Europe's Favorite Cocktails

Most likely, you won't find an Englishman who doesn't enjoy a good G&T. Introduced by the army of the British East India Company in India back in the early 19th century, gin and tonic initially served as medicine to prevent and treat malaria! Well, quinine was the medicine, but its bitter taste was so bad, that even sugar and lime couldn't cover it.
So, there it was - the perfect ingredient, gin (also known as 'Mothers Ruin!'), that made the medicine "bearable" for the British soldiers to take. Although later it was found that this way of quinine consumption wasn't at all effective against malaria, the British got a new cocktail recipe which as we know later successfully spread all over the world.
The traditional G&T is made with gin and tonic water, garnished with a lime wedge, and served in a highball glass over the ice.
However, today there are quite a few ways of setting out the favored drink, many of which have already become classic. Usually, the garnish depends on the brand of the gin used in the cocktail. For example, Hendrick's G&T is typically garnished with cucumber, while the Beefeater-based drink is served with a slice of orange to enhance the oranges used in Beefeater's botanicals. Once you travel in the UK, make your way to the next pub and try a few G&T's to find the one for you.
To make it at home, we recommend 1:2 parts of gin and tonic water respectively. Go classic and serve it in a highball glass, or use a large Spanish-style Copa glass for a fancier feel!
How to make G&T?
The traditional G&T is made with gin and tonic water, garnished with a lime wedge, and served in a highball glass over the ice.

Picture yourself in Spain on a hot summer day. You are sitting in a small cafe watching locals going home to enjoy their daily siesta. There is an open book (maybe something by Hemingway) on your table. What else is there? I bet it is a pitcher of sangria because you can't relish a day like this without it.
The classic sangria includes Rioja red wine and sliced fruits (pineapples, nectarines, peaches, berries, or melon), sugar, and orange juice. If you are not keen on red wine, feel free to use white, add brandy, rum, flavored liqueur, or sparkling water.
Although it is not clear where it came from originally, sangria is now considered to be the most popular Spanish drink. In fact, according to the European Union Law, since 2014 only sangria made in Spain or Portugal is allowed to bear this name. Travel to Spain with us and try the real thing!

What comes first to your mind when you hear "Ireland"? Ginger heads, tap dance, St. Patrick's Day, and of course, Guinness! So loved by many worldwide, this dry stout was born in Arthur Guinness's brewery in the capital of Ireland, Dublin. Today, this beer is brewed in 50 countries and sold in over 120. Until now, Guinness remains the most popular drink among the Irish both in their home country and abroad.
Ireland is not big on fancy, elaborate cocktails, but it loves its stout. Loves it so much that the majority of cocktails prepared in Irish pubs are based on Guinness. Black Velvet (a mix of champagne and Guinness stout) is one of them.

Rumor has it that the drink was invented to mark Prince Albert's death in 1861 when the steward ordered that even champagne has to be dressed in black. To make it yourself, mix Guinness Original stout with champagne and serve in a flute. Or better travel to Ireland with us and try it in a local pub.