RAISE A GLASS
Our pick of must-try spirits and craft beer
beer Really Good Beer Society Two Degrees Craft Lager
The Really Good Beer Society is on a mission to help drinking beer feel even better. For every bottle or can sold from its range of six brews, the Londonbased company donates 2.5% to good causes. The range includes crisp 4.7% ABV Two Degrees Craft Lager (fighting climate change by supporting Soil Association UK); Root Cause West Coast Pale Ale (supporting Rainforest Trust UK); Pipe Dream Bohemian Pilsner (funding water projects through Charity:water); Tidal Save Session IPA (combatting ocean plastics via Ocean Generation); Hive PA Hazy NEIPA (supporting the Bumblebee Conservation Trust) and Wunderkind DIPA, transforming the lives of children through the charity Right to Play. Available as singles or cases. From £2.20, reallygoodbeers.com
gin Silent Pool Green Man Woodland Gin
Silent Pool Distillers has launched a new gin with a clever concept – it’s the first ever spirit in a cardboard bottle, which is made from 94% recycled paper. Not only is this bottle five times lighter than the glass alternative, saving emissions through transportation, it has a carbon footprint six times lower than other gin bottles and is fully recyclable. The gin itself is distilled with birch leaves, pine and fir trees for a herbaceous, woody flavour – an homage to the woodlands that inspired it. Enjoy in a G&T or negroni. 42% ABV, £30, silentpooldistillers.com
mezcal Ojo de Dias Mezcal Joven
Unlike other mezcals, which can be intensely smoky, this has a slight, subtle smokiness as well as being smooth and sweet, with notes of vanilla and caramelised pineapple, then a hint of pepper to finish. Made from 100% Espadin agave, sustainably grown in the San Luis del Rio region of Oaxaca (a location highly regarded for mezcal production), the agave hearts are cooked in an underground oven for 10 days before being distilled in small batches. Smooth enough to sip on its own, it’s also great in cocktails – try with equal parts Campari and vermouth for a twist on a negroni, or in place of tequila in a paloma or margarita. 42% ABV, £42.12, mexgrocer.co.uk
non-alcoholic aperetif Wilfred’s British Non-alcoholic Aperitif
For a late summer spritz without the booze, this nonalcoholic aperitif is just the ticket. A little like Campari, here the emphasis is on the bitterness to round off the drink. It successfully blends rosemary with bitter orange, sweet rhubarb and a hefty hit of clove, without tasting too Christmassy. Instead, it’s packed with zesty and woody herbaceous notes, as well having that bitter edge. Best served over ice with tonic in a refreshing booze-free spritz, but it can also be used in non-alcoholic cocktails.
0% ABV, £18, wilfredsdrinks.com