Go Easy: A Guide for the Light Drinker

You can line up a whole host of reasons as to why you should want to go the low-ABV way for a change. You might want a break from binge drinking over a fairly long period, or you might just want to be able to sustain your drinking over a longer course, and maybe even continue to drink the entire day without reaching the threshold. In which case, low-ABV cocktails are just what you need. Let’s discuss some low-alcohol-content cocktails so that you can drink all day long, although you are going to have to pace yourself! So here you go, all you lovely day-drinkers.

Breakfast in Bed Cocktail: This is basically a refreshing vermouth based drink with a dash of marmalade and orange peel, and some fresh lemon juice too – the perfect start to your typical low-ABV day. It is best served with double rocks for brunch, and a mint bouquet garnish, though a sprig of mint will do just as well to top it off.

Rosé Spritzer Cocktail : Put a few lemon slices, bitters, and St-Germain’s elderflower liqueur in a glass of rocks, top off with rosé, and you’re good to go. This being very much an afternoon aperitif, have one just before lunch, or even a couple later on, if that’s what you like best.

Rosé Negroni Cocktail: You can make this low-ABV cocktail with both still rosé and sparkling rosé and Campari and about a couple dashes of grapefruit bitters. Step aside gin, for a moment, now that this beauty is here this summer.

Vermouth Suppressor Cocktail: This one’s for when you’re a tad tired of every cocktail packing a punch, and you sort of want to avoid getting punched in the face and would rather just let it be mellow through the rest of the evening. You need to get an ounce and a half of vermouth (Miro Spanish Vermut Rojo, preferably), three quarters of an ounce of amontillado, ¾ ounce of coffee liqueur, and two dashes of orange bitters. Build it over ice in a Collins glass, and top it off with tonic and stir it quickly. A twist of lemon and a cardamom leaf will do nicely for the garnish. You can even make enough to serve a few more people comfortably, and store it in a lovely clear glass jar to go around.

Strawberry-Rosé Spritzer Cocktail Cocktail: This is a delicious low alcohol drink, and so, it must be shared with family and friends to make the most of it. Have a pint of hulled and sliced strawberries at hand, a 750 ml bottle of your favourite rosé wine, two cups of soda water, a third of a cup of Aperol, and two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix it all in a pitcher for eight servings at a time and garnish with a lime or a lemon twist and maybe some extra strawberries. I can picture you quite clearly, enjoying this delightful spritzer in the garden with the people you love, with the slanting rays of mellow sunshine all around. Cheers to that.

Sparkling Tarragon Gin Lemonade Cocktail: Tarragon adds a delicious flavour, but basil is a great substitute too, and works just fine. For six servings, use ten large sprigs of tarragon. You would also need two finely sliced lemons, two tablespoons of sugar, three quarters of a cup of Seagram’s gin (preferably), three quarters of a cup of St-Germain’s elderflower liqueur and lemon juice and soda. Muddle them altogether and serve in a large punch bowl or in any other container that you fancy.

These are some wonderful options for when you don’t want to get too boozy on a holiday and you’d rather stay hydrated and but keep sipping on something heavenly all day anyway. You can also start inventing your own cocktail recipes as soon as you’ve explored around enough and get used to drinking light but fancy.

Gordon & MacPhail: A Whisky Legacy

Think of single malt Scotch, and the names of Gordon and MacPhail invariably come to mind. Established in 1895 in Speyside, the source of some of Scotland’s finest malts, it is an independent bottler of Scotch whisky. Founded by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail, and owned by the Urquhart family, the distillery is known for having launched some of the world’s oldest whiskies. Most notably, these include the Mortlach 70 Years Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and Glenlivet 1940 70 Years Old.

International Bacon Day: Whiskies to Wash It Down

Okay, let’s admit it. Bacon is true love. So, when we found out about International Bacon Day, we were delighted, to say the least. We feel this was long due. The amount of heartaches we have gotten over would have been impossible without bacon. People disappoint, but can bacon ever?

Best 4 Scotch Whiskies In The World

Welcome to the world of scotch whisky, the original "water of life". There's an adventure in every glass and a remarkable journey behind every bottle. The legacy of scotch whisky stretches back centuries, involving kings and queens, pirates and smugglers, farmers, slum dwellers and notorious drinkers.