The Cocktail Lovers

In this sponsored bonus episode, we’re joined by Lisa King, founder of Free AF, New Zealand’s number one non-alcoholic canned cocktail brand. Founded in 2020, Lisa created Free AF with one goal in mind, to provide a range of alcohol-free cocktails for those who take what they drink seriously. But more than producing great tasting liquids, a range with complexity, texture and attitude, the brand was born with a greater mission – to create a movement for making non-drinking aspirational.In just 5 years Free AF has built a global following for its alcohol-free cocktails – as well as being the No.1 non-alcoholic ready-to-drink brand in New Zealand, it’s one of the fastest growing non-alc RTD’s in the USA, has been endorsed by Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner and is listed in Morrison in the UK. What’s all the fuss about? That's what we’re speaking to her about in this episode.For more information on Free AF, visit af-drinks.com

We've made it to 100 episodes and to celebrate, we're joined by Agostino Perrone and Giorgio Bargiani, Director of Mixology and Assistant Director of Mixology at The Connaught respectively.As the first guests on the very first episode of the podcast it made perfect sense to catch up with them over a Martini or two. Only this time, rather than recording remotely, we've joined them at The Connaught Bar. And rather than interviewing them, they've flipped the script and asked us the questions. Oh, and we get a turn behind that famous trolley and get to make them a Martini!With very special thanks to:Agostino Perrone, Director of Mixology at The ConnaughtGiorgio Bargiani, Assistant Director of Mixology at The ConnaughtThe Connaught Bar teamProduced by Laura GrassuliniFor more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comTune in to episode one featuring Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Millia, hereThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

It’s not intentional but we tend to talk about people, places and products that are already out there, so for our penultimate episode of the season, we’re flipping that and going for things that may not immediately be on your radar. But should be.Like Harp of Darkness, a black Irish whiskey and Atheres Spirits, a boutique range of botanical amaro and liqueurs distilled in Industrial City, New York.Botanicals are also front and centre of Danny Childs inspiring book 'Slow Drinks', while top-notch music (live and vinyl) and no-nonsense classic cocktails are at the core of the deliciously low key, high value Bird’s in New York.And we’re thrilled to welcome Denny Kallivoka and Dimitris Alpanezos, the bright minds behind Vision, a pioneering, much needed platform they’ve created to make hospitality spaces more inclusive for people who are blind or partially sighted.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:What we're drinking:The Truly British Hanky Panky40ml Cygnet 22 Dry Welsh Gin40ml Asterley Bros Sweet Vermouth7ml Asterley Bros Britannica London FernetOrange coin to garnishMethod:Chill Martini glasses. Stir ingredients over ice. Pour into the chilled Martini glass and garnish with an orange coin.Atheras SpiritsBirds NYCHarp of Darkness Black Irish Whiskey Slow Drinks – A field guide to foraging and fermenting seasonal sodas, botanical cocktails, homemade wines and more, by Danny ChildsVision by Metron AristonListen to the original episode featuring the Hanky Panky recipe hereThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

We've done whisky specials before but here we are, back with another. Why? There are always plenty of mighty fine whiskies to shout about. Besides, why the hell not?We start with two whiskies born and raised in the US. One is the result of two actor friends who bonded over their love of the spirit so much they decided to create their own, aptly called Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The other is also the result of two bright minds coming together: this time it's Sirdavis created by Dr Bill Lumsden and Queen B herself, the one and only Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.Our book is a glorious road trip journal across Japan in which renowned whisky expert Dave Broom shares his very personal observations of the spirit and place in 'The Japanese Way of Whisky'.. And while we're on the subject of travel, there's certainly a whisky-based cocktail or two on the menu at Shakerato, the new bar in Amsterdam from the team behind Mexico City’s award-winning Handshake bar.And then there's our guest, the fabulous Georgie Bell-Leoni, who has been evangelising about her favourite spirit, whisky, for over 15 years. She tells us about sourcing whiskies for her company, The Heart Cut, talks about how to fully appreciate them and guides us through a tasting of one of the bottlings on offer from her award-winning company The Heart Cut.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:What we're drinking:Matcha HighballBy Jason Patz, from Food & Wine Magazine60ml Japanese whisky (we used Hibiki)15ml honey water15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice1/4 tsp Matcha powderChilled Club Soda to topLemon wheel to garnishMethod:Chill Collins glasses. Shake first four ingredients over ice. Pour into the chilled Collins glass, top with Club Soda and garnish with a lemon wheel.Brother's Bond Straight Bourbon WhiskeyShakerato, AmsterdamSirDavis American WhiskyThe Heart CutThe Japanese Way of Whisky – by Dave BroomThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

We’ve got travel on our brains this week as we’ve just returned from Barcelona where we celebrated the 10-year-anniversary of Paradiso, our featured bar and book in this episode, while our interview takes us to Buenos Aires, the next stop on our itinerary, where we’ll be joining in the fun with the team at Tres Monos for the fourth Gran Corso de los Monos. We’re joined by co-founder Charly Aguinsky who tells us about the bar, its work in the community and what they have in store for Latin America’s carnival weekend.Our featured products take us on journeys of a different kind – taste. We have two very special gins, one shaped entirely by the Golden Ratio and produced just once a year, the ultra premium Aureus Vita, the other is Seatrus Gin, which promises flavours of the Mediterranean sea. For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:What we're drinking:Between The Sheets25ml cognac25ml light rum25ml triple sec10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice Orange peel to garnishMethod:Chill Martini glasses in freezer. Shake all ingredients over ice. Pour into the chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange twist.Aureus Vita Fibonacci GinParadiso 10 Year Anniversary BookParadiso BarcelonaSeatrus GinTres Monos BarThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

After our last few themed episodes we’re now back to our regular format – talking two bottles, a book, a bar and a very special guest… Our first product is Jin Jin – an enzymatic cordial. Chivas Regal Crystalgold. Equally intriguing, in a very different way is Chivas Regal Crystalgold, the first clear spirit from Chivas Regal… With a nod to Dry January our book tells you everything you could want to know about lighter drinking. It’s Low Alcohol Cocktails – New Frontiers in Mixology by Diego Ferrari. And to warm up on a cold winter’s evening we headed to The Winter Chalet at Rosewood London. Finally, our guest is Katie Rouse, co-owner of Couch in Birmingham, who joins us to talk about the bar’s Couch Surf programme.What we're mixing:Horse's Neck With A Kick40ml cognac120ml ginger ale5 dashes of Angostura bitterslong strip of lemon peelMethod:Chill glasses and fill with ice. Add the cognac then top with ginger ale, add Angostura bitters. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a long strip of lemon wound in and over the top of the glass.Links to bars mentioned in this episode:Couch StirchleyChivas Regal CrystalgoldLow Alcohol Cocktails – New Frontiers in Mixology – by Diego FerrariJin JinThe Chalet at Rosewood LondonThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

Our first trip of the year took us to Milan for the launch of Coqtail magazine’s winter edition (grazie mille for the invite Penelope and Chiara). Which gave us just enough time to soak up the atmosphere and revel in that famous Italian hospitality in four very distinct bars.First up, Camparino in Galleria, not only a symbol of the aperitivo but also the history of art and culture in Milan; then we headed to 1930, once a speakeasy, now open to discerning drinkers with an appetite for creative culinary cocktails; on the hotel bar front, we were thrilled to experience the magic of the Maestro Salvatore Calabrese at his latest collaboration with the Rocco Forte group at The Carlton hotel and lastly, we headed to Moebius Milano to find out why, not only was it the highest climber in this year’s 50 Best Bars list at No. 7, but also the proud owner of a coveted Pin from The Pinnacle Guide as well as Michelin Star.But as well as visiting the bars, we talk to the people behind them, so this is a longer episode than usual but with inspiring chat from Salvatore Calabrese, Benjamin Cavagna, Lorenzo Querci & Tommaso Cecca, we hope you won't mind.What we're mixing:Negroni Sbagliato30ml Campari30ml sweet vermouth60ml dry proseccoMethod:Chill glasses and fill with ice. Add the Campari and sweet vermouth then top with prosecco. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with an orange slice nestled in the side of the glass..Links to bars mentioned in this episode:1930Camparino The Carlton Bar at The Carlton HotelMoebius MilanoThe Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

It’s the first episode of the New Year so before we jump fully into 2026 we want to take a moment to look back and celebrate 2025.During the year we were once again fortunate enough, both here in the UK and further afield, to have enjoyed an array of incredible cocktail experiences, visited some wonderful bars and best of all, meet some of the fantastic people in the drinks world. So here, in no particular order, are some of our most memorable moments from the last year.What we're mixing:Chin Chincreated by Tony Conigliaro at Isola, Knightsbridge, 2002 (from Difford's Guide)Half a barspoon of honey15ml apple juice30ml blended Scotch whiskyChampagne to topMethod:Chill your flute glasses. Stir the honey and whisky in the base of your shaker to dissolve honey. Add apple juice then shake ingredients over ice. Fine strain into your chilled flute. Top with chilled sparkling wine or Champagne.Links to interviews/reviews mentioned in this episodeDante x Maybourne with Linden Pride – interviewHawksmoor Martini Bar – reviewLorenzo Antinori – interviewNew York Special – interviews/reviewsThe SG Shochu – reviewTown – review The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox

There’s exactly one week to go until Christmas and If you’re still stuck for ideas for what to get the cocktail lover in your life, we’re here to help.We’ve trawled through the stores, physically and virtually, sifting through the duds so you don’t have to. Our mission? To select our pick of gifts that will ensure you score more brownie points than the fat bearded bloke in red ever could. You're welcome!What we're mixingClassic Champagne CocktailBrown sugar cube7-8 dashes aromatic bitters25ml chilled cognacChampagne to topGarnish with fresh orange peelMethod:Chill glassware and ingredients. Soak sugar cube with aromatic bitters then add to the bottom of your Champagne flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with orange peel.For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.comFor the products featured in this episode, see websites below:Aperol Spritzwear Gloves, £30Aureus Vita Fibonacci Dry Gin, £169Claridges Mixology Edition Gift Set, £225Classic Whisky Pairing Chocolates, £42.95Cocktail Panama Notebook, £70Dram5 Gift Box, £95Fords Gin Negroni Sessions Bundle, $24.99Hawksmoor Martini Bar Experience, £100I Am Bartender Jewellery, from £35Martini Lovers Jewellery Dish, £32.99MOTH Festive Snacking Selection Box, £59Rimowa x Robbe & Berking Cocktail Case, £4.310Scarfes Bar x Hibiki Limited-Edition Cocktail Box, £140Seventy One Gin Night Readings, £188SirDavis Gift Bag, £79Tayer + Elementary Xmas Essentials 2.0 Christmas Cocktail Gift Set, £35The Connaught Bar – A Year of Cocktails, £5,000The Connaught Bar Gin Hamper, £395The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' WatsonEdited by Christian Fox