From the gin sodden debauchery depicted in Hogarth’s Gin Alley of 1751 to the glamorous Martini bars of ritzy hotels, London has been the spiritual home of gin for centuries and its affair continues with a new generation of brands and drinking establishments throughout the capital. Judith Baker, sips her way into 214 Bermondsey

In the eighties and nineties, the slow-burning TV romance of ‘the Kenco couple’ elevated the brand to the nations’ favourite, igniting the British love for a steamy mug of instant coffee. But how times and tastes have changed.

Purveyors of mail order meat to the masses, Donald Russell now offer an easy Toad in the Hole as well as mini Lamb leg. We put both in our oven to see what came out

As if it wasn’t specialist enough, restaurant Northbank begins Mead Mondays to mix the honey drink into refreshing cocktails alongside a sampler of the Cornish menu

Now in its 6th year, Peixe em Lisboa takes place over 10 days, with cooking classes, wine pairings, chef demonstrations and tastings provided by top Portuguese restaurants.  Rupert Parker spent a couple of days soaking up the atmosphere and sampling the food.