Christmas is the season of excess and although I have listed below an ultimate guide for drinks etc please do take care where alcohol is involved and don’t try them all at once, I will not be held responsible for dancing on tables or embarrassing behaviour! lol
This Christmas, add a little spirit to the celebrations with the Flavoured Spirits Enthusiasts’ Manual from Haynes. The step-by-step guide offers ideas, ingredients, techniques and recipes on how to add almost any flavour to spirits to create unique and tasty drinks that will impress and entertain.
The manual provides techniques and recipes for adding interesting flavours to vodka, gin, whisky, brandy, rum, tequila, eau de vie, absinthe and sake. It contains recipes for classics including sloe gin and raspberry vodka, as well as unique concoctions such as butternut squash bourbon, and bacon and chilli vodka! rrp: £22.99
Brewed by a family owned Bavarian brewery, Hofmeister is a high quality, slow brewed Helles lager. Deliciously refreshing, this Helles lager was the first 5 star winner of the Best Lager award in the 2017/8 IWSC awards.
Perfect gift for lovers of craft beer and lager. Light in colour, Hofmeister is a clean-tasting Helles lager with a complex balance of refreshing soft malt and subtle hoppy notes. rrp: £19.99 for a case of 12
The kids get to hang chocolates on the tree but what about mummy?! Pickering’s Gin have created Gin Baubles…yes you heard me right! Gin Baubles!
Each pack contains 6 different coloured plastic baubles, each filled with 5cl of Pickering’s Gin. Last year they sold out within 82 seconds so you must be quick to secure your pack! rrp: £30.00
To save spending time behind the bar this year why not indulge in Tescos own ready mixed cocktails? Developed by Tesco Mixologists, the finest* bottle aged cocktails are mixed from top quality ingredients and are ready to shake or pour straight from the bottle.
The Negroni, characterised by gin aromatics, is a bitter-sweet Italian classic and the perfect aperitif. Partner with Tesco finest* Espresso Martini for a sophisticated after dinner drink and complete your dinner occasion. rrp: £15 each
A blend of decadent Belgian chocolate and Baileys Original Irish Cream, Chocolat Luxe is utterly indulgent – and completely unforgettable. The fusion of luxurious Belgian chocolate, Irish Whiskey and cream has resulted in a rich drinking experience that brings together two adored favourites into a decadent treat. This is a pure, unadulterated molten chocolate pleasure. rrp: £12.00
“Nature and Books belong to the eyes that see them” – Emily Brontë
So reads the bottle of this liqueur made, naturally, in ‘God’s own country’, where the Brontë sisters themselves lived. A Yorkshire liqueur made with blackberries and sloes, wild flower honey and jasmine, the brand has recently been resurrected by Sir James Aykroyd.
For every bottle of the Bronte Liqueur sold a small donation will be made to support the work of the Bronte Society. rrp: £29.50
What would Christmas be without Rudolph? This Rocking Rudolph beer is dark and full bodied, packed full of hops. Challenger & Target providing underlying herbal hop and the rare Bramling cross giving redcurrant and blackcurrant. Horlicks malty character from the pale malt and toffee from the crystal malt give warmth and the blend of hops provide a crisp bitterness. rrp: £21.00 for a case of 12
Four Roses is unlike any other Bourbon. Perhaps it’s because only Four Roses handcrafts 10 distinct and extraordinary Bourbon recipes. One has been selected by hand to become Four Roses Single Barrel. Four are expertly mingled by hand to create Four Roses Small Batch. And as many as all 10 are used to create Four Roses Bourbon. Handcrafted artistry such as this may take a little more time, but after your first taste, we’re sure you’ll agree, it’s worth the effort. rrp: £27.00 available at M&S
i heart Regional Wines are carefully crafted from some of the most prestigious wine regions around the world- in this case the Berceo winery in the heart of Rioja, Spain. This smooth wine is bright and fresh with notes of red berries and a dusting of vanilla that comes from oak ageing. rrp: £6.99
I love giving gifts from local suppliers and IL Gusto, the provider of stunning personalised foodie gifts, will be setting up a pop-up store in Newcastle from the 14th October until the end of December in the Metrocentre and Eldon Square from the 16th October. Il Gusto is an Aladdin’s cave of unique personalised presents to surprise and delight it’s customers with lovable secret Santa gifts.
There are numerous ways you can make your gift truly individual:
The Lakes Damson Gin Liqueur is a smooth spirit with a fruity taste that contributes to a delicate sweet flavour. This carefully produced gin liqueur uses the uniquely based gin distilled in the Lake District flavoured with damsons. The Lakes Distillery is one of the only distilleries located in one of prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This Lakes Damson Liqueur can be enjoyed on its own or with a refreshing drop of tonic water topped with fresh ice cubes. rrp: £15.00
The Rhubarb Vodka Gift Box from DemiJohn is made up of an elegant, stackable Mystic 500ml bottle filled with the smooth Rhubarb Vodka Liqueur 20.5% contained within a handmade Oak wood Mystic 500 presentation box. The Rhubarb Vodka Liqueur has the most deliciously remarkable taste. This gift box would make a unique Christmas present and there are a multitude of other gifts available on the website which can be personalised too. rrp: £62.95
I am a gin girl at heart and love finding new flavours so ROCK ROSE GIN with its wonderful flavour from a carefully selected and put together creation of local and traditional botanicals gets my vote as top gin this Christmas. Each botanic is meticulously chosen for their flavour properties to create the perfect taste. After 55 experiments by Martin & Claire the final recipe was chosen to give a wee taste of Caithness and the very first batch was distilled on 17th August 2014. rrp: £34.00
Top-notch Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur from the wonderful Conker Spirits folks in Dorset. This is made with a combination of Brazilian and Ethiopian coffee beans from Dorset’s Beanpress Coffee Co., both of which have been roasted different to compliment their flavour profile. Yummers. rrp: £30.00
You’ll soon be mixing and shaking cocktail like a pro with the Barman’s Barware Kit from bar@drinkstuff. A perfect kit for beginners and keen bartenders, this gift set is stylishly presented in a gift box tube. Containing a range of professional quality equipment, including a Professional Boston Cocktail Shaker, Twisted Mixing Spoon and selection of strainers, you’ll be able to accommodate any drinks request. Price: £24.99
Traditionally used in bubble tea, PopaBall products are a type of bubble tea bubble called popping boba which are often used as an alternative to using tapioca. They are little bubbles of fruity juice which burst in your mouth with flavour when you bite down on them! Add a generous spoonful into your favourite cold drinks (not just bubble tea) such as juices, milkshakes, cocktails or prosecco, suck them up through a chunky straw included in the pack and feel them burst with fruity juice as you bite them. In super fizzy prosecco they float to the top so you can nibble them off the top, try PopaBall Bubbles for Prosecco. rrp: £4.49
Perfect for celebrations during party season, Barefoot wines are introducing a new bubbly Pinot Grigio. This light bodies Pinot bubbles over with flavours of zesty citrus and orange blossom aromas. Perfect paired with party canapes or enjoyed on its own to toast the occasion this will be a sure fire hit at any Christmas party. rrp: £8.50 available from all good stockists.
Following the success of Apothic Red, this month welcomes Apothic Dark – a bold new red blend that beckons a desire to taste the unknown.
Rich with dark fruit flavours of blueberry and blackberry, with opulent notes of coffee and chocolate. Apothic Dark is crafted using a unique blend of dark grape varieties, that together reveal distinct textures and unlocks a new wine experience.
Each grape has been carefully selected to provide richness, complexity and balance, producing a wine that draws our curiosity to embrace its mystery and darkness. Blending Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petit Verdot, the smoothness of the wine and the opulent notes of coffee and dark chocolate will haunt the palate. rrp: £10.00 available from stores nationwide.
For the designated driver or tee total party goer I have found some great festive drinks that will still fill you with the joys of the season!
Bursting with flavour, Belvoir Farm Fruits Christmas Cordial is an intensely fruity blend of cranberry and orange juices complimented with warming winter spices. You can drink it either warm or cold. Or add a dash of rum or vodka for an extra festive kick. rrp: £2.29
Pineapple, Coconut & Lime Fruit Juice Drink from Crafted. If you love the taste of the tropics (or even Malibu!) then this is for you. This tropical blend is bursting with flavour. First there’s the sweetness from the pineapple. Then you’ll pick up the wonderful taste of coconut, balanced perfectly with a touch of lime. The fruity drink has a smooth, soft finish. With lots of different flavours to choose from Crafted are now my childrens choice of drink for breakfast too. rrp: £1.60
Of course in addition to a little tipple come the nibbles and I would highly recommend a couple of treats!
A great gift for chocolate lovers. Choose from the classic selection of Guylian chocolates you know and love or an assortment of delicious Belgian chocolates in a variety of flavours. These delectable chocolates are sure to impress. The 430g Belgian Classics gift box has an RSP of £10 and the larger Deluxe Assortment is available in a 528g box (RSP £14).
Impress your foodie-friends and indulge your beloved ones with tasty, nutritious and unique treats this festive period! Abakus Foods, London-based pioneer in healthy snacking, is launching gift jars in time for Christmas. The elegant and festive glass jars are filled with the best-selling jujube fruit, jujube crisps, stuffed jujube with nuts, and hickory nuts – a Great Taste Award winner. rrp: £12.99
I am sure there are lots of other treats, drinks and delights out there to bring out the festive spirit in everyone! What are you looking forward to most? We tend to have at least one Snowball and Babycham just for sheer memory preservation as its something we have done every year for as long as i can remember – don’t forget the cocktail cherries!
XOXO
Debbie
I was sent most of these to help compile this list, others I have bought and some are just because I love the sound of them!
