With staying in being the new going out, it is a good idea to stock up on your spirits for cocktails. Here is our bumper spirits drinks guide for Christmas and New Years…
Christmas and New Years is on the way, so now is the time to get your drinks orders in. Whether you are looking for a Christmas present for a friend, or you are looking for some cocktail options to impress with, you are spoilt for choice. With more of us than ever having to stay in to see in the festive season and new years, we are going to have to become a little more creative with our drinks options. If you’re after the perfect cocktail ingredients, this spirits drinks guide is all you need. Don’t be afraid to get creative, or just enjoy a classic g&t or vodka and coke. Whether you’re spending the season dressed up at home, or relaxing in front of the television in your pyjamas with your loved ones, these are sure to get you through. Here is our
Gin
O’ndina Gin
Just from the look of the bottle, you can see that O’ndina Gin represents itself as a premium gin and that it tastes like it too. Made in Italy, expect a smooth tasting gin that is full of flavour, making use of the 19 Italian botanicals. It looks great on the drinks trolley and is delicious when used to make a gin bramble cocktail or a negroni. Priced at £29 on Amazon, this makes for a great present for any gin lover.
Buy here: Amazon, The Whisky Exchange
Bulldog Gin
Founded in 2007, with the idea of it becoming the first modern gin, Bulldog Gin has fast garnered a loyal following for its distinct flavour and bottle design. An English based gin, Bulldog gin contains 12 botanicals in total and has been voted an award-winning gin numerous times. Bulldog gin can be enjoyed as a G&T with blackberries, grapefruit or with lime. Perfect to enjoy after a Christmas dinner, or on boxing day, Bulldog Gin can be purchased off amazon for £17.60, currently reduced from £24.
Buy here: Amazon
Whisky
Wild Turkey 101
If you are looking to make some whisky-based cocktails over Christmas then the Wild Turkey 101 should be on your list. It is a versatile bourbon that can be used for an old fashioned, whiskey sour or Manhatten as well as many others. Richly flavoured, Wild Turkey 101 is one of America’s most sold premium bourbons. Master of Malt currently has this whisky priced at £28.90 and would make a perfect Christmas gift for any whisky drinker.
Buy here: The Whisky Exchange, Master Of Malt, Drink Supermarket
The Glen Grant 10 Year Old
Rich in colour and flavour the Glen Grant 10 year old whisky flavours stays in the mouth, with a soft, almond finish. Perfect to be enjoyed on the rocks, this whisky is to be drunk neat, ideally served with whisky stones if you like it cold. It’s currently modestly priced at £29.84 and would be a lovely gift to a whisky drinker. If you enjoy drinking whisky yourself, this would be perfect for a Friday evening while relaxing.
Buy here: The Whiskey Exchange, Master Of Malt
Nc’Nean
Nc’Nean is a smooth and elegant whisky with flavours of citrus, peach, apricot and spice, making it the ideal tipple of choice this festive season. Made from organic Scottish barley and gently distilled to accentuate the flavours, it is a drink that goes down smoothly and can be enjoyed on the rocks or mixed with soda water and topped with a sprig of fresh mint. With a beautiful bottle to match, this is a whisky to be proud of.
Buy here: The Whisky Exchange
Buffalo Trace
Enjoy a taste of Buffalo Trace this winter. A straight bourbon whisky, it is distilled, aged and bottled at the most award-winning distillery in the world. It has a rich and complex taste with hints of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit. It is crafted from the finest Kentucky and Indiana corn, rye and barley and gently aged in new American oak barrels for a perfect balance between sweet, oak and spice. Enjoy over ice or created into a cocktail.
Buy here: Amazon
Rum
Copalli Rum
Copamlli Rum is made from three key ingredients – sugar cane, canopy water and yeast. This rum is a white rum that should be enjoyed neat or with a selected few cocktails. It has won several awards including the white rum of the year by NY International Spirits Competition and is a unique rum that tastes great which any rum enthusiast would enjoy. Master of Malt sells this rum at £34.95 making it a premium rum and a fantastic Christmas present.
Buy here: Copalli Rum
Discarded Rum
A unique rum, Discarded is a sweet choice full of rich notes. The taste is instantly recognisable from its banana and banoffee characteristics and it is an effortless choice in our spirits drinks guide. Made in the Caribbean, it is suitable for sipping neat or on the rocks. If you enjoy a cocktail you can make a version of the classic old-fashioned or make a discarded and tonic, garnished with an orange and zest. This bottle is currently sold in Waitrose for £19 and comes in a 50cl bottle. Perfect for displaying on your drinks cabinet.
Buy here: The Whisky Exchange
Vodka
Cîroc Black Raspberry Flavoured Vodka
Made in France, Ciroc black raspberry flavoured vodka is a premium vodka infused with premium fruits. Distilled 5 times, serve this vodka on its own or with a variety of different cocktails, such as with champagne or as a punch. Currently, this vodka can be bought next day delivery on Amazon for £29.99.
Buy here: Amazon
Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka
You may have seen Zubrówka Bison grass vodka before due to its unique feature of the blade of bison grass inside the bottle. The vodka itself is very refreshing with a herby and citrus after taste. Made in Poland this vodka is pronounced “Zhu-Brov-KA” and is an impressive choice for a gift or in your alcohol cabinet. Best served neat or with a selection of mixers, you can purchase a bottle of Zubrówka Bison grass vodka for £20.25 for Master of Malt.
Buy here: Amazon, Master of Malt
Something different
Baileys
In our opinion, no Christmas is the same if not finished with an evening tipple of baileys. Whether you opt for their new flavoured salted caramel or their standard Irish cream liquor, you can’t go wrong. Most retailers reduce the price of baileys near to Christmas with Asda currently stocking the 1ltr bottle for £12. If you enjoy a cocktail or two, then Baileys salted caramel martini is the perfect option to see your Christmas evening out.
Buy now: Amazon
Vermo
Best known as the “Prince of the Italian Aperitif,” Vermouth is experiencing a return to glory
in the UK with the launch of Vermò, a modern take on the classic Vermouth di Torino Rosso.
Handcrafted in Piedmont, Italy, the home of Italian vermouth, Vermò is made with a blend of Trebbiano and chardonnay grapes alongside 31 high-quality botanicals, resulting in a light, crisp and fruity taste, perfect for sipping on the rocks or as a versatile base for many
cocktails. Originally launched in Italy in 2017, Vermò is now available in the UK via Ocado,
Master of Malt and the Whiskey Exchange at RRP £27.95 (17% ABV).
Buy here: Ocado
What are your thoughts on our spirits drinks guide? Which will you be trying? Let us know in the comments below!
