Spirits & Cocktails
(menu)WHISKY
Whisky Special - Pick 'n' Mix
There's so much more to gain from the whisky category if you free yourself of staid preconceptions and adopt a more open and relaxed attitude. Spirits guru Dave Broom starts by busting some whisky myths. Single malts aren't necessarily better than blends, older doesn't automatically mean better, and in many cases, contrary to popular belief, whisky makes an excellent accompaniment for various cuisines
WHISKY
Whisky distillery profiles
Every distillery has a story to tell, from rich histories to distinct flavour profiles influenced by their unique locations. We traverse Scotland and its islands, and as far afield as Tennessee, sampling excellent spirits along the way
Whisky and Indian food: The spice route
Whisky is that rare drink that can stand up to the heat and spice of Indian food, as Kate Portman discovers. The trick is to match the type of spice in the food to the right style of whisky - like tandoori dishes with peaty malts
Talisker profile - speed bonnie boat
Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye is best approached by boat, so Charles MacLean sets sail on the Classic Malts Cruise. This is no calm ocean journey, but there's no better way to understand this spirit's origins.
GIN
Insiders guide to... gin
The earliest records of gin production date back to 17th-century Holland. The first Brits to discover 'genever' were soldiers, who drank it to fortify themselves for battle – hence the term ‘Dutch courage’. The drink found a new audience in England when Dutch-born William of Orange became King William III in 1689 and encouraged the distillation of English spirits, while also raising import duty on French spirits.
COCKTAILS
History of CaipirinhaKicking off the first in a new Square Meal series looking at the world’s best-loved cocktails, Ben McCormack traces the history of the caipirinha
History of NegroniIn the second of Square Meal’s close-ups on the world’s best-loved cocktails, Ben McCormack explores the history of the Negroni – and where you can drink it now
History of DaiquiriIn Square Meal’s ongoing series looking at the world’s classic cocktails, Julie Sheppard reveals the history of the daiquiri and finds out how to mix the perfect glass
History of Margarita
Fiona Sims puts the number-one Tequila-based cocktail, the margarita, under the spotlight

All Latest Openings
