ON THE GRAPEVINE

Want bar-quality cocktails, without the faff? Well, you’re in luck because leading mixologists and trailblazers in the craft cocktail movement are doing all the hard work for us and delivered them right to our doors.

“Several ingredients are needed to create the perfect cocktail, making the pre-batched variety an excellent way to enjoy the magic of bar-quality drinks,” says Andrew Hutchinson, co-founder of Kocktail, which offers an A-list array designed to fit through your letter box, plus new 50cl bottles for sharing, including Espresso Martini (20% abv, £25 for 50cl, Kocktail), made with small batch Wheatley Vodka from Buffalo Trace’s master distiller and Borghetti Italian Coffee Liqueur.

“There’s been a big rise in the ready-to-drink sector, and a huge thirst for new flavour experiences,” confirms Rupert Waites, co-founder of Buck & Birch.

East Lothian based, the awardwinning spirits producers and wild flavour alchemists were awarded gold for their Amarosa Rosehip Rum Liqueur and bronze for their Aelder Elixir – Wild Elderberry Liqueur at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2021, and have seen a 350% increase in online sales during the past year.

Their Buck & Birch Glamping Cocktail Kit (£27.95, various abvs, 2 serves, Buck & Birch), the brand’s take on ‘foraged flavours of the wild’ comes with three bottled cocktails of your choice and a Campfire enamel mug.

Elsewhere, NIO letter box cocktails offer a pre-batched postcard from Italy. Patrick Pistolesi, NIO’s master mixologist and founder of Rome’s Drink Kong, named one of The World’s 50 Best Bars, says there’s been a change in the way people enjoy drinks over the last year-anda-half, adding: “There’s a lot more appreciation for the art of mixology... the pre-mixed cocktail industry is thriving.”

Try their Nio Mini Box of 3 (£19.50 for three 100ml drinks, NIO Cocktails) - Tea Sour (18.5% abv), Margarita (27.2% abv) and Mai Tai (25.5% abv). Simply shake, tear, and pour over ice.