East London Liquor Company Vodka 70cl 40% ABV

Product Information

For those who prefer relaxing in traditional surroundings, the Dukes Hotel is a must visit. Its cosy elegance has appealed to generations of London drinkers. James Bond’s creator Ian Fleming was a regular and it is claimed that 007’s vodka martini may have its roots in the bar. Dukes’ martinis are justly famed and so potent that there is a two-drink maximum. After all, it’s better to leave feeling stirred, not shaken. Make Your Own Gin: Enjoy a G&T while learning about the history of gin and the Sacred Distillery. Then, taste through vacuum distilled botanicals and become a Master Blender and create your own recipe. One final drink and you’ll go home with a bottle of your bespoke gin blend and a 20cl bottle of Sacred Gin.

The beauty of vodka – unlike whisky or wine – is that, really, you can throw away the rulebook when it comes to glassware. Hell, drink it out of the bottle, if you like (though expect some concerned glances from guests.)

Dukes Bar

A beautifully cooked tranche of roast cod sat on a bed of braised aubergine, courgette, tomatoes and capers. To be honest, this was a dish that spoke more to me of the South of France than Poland but as a light but satisfying main course on a cold day, it hit the spot. The camp is split when it comes to freezing vodka, though it should certainly be chilled (0-4°C is optimal). While freezing vodka improves the viscosity and achieves a richer mouthfeel, you do risk muting the more nuanced aromas.

Interestingly, a penchant for gin might reveal a little more about your personality than you may have initially thought. Various sources suggest that gin drinkers, especially those who enjoy a classic gin martini or a gin and tonic, tend to be seen as mysterious and intellectual individuals with a captivating presence. For something a little different, consider venturing out of London to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery Guided Tour in Hampshire. It’s a great alternative to the London options. Visit the Beefeater Distillery for an unforgettable 2 and a half hour experience. Start with the interactive exhibition, with a welcome drink in hand, that will provide an insight into the history of gin. You will then be taken into the very heart of the distillery, all the way up into the still house whilst providing you with an in depth description of the process of manufacturing gin. Sipsmith Sipper Club: Enjoy a welcome drink and learn the Sipsmith story before the host takes you through a tutored gin tasting session. You’ll then be treated to a three course Michelin starred meal La Trompette.

East London Liquor Company, Mile End

Gin and Tonic Experience: Choose from three sensational menu tastings where you will have the opportunity to sample selected gins, from citrus to floral, accompanied by your choice of tonic water pairings and garnishes. There's no distillery tour or bar as such (unless you get very friendly with Ian), so ask for it in good bars or buy bottles online. City of London Distillery, Fleet Street Gin Flights: Tantalise your taste buds and test your palate. Can you guess them all? Two One Four offer gin flights of three different gins for you to taste and enjoy in your own time. A great addition to any evening out. Will you go for The Great British Gin-Off or the Tour Of London? We start with a long fermentation before two distinct distillations. During the second of these, the vapours are elevated through a series of seven column stills to a height of 40 metres. As it ascends, our potato spirit passes over 2,000 purification plates, each raising the liquid a little bit closer to vodka perfection. My guest smothered hers with dollops of Keta caviar perched on a subtle bed of chopped onion and boiled egg. The apple notes of the Kavka Estate vodka were the perfect match for the blinis.

Christian Jensen's approach to gin is a simple one, which is why this distillery, underneath the arches in Bermondsey, only makes two types of gin: London dry and Old Tom. Quaff one or both on a Saturday, when the distillery bar opens. Line your stomach with food from Maltby Street Market. Mix with Beer Mile brews at your peril.

Gin Tasting ExperiencesLondon Merchant House of Bow Lane – 13 Well Court, off Bow Lane, London EC4M 9DN Gin Tasting Masterclass: Learn the origins and history of gin, including an insight into the distilling process. You’ll get to taste 5 different – and delicious – gins, whilst you are guided through the tasting notes, botanicals andsubtleties of gin. All this is complimented by some tasty nibbles and a great range of tonics. Finish off by choosing your favourite gin and enjoying a large, perfectly served G&T. Gin Lover’s Experience: Visit Skylon Bar for a true epicurean bar experience; a gin & tonic masterclass led by Skylon’s expert mixologist. The masterclass will begin with the tasting of three gins from their extensive collection, each paired with the appropriate tonic. I’m not a stranger to the Polish restaurant Ognisko. I have spent many happy evenings there downing flavoured vodkas and eating their refined take on Polish cuisine. Our editor Fiona has been there as well but claims she doesn’t remember too much about it…