal-fuss cocktail boozing al fresco – cheers!
3. One Eyed Rebel
This brand new spiced rum caught our eye thanks to its green parrot adorned bottle sleeve and unique brass belly band, which has been inspired by old rum barrels. One Eyed Rebel is a British-made small-batch spiced rum made with a peppery mix of botanicals including ginger, vanilla and rich cassia (Chinese cinnamon – we Googled it!). It’s the latest creation from award-winning Manchester Distillers and has already picked up a Gold Award at the Sprits Business awards 2021 - a reliable indication that it is top-notch stuff.
4. Naughty Water
Out this month is a new boozy water brand with added vitamin C*, aptly titled Naughty Water. The branding of the tins screams fun with their sunset-hued tropical scenes. Choose from three fab flavours: Cranberry; Mango & Passionfruit and Blood Orange, our favourite was the latter! Brainchild of entrepreneur Charlie Brake and born out of lockdown, the drinks are vegan friendly and only 72 calories a can.
*Nb. NO - this does not qualify as one of your 5 a day. Nice try!
5. Cotton Strawberry & Peppercorn Gin
If you like to imbibe with the seasons, then this is the gin for you this month. To celebrate the start of the great British strawberry season, Yorkshire craft gin makers Otterbeck Distillery have teamed up with Annabel’s Deliciously Britain to create this berry-infused edition of their Cotton Gin. Botanicals used to create Cotton Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn include Yorkshire watercress, English coriander, hand-foraged local spruce, rowan berries, nettle leaves and mint. Plus, the bottle is pretty as a picture featuring illustrations of strawberries and budding blooms.
[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases]
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Chatting Food Contributor Jo Aspin
Half American / half (born and bred) Londoner, Jo Aspin is a food writer and established freelance food, drink and lifestyle PR. She’ll be reporting on all the latest restaurant openings and news from the capital. When she’s not eating her way around London, she’s planning her next trip abroad.
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