As neighbours of gin-loving Spaniards, it was only a matter of time before Portugal had its equal measure of the tonic boom - and this summer’s coolest drink, apparently, is a port and tonic.
But not the aged, tawny type that’s traditionally drunk at the end of the meal, especially at Christmas. You know; the nutty, sweet port that makes you feel all warm and cosy, and just a little bit tipsy.
We’re talking about the remarkably refreshing, golden-coloured port made from a blend of white grapes that’s served well-chilled as an aperitif.
Topped with tonic water, lots of ice and garnished with mint and lemon, it’s a brilliant thirst-quencher, which our continental cousins have been slurping for years.
But you don’t need a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Douro River in the city of Porto (that gives the wine its name) to enjoy this Portuguese classic.
Versatile, stylish and right on trend with our growing appetite for petiscos (Portugal’s answer to tapas), salted almonds and olives, these crisp, dry wines can be enjoyed all year round as a lighter alternative to a G&T.
With a lower abv than classic white spirits such as gin and vodka (19.5% compared with 40%), they can be sipped in the sunshine with a few small plates, before moving on to the next ‘port of call’.
“White port is a sleeping giant and THE on-trend drink of the summer,” says Alex Down, Symington Family Estates, a leading producer of premium ports based in northern Portugal.
“Already a staple in some of the trendiest cocktail bars across Europe, the UK has fallen in love with it and it’s now being enjoyed in summer cocktails, or as a classic ‘P&T’: Equal measures of Graham’s Fine White and good quality tonic, a few blocks of ice, a slice of lemon, a sprig of fresh mint, and you have the ultimate alternative to a run-of-the-mill G&T.”
Here’s everything you need to know...
What sort of cocktails is white port a good base for?
You can pretty much substitute white port in any cocktail that would ordinarily use white vermouth, as they’re both different types of fortified white wine. White port is particularly amazing in a white negroni.
Simple to make and delicious to drink, a P&T is a quirky, Mediterranean twist on your classic G&T, which is undoubtedly why it has taken off in such a big way.
Once opened, you can keep a bottle of white port chilled in the fridge for up to a week.