Never underestimate the intrinsic, deep-rooted desire within the British population for a summertime tipple as soon as the sun begins to shine upon our dreary island. Whether it’s a pint in the park or a gorgeous artisan gin and tonic on a hotel rooftop, there’s nothing quite like enjoying an ice-cold beverage with friends after a long day at work.
The aim isn’t to end up on a canal cruise somewhere along the Thames quicker than you can say “double shot, please”, but rather to enjoy the delicate buzz of an alcoholic botanical blend while looking ahead to a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.
Naturally, there are a number of specific flavour profiles which are largely suited to the summer months. This includes fruity flavours such as peach, strawberry, raspberry and mango; popular warm weather citrus notes like lemon, grapefruit and blood orange; as well as floral notes such as rose, jasmine, gardenia and bergamot.
While wine connoisseurs can certainly discern similar flavour profiles in various vintages suited for warm weather, there’s something unbeatably refreshing about a premium infused spirit poured over ice or mixed with an artisanal tonic. But how on earth does one choose between the myriad of delightful spirits on the highly saturated alcohol market?
If you’re in the mood for refreshing, herbaceous botanicals, gin should be your drink of choice. Lovers of all things sweet and punchy should go for a coconut-infused, fruity rum. Those looking for the alcoholic equivalent of a cool breeze may want to opt for a vodka infusion, while movers and shakers will likely prefer some authentic, enlivening tequila.
We’ve curated a selection of the best spirits to enjoy in the summertime below.
Hendricks Flora Adora Gin
Hendricks’ Cabinet of Curiosities gin series is beloved for its unique flavour profiles which are perfectly suited to certain seasons. Flora Adora is no different, and this summertime spirit is sure to put a spring in your step. It’s infused with marvellous florals including rose, violet, honeysuckle and lavender.
Buy now £37.75, The Whisky Exchange
Grey Goose Essences White Peach & Rosemary
Premium vodka brand Grey Goose is well-known for its crystalline, ultra-smooth taste. This beautiful summer spirit is made by infusing the world-famous vodka with white peaches and fabulously aromatic rosemary for a tastebud-tingling tipple.
Buy now £41.95, The Whisky Exchange
Pomello and Elderflower aperitif
What do you get the drinks aficionado that seems to have every bottle of booze going? A Swedish aperitif that will heighten their favourite mixes, ofc. Made from grapefruit’s gentler cousin pomello with notes of elderflower added to the mix, the delicate pink blend tastes great on its own but even better when recruited for a spritz, marg and sour recipes. 18 per cent ABV.
Buy now £28.25, The Whisky Exchange
Malfy Rosa Sicilian Pink Grapefruit Flavoured Gin
Malfy’s Rosa Sicilian Pink Grapefruit gin isn’t your usual pink gin. For a start, it’s far more zingy and refreshing with a classic gin undertone of juniper and coriander. This ever-so-popular bottle is a strong one, coming in at a 41 per cent ABV, which is something to keep in mind as you liberally pour yourself another round.
Distilled from Italian pink grapefruit, rhubarb and four other botanicals alongside all of the spirit’s classics, this sharp, fruity bottle is a summer staple. Serve with a wedge of pink grapefruit and wait for the sunshine to light up its pastel pink colouring.
Buy now £28.25, Amazon
Roku Japanese Gin
Meaning ‘the number six’ in Japanese, Roku is infused with six native botanicals for fresh and clean aromas with flavours of floral cherry blossom and earthy green tea. Why not serve it as an Asian twist on a classic G&T for something a bit different?
Buy now £30.50, Amazon
St. Ives Limoncello
St. Ives is all about avoiding waste and making the most of each ingredient, which is why you’ll find the whole lemon in its limoncello rather than just the juice or the peel. A zesty bottle that’s loved for its intense flavours, this limoncello adds just the right amount of spark to a big meal although holds enough power to be served up before dinner has even finished cooking.
Buy now £23.00, Master of Malt
Clase Azul Reposado tequila 700ml
Long gone are the days of tequila with a worm at the bottom of the bottle. Modern iterations of the Mexican spirit are designed to be sipped and savoured, not shot. With tequila enjoying something of a revival in recent years, here’s an excuse to give something really special.
From artisan producer Clase Azul comes this white and blue ceramic decanter, its beauty rivalled only by the liquid within. Smooth and full-bodied, the spirit, made from pure weber blue agave, slips easily down the throat, imparting undertones of vanilla and toffee caramel along the way. We had no idea that tequila could be this good. A triumph.
Buy now £250.00, Harvey Nichols
Ukiyo Japanese Blossom Gin
Blended from carefully sourced sakura blossom and native botanicals, Ukiyo is a floral and flavoursome gin distilled with a traditional Japanese rice spirit. It is full of gentle, elegant flavour and as a bonus, the bottle looks pretty amazing on shelves and drinks trolleys too. Stir into a tonic or soda with ice and a slice.
There is also a yuzu, juniper and coriander version available.
Buy now £31.00, Amazon
Grey Goose Le Citron
Flavoured vodkas can be a little hit and miss but Grey Goose, with its understated approach and notes of subtlety, proves that it can be a very delicious thing indeed. Enter: Grey Goose Le Citron. This versatile vodka may be one you reach for mostly in the summer months but adds a dash of sparkle throughout the year with its beautiful aromas of ripe, fresh Menton lemons. It’s made using a balance of citrus flowers and lemon trees from the Provence Alpes Cotes d’Azur region and is fresh, light and all-round wonderful.
Buy now £39.99, Drink Supermarket
Akashi Tai Ginjo Yuzushu Sake
Akashi Tai's Ginjo Yuzushu Sake is light and citrusy, a fragrant, premium bottle that deserves to be enjoyed slowly without interruptions. It's a little more flavourful than the standard bottle, incorporating macerated yuzu fruit while brewing to give it a little extra sparkle.
Sweet and zesty, you'll love this sake most in cocktails, letting its fruitier side come to life. Its stronger flavour means you'll want to pair this sake with just as strong-flavoured foods: it'll overshadow any mild flavours.
Buy now £25.49, Master of Malt
Desi Daru No.2 Mango Vodka
Using the Hindi word for booze, this fun vodka has been made with a blend of English and Indian ingredients, making it fitting for celebrating both nations. It's spiked with Indian Alphonso mangoes, widely considered the best variety, for a delicious spirit that's very hard to resist.
Buy now £45.00, Harvey Nichols
Market Row Botanical Rum
Smooth, warming, and not overly sweet, Market Row’s Botanical Rum is a contemporary premium rum with an authentic Caribbean twist. Crafted by a micro-distillery in the heart of Brixton, it blends some of the finest aged pot still rums from across Jamaica, The Dominican Republic and Barbados. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels for up to five years and infused with Kenyan black tea, Nigerian hibiscus and Asian red rose petals, the result is a unique botanical flavour of Brixton. With caramel notes and a fresh floral finish, the bottle won silver in this year’s International Wine & Spirits Competition.
Buy now £35.00, Fortnum & Mason
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Combining bergamot peel, Cedro lemons, chamomile, lavender, gentian, yellow roses and Melissa balm, this aromatic and spicy liqueur is bitter and sweet in equal measure, while the serve comes in an Instagrammable green bottle. Enjoy over ice or with prosecco for an exquisite way to wrap up the day.
Buy now £31.49, The Bottle Club
