Booze hounds are always on the look out for the new thing, or something that’s gone to ground but enjoying a revival.
And thanks to the cocktail revolution, spirits and liqueurs have become an indispensable addition to bar menus and cocktail lists. Some of which we’re familiar with, and others we’ve never had the pleasure of partying with… until now.
To bring you up to speed, these are the spirits you might not have tried until now – but really should if you want to keep up with the latest delicious drinking trends.
1. Cachaça
This Brazilian beauty (pronounced ka-shah-suh) usually headlines in the country’s national cocktail – a caipirinha – but it’s just as fun in tiki cocktails, anything exotic or as a rum substitute in a piña colada. Similar to white rum, the difference is it’s distilled from sugar cane juice, whereas rum is made from molasses. Clean and grassy with a slightly vegetal note, it can also be enjoyed on the rocks.
2. Grappa
We like to think of grappa as the grown-ups sambuca. It’s a digestif made from the leftover seeds, stems and skins (pomace) in winemaking. An aromatic, neutral spirit that can be sipped on its own or used as a base in cocktails, there are numerous styles but Nardini Grappa make some of the best. Next time you’re offered one in your favourite Italian, say yes and pass on a shot of anise and three coffee beans. We promise you’ll never look back.
3. Green Chartreuse
A naturally green liqueur made from 130 herbs and other plants, this French fancy hails from the Chartreuse mountains near Grenoble, France. Produced by Carthusian monks to a recipe that dates from 1605, it’s spicy, herbal and sweet, and makes a deliciously refreshing summer drink. Simply serve neat over ice, top with tonic or use as a base in cocktails.
4. Mezcal
Thanks to celebrity-backed brands, Mexico’s other agave spirit is having a moment in the sun. Whereas tequila is made from one variety – the Blue Weber – mezcal can be made from 30 different types of agave (the most common is espadin) and undergoes a different distillation process to create its signature smoky flavours. There are different ageing categories, but George Clooney’s Casamigos Mezcal Joven is in a league of its own.
5. Baijiu
Baijiu may not roll off the tongue (yet), but this ancient white spirit is the national spirit of China and best selling booze in the world. And while it’s still rare in the west, it’s been cited as one of the spirit trends to watch with mixologists using it as a key ingredient in cocktails. Distilled from grains, the four key styles are Light Aroma, Sauce Aroma, Rice Aroma and Strong Aroma. Fenjiu are the baijius of choice and it’s traditionally drunk neat.
6. Tuaca
One of Italy’s best kept secrets, Tuaca is a blend of brandy, Tuscan fruit essences and vanilla, with a soft, mellow, distinctly delicious mouth feel. Think, citrus, caramel, ginger and brown sugar. Sweet enough to savour at the end a meal, it can also be topped with ginger ale and used in cocktails. Bellissima!
Read more: 3 tropical cocktails that’ll make you feel a stone’s throw from a white sandy beach
