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Relief map of United Kingdom in its geographic context, with Big Ben, Scottish castle, Welsh hills, Giant’s Causeway, fish and chips, scones, Cheddar cheese.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom. Cities, countryside and coastlines carry distinct traditions; regional cooking and migrant communities extend the food landscape beyond its best-known dishes, with particular histories in each constituent country. Scottish castles, Welsh hills and the Giant’s Causeway offer landmarks distinct from Big Ben and London. Music, literature, crafts and sporting practices give living expression to the identities of the four nations. Tea and scones evoke occasions for gathering without representing every everyday meal. Fish and chips pairs fish with potatoes in a popular food tradition, while Cheddar recalls a cheesemaking skill that has become widely known. Ports, rural areas and cities have further specialities of their own. Communities shaped by migration play an important role in contemporary food culture. Family tables, pubs and markets reveal exchanges that continue to develop alongside regional traditions. Different languages, landscapes and histories remain central to understanding the variety of British life and cooking.

11/05/2026 20:35

International

From Afternoon Tea to Gin and Tonic: My Drink Tips for the United Kingdom

AlyaSoleil

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I still believe in the kind of encounters that make you feel good, and I often seek them out over a simple, well-chosen drink. When I think of the United Kingdom, I do not think only of tea: I think of a genuine way of structuring the day around drinks. In the morning, I gladly return to a strong black tea, because it gives my breakfasts a gentle backbone; I drink it with toast, eggs or, when I want something more comforting, with scones, jam and clotted cream. In London, on the South Bank, I have often felt how a steaming tea or an Americano can already create a little bubble of conversation before a concert or after a walk by the water. To me, that is what LaBouffe is all about: a simple gesture that opens you up to others. For the afternoon and aperitif hour, I stick to distinctly British touchstones: elderflower cordial when I want a refreshing non-alcoholic drink, ginger beer when I am looking for character without heaviness, and then Pimm’s when the season turns lighter. I find that these drinks truly serve the table, and I choose them as I choose background music: thoughtfully, without overdoing it. Ginger beer goes very well with fish and chips or a pie because it cleanses the palate; elderflower cordial works well with brunch, a picnic or a cucumber salad because it brings a crisp floral note; Pimm’s is a natural choice for summer get-togethers, when I want something cheerful, colourful and easy to share. If I move on to more adult drinks, I stay with the country’s classics: a dry gin and tonic, a properly crisp English cider, sometimes an English sparkling wine when I want to celebrate, or a whisky at the end of a meal, slowly, like a low note after the music. Ultimately, my tips come down to a few things: choose the drink to suit the moment, always keep a truly thoughtful non-alcoholic option, and let the table speak the same language as the atmosphere. Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Consume in moderation.

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Where: Royaume-Uni