RAISE A GLASS

My cocktail maker and partner in crime left my lockdown four walls for pastures new a few weeks ago. My daughter’s departure has left me to my own devices – and I must admit, I’m very proud of my solo efforts.

Black Cow Vodka Negroni

(£23.69, Amazon) is as easy as it comes. A negroni is an

Italian classic, and you would normally need one part each of gin, vermouth and Campari.

The Black Cow version (from Dorset, not Italy) tweaks the basics by including English vodka in the mix, the Black Cow Vodka (£20, Morrisons before July 27, and £25 online including blackcow.co.uk).

The vodka is created from whey, a by-product of a cheese-making process by its dairy farm producers.

Dorset’s Black Cow Vodka Negroni combines the vodka, Campari, vermouth, and a blend of bitters into one 50cl bottle – they did the hard work so I didn’t have to... the traditional-tasting cocktail is ready to pour over ice, or, like me, with soda water.

Summer and sunshine and a chink of limoncello? Oooo yes please! Di Capri Limoncello (£23.05, masterofmalt.com) just looks like summer. It tastes like it too. In my simplified world of cocktails a limoncello is a bright delight.

This liqueur uses real lemon peel from the island of Capri to create its citrussy smoothness. It’s not backward at coming forward with an abv of 30%.

I kept things simple in my cocktail making by dappling tonic water with the limoncello’s lemony richness. Another day I poured a drop or two in a flute and topped with lots of prosecco. A Capri Royale, by any other name. Citrussy fizztastic.

My favourite all-time cocktail is with a tequila, and I’ve recreated it with VIVIR Tequila Blanco (£34.95, masterofmalt. com). I’ve shared my recipe in this space before, it being a muddle of chilli and coriander leaves, with the addition of 60ml tequila and 15ml sugar syrup. Nicely shaken, poured over ice, with a slice of hot chilli to stir.

This tequila blanco sits in an awardwinning range from VIVIR and uses highland agave, which are larger slower-maturing plants delivering a fruitier aroma to the end result. It’s a super-smooth, lovely fresh tequila.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.