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8 min read
Discover 22 delicious alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks ideas for the bank holiday weekend – all taste tested by the Stylist team.
With two major bank holidays in May, we’ve been inspired to uncover the brands creating interesting, delicious and innovative drinks for all occasions and palates.
With sparkling kombucha, yuzu and pear spritz, ready-made cocktails, sparkling wine from Sussex, honey mead wine, artisan craft beer, soft drinks, gin, cider, vodka and whisky, we’ve tasted incredible beverages from independent breweries and start-ups across the UK (oh, and France).
Here are the ones we think your drinks trolley is crying out for – just serve with ice in some hazy sunshine (fingers crossed)…
Hawkes Pineapple Punch cider
“Cider is easy to get wrong, so often too sweet or otherwise so dry it makes you smack your lips together (and not in a good way). Hawkes Urban Cidery makes the Goldilocks of ciders, delicate and refreshing with just the right amount of fizz. Its Pineapple Punch brew is unique, with a hint of tropical sweetness that makes you ache for sunny days spent lolling in a park. A handful of chilli and lime tortilla chips and the ideal Sunday scene is complete.”
Shop Hawkes Pineapple Punch cider at Brewdog, £6.95 for four
Festival 18 English Honey Wine
Shop Festival 18 English Honey Wine at Loxwood Meadworks, £19.50
Moth cocktails
Jamaica Rum Vibes
The King’s Ginger
Fever-Tree cocktail mixers
Bolney Wine Estate Cuvée Noir
LA Brewery Sparkling English Blush
“Light and crisp, this blush kombucha may look like a high-end pale, dry French rosé, but it’s about as English as they come. Laced with notes of elderflower and a distinct hint of rhubarb, it’s cut lawns and cricket in one gut-friendly bottle of fizz. Goes down a treat served cold during the golden hour.”
Hyke gin
Arva yuzu and pear spritz
People's Captain Mix it Up case
Sipsmith coronation gin
NIO letterbox cocktails
“This is the super lazy way to enjoy cocktails and I’m all for it. Known for their letterbox cocktails, NIO have now added a Dry Martini, Tea Sour, Strawberry Margarita and a Disaronno Sour to their repertoire and I was particularly keen to try the martini. I diligently frosted my glass, located some good olives and it directly hit that spot of neat alcoholic elegance. Well played, NIO, well played.”
Searcys English sparkling wine
Fentimans Rose Lemonade
High Point Ruby Aperitif
Hattingley Valley King’s Rosé 2015
X Muse vodka
Traces Cinsault
Ad Gefrin Tácnbora Northumbrian blended whisky
Mocktails Nitro cans
“Mocktails may have had a bad rap in the past but they’re getting better every day. Start celebrations with an espress0% martini that’s got all the kick of a regular cocktail, before moving onto a chilled sansgria or mockarita – best served over a glass of ice. These aren’t carbonated but contain a clever widget for achieving the light foam you’d normally get from a cocktail shaker.”
Jaffa Cake Rum
“Last but not least, we’ve got a rum that tastes like Jaffa Cakes… Hell yes. And it really does match the biscuits/cakes with a warm chocolatey and orange depth. Drink on its own or add a dash of vermouth for a sensuous old fashioned that brings deep comfort to the soul.”
Images: courtesy of brands; Ad Gefrin Tácnbora by Lazy Grace; Mocktails by Milly Fletcher; X Muse vodka by Amelia Claudia
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