While we have nothing against the true blue appeal of an iced cold beer, (Blue Tongue, James Squire Indian, Cooper’s Vintage and Hoegarden White Beer have set our tongues tingling lately), there really isn’t anything like a summer inspired cocktail.

It doesn’t need to be complicated either. What could be simpler than a gin and tonic? Start with a long chilled tumbler right from the freezer, add lots of ice (large cubes are best), enough of your favourite gin to make it interesting, a slice of lime and the best tonic available. Stir gently. Take this up a notch and use a better gin. Lately on the market is Blackwood’s Dry Gin or Ice Filtered Vodka from Shetland Island off the coast of Scotland. And you thought the Scots only made whisky? The connection to gin goes back about 400 years when the juniper berries that flavour the earliest Dutch gin were sourced from Shetland. The trade between Aberdeen and Rotterdam was busy. Indeed the islanders were notorious for their use of “strong waters” (gin) in place of currency. The canny Scots knew a thing or two about value for money.

Blackwood’s isn’t a typical ‘London Dry’ like Tanqueray or Bombay. It has the usual botanical ingredients typical to gin like juniper, angelica root, coriander and citrus peels but it distinguishes itself by using local herbs such as Wild Water Mint, Sea Pink and Meadowsweet gathered from the cliffs and lochs of Shetland. It makes a memorable gin and tonic and any number of other cocktails. Use your imagination or get very friendly with your bartender.

Try this out for an ‘adults only’ night in:

Home Negroni

Build into a tall chilled glass:

60 ml Gin (try the Blackwood’s)
30 ml Campari or Red Dubonnet
Add tonic, a slice of orange and stir gently.

(If you choose the Dubonnet you’ll follow the Queen Mother’s tradition. She lived to 101 so maybe she was on to a good thing here.)