Our features editor Jo Aspin rounds up the latest drinks releases hitting our shelves. Try these five fab new creations this July, all approved in the chattingfood.com testing lab.
Engine Gin – EDITOR’S PICK
We love the branding of this new gin. Produced in Italy, Engine is 100% organic. The London dry style gin has been created in small batches in the Alta Langa region. Standout for its distinct flavour with balsamic hints of juniper, fresh notes of lemon peel and the intense aroma of sage, with a floral after taste. Not knocking the elixir but it’s the can we love most. Crafted from recyclable aluminium and inspired by oil and fuel cans, this retro looking housed spirit is a treat for all gin fans.
£33.16
Springster Drinks
For all those keeping an eye on the ever-increasing no/ low options, here’s a lovely summer fizz launched from Springster Drinks in Wiltshire. The cooks and gardeners of the ancient walled Pythouse Kitchen Garden have created this unique serve made from their homegrown Discovery apples and gooseberries. Notes of cider apple and roasted malt with added flavours from rhubarb, ginger and fennel give this lightly carbonated infusion a wonderfully tangy, slightly savoury and incredibly moreish taste.
RRP £14.50 per bottle from www.sprigsterdrinks.com
House Vermouth From Top Cuvee
London based natural wine supplier Top Cuvee has launched its own house vermouth. The artisan look and feel of this bottle will make it stand out on your drinks shelve beautifully. Inside you’ll find a lighter style vermouth which has been designed to drink on its own or with soda. Crisp citrus and peach notes are complemented with bitter tasting wormwood. We liked the bitter flavours that came through when drinking straight. Castelao from Alcobaca, Portugal has been used as the wine base. The natural vermouth offers a lower ABV aperitif.
£25.00 from Shop Cuvée
The One Manzilla – Whisky
This charming sounding distillery in the Lake District has a new whisky out this month. The One Manzanilla is a blended whisky fusing The Lakes Single Malt and select grain and malt Scotch whiskies from the Highlands, Speyside and Islay. The One is then finished in Andalusian Manzilla casks giving this spirit a distinct, aromatic woody flavour. The Lakes Distillery can be found on a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been built upon a 160-year-old farmstead on the banks of the River Derwent. They offer a range of tours and on site experiences too!
£48.00
Panther M*lk
Inspired by 'Leche De Pantera’, a potent cocktail that originated in the hedonism of 1920's Spain, this modern-day ready made cocktail range has had the dairy content replaced with condensed oat milk and Minor Figures Oat M*lk. It’s blended with a concoction of overproof spiced rum, white rum, gin and brandy. You can try their core range of vanilla, strawberry and salted caramel NOW and look out for limited edition Panther M*ilk flavours mint, coffee and chocolate coming soon.
£9 for 250ml / £25 for 70cl