Foodies have Michelin stars, and now, thanks to Hannah Sharman-Cox, Siobhan Payne and Dan Dove, the drinks world has an equivalent with the long-awaited launch of The Pinnacle Guide. But before we catch up with the terrific trio we have some business to tend to, in the form of our usual reviews.
On the agenda, our pick of products… The first is Ramsbury Raspberry and Wildflower Honey Gin, a delicious, summery spirit highlighting ingredients sourced from the Ramsbury Estate. The second has very much been created with travellers in mind, it's the dinky bottle of Air Mary, a flavoursome spice mix devised to pimp up your in-flight Bloody Mary.
Our book choice is 'Mixed In Minutes' by Dan Whiteside which features 50 'quick and easy cocktails to make at home' – what's not to like about that? But if you do fancy heading out for some five-star bar action, we highly recommend The Spy Bar at Raffles London. Here, in the 006 and 007 rooms frequented by Ian Fleming, you can drink in the very rooms where Winston Churchill conducted his briefings and taste the array of delicious concoctions that he, Fleming and MI5 and MI6 agents have inspired.
Then we check in with the three fabulous founders of The Pinnacle Guide to hear how and why they set up the world's first recognition system for bars and learn about the very specific boxes that venues have to tick in order to be awarded the much coveted pins.
What we're drinking:
Corpse Reviver #1
30ml Calvados
30ml cognac
20ml sweet vermouth
Method:
Stir ingredients over ice. Pour into chilled cocktail glasses and enjoy (responsibly!)
Featured in this episode:
Air Mary Bloody Mary Spice Mix
'Mixed In Minutes – 50 quick and easy recipes to make at home' by Dan Whiteside
Ramsbury Raspberry and Wild Honey Gin