Pre made cocktails don’t always get the best wrap, often so sweet they resemble syrup or lacking a certain oomph where ingredients have compromised, food writer and chef Hannah Gregory decided to take one for the team and step up to the challenge in separating the wheat from the chaff so you don’t have to. Read on for ten of the best.
For mums who love an Aperitivo.
The Starlino Aperitivo range came out on top of the very thorough taste tests that were endured with bottles as beautiful as the contents inside, this collection may be the perfect gift. We tried the Rose Aperitivo, the Arancione Aperitivo and the Rosso Vermouth. Topping the rose aperitivo with a grapefruit tonic and serving it long and over ice was absolutely delicious and would appease even the pickiest of Mothers. Blushing pink, refreshingly bitter and not too strong, this is the perfect welcome drink for any Mother’s Day lunch. We served the more familiar orange aperitivo as you would an Aperol Spritz, topped with prosecco & soda. Sweeter than its more familiar counterpart this tasted like a very grown up San Pelligrino, very sippable – best served on a sun terrace. And lastly, the vermouth, something we were a little nervous about – vermouth is definitely an acquired taste, this offering was absolutely delicious – we made up a cocktail very loosely based on a Negroni,mixing equal parts vermouth, gin, bourbon and cherry brandy – she packs a punch but holy moly, what a way to end an evening. This is the perfect night cap to share with mum and put the world to rights.
The Starlino range is £21.45 per 70cl bottle, available here.
For the mums who like it fun & fruity.
Coppa cocktails are perfect for those who are looking for some instant transportation to the beach. Fun, fruity and reminiscent of long, cool cocktails best enjoyed poolside, these premade drinks just need to be chilled and poured. The range encompasses all the classics from Mojitos to Pina Coladas.
We tried the Rum & Ginger, Mojito and Cosmopolitan. The Mojito was the firm favourite. Skeptical at first and unsure how a cocktail that relies so heavily on fresh ingredients would work bottled, this was surprisingly refreshing and tasted exactly as a mojito should – serve with crushed ice and fresh mint and you are on to a winner.
Coppa cocktails are £17.30 per 70cl bottle and available here with next day delivery options.
For the mums who love an Espresso Martini.
Artisan Coffee Co.’s Espresso Martini Gift Set offers the perfect way to discover a luxurious, decadent spin on the classic espresso martini this Mother’s Day and enjoy it in its purest form. Developed by Michelin-starred chef Ashley Palmer-Watts, this silky smooth, intense, specialty coffee cocktail mix is made with all natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives. The martini mix has been expertly blended using a multitude of infusion techniques layering coffee in different forms to add complexity to the drink, alongside a combination of The Genius coffee infused winter wheat vodka, The Genius cold brew and a rich and silky, salted demerara and muscovado syrup. Each cocktail is finished with either pod espresso or bean to cup espresso and once vigorously shaken promises a delicious velvety foam. Each kit comes with the option to choose either type of coffee, allowing for the ultimate coffee-based cocktail at home, no matter what the brew style. Just shake over ice with fresh espresso and enjoy!
The gift set is available via the Artisan Coffee Co. website. RRP £59.95.
For the soon to be mums or those monitoring their booze intake.
Savyll’s alcohol free cocktails have been carefully crafted using a unique blend of natural ingredients to recreate the sophisticated flavours, familiarity and sense of occasion that cocktails bring, with a premium selection of the world’s most popular variations. “Pronounced “sah-vell” – meaning to be ‘savoured by all’ Savyll cocktails can be served directly from their elegant signature glass bottles and enjoyed without the need for mixers or other embellishments – simply chill, serve and sip!
The range is vegan-friendly, gluten free and free from any listed allergens and artificial sweeteners.
There is no fomo here, these cocktails look and taste like the ‘real thing’ and have been created with the same love and care as their boozy counterparts and not only do they taste great but they look the part too
A box of four cocktails which includes Mojito, Paloma, Bellini and G&T costs £13.99 and is available here.
For the mums who like it British.
Created and canned in Scotland, these premium cocktails fuse a touch of the fantastical with a hint of pure decadence to bring a unique taste experience quite unlike any other. Included in the range is the Secret Garden, Maverick Martini and the signature Cheeky Wee Kiss.
250ml cans are priced at £5.50 each and can be bought in set of 3, 6 or 12 here.
For the mums who deserve to be spoilt.
The Hepple Spirits Gift Box is the perfect gift for the favourite gin lover in your life. An elegant gift set from one of the world’s most exciting spirits distilleries. The team at Hepple have designed their own glassware to help experience the perfect Hepple martini serve. These modern glasses are a beautiful yet functional addition to any cocktail lovers’ home bar. Included in the elegant box is a 50cl bottle of your choice from the Hepple Spirits repetoire, two specially designed crystal martini glasses which have been beautifully etched with the Hepple juniper sprig motif and a selection of specially created cocktail cards to help experimentation.
The box can be delivered direct and can include a dedicated gift message for the recipient.
The gift set is £60.00 RRP and is available here.
For the mums who loves a festival.
Packaged in a pouch with built in tap, these are the perfect gift for mum’s who are already thinking about their festival packing list. With these at-home cocktails your Mum won’t have to worry about buying all the ingredients and taking time to make their favourite drink themselves… all they have to do is shake, pour and serve!
Soho Street Cocktails is a brand revolutionising the ready-to-drink cocktail market. Each of their small-batch, craft cocktails delivers on bar-standard flavour and consistency for a fraction of the effort and price.
These cocktails have been handcrafted with a ‘taste-first’ approach, made with high-quality ingredients and no artificial flavours or colourings. The current Soho Street Cocktails range includes a Passionstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Strawberry Daiquiri, and a Piña Colada, which all come in quantities of 1.5 litres and range from 9.5-12% ABV.
£28.99 Master of Malt
For the mums who have a sweet tooth.
From the team behind Homeboy Islington and Embassy Gardens comes The Bottle Cocktail Shop. The new launch is designed to break down barriers and make drinking world class cocktails at home more accessible. We went for the East 8 Hold which we topped with tonic to create a long, sweet drink.
The Bottle Cocktail Shop is priced at £25 for a 500ml bottle and is available to purchase from www.thebottlecocktailshop.com.
For the mums who love a subscription.
Take every last stress away from Mum with this complete kit to make the perfect cocktail and further her education on the subject.
“Tipsy Panda Cocktail Co. is the solution to bar-quality drinks from the comfort of your own home. The UK’s most eco-friendly and easiest way to learn about new cocktails and how to make them yourselves! Everything you need to make the finest drinks at home! Tipsy Panda provides all the ingredients needed to make the perfect cocktail at home.
The Tipsy Cocktail Club acts as a tasting course, teaching subscribers about exotic new cocktails and how to make them. Each month, the Tipsy Panda expert mixologists try 100s of cocktails and filter through the best, perfecting the recipes with the most ideal spirits and liqueurs to send to club members. Club members also earn points on every box that can be redeemed on Tipsy Panda’s online shop, and gain access to exclusive discounts and products only available to them.”
Subscriptions are £20 per month Tipsy Panda Cocktail Co, https://tipsypanda.co.uk/
For the mums who want a bit of everything.
The LAIBA tropical cocktail gift set allows a taste of all their best summer flavours and is all packaged up in the most beautiful gift box. Superbly well made, these cocktail sets make the perfect gift and are set to instantly transport Mum to sunnier climes.
The LAIBA – Tropical Vibes Cocktail Gift Set – £44.95
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