Mushroom-infused bourbon with honey, sweet sherry and a dash or three of chocolate bitters

Every drink on our cocktail menu is named after something that fed into the creation of Bar Kinky and Kinkally , our Georgian restaurant upstairs. When the designers imagined the interiors, they proposed hanging branches from the ceiling, representing the raw materials found in the mountain regions where khinkali , or Georgian dumplings, are traditionally made. We loved the idea, so scouted out and collected many branches, which were then cleaned, dried and polished. They are now in situ and link to this drink, which is deep and complex, and has that lovely story behind it.

Andrew Pruts, bar manager, Bar Kinky , London W1

An old-fashioned, Inverness-style: with single malt, apple bitters, a wee bit of caramel and a spritz of another peaty dram to finish things off

This warming cocktail features rich caramel, apple bitters and the smooth notes of good single malt. Topped with a mist of peaty whisky, it makes for a cosy fireside sipper for the crisp evenings still to come before spring finally springs into action. Top it all off with a torched marshmallow, which is always more than welcome in the colder months.

Tomi Calsson, head barman, Torrish at Ness Walk , Inverness

Aquavit is the obvious Scandi tipple to try, but there are also vodkas, birch sap-based drinks and fruit concoctions aplenty

Given the popularity of Scandinavian food over the past few years, it’s strange that Nordic drinks haven’t followed suit – or, not in a good way. Lagers such as Carlsberg and ciders such as Rekorderlig and Kopparberg may be top sellers for Denmark and Sweden, respectively, but, frankly, they could have been made anywhere.

Scandinavia’s most distinctive drink is aquavit (or akvavit, as it’s spelled in Sweden), which is generally a grain- or potato-based spirit infused with botanicals, much as gin is, but with caraway and dill rather than juniper as the key flavouring. Also known as snaps , it’s traditionally consumed with food, often with a lager chaser, and is particularly good with cured and pickled fish. (While researching this piece, I also came across a Welsh aquavit, the 40% Silver Circle Aqua Vit , which is £35.95 for 70cl from The Secret Bottle Shop ; that would be fun if you’re looking for an unusual gift, though it has a bit too much caraway for my taste.)

For more by Fiona Beckett, go to fionabeckett.substack.com