The festive season means gatherings and drinks with friends, so what better time to stock up your drinks cabinet with Christmas spirits and cocktails? Here are a few ideas to add to the shopping list as party season gets into its stride.
Bardinet Brandy
£19
A Christmas liquor cabinet isn’t complete without brandy; whether it’s to pour a nip after dinner, before bed, or for an evening cocktail, it’s one not to be left off the shopping list this festive season.
French distillers Bardinet have launched a limited edition festive bottle that will add a splash of festive colour to your cabinet, as well as a distinctive flavour.
Aged in France in oak casks, Bardinet VSOP exudes aromas of juicy, ripe fruits which develop on the palate, mixing with hints of warming spice and just a touch of vanilla sweetness. It is delicate and well-balanced, leading to a long finish full of Christmas raisin notes with just a little oakiness.
Bardinet is an excellent value tipple that is as versatile as it is pleasant.
Project #173 Flavoured Rum
£20
If you’re a lover of flavoured rum, then Project #173 from Atom Labs should be in your Christmas drinks cabinet. Made using Dominican rum, the range includes flavours from all seasons, from coconut and pineapple for summer to pumpkin spiced and chocolate for autumn and winter.
The Pumpkin Spiced Rum gives those warm, cosy flavours that we all crave as the temperature drops. With honey, nutmeg and vanilla giving a sweet and spicy flavour, this delightful rum is great neat over ice or even better in a steamy mug of hot chocolate.
For chocolate lovers, Project #173’s Chocolate Rum will hit the spot. It’s packed full of chocolate flavour, which is rich but not too sweet. Notes of cinnamon and just a touch of dark fruit make it mouthwateringly moreish.
Aberlour Whisky
£45
This gloriously golden Speyside single malt whisky is double cask matured in American oak and sherry oak casks for 12 years before being blended by master distillers to create the perfect blend of sweetness, fruits and spices.
The impact of the sherry oak casks is evident from the moment you uncork the bottle, with mellow, rounded fruits coming up to greet you. The fruits blend beautifully on the palate with hints of cocoa, giving a smooth richness before a long, warm and sweetly spiced finish.
A nice dram to keep the winter chills at bay.
Jameson Black Barrel
£44
Jameson has a long and illustrious history in the Irish whiskey industry, opening its first distillery in Bow Street, Dublin, in 1780. Black Barrel is a triple-distilled blend of small batch grain and single pot whiskey. The liquor is matured in double charred barrels for up to 16 years before being blended.
On the nose, Black Barrel has notes of toffee and sweet and creamy fudge. On the palate, the sweetness of vanilla is joined by a hint of nuttiness and a touch of spice from the barrel ageing. It is remarkably smooth and buttery, given that it is bottled at a higher strength than other Jameson variants.
Perfect for an Old Fashioned cocktail or over ice.
Ejiah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey
£40
Elijah Craig Straight Rye is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey from Heaven Hill, made from a blend of 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley. This extra-aged Straight Rye is the first to join the Elijah Craig family, which is predominantly made up of Bourbon.
On the nose, there are notes of honey and cocoa, with cinnamon and nutmeg coming through. Once on the palate, the flavours open out with spices developing to add a touch of warmth. The sweet honey melts away to reveal a hint of oak smoke. The finish is long and rich, with a smoothness that will take you back for another sip.
Mamma Mia! Limoncello
£29
Christmas is generally filled with the flavours of dark fruits, which have a heavy sweetness, but for a little light relief to cleanse the palate, Mamma Mia! Limoncello is the perfect injection of Italian sunshine.
The Ricucci family made Mamma Mia in Italy since 1850, using the oldest variety of lemons, the Femminello del Gargano. These lemons are small, flavoursome, organically grown, and harvested by hand in the Puglia region. Once harvested, the lemons are peeled by hand, and the zest is infused with Italian grain alcohol for 30 days.
With no added preservatives or artificial colouring, Mamma Mia is all-natural and less sweet than traditional Limoncello. The flavour is beautifully fresh and full of crispness without any sugary tang or sharpness. Keep it in the fridge to get the best out of the flavour, and enjoy it neat for a refreshing treat.
Alexandrion 5* and 7*
From £19
Alexandrion is a brandy distilled in Romania using a recipe and production method first used by the Greeks in Crete. It is made from the base wine distillate from grapes grown in its vineyards in Romania’s Delu Mare wine region. It is aged in oak barrels with a secret bouquet of extracts reminiscent of delicate Mediterranean aromas.
Alexandrion 5* and Alexandrion 7* are aged in oak barrels for at least 5 and 7 years, respectively, giving each spirit a different flavour profile and level of complexity.
Alexandrion 5* has hints of creamy, rich custard and toasted pecans on the nose, which follow through onto the palate with vanilla and cinnamon, reminiscent of a pecan pie dessert. The finish is reasonably long and full of toasted nuts and light spices.
Alexandrion 7* has a flavour which is in many ways similar to the 5* but with a more intense hit of toasted nuts and warming spices.
Both are nicely balanced between sweetness and spice and are a nice tipple over ice or in a brandy cocktail.
Shanky’s Whip
£25
For those who enjoy an Irish Creme liqueur, Shanky’s Whip will hit the spot, and for those who like the idea of an Irish Creme liqueur but aren’t fans of the thick, creamy texture, this is the answer!
Shanky’s Whip is a unique blend of black liqueur and Irish Whiskey, bursting with fabulous vanilla and caramel from the off. It is sweet and tasty but also light and balanced. The aromas that greet the nose are reflected on the palate, with some sweet spices rounding out the flavour. Despite not being thick and creamy, it has all of those flavours in there, making it a lovely glassful over ice, with a mixer or in an Irish coffee. Brilliantly versatile and devilishly moreish.
Martell Noblige Noir
£86
If you’re heading out on your travels and looking for something exclusive for your drinks cabinet or as a gift for a cognac lover, Martell Noblige Noir is one to look out for.
This travel exclusive is only available from global airport retail locations, so be sure to take a browse around duty-free to catch it while you can. The name is inspired by the French phrase, Noblesse oblige, which means “nobility carries obligation”, and Martell has certainly stepped up to its obligation to create a bold and elegant spirit.
The blend has been created by Martell Cellar Master Christophe Valtaud, resulting in a unique flavour profile that is as luxurious to look at as it is to taste.
On the nose, there is a blend of woody spices and dried dark fruits with hints of buttery almonds and coffee. On the palate, the dried fruits are joined by juicy blackcurrants, dates and toasted nuts. There is still a subtle sweetness to the blend, which rounds out the flavour and leads you into a long, elegant finish with notes of charred wood on the fringes.
A fabulous glassful over ice to savour on a cold festive evening.
If you don’t want to spend valuable mingling time mixing drinks
for your guests this festive season, there are plenty of ready-mixed versions available. From classic flavours to recipes with a modern twist, you’ll find something to keep your party flowing.
Moth Ready to Drink Cocktails
Packs start from £20 gift sets from £29
Moth has a for anyone, anywhere philosophy about its cocktails, bringing quality ingredients to each drink, which can be consumed just as well in your party outfit as PJ’s. Moth sticks to the classics like Espresso Martini, Mojito and Cosmopolitan, with packs available from £20.
For something special this festive season, cocktail crackers and gift sets are also available from £29.
Mixtons
From £19
Mixtons was born out of the pandemic, as friends Ranj, Xav and Sim decided to make their Zoom calls more interesting with ready-made cocktail tastings. The trio agreed that the traditional recipes needed a shake-up and set about doing just that.
Mixtons take those recipes we all know and love and add a bit of a twist. Mixton’s Mojito incorporates the classic rum and mint but adds kiwi and dragon fruit.
There are currently four enticing flavours available to lift your Christmas season. To add another touch of humour and spice to your gathering, Mixtons has rebranded its Spicy Melons to Holy Baubles, dressing the drink in festive colours for the festive season.
