White Port and Tonic – Portugal’s Best Export
Light and fruity, Portuguese white port works well with bitter tonic to make a refreshing aromatic drink that you can drink in any season.
When we were on holiday in Portugal, we took a mini holiday within our holiday. We visited Lisbon which was only a 3 hour drive from our villa and stayed overnight at an Airbnb right in the centre of the city which worked brilliantly. Just like our villa, we could relax at to our own timetable and eat where and when we wanted.
I had in my sights to visit the Time Out Market food hall in Lisbon after reading about in various newspapers and magazines. It was everything I wanted it to be. Filled with delicious Portuguese meals cooked to order and just about every other cuisine you could think of. I loved it and while perched on the incredibly high stools eating my dinner I actually let my legs swing like I was about 8 years old.
Before we even decided what to eat, my husband came back to our table with a White Port & Tonic without asking. This is one of the many reasons I love him. While drinking the cocktail I felt it summed up Portugal in a glass. Unexpected, aromatic and full of colour.
Here’s a video on how to make it.
I’d heard of white port before but it was something reserved for after dinner drinks or special occasions but in Portugal it’s widely available and a regular on the supermarket shelves. White Port is made from white grapes as apposed to the red grapes in ruby Port and has a lighter, nuttier and citrusier flavour. It is delicious served chilled with almonds and cheeses after a meal. Actually, we grazed on these all holiday long. Don’t you just love holidays like that?
Light and fruity, Portuguese white port works well with bitter tonic to make a refreshing aromatic drink that you can drink in any season.
White Port and Tonic
(serves 1)
Handful of Ice cubes
50ml white port
1 large strip orange peel
1 large strip lemon peel
5 mint leaves, bruised
Tonic water
Put a handful of ice cubes in a large glass.
Pour over 50ml white port.
Add one strip of each orange and lemon peel.
Bruise the mint leaves by crushing slightly in your hand and add to the glass.
Top with tonic and stir.
19 Comments
LOVE white port and tonic. It’s so refreshing – and a lovely change from the trendy G&T
I love it’s aromatic flavour too. So in love with it and way cheaper than gin!
I’d never actually heard of white port – it sounds lovely though, and perfect for a refreshing cocktail!
That looks incredibly refreshing. I’ve never seen whole strips of lemon peel in drinks before, but I actually think it looks way prettier than slices. 🙂
The lemon peel release their delicious oils into the drink this way. I love it!
My dad and teen have just returned from a holiday in Portugal, I have never been but I really want to after hearing how much they enjoyed it. I had never heard of white port before, it looks like a very refreshing dish x
I have this all the time in Portugal, it really reminds me of summers there x
Clearly I have not yet live, white port??? Really I didn’t know it existed. I need to try this and get my dad to as well as I bet he will love it too. Thanks so much for sharing this I’m going to see if I can track down some white port.
That sounds very refreshing and you’re right with it summing up Portugal. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it though
This sounds like a lovely cocktail to make. I’m sure I tried something like this when I was in Portugal a few years ago, but then what drinks didn’t I try (hehe).
Ami xxx
Oo I’ll have to let my auntie know about this – she loves a classic gin and tonic, so this would be an interesting twist 🙂
I’ve never thought of having port and tonic and actually didn’t know that there was such a thing as white port!
Sounds really refreshing, something I think my MIL would enjoy
The drinks look so refreshing! I would love to try it as I’ve never heard of this before 😛
This sounds delicious…. perfect for a holiday cocktail!
I can’t say I’ve ever heard of white port before! Wow! The white port and tonic looks fab though and I’d love to have some with cheese after a meal!! Thanks for sharing this!!
This looks so refreshing, definitely a Summer drink essential. Your photos look so good too!
Thanks Lindy, so kind x
I have tried white port and tonic before and I loved it for sure, loving your recipe for sure and need to try this version.