Five easy ways to enjoy a delicious drink at home this autumn

As the days grow shorter, and the nights draw in, the prospect of heading out and about in the bitter cold, only to have to fight your way through a thronging crowd to shout your drinks order over too loud music at a bar is perhaps becoming less and less appealing. Equally though, pouring yourself a glass of the same old wine at home lacks the glamour and fun of having something a little different whipped up for you by an experienced bartender. 

So what’s the answer? Well, why not bring a dash of that glamour into your living room and liven up your evening tipple from the comfort of your sofa by checking out our five easy ways to enjoy a delicious drink at home this autumn.

KOL’s House Mezcals

Want something a little stronger but a G&T seem a bit passé? Look no further than the brand new range of bespoke house mezcals from chef Santiago Lastra and the team at KOL Mezcaleria in Marylebone, made in collaboration with Mexican spirit distributors El Destilado. There are four unique varieties to choose from – La Maceta, El Alacrán, Sandia and Pino – each demonstrating a different production method and flavour profile. Or if you’re feeling brave, why not try all four? Olé!

The KOL House Mezcals are priced at £86 (La Maceta), £86 (El Alacrán), £112 (Sandia), and £112 (Pino) each or £350 for all four as a bundle and are available to buy from their website from 15^th November.

Maison Sassy’s Calvados Fine and Calvados Ox 

Another drink to put on your radar is the traditional French drink calvados. Normandy Cidery Maison Sassy has just introduced two new curated blends of the apple brandy, Calvados Fine and Ox, created in partnership with world-renowned London cocktail bar Coupette. Fine has been aged for two years in French oak barrels and is ideal for use in cocktails, while six-year-aged XO can be enjoyed on its own as a digestif. Set to launch this autumn, the drinks are based on a family recipe from the family’s long-owned Château de Sassy, home to a large array of organic apple orchards. By bringing together contemporary cocktail culture with the authentic spirit, Maison Sassy hope to introduce the drink to a new generation. Why not give it a go?

Shop Cuvée’s Actually Nice Mulled Wine 

It might not be Christmas time just yet but mulled wine is already beginning to pop up everywhere. Why not spice up your evening drink with Shop Cuvée’s Actually Nice, an expertly blended (and cheekily named) mulled wine with a delicate and perfectly balanced combination of young Rioja, Sicilian white wine, nutmeg, clove, star anise, cinnamon, frankincense, honey, orange, lemon peel – and a pinch of Christmas joy.  Plus, the beautiful bottle makes for a great candleholder once you’ve polished off the contents.  

Shop Cuvée’s  Actually Nice Mulled Wine is priced at £16.99 and is available from their website now.

NIO Cocktails Experience Bar Cabinet

Those looking to elevate their cocktail experience or late-night soiree game even further should take a look at the brand new NIO Experience Bar Cabinet. Promising to deliver a balanced mix of form and function, this minimalist cocktail tray will not only hold all your cocktail bits and bobs nicely in one place but will also look stylish in your home. Top up, anyone?

The NIO Experience Bar Cabinet is priced at £49 and is available from their website from late November.

The Lucky Drinker Cocktail Book by Ciprian Zsraga

Still need more inspiration? Then try turning to one of London’s leading bartenders Ciprian Zsraga for some tips and ideas. Zsraga learned from some of the modern greats at some of the world’s best bars, including the Artesian bar at The Langham Hotel and the American Bar at The Savoy. Not only is his new cocktail book a journey in the world of cocktails from a historic point of view but also covers everything from bar equipment and bar personalities to the elements and the approach needed to make an outstanding cocktail. You can also learn about the latest innovative ideas that can be used to create impressive drinks, whether pressure infusion, smoking, ageing, or spherification (no, no idea what that means either). Better get reading!

The Lucky Drinker Cocktail Book by Ciprian Zsraga is priced at £12.99 and is available here now.

The editorial team