What we’re drinking

Our favourite winter tipples

VODKA

Wry vodka

From the team behind Surrey-based Silent Pool gin, Wry vodka is produced from 100 per cent rye grain spirit, and iltered through charcoal made from locally sourced hornbeam wood. This results in a smooth, creamy, clean-tasting vodka, with a slight malty sweetness and subtle peppery inish. Smooth enough to sip, it also makes a great vodka martini – just stir 60ml wry vodka with 15ml vermouth, then garnish with a twist of lemon peel or an olive. Or, try in a vodka tonic if you fancy a change from your usual gin. 40% ABV, £22 (70cl), silentpooldistillers.com

GIN

Hospitality gin

This ‘drink with a mission’ was created to raise money for the UK hospitality industry, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Industry veteran Tom Lord teamed up with Cooper King Distillery in North Yorkshire to create this London Dry gin with a classic juniper lavour and notes of lemongrass, citrus and lavender. Pour yourself a G&T garnished with lime or rosemary, sit back and feel good about the fact that 100 per cent of pro its from the sale of Hospitality Gin go directly to The Drinks Trust and Hospitality Action, which support hospitality workers. 42% ABV, £37 (70cl), hospitalitygin.co.uk

BEER

The Black Farmer Brigg Stow 1155

Jamaican-born Wilfred Emmanuel-jones came to the UK in the Windrush years, and now rears high-welfare meat at his Devon farm – the Black Farmer sausages are legendary! Now, he’s teamed up with Dawkins Ales to brew his own beer. ‘Brigg Stow’ is the Anglo-saxon name for Bristol, which was incorporated in 1155. Brewed with English Bramling Cross hops, the beer has a slightly spicy, fruity aroma and lavour. It’s bottle-conditioned, so it has natural sediment – let it stand for a few hours before pouring. 4.4% ABV, £16.50 (six 500ml bottles), theblackfarmer.com

WHISKY Nc’nean organic single malt Scotch whisky

The Nc’nean distillery aims to have as little impact on the environment as possible, and runs on 100 per cent renewable energy – the bottles are made from recycled glass. The whisky is smooth, with light citrus notes, peachy tones, some spice and subtle sweetness. Serve with soda water and ice, garnished with mint – a light tipple for Burns Night (25 January). 46% ABV, £49.95 (70cl), mcnean.com