Where once Smirnoff ruled Duty Free, and countless teenage parties, now comes brand upon brand from Poland, Sweden, Holland and Russia. So many in fact we’re in danger of floating on top of the stuff. And to that long list you can add Herefordshire Chase Vodka. And, what’s more, it’s made from (cue Jeremy Clarkson pause) … potatoes.

The idea of beer drinkers as all weird beards clutching their CAMRA membership certificates to their anoraked chests is well put to bed these days. British ales are to be enjoyed and cherished, especially in the face of fizzy lager, alcopops and other disgusting drinks. Fullers have brought out the 2008 Gales Old Prize Ale.

Anyone here remember Weebles? These 70’s egg shaped toys had a low centre of gravity so that no matter how hard you tried you couldn’t push them over. You could throw them at your annoying sister and get a satisfying ‘thunk’ as they bounced off her head, but that’s another story. These Balancé glasses do the same trick.

Made from blackcurrants and aronia berries, blended with a selection of winter spices to capture that taste of the festive season, all you need do is add hot water to a measure of bottlegreen Spiced Berry Cordial to release its warm aromas.

As the Teacher’s master blender unscrews the cap and pours two glasses, then adds a splash of water to one, the effect is alchemical – the aroma, leaping from the whisky as the water goes in, fills the air with festive smells of fruit, cinnamon and everything you would find in a fat Xmas pudding. That’s the 45% malt talking and the water is what makes it sing.

To celebrate the start of the 25th London Fashion Week this Friday, The Roof Gardens in Kensington is offering up a host of new cocktails to celebrate 25 years of the biggest names in fashion coming to the capital.

Forget bottled cider ‐ according to London’s top mixologists there’s only one way to have your apples and pears this summer and that’s mixed with Cazadores, Mexico’s national spirit. The official cocktail of the boutique festival tipped as one of this summer’s hottest tickets (Secret Garden Party of course), the Secret Garden Margarita is available now in award winning London bars such as Green & Red and Quo Vadis.

On the 21st of July, Spanish restaurant and award-winning bar Camino is holding an interactive masterclass with experts from the online guide and lots of good food and drink to match. Tickets are free and available on a first come, first served basis. We went for a preview

Fancy being all sophisticated? Then Campari is for you.Fans of the unique taste of Campari include Jessica Alba and Heston Blumenthal and the latter knows a thing or two about great taste. Created in 1862 by Gaspare Campari of Milan Campari’s brilliant red hue, bittersweet taste is unique

Whenever I think of Robinsons drinks I think of a small boy in grey shorts, an S-belt holding them up and a pair of Startrite sandals on his socked feet. Me in fact. However the makers themselves move with the times and have now launched their first squash made entirely from naturally sourced ingredients. Robinsons be Natural™ is designed to appeal to mums and kids alike.