Martini anyone? Whether you're a gin or vodka fan, we've got a winning base for you. In the vodka corner we have Elit, smooth-as-you-like thanks to its signature freeze-filteration process, and representing gin we have the re-released Beefeater Crown Jewel, weighing in at a hefty 50% ABV.

Martinis feature in our book choice, 'Cocktails, A Still Life', written by Christine Sismondo and James Waller and starring stunning oil paintings by Todd M. Casey, while artfully made drinks are on the menu at Line in Athens, the latest offering from Vasilis Kyritsis, Nikos Bakoulis and Dimitri Dafopoulos.

In the hotseat we have Dawn Davies, Buying Director at Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange. Who better to ask how to buy, what to try and what we'll be drinking in 2023.

What we're mixing:

The Franklin

30ml dry vermouth

75ml London Dry Gin

1 dash Orange Bitters

2 green olives

Method:

Add the vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice and stir. Discard the vermouth, then add the gin to the ice with Orange Bitters and stir. Strain into a chilled Martini or Nick & Nora glass, add the two olives and serve.

For more from The Cocktail Lovers, visit thecocktaillovers.com

For the products featured in this episode, see websites below:

Beefeater Crown Jewel

Cocktails, A Still Life

The Cognac Show – 10-11 March 2023

The Rum Show – 14-15 July 2023

The Whisky Show – 29 Sept-1 October 2023

The Champagne Show – November 2023 dates tbc

The Cocktail Lovers theme music is by Travis 'T-Bone' Watson

Edited by Christian Fox

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to buy and drinks to try for the festive season

The Cocktail Lovers