Christmas Drinks – Our Lust List of must have drinks for the festive period

Tis the season, to drink and be merry… perfect for sipping and spreading cheer! That’s why we’ve whipped up a merry Christmas drinks wish list featuring absolute must-haves for this festive time.

Let’s face it, there’s no point in Dry-January without making the most of December right? It’s the grand holiday season, the moment when we can gather with family and friends, indulging in the joy of it all without a single sorry in sight.

As we bid farewell to 2023 with cheeks aglow and joyous grins, celebrating the one magical time of year that grants us the chance to pause, unwind, and chillax with our nearest and dearest! Cheers to that!

Havana Club Selección de Maestros 

For those seeking to leave a lasting impression on a rum aficionado this Christmas, Havana Club Selección de Maestros is the ultimate choice. Meticulously crafted by the esteemed Maestros del Ron Cubano, this rum delivers an exquisite journey through the world of taste. Prepare for a burst of spicy toasted pecans on the nose, leading to a full-bodied palate rich in cocoa, coffee, and brown spices. The grand finale is a luxurious symphony of smoky oak and subtle candied fruits, leaving a memorable and well-balanced finish. RRP £51-60 masterofmalt.com or thewhiskyexchange.com

Taittinger Brut NV Champagne & Glasses Gift Set 

Three years of ageing in Taittinger’s cellars adds roundness and weight to this supremely elegant Cuv. Renowned for its golden colour with a consistent and fine lingering mousse. The nose is light and delicate with hints of peach and brioche. On the palate, it has considerable depth, yet is quite light in style with a subtle elegance and a long fresh finish. A great non-vintage brut. And a great present for someone who deserves a treat. And two glasses mean that he has to share!!! £60 from John Lewis

Havana Club 7 Años

Bring a taste of Cuba (in a bottle) to your Christmas celebrations with the flagship Havana Club 7 Años. The aromatic tobacco, sweet tropical fruits, molasses, spices, and vanilla will transport your taste buds to the vibrant streets of Havana with every sip. Full-flavoured, rich, and sophisticated, this acclaimed flagship rum can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or shaken into a warming cocktail for the ultimate festive indulgence. RRP £26-28 waitrosecellar.com or drinksupermarket.com

This Christmas, give the gift of champagne and sparkling wines to your loved ones! Vranken Pommery Monopole has three bottles that are perfect stocking fillers, gifts for hosts and of course pairing with your Christmas and New Year festivities.

Pommery Brut Royal Champagne

Lively and cheerful, this wine is fresh, light-hearted, delicate and generous in taste. Very aromatic, with notes of yellow, fleshy apple, ripe citrus and a touch of brioche, vanilla and almond. With a focus on elegance and length, the wine offers a clean palate at the end without any dryness. Everything is in harmony and never tires the palate. The wine is pale yellow with slight green reflections. RRP £40 ocado.com or majestic.co.uk

Heidsieck Monople Blue Top Brut Champagne

With Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top you see structure, roundness and complexity emerge throughout the entire tasting. Initially, through the nose, you are given yellow fruits and in particular peach. The promise offered by the aromas in the nose is more than delivered by a round mouth, subtle attack and good length. The mouth, like the nose, is dominated by fruit – peaches, cherry plums and then oranges. The wine is pale yellow with brilliant reflections. RRP £28 morrisons.com or ocado.com

Louis Pommery England – Sparkling Wine

Freshness and finesse thanks to the yellow citrus aromas that emerge initially. On the second nose, this finesse is enveloped in white fruit aromas, predominantly pear, followed by vine-ripened peach. These aromatic notes are heightened on the palate, offering a beautiful balance and a rich harmony. A lovely and delicate pale straw yellow in colour. RRP £29.99 ocado.com or majestic.co.uk

*** Luxury let it snow Christmas hamper ***

Gift a luxury Christmas to the white wine lover in your life! They’ll be overjoyed to receive this stunning wine hamper, which is just perfect for sharing with family and friends over the festive break. The centrepiece of this gift is Casa Natal’s Albarino white wine, a delightfully fresh and fruity tipple that pairs perfectly with the other treats. The hamper also includes exquisite caramel, vanilla and nutmeg chocolate from The Chocolatier, festive cranberry biscuits and many more delights ready to be discovered in this fantastic gift. This gift comes beautifully presented in a wicker basket, an everlasting gift for couples to be used around the home. £80 hampers.com

Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Conker Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is hand-picked, speciality Ethiopian and Brazillian coffee beans, distilled British wheat spirit and spring water from the New Forest go into this bold liqueur. Enjoy lively citrus, espresso, caramel, vanilla and demerara sugar flavours. Simply shake with chilled water and pour over ice for a cold brew espresso martini… Delish! RRP £32.00 Waitrose

Meikle Tòir

Carefully crafted and cask-perfected at The GlenAllachie Distillery in Speyside, the peated single malt serves up a sweet smoke style impeccably balanced with the heather honey character of our distillate. THE ORIGINAL 5 YEAR OLD ‘The Original’ is their classic single malt that truly champions our peated pursuit. Made with mainland peat from St. Fergus, the flavour contribution is sweeter than that anticipated of coastal peat. THE SHERRY ONE 5 YEARS OLD Made using mainland peat from St. Fergus, the sweet phenolic content of the whisky amounts to 35 PPM. A lengthy fermentation period of 160 hours results in a fruit-forward spirit that lends itself perfectly to ageing in the finest Sherry oak. THE CHINQUAPIN ONE Coming in at 35 PPM, the whisky has a sweeter style of smoke character owing to the mainland peat from St. Fergus used to kiln the barley. After a lengthy 160-hour fermentation, the whisky has a complex character which stands up well to ageing in virgin oak casks. THE TURBO Taking the ‘heart of the heart’ of their distillate – the spirit cut which contains the highest phenol content – ‘The Turbo’ entails an amplified smoky identity. The 2023 Release is a combination of three American virgin oak casks and five Oloroso hogsheads. The result is a multi-faceted whisky with a powerful punch of peat. Visit meikletoir.com for further info or purchase from masterofmalt.com

Seven Crofts Gin

Seven Crofts Gin is a small batch, super-premium, London Dry gin from the Highland Liquor Co, based in Ullapool on Scotland’s North West Highland coast. Hand distilled and bottled in Ullapool, Seven Crofts is a traditional style, proper gin launched in Spring 2019. Seven Crofts’ beautifully elegant and classic bottle was recently ‘Highly Commended’ at the prestigious IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition) Design Awards 2019 and won the Best New Product Design at the 2020 World Gin Awards. The gin is named after the original seven private dwellings that made up Ullapool in 1791. Those dwellers sought to generate growth by establishing unique crafts and exporting goods. Taste: Opulent notes of perfumed forest fruit and a suggestion of woodland. RRP £40 highlandliquorcompany.com or masterofmalt.com

Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur

Here comes the most flavourful symbiosis of smooth Irish cream and triple-distilled Irish whiskey. Baileys is famously known to be the most iconic and popular liqueur in the world. With its distinct velvety texture, it is the perfect blend of elegantly layered maturing. £15 Asda

Bailey’s Deliciously Light Irish Cream Liqueur

Baileys has launched a delicious new variant of its original recipe, reduced in calories: Baileys Deliciously Light. Enjoy all the deliciousness of Baileys, with 40% less calories than Baileys Original Irish Cream £16.50 Tesco

*** Good In Bread – The Christmas Savoury Bundle *** 

There’s something undeniably special about the taste of fresh Sourdough and Good In Bread offers bread on subscription & as a one-time purchase. This is the ultimate artisanal delight – Sourdough bread + a selection of pairings in the bundle from £24 wearegoodinbread.com

• 1 x Vintage Godminster Cheddar – 200g
• 1x Deli Society Antipasto Misto – 90g
• 1x White Country Loaf – 650-700g
• 1x Fig Chutney – 198g
• 1x Gift bag with your first delivery

Mar De Frades

Founded in 1987, the winery is located in the Salnés Valley, where Atlantic breezes meet granitic soils to produce Albariño grapes that result in fresh, flavourful wines with mineral and salty aromas. The portfolio is composed of different varieties: the iconic Mar de Frades Albariño 2021, Mar de Frades Godello 2020, Brut Nature, Finca Valiñas 2018 and Finca Monteveiga 2018. These wines can be found in Tesco and Harvey Nichols, as well as in restaurants such as Dakota Hotel, Rest El Norte, Sea Containers, Malmaison Hotels and Bravas Tapas.

As striking and oceanic as its blue-fluted bottle. Pour a glass of this vegan-friendly white and let waves of peach blossom crunchy apple apricot pineapple melon marmalade lemon zest and refreshing salty sea spray wash over you.

La Gioiosa Asolo Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Brut 2022

Based in Treviso, in the heart of Prosecco country, La Gioiosa is one of Italy’s leading Prosecco producers. Owned by the Moretti Polegato family, La Gioiosa represents the tradition of winemaking which has been passed through generations of the family. La Gioiosa consistently wins awards across the globe and its quality wines are enjoyed by many. The La Gioiosa Asolo Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Brut 2022 is new launch, exclusive to Waitrose RRP £13.99 Pleasant and elegant flowery flavour reminiscent of acacia flowers, fresh, dry and smooth on the palate, with an agreeably fruity and harmonious finish.

La Gioiosa Prosecco Gold

The aroma is fruity with hints of ripe golden apple and small mountain flowers. The dry, fresh and flavoursome sensation on the palate is followed by a fruity and harmonious aftertaste. RRP £11.50 sainsburys.co.uk

Samurai Sake, Junmai Daiginjo Genshu

Produced at the Asahikawa Distillery in Hokkaido, Samurai sake is made to the exacting Japanese standards and is the highest grade of rice polishing sake with a beautiful balance of dry and umami flavours.  With a clear appearance and yeasty, almost sourdough notes on the nose, Samurai sake is round and harmonious on the palate with a long, pleasant finish. Traditionally, sake is consumed cold, hot, or on ice, as the Samurai used to drink it but nowadays it is also enjoyed with soda and/or lime juice or even in cocktail serves.  When it comes to food, try alongside sushi, sashimi, seafood and salmon tartar. RRP £38 masterofmalt.com or amathusdrinks.com

Say It With Champers offers premium, vegan-friendly Champagne with the option to personalise the label with a logo or bespoke message – making it a fabulous personal gift for someone special. With a perfect blend of intense aromas and full of character, with a scent of wildflowers with a peachy tone your Champagne present is sure to impress. £42.99 sayitwithchampers.co.uk

Kohaku No Madoromi, Honkaku Shochu

Produced by the Kurume Distillery in Kyushu, this top-grade traditional shochu is distilled with 87% sweet potatoes and 13% rice, fermented with black koji. Light gold in appearance with a hint of undergrowth and spice on the nose, it’s rich and velvety on the palate with a slightly sweet, complex finish. RRP £37 masterofmalt.com or amathusdrinks.com

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Distilled Orange Flavoured Gin

Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla and its unique bittersweet taste are inspired by an original recipe created by Charles Tanqueray in the 1800s. The fruity and zesty flavour, balanced with the four botanicals of our classic London Dry Gin, evokes the taste of the sun-soaked Mediterranean. Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla is the perfect balance of the bittersweet taste of Seville oranges and the complexity of Tanqueray London Dry Gin. £27 Sainsburys

Guinness Draught Nitrosurge Device

Britain’s best-selling beer brand has created its biggest innovation in 30 years: The Guinness NITROSURGETM. The gadget is activated by clipping the NITROSURGETM device onto the top of a Guinness NITROSURGETM can, before pushing the button and pouring. The resulting pour is unmistakably Guinness, featuring the iconic dark, ruby-red liquid, and creamy domed head. RRP £25 Tesco

Gulliver’s PX Sherry 

The Gulliver’s 47 PX sherry single cask single malt English whisky is a fantastic example of how great a sherry cask whisky can be so you can be sure to impress your family and friends with this gift. The PX Sherry is just one of several single-malt English whiskies in the Samuel Gulliver & Co. portfolio. Intending to stay true to the vision of the original Samuel Gulliver back in 1747, their ambition is to create a diverse range of spirits where each bottle exemplifies the skill and craftsmanship of artisan distillers and producers from around the world. £79 Samuel Gulliver

Desi Daru Mango Vodka

Desi Daru is an ultra-premium vodka brand that celebrates the best of India and Britain through its award-winning spirits. Owned by British-born Indians, the brand uses the highest quality ingredients sourced from the jungles of Maharashtra and the lush English countryside. Desi Daru mango vodka combines the sumptuous sweetness of Indian Alphonso mangoes with the grounding notes of English wheat, offering an unrivalled taste of the tropical and creating a richly satisfying vodka that is seven times distilled for exceptional smoothness. RRP £33.95 Whisky Exchange

Jawbox Gin

Jawbox Gin comes to us from the Ards Peninsula, on the north-east coast of Northern Ireland. This small batch gin is made with a combination of 11 botanicals, including juniper, lemon, cubeb, angelica, coriander, cassia, orris root, grains of paradise, cardamom, liquorice root and Black Mountain heather. Tasting Notes: Peppery juniper starts it off, followed by fragrant angelica and citrus. Fresh pine begins to grow as it develops, with cardamom adding a hint of spice. Jawbox Gin distillers recommend trying this with ginger ale and a squeeze of lime. RRP £31 masterofmalt.com 

Try it with BZZD Energy the world’s first ever energy tonic water!

No nasties, guilt-free and powered only by nature – with caffeine extracted from 100% natural plant sources to give the ultimate all-natural, uplifting buzz. The perfect new year pick me up. BZZD Energy contains more caffeine per 100ml than the UK’s leading energy drink brand – and only 18Kcals per can.

Cipriani Bellini

A deliciously easy-going aperitivo – one with all the pizzazz you’d expect from a bubbly, but so much gentler than buck’s fizz. In 1948, Giuseppe Cipriani of Harry’s Bar in Venice invented a sparkly new cocktail in celebration of post-war peace and freedom – a blend of the juiciest small, white peaches and Italy’s finest Prosecco. Bellissimo! Serve chilled with friends. Available now on Ocado and sacla.co.uk – £25 for a 750 ml Cipriani Bellini, £7.50 for a 200ml Cipriani Bellini and £12 for four 180ml bottles of Virgin Bellini.

*** The Classic Christmas Hamper ***

The Classic Christmas Hamper from Mouse & Grape is the ultimate gift for foodies, cheese enthusiasts, and wine lovers. Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising a loved one, this enchanting hamper promises to create timeless memories to make your Christmas extra special and delicious! The hamper features 1 x 2022 Sancerre Blanc Les Caillottes and 1 x 2017 Chateau Cissac, Cru Grand Bourgeois, Haut Medoc and complementing these wines are four mouth-watering cheeses, meticulously curated for their outstanding quality and ability to pair perfectly with the wine along with delicate charcoal wafers, and Fine Cheese Co Cherry Jam. £130 mouseandgrape.com

Folc Dry English Rosé 2022

Folc’s wine is bright and vibrant, with real flavour, whilst remaining a dry rosé. Watermelon pink in colour, their 2022 vintage leads on the nose with aromas of an English summer garden with notes of peach, cranberry and hints of freshly cut herbs. On the palate, it is crisp and clean with a mineral backbone. This blend sings English strawberries, ripe peach and raspberries. It is balanced by its floral and creamy notes, with a finish that lasts well beyond the final sip. RRP £19.99 from drinkfolc.com

It’s a Gin Ting / It’s a Rum Ting 

Deck the halls and fill your glasses! GinTing and RumTing are set to bring the Christmas spirit to celebrations around the UK with their sensational new lineup, which includes GinTing Berries, Berries, Berries and RumTing Passionfruit, Mango & Elderflower. Available exclusively from Amazon and priced £29.99 per 70cl bottle, these newcomers promise to delight gin and rum aficionados alike.

GinTing – Berries, Berries, Berries is Christmas in a bottle. Temptingly tangy, the juniper and coriander spiciness are perfectly juxtaposed by the bright berry sweetness. Pair it with cranberry-glazed turkey or Christmas berry pavlova to add some extra sparkle to your festive feast.

GinTing Passionfruit, Mango & Elderflower’s subtly spicy juniper and cassia provide the perfect backdrop to tangy mango and sweet passionfruit flavours, creating a well-rounded flavour profile. This tropical treat makes a fantastic partner for lighter Christmas dishes such as honey-roasted ham, spiced orange glazed duck, mango sorbet or a cheeseboard with fruity compotes.

Last but certainly not least is RumTing Passionfruit, Mango & Elderflower, which is singing with tropical fruit flavours including ripe mango, charred pineapple, and passionfruit puree. Complemented by a creamy backdrop of vanilla and light floral elements, it would pair perfectly with citrus and herb-brined turkey. A stuffing made with passionfruit pulp, breadcrumbs, and fresh herbs like parsley and sage could echo the rum’s own passionfruit and floral notes. To discover more, visit ginting.co.uk

Cranes Mulled Cider Gift Set

Cranes Mulled Cider is a luxurious blend of Cranes Premium Apple Cider with festive flavours of cinnamon, cranberry & orange. Perfect for serving warm, for a delicious Christmas tipple. Warm, spiced and full-bodied; Cranes Mulled Cider is available in local pubs, ready to be enjoyed in a Cranes Branded Glass Mug. RRP £15.50 drinkcranes.shop

Jam Shed Black Forest Mess

The Jam Shed’s new Black Forest Mess is an irresistible blend of fruit and chocolate, and a hint of morello cherry. Crafted to complement the richness of Black Forest Gateaux for the ultimate, velvety, jammy pairing or simply enjoy a glass on its own for an indulgent experience. Available in ASDA, for just £7 (RRP) this affordable tipple will see you through the festive season and into the New Year!

ADRIATICO Amaretto

ADRIATICO Roasted and Bianco Amarettos, a new generation of amaretto, are made from handpicked almonds in Puglia, Italy and are 100% natural. ADRIATICO Amaretto is not only lactose-free but also the only certified vegan amaretto in the world and one of the only amarettos made from real Italian almonds. ADRIATICO Amaretto Roasted: RRP £28.99 & ADRIATICO Amaretto Blanco: RRP £28.99 from The Whisky Exchange Master of Malt

Sixpence Pud Christmas Pudding Gin Liqueur & Christmas Globe Spiced Orange & Cranberry Gin Liqueur

Snow Globe Gin’s a best-seller at Harvey Nichols for two years running has released two new flavours to add to its cult yuletide spirit collection. The Sixpence Pud’s stunning spherical bottles are custom-made and come dressed as a Christmas pudding, holly sprig and all. Pour a little and discover flavours of vine fruits, cinnamon, candied orange, vanilla, ginger, nutty marzipan and sweet juniper. It’s enough to put a rosy glow into the cheeks. Sip Snow Globe Gin’s Sixpence Pud neat alongside Christmas pudding or a mince pie.

The Christmas Snow Globe features a full-sized spherical, light-up bottle perfect for Christmas. The spirit within is as dazzling as the bottle itself. Gently shake this rich gin liqueur to awaken its golden shimmer and festive spices such as vine fruits, cinnamon, candied orange, vanilla, ginger, nutty marzipan and sweet juniper. It’s enough to put a rosy glow into the cheeks. Sixpence Pud available from Harvey Nichols £25 and Christmas Globe available from Harvey Nichols £29

Hensol Castle Blood Orange Zest Gin

Vibrant, fresh and exhilarating! Made with the freshest blood oranges, we add a single blood orange peel distillate to the already well-balanced Hensol Castle Welsh Dry. Bursting with Mediterranean blood orange and lemon flavours, whilst maintaining juniper throughout.  This distilled-flavoured gin is the pinnacle of premium-flavoured gins. Juniper and blood orange to begin, accompanying citrus and floral notes throughout with cassia bark and sour bite on the finish. £30 hensolcastledistillery.com

Lancaster Spirits Triple-Distilled Vodka

Triple Distilled Vodka from the Lancaster Spirits Company. Staying true to the company’s ethos of creating small-batch, premium spirits, Triple-Distilled Vodka has been developed to create a crisp and refreshing vodka that has been carefully designed for sipping but is equally at home in either cocktails or long drinks. Every drop is painstakingly crafted by master distillers using only the finest available ingredients, including natural spring water from the distillery’s own aquifer and fresh grain to create a premium vodka. Triple-Distilled Vodka made from British wheat and rye delivers a perfect balance of harmony in the glass, a clean crisp taste, with a complex and unique profile that showcases a velvety smooth spirit. Created by head distiller Gerard Evans, in copper still Rose, the latest launch is available now through the distillery’s website and selected retailers priced at £38.00 for 70cl, providing vodka aficionados with the perfect sipping vodka.

Havana Club Cuban Spiced

Spice up your festivities this Christmas with Havana Club Cuban Spiced. Taking inspiration from Cuba’s inherently tropical nature, this award-winning rum is packed with exotic flavours and warming spices. Expect notes of tropical fruit and sweet honeycomb topped with hints of vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom – the perfect trans-seasonal flavours to add a touch of spice to any fireside cocktail. RRP: £22 – Available in Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s