Drinks of the Month

Drink of the week: Quinta da Pedra Alta Pedra no 3 White Port

Drink of the week: Quinta da Pedra Alta Pedra no 3 White Port

Given how hot it’s been over the last few days you might have already made yourself a few white port and tonics but if you’re not familiar with Portugal’s answer to the G & T get into it now!

Like ruby and tawny ports white port is slightly sweet in the case of this modern interpretation by Quinta da Pedra Alta quite pronouncedly so. In fact, on the rocks it tastes more like a strong dessert wine or even a slightly orangey liqueur (and a good match for melon and prosciutto, I imagine)

It’s still quite sweet with tonic added (I used an equal amount of Fevertree Light) so I personally like it better with soda - in fact more like 2:1 or even 3:1 with a sprig of mint to counteract the sweetness. Which of course makes it less alcoholic and more refreshing but if you’ve a sweet tooth just ignore that advice and tweak it to your own personal taste

It comes in a particularly pretty 50cl bottle (£18.01 hometipple.com, or £18.95 Master of Malt and would make a lovely present to take someone with whom you were going to dinner or staying the weekend.

Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port

Taylor’s Chip Dry White Port

Gin isn’t the only drink you can serve with tonic and this is the perfect time of year to try a delicious alternative: white port. Which, as I’m sure you know, comes from the Douro region of Portugal.

At 20% rather than 40%, it's lighter (and sweeter) than gin so you need rather more of it - about 40/60 I’d say (although the Taylor’s website recommends 1/3 to 2/3). Simply pour both drinks into a tumblerful of ice, stir and top with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint. Simple and incredibly refreshing.

You can find it on special offer at Ocado at the moment for £10.63 instead of £13.29 which is the price Waitrose is currently charging but that still compares well with other stockists who are typically listing it for between £15 and £16.

Although it’s a drink you’d have Portuguese-style as an aperitif it’s also a great match with melon and ham.

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