The Vesper Martini is famously known as the ”James Bond Cocktail”. The drink appeared for the first (and only) time in Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale. It was published in 1953, and it marked the beginning of the first adventures of the famous spy with the codename 007. It is a powerful drink and should be enjoyed slowly, but not slow enough for it to get warm. The attractiveness and sobriety of this cocktail may be due to the translucent appearance and the curly lemon peel that adorns the cocktail glass. The cocktail differs from the classic Dry Martini. Not only does the lemon peel replace the olive, but it also contains both gin and vodka. On top of that, the vermouth has been replaced with Lillet Blanc.

How to Prepare a Vesper Martini

45 ml of gin

15 ml of vodka

15 ml of Lillet Blanc

A large thin slice of lemon peel

Ice

Preparation

1. Fill a cocktail glass with ice to cool while preparing the cocktail
2. Pour the gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc in a shaker and fill with ice.
3. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds
4. Remove the ice from the cocktail glass
5. Pour the filtered drink from the shaker (without the ice)
6. Finally, garnish with the curly lemon peel

History

As mentioned, the Vesper Martini was born in the novel Casino Royale, but it only appears once in the entire series. James Bond named it Vesper in homage to the female main character of the novel, Vesper Lynd. In the following novels, James Bond used to order a Dry Martini (”shaken, not stirred”, of course). The cocktail was invented by a friend of the author, Ian Fleming. He incorporated it into the story because the cocktail was different and explosive.

The original cocktail is made with Kina Lillet which was a more bitter version of the Lillet Blanc sold today. The Kina Lillet no longer exists because Lillet’s formula changed in 1980 and this removed some of the original bitterness. If you want your Vesper Martini to resemble the original as much as possible there is a way to tweak the recipe. You can get close to the original flavour by adding a bit of Angostura bitter to the other ingredients in the shaker. However, this twist is not one that we would recommend.

It is important to use Lillet Blanc and not just any white vermouth. The flavours are vastly different. You might want to consider using Stolichnaya vodka that has a high alcohol content and resembles the drink from the 50s.

Rock Rose, a gin produced in Scotland, has launched a fully recyclable, bag-shaped container. Refill bags the size of an envelope are available to order online.

The Dunnet Bay distillery, creator of Rock Rose, has reported that the bags also significantly reduce the energy needed to ship the gin. The bags weigh just 65 grams compared to the original ceramic bottles weighing a whopping 700 grams.

The distillery describes the project as ”the first of its kind in the United Kingdom”. It is the result of more than a year of research and development. Martin Murray, co-founder of Dunnet Bay Distillers, explains: ”We prioritise sustainability and have been working hard on our first commercialisation of recyclable bags for over a year.”

Currently the refill packaging is only available to individual consumers. They can even return the packaging to the manufacturer to refill it. The Dunnet Bay Distillers plan to expand the program to bars, restaurants, and shops in the near future. The distillery is also working on including their other spirits in their sustainability project.

These new refill bags may seem to clash with the traditional glass bottle. But the goal of Rock Rose is to introduce a completely biodegradable refill bag by 2025. This is a sustainable step that combines well with the current focus on climate change and the goal of creating responsible consumption.

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Gin Pink (not to confuse with a classic cocktail) appears like a new fever in the post-Gin & Tonic era. Only time will tell if the gin pink has come to stay, but in the meanwhile, the big brands are already betting on this new product. 

That is the case of the Beefeater Pink. This brand new gin adds a new and bold pink face to the brand’s product range and appears as a punky hommage of London’s underground club culture. From the bottle label, inspired by the typical concert poster, up to a graffiti on the glass bottle and the gin’s neon pink colour as a reminder of the city’s underground clubs – everything resembles the urban, rebel and restless London.

Smooth, intense and pink, Beefeater Pink is a unique fusion of strawberries, citrus and dill, created for those who seek new experiences every day.

Enjoy it!

Beefeater Pink

Beefeater Pink is balanced and fresh. Smooth strawberry, citrus and juniper flavour 

Winter is coming, some would say. Or at least winter is slowly approaching. We change our cold beer for something warm. And what’s better than a mulled wine? This beverage is usually made of red wine along with various mulling spices like cinnamon and raisins. We have prepared four recipes to warm up your insides when it’s freezing and wet outside.

The Traditionalist:

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine
• 60g of demerara sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Grated nutmeg
• 1 orange, halved
• 1 dried bay leaf
• 60ml Damson Gin 

Preparation:

1. Put the wine in a saucepan with the orange, sugar, bay leaf and the spices.
2. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Add sugar according to your taste.
3. Turn off the heat, stir in the sloe or damson gin.
4. Strain into heatproof glasses and serve at once.

Easy Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of dry red wine
• 2 (5cm) cinnamon sticks
• 1 dessertspoon whole cloves
• 1 dessertspoon whole allspice
• 1 large piece orange rind
• 1 large piece lemon rind
• sugar

Preparation.

1. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon rind and orange rind.
2. Heat gently, then stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar
3. Once dissolved, taste to see if you’d like to add more.
4. Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine
5. Serve your mulled wine hot in glasses or mugs.

Jamie’s mulled wine

Ingredients:

• 2 clementines
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 200 g caster sugar
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 fresh bay leaves
• 1 whole nutmeg

Preparation:

1. Peel large sections of peel from the clementines, lemon and lime using a speed-peeler.
2. Put the sugar in a large saucepan over a medium heat, add the pieces of peel and squeeze in the clementine juice.
3. Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, bay leaves and about 10 to 12 gratings of nutmeg. Halve the vanilla pod lengthways and add to the pan, then stir in just enough red wine to cover the sugar.
4. Let this simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved into the red wine, then bring to the boil. Keep on a rolling boil for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until you’ve got a beautiful thick syrup. 
5. When your syrup is ready, turn the heat down to low and add your star anise and the rest of the wine.
6. Gently heat the wine and after around 5 minutes, when it’s warm and delicious, ladle it into heatproof glasses and serve.

Cider Mulled Wine

Ingredients:

• 1 (750 ml) bottle juicy light red wine, such as Beaujolais
• 4 ounces brandy
• 2 cups fresh apple cider
• 2 star anise pods
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 cinnamon sticks; plus 6 more for serving (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring wine, brandy, apple cider, star anise, cloves, and 2 cinnamon sticks to a boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer until flavours are infused, about 15 minutes.
3. Divide among mugs, garnish with 6 cinnamon sticks
4. Serve after a couple of hours

Sangre de Toro 2016

Sangre de Toro 2016, a classical Spanish one

Montalbera Ruché Di Castagnole Monferrato la Tradizione 2015

Montalbera Ruché Di Castagnole Monferrato la Tradizione 2015

Football forms a fundamental part of the British culture, no doubt about that. But what are we to do when the Premier League ends and the summer break forecasts three whole months of abstinence? Football fans and enthusiasts will need to find an alternative way of pleasure and outburst. Since every weekend is characterised by a huge consumption of different ales and beers, people that use to fill the stadiums or just watch matches in their regular pubs might now change their habits for the long offseason.

Rosé Wine

Perfect to enjoy during hot summer days, accompanying appetisers or dinner, a rosé wine is one of the best-rated drinks of the past years. England is currently growing a wine culture that includes rosé wine as a good recommendation for those who are not yet used to drinking wine, those who usually prefer beer. Both the wine’s sweetness and freshness are well-known and highly appreciated all around the globe. In this context, the Maison Aix Rosé 2016 is a very good sample to taste.

Aix Rosé 2016

The Maison Aix Rosé 2016 rises from a perfect combination of dedication and passion for wine. With a delicate balance, crispy acidity and its fruity sweetness, he brings a summery taste of the Provence.

Cider

Another refreshing beverage is cider, normally served in pubs and restaurants. However, during summer, you can also enjoy it on ice in order to amplify the drink’s refreshing mouthfeel. With a low alcoholic degree, cider makes for a delicious aperitive or dinner companion. One of this summer’s most popular ciders is the Magners Berry from Ireland that reveals a sweet and powerful taste of red berries.

Magners Berry 50cl

Magners Berry 50cl is a cider with origins in Ireland. The Uvinum community values the Magners Berry 50cl with 3,5 of 5 points.

Gin Tonic

We’re talking of one of the most successful cocktails all over the world. More than that, gin is also a typical English product, that means earning a huge response from the British audience during the hot season. It’s the perfect cocktail to enjoy after dinner events in cosy bars and outside. The Bombay Sapphire is one of the world’s most important gin producers telling a great story and showing prestige behind its brand. This gin grants to achieve a proper and powerful gin tonic. Top it off with a slice of lemon, a few peppercorns and a slice of cucumber.

Bombay Sapphire

Bombay Sapphire is a London Dry gin with aromas of Juniper, spicy with citrus notes. It is a great classic that is still the favourite of many gin enthusiasts and comes at a very attractive price.

Champagne

The perfect way to finishing a nice dinner is, of course, tasting a delicious champagne. Still an icon in France, champagne has also become an important part of the British drinking culture. With the overwhelming power of his bubbles, the Mumm Brut Selection Grand Cru is one of the best options for enjoying the pleasure of a very good sparkling during summer nights, when even the craziest football fans want to relax from their sports routine.

Mumm Brut Sélection Grand Cru

G.H. Mumm elaborates this Mumm Brut Sélection Grand Cru, a sparkling wine from Champagne that is made with pinot noir and chardonnay. Uvinum users reviewed this sparkling wine with 3,9 of 5 points.

A London restaurant called Rocket recently launched 4 cocktails inspired by the famous novels of the British writer Roald Dahl. Since the International Book Day has just passed by we wanted to share with you these fantastic cocktails.

Mr. Fox

The Mr. Fox is a cocktail inspired by the 1968 novel of Dahl called Fantastic Mr. Fox. It is made from Ubrówka vodka, St Germain’s elderflower liqueur, carrot, lemon and apple juice. Yummy!

The Witches

The second cocktail inspired by the author is called The Witches from the novel of the same name published back in 1983. Its preparation uses Havana Club rum, Koko Kanu coconut rum, blueberries cream liqueur, blueberries and lemon juice.

Marvelous Medicine

Fans of Marvelous Medicine by this remarkable writer can enjoy this option with a blue shiny appearance. It’ss made from Whitley Neill gin, Blue Curaçao, peach liqueur, lemon juice and syrup.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

And finally, the fourth cocktail is inspired by nothing more and nothing less than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For this sweet and delicious cocktail, we use Chivas Regal Whiskey, El Dorado rum, Mozart chocolate liqueur and chocolate ice cream. Very delightful.

The initiative is part of a collaboration with Broadgate Circle in support of its spring campaign “Literary Greats”. Broadgate Circle is a circle formed in London that brings together restaurants, cafes, bars, street food vendors and gyms where you can eat, have a nice time and join the trend of novel-inspired cocktails.

So, if you’re passing through London, stop and visit one of these bars and let yourself be seduced by the city’s literary side. Although, if you just want to try them out, with a little creativity and skill you can mix them easily at home.

Chivas Regal 12 Years

Chivas Regal 12 Years

El Dorado 12 Años

El Dorado 12 Años

Nowadays most of us have access to comprehensive information on our favorite drinks. If you are an avowed fan of gin, you will enjoy the following anecdotes that we are about to share with you.

1. The word gin comes from Juniperus, juniper. Gin is obtained by the distillation of barley and flavored with juniper berries amongst others. Therefore, it receives the name Juniper or Juniperus communis. The taste of this drink can be highly variable due to its elaboration process as well as the additives involved in the gin. Thus, the taste of a gin can enormously vary between one brand and another. The two main types of gin are the Dutch (less purified and more flavored grain) and the London Dry (free from sweeteners and colors).
2. Gin was created in the Netherlands, not in London. Although gin is often associated with Great Britain and London, its origin is Dutch. It is believed that gin was invented by a physicist named Franciscus Sylvius during the mid-seventeenth century, and although there is evidence of the prior existence of a drink with some similar characteristics, it is said that it was in the Netherlands where Franciscus began selling gin in order to treat medical problems such as lumbago, biliary stones or gout. Shortly after that moment, gin found a new market in London. Queen Elizabeth or Queen Mom, was partly responsible for converting gin into a fashionable drink (she was a fan of its digestive properties).
3. Gin was used to combat malaria.  As mentioned before, the discoverers and travelers from the eighteenth century were at risk of contracting dangerous diseases when traveling and exploring throughout the world. At that time, the bitter compound quinine was known as a preventive medicine against malaria. But the bitter taste did not appeal to everybody. For this reason, people began to mix it with gin. Some consider this story as the birth of Gin & Tonic. Gin was also used to combat scurvy.
4. The Philippines are the best market for gin. This oceanic country is the world’s most important consumer of gin. Its market takes almost the half (43%) of the worldwide gin production. The San Miguel Geneva is one of the most popular gin on the Philippine market with 22 million cases sold annually. Further major consumer markets of gin are the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain. Recently Gin & Tonic has become one of the most popular drinks thanks to the hipster culture but not too much time ago was seen as an outdated drink for older people.
5. It was the favorite drink during Dry Law. During the prohibition of alcohol, London became a major producer of illegal gin. At the same time, bathtubs in American apartments were used to store thousands of liters of gin which was the most consumed beverage during that period. It was precisely there where most of the gin cocktails were created, as the spirit was mixed with other ingredients to outbalance its strong flavor.

City Of London Square Mile London Dry Gin

City Of London Square Mile London Dry Gin: A London Dry gin.

Adnams Copper House Dry Gin

Adnams Copper House Dry Gin

Terraces season has begun. And so, with the heat, a snack seems like a good idea, a Spanish tradition accompanied with a nice cold drink, such as rosé wine, beer or other special drinks. Snack time is a trend, in fact there are bars specialized in it, where tapas and drinks are the usual.

1. Anchovies and Gins. Beer is being displaced by gin and tonic, also when it’s time to snack. In fact, in the wineries drink list, gin tonics are protagonists at any time of the day. You can pair them with a classic tapa such as pickled anchovies.
2. Martini and olives. One of the most popular drinks for snack time was Martini. It was a Sundays tradition, when people used to go out to take a good aperitif before lunch. Fortunately, now we must not wait for the weekend to savour it; We can pair flavoured olives with Martini Bianco or Rosso.
3. Vermouth Mancino. From the classics to an innovation. This is the Vermouth Mancino, which is also Italian, and leaves bitter and spicy notes in our mouth.
4. Healthy snacks. As the cult of the body and nature is fashionable, nothing better than to delight our palate with some good healthy snacks such as olives with grated carrots or oatmeal toasts with smoked salmon. They taste better with rosé wine.
5. Elvers and beer. Directly from Northern Spain, elvers tapas are the most usual. If our pocket allows, order a serving alongside a chilly lager.
6. Cheese balls and red wine. Any tapa with cheese is a perfect snack before lunch. And for pairing, it goes well with a red wine with aged flavours.
7. With sushi. Snacks can be made with a variety of ingredients. This is the case of Eastern flavours. Remember to order about two sushi rolls with white wine.
8. Iberians. No one can resist the Iberians. Ham, loin and chorizo ??take a new dimension when we snack. It is best to accompany them with beer or red wine.
9. Caviar and cava. Two foods that begin with C will fill the more demanding palates. Caviar is usually consumed at events, always with a glass of cava.
10. Oysters and rosé. In Galician towns, seafood is also eaten as a snack. Oysters may be ordered with cava or a bit of rosé wine.

If you want a great snack, we propose you the following wines:

Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial

Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial: a sparkling wine of the Champagne DO vinified from pinot noir and pinot meunier.

Miraval Rosé Magnum 2014

Miraval Rosé Magnum 2014: a rosé wine with Provence DO with the best bunches of 2014 cinsault and syrah.

Many people use the word “liquor” to describe any drink of strong alcohol content, but there are differences between liquors and spirits to take into account.

Liquors are beverages based on flavoured spirits or with flavourings. They are generally colourful and fragrant, and have an alcohol content of between 25 and 55 degrees. They are usually mixed with fruits or herbs, but there are also liquors made with coffee, cocoa and other foods.

The correct way to drink a liquor is on small glasses at a slightly cold or room temperature.

Spirits, meanwhile, are the result of the chemical process named “distillation”. This process involves heating a beverage consisting of water and alcohol to over 78.3 degrees and less than 100 degrees, preventing the water contained from boiling.

The alcohol evaporates and separates from the original liquid and is recondensed to form a stronger drink. They usually have between 40 and 65 degrees of alcohol content.

Spirits are prepared from foods that contain natural sugars such as sugar cane and agave. Some of them are whisky, rum, vodka and tequila.

Tequila Reserva 1800 Añejo

Tequila Reserva 1800 Añejo: a Vintage tequila native of Mexico with 38º of alcohol proof. 4,3 points on 5 is the average score of Tequila Reserva 1800 Añejo on Uvinum.

Disaronno Amaretto

Disaronno Amaretto: a drink of the amaretto category from Italy and with an alcohol strength of 20º. Deserves an evaluation of 4,1 points on 5 according to Uvinum’s users.

* Image: KittyKaht (flickr)

To get in shape without sacrificing the ability to drink a delicious cocktail with friends is great to have on hand these recipes of cleansing cocktails to prepare on any occasion.

B-Tox Tonic

If you like gin and tonic, this recipe will be very useful. The red grapefruit is rich in vitamins and helps activating the hepatic metabolism, so that will help you burn fat, while parsley helps eliminating toxins.

Ingredients:

• 75 millilitres gin
• The juice of ½ red grapefruit
• 1 sprig fresh parsley
• Schweppes tonic low in calories to taste

Preparation:

1. Put the ingredients in a previously chilled glass, garnish with the sprig of parsley and add crushed ice.

The London Gin Nº1

The London Gin Nº1: a Distilled Gin gin native of England with an alcohol proof of 47º.

The Ascetic

The ginger in this cocktail favours the elimination of toxins, maple syrup is an excellent cleanser and green tea, in addition to having anti-cancer properties, is part of all cleansing diets.

Ingredients:

• 75 millilitres melon liqueur
• 30 millilitres green tea
• 15 millilitres lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 5 grams ginger
• 5 mint leaves

Preparation:

1. Add all the ingredients to the shaker, shake and serve in a tall glass.

Teichenné Melón

Teichenné Melón: a drink of the liquors & creams category made in Spain and 20º of alcohol. 

Spanish “Tinto de verano”

It is called in different ways but the ingredients are always lemon soda, red wine and lemon juice. Be sure to prepare it at home.

Ingredients:

• 90 millilitres red wine
• 60 millilitres lemon soda
• 1 dash lemon juice

Barón de Ley Reserva 2010

Barón de Ley Reserva 2010: a red wine from Rioja made with tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon of 2010 and 13.5º of alcohol strength. 

Preparation:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a previously chilled glass and enjoy.

Daiquiri Light

Substitute the sugar for a sweetener, use rum, fruit smoothie and a little lemon juice to simulate the original Daiquiri and decrease the amount of calories.

Ingredients:

• 45 millilitres white rum
• 15 millilitres lemon
• Sweetener to taste
• Fruit smoothie to taste

Preparation:

1. Mix the ingredients and serve in a short glass or cocktail glass.

Rum Plantation 3 Star White

Rum Plantation 3 Star White:  a rum native of Jamaica with an alcohol content of 41.2º. 

Champagne cocktail with red berries

This cocktail has a delicious sweet taste.

Ingredients:

• 6 sugar cubes
• 6 tablespoons Angostura (optional)
• 1 green lemon peel
• 200 grams red berries (strawberries, raspberries or blackberries)
• 750 millilitres cold champagne

Preparation:

1. Place a sugar cube on the champagne flute glass and add a dash of Angostura.
2. Cut the lemon peel into thin slices.
3. Distribute the red fruits in the glasses and fill them with champagne.

Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial

Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial: a sparkling wine from Champagne made with pinot noir and pinot meunier and presents an alcohol content of 12º. T

*Image: Pat Doke (flickr)