You only have to look at supermarket, off-licence or bar shelves to see how vibrant and diverse the drinks market currently is in Ireland.

From world famous heritage brands that have lost none of their allure – like the outstanding Hennessy Very Special cognac – and exciting startups, to international favourites now available here, and a delicious range of low and zero alcohol options, your glass will never want for something exceptional in it!

Add some extra sparkle to your summer with an Aperol Spritz, the classic Italian aperitivo which is as easy as 3, 2, 1… to make.

Bright orange in colour, it has a unique bittersweet taste deriving from a secret that’s remained unchanged since its creation in 1919.

Mix with a generous measure of prosecco and soda and garnish with fresh orange, and no thirst will be left unquenched!

SynerChi Kombucha was created in 2012 by company founder Laura Murphy, who has the distinction of being Ireland’s first commercial kombucha brewer.

Close to both Mt Errigal and the Atlantic coast, their Gweedore, Co. Donegal ‘kombrewery’ is a beautiful, wild and natural place to make their fermented tea drinks.

SynerChi Kombucha is authentically brewed using organic green tea, a SCOBY and is unpasteurised, which ensures that it contains the live cultures, raw enzymes, organic acids and antioxidants – all the ‘gut’ stuff – that are so beneficial to good health.

The unpasteurised Synerchi Kombucha Low Sugar range is less than 20kcal per can, and available in Mango, Raspberry & Hibiscus, Ginger & Lemon, Traditional Cola and Apple & Elderflower varieties, without any of the junk additives found in most soft drinks or mixers.

Just as tempting are the Organic Synerchi bottles which include Raspberry &Rosehip, Ginger & Lemongrass Orange & Lemon and Original Sencha Tea, among their vibrant choice of flavours.

Add in Kombucha Immune and Kombucha Brain Boost Shots for quick recovery when you need it, and their seriously cooling Yuzu Lemon with Mint or Strawberry with Rhubarb Water Kefirs, and you’ve something great to sip all summer long!

In May, Guinness welcomed Barry Can’t Swim, CMAT, Morgana, BIIRD, Lankum andFontaines D.C. to St. James’ Gate as part of their intimate Lovely Days Live series of gigs.

There’s still nothing quite as satisfying as a perfectly pulled pint of Arthur J.’s wondrous creation.

Purists look away now: as the mercury rises, we love ours with a dash of blackcurrant.

Made with much love in Dublin by the Solas team, the Solas range of handcrafted Irish sodas contain 100% natural ingredients and are completely free of artificial sweetners, preservatives and other “weird stuff”!

Produced in small batches, the Lemon And Mint, Elderflower and Spicy Ginger varieties are full of natural fizz and flavour and as delicious on their own as they are as a cocktail mixer.

Named after the Irish word for light – hence their’ ‘Let It Shine!’ slogan – Solas’ artisanal sodas are proving hugely popular with customers looking for a healthier option with character.

They get extra marks for the sleek design of their cans! If you can’t find them locally, fear not, because the solassodas.com shop can sort you out.

A multiple Blas na hÉireann and Irish Quality Food And Drink award-winner, Niks Tea is a family business which started in 2011 at the kitchen table with the aim of creating organic herbal teas that are healthy, environmentally friendly and full of exciting flavours.

Fast forward fourteen years and it’s mission accomplished with their Mango Magic Cold Brew, Berry Bang Iced Tea and Organic Cherry Iced Tea all tasting of more!

Enjoy them on their own, in cocktails or as fun frozen popsicles.

For more of our favourite tinctures, libations and tipples, see the Hot Flavours archive here.

Sláinte!

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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Bushmills 14 Year Old Single Malt Summer Serve

Unlike its sherry-inspired siblings, this exquisite Malaga cask finished expression has a drop of something unmistakably different. Bushmills 14 Year Oldstarts in first and second-fill bourbon barrels where it’s meticulously matured for a minimum of 14 years before being finished for up to 12 months in rare Muscat of Alexandria white wine Malaga casks – adding a distinctively exotic fruity profile.  Try this refreshingly fruity Summer serve:

Ingredients

• 35ml Bushmills 14 Year Old Single Malt
• 15ml peach liqueur
• Cloudy lemonade
• Ice
• Dehydrated apricot to garnish

Method

• Add Bushmills 14 Year Old and peach liqueur to a highball glass with ice and top with cloudy lemonade.
• Garnish with a dehydrated apricot and enjoy.

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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Solas Lemon and Mint Cocktail

Ingredients

• Half a can of Lemon & Mint Solas
• 35ml Gin
• Ice
• Lemon Wedge

Method

• Combine all the liquid ingredients in a tall glass with the ice, give it a vigorous stir.
• Add the lemon wedge and ann tu!
• Feel free to add other garnishes and/or use an 0.0 spirit.

Some other lip-smacking Solas cocktail combos are:

• Half a can of Elderflower Solas, 35ml Vodka, Ice and Cucumber
• Half a can of Spicy Ginger Solas, 35ml Dark Rum or Whiskey, Ice and a Lime or Orange Wedge

Again, use an 0.0. spirit if you prefer!

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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Niks Iced Tea G&T

Ingredients

• 1 measure of Gin or Gin Zero
• 1 part Lemon Juice
• 1 parts Simple Syrup
• 250ml cold Niks Earl Grey Tea
• Cucumber, Mint and Raspberry to garnish

Method

• Combine all the ingredients in an ice-filled glass and stir.
• Garnish with the cucumber, mint and raspberry.

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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Aperol Spritz

Ingredients

• 75ml Prosecco
• 50ml Aperol
• 25ml Soda Water
• Slice of Orange
• Ice

Method

• Fill your glass with ice.
• Add 3 parts (75ml) Prosecco.
• Add 2 Parts (50ml) Aperol.
• Top it up with 1 part (25ml) of soda water.
• Stir and garnish with a slice of orange.

Enjoy!

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COCKTAIL RECIPE: Guinness Black Velvet

Ingredients

• 90ml of Champagne
• 90ml of Guinness Original

Method

• Combine the ingredients and enjoy!

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HENNESSY

Founded in France during the mid-1700s by Irishman Richard Hennessy, Hennessy Cognac has stood the test of time, and been enjoyed across the generations. Now, its Made for More cocktail recipes add a fresh dimension, emphasising the infinite versatility of Hennessy Very Special, shaking up perception and exploring boundless exquisite mixing possibilities. Hennessy VS is the star ingredient in lighter, brighter and fresher cocktail serves. Perfect for enjoying with friends, here are two lip smacking Hennessy creations you can conjure up at home. À votre santé!

COCKTAIL RECIPE: Hennessy Margarita

Hennessy adds a smooth cognac twist in this elevated take on the classic margarita. This easy-to-make cocktail tastes light, citrusy, and refreshing – as perfect for brunch as it is for an evening out.

Ingredients

• 40ml Hennessy V.S
• 20ml Fresh Lime Juice
• 15ml Orange Liqueur
• 5ml Agave Syrup

Method

• Add all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
• Shake until chilled.
• Strain into salt-rimmed rocks glass with ice.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

COCKTAIL RECIPE: Hennessy Pineapple

Any flavour that goes well with cinnamon will go well with Hennessy. There is no better example than pineapple. The spice from the Hennessy adds a lot of depth to this simple mix, bringing out the ripe full flavours of pineapple.

Ingredient

• 45ml Hennessy V.S
• 105ml Pineapple Juice
•  1 Dash of Bitters

Method

• Fill a balloon glass with ice, pour in all ingredients.
• Stir to combine.
• Squeeze lime into drink.
• Garnish with a lime wedge.

See Hennessy.com For More Summer Cocktail Ideas

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MO CHARA LAGER

Not content with running Dundalk, nay, Ireland’s “greatest little boozer’, the Mo Chara crew now have their own 4.2% gluten-free lager which comes in a distinctive stubby bottle. Clean, smooth, sessionable and brewed locally, it’s available both in Mo’s and a rapidly expanding number of bars, restaurants and offies nationwide. You’ll be hearing lots more about them in the very near future.

mo-chara.ie

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TULLAMORE D.E.W. HONEY

Talking as we were earlier in this Hot Press Summer Drinks Special about world famous names, Tullamore D.E.W. has comprehensively hit the spot with its new Tullamore D.E.W. Honey.

Infused with Natural Bohemian Honey, the triple Single Malt, Single Potstill and Single Grain blend has a wonderfully silky texture, rich vanilla undertones and the sweetest and warmest of finishes.

tullamoredew.com