Most of the world knows port as a dark, sweet wine for the end of dinner. In Porto, on summer evenings by the Douro, it more often arrives white, cold and fizzing, mixed with tonic water in a big glass of ice. White port is made from white grapes and fortified like its red cousins; tonic stretches it into a long, gently sweet, gently bitter drink that suits warm weather perfectly.

The port lodges across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia have served it for decades, and it has since become Portugal's answer to the gin and tonic, lighter in alcohol and rounder in flavor. It takes thirty seconds to make, which leaves plenty of time to argue about whether Estoril or the roller coaster hills of Portimão made the better Grand Prix circuit.

The Porto tónico

Ingredients

• 1 large handful ice cubes
• 2 oz (60 ml) chilled white port
• 4 oz (120 ml) chilled tonic water
• 1 strip lemon peel
• 1 sprig fresh mint

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