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Booze banter: spirits SB thinks will sleigh this Christmas
We may still be a few weeks away from driving home for Christmas, but team SB is already planning what we’ll be drinking over the festive break. Because, you know, we haven’t done enough drinking this year…
As we wind down for Christmas and scramble to put our January issue to bed, The Spirits Business team is already dreaming about the bottles they’ll be hoovering up in their time off.
From Christmas classics such as Advocaat Snowballs and cream liqueurs to ready-to-drink Negronis and Margaritas, here are some of the team’s top recommendations.
So without further ado, read on for some festive drinking inspiration.
Advocaat Snowballs
I don’t want to be a cliché, but there’s not really another time of year that is appropriate to drink a Snowball. Made with Warninks Advocaat, sparkling lemonade, lime juice and ice, with a cocktail cherry garnish, it’s the ultimate retro cocktail to celebrate getting to ignore your inbox for a few weeks.
Now admittedly the idea of combining a rich, creamy, brandy-based liqueur with lime juice sounds like a recipe for a curdled disaster, but somehow this 1970s-leaning serve just works. And I’m not alone in thinking this, as almost one-in-10 (9%) of adults say that Christmas doesn’t officially begin until they’ve sipped their first Snowball.
Feeling inspired? Here’s how to make your own:
- Pour 50ml of Warninks Original Advocaat into a coupe glass
- Add 100ml lemonade
- Squeeze the juice of ¼ of a lime
- Add a glacé cherry on top to garnish
Georgie Collins, digital editor
Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur
I’ve somehow got into the somewhat less-than-healthy tradition of having a cream liqueur before bed in the run-up to Christmas every year. I started with Baileys (of course), but soon I was ploughing through enough of it that it became part of my weekly shop – which meant switching to Aldi’s Ballycastle (a great substitute, I may add).
This year, I’m hoping to adopt the ‘less, but better’ mindset – which is where Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur comes in. Unlike some of its competitors (without naming names, ahem), Five Farms is a ‘farm-to-table’ Irish cream liqueur, made with premium Irish whiskey and milk from five local family-owned farms. It also comes in a cute vintage-style bottle – which is entirely recyclable, so I can feel good about however many I get through.
Lauren Bowes, bars editor
Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
Believe it or not, I’m actually not a big drinker on Christmas Day. (I know, I know, take my editorship away from me now). Growing up, Christmas was not a boozy affair in the Kiely household. I like that this tradition has, mostly, remained, and instead, us grown-up siblings add just a dash of something delicious each year to toast the occasion.
Not just this Christmas, but throughout 2024 I’ve frequently leant towards lighter drinks styles, such as the Spritz. Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto is one of my favourite aperitivos. At 20% ABV, it’s bursting with zesty lemon, bergamot, and honeyed sweetness. If you haven’t tried it yet, trust me, it makes a stunning Spritz – one part Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, two parts Prosecco – and it will be a fitting glass to celebrate Christmas.
Melita Kiely, editor
Drinks by the Dram World of Whisky
I’ve been counting down the days to Christmas with my Drinks by the Dram advent calendar, and while, yes, I would have liked to have consumed each of those 30ml wax-sealed bottles as soon as I peeled open those tiny little doors, I’ve had to exercise some self-restraint and practise moderation. That will, of course, change as soon as I’ve filed my to-do list away into a mental compartment titled ‘problems for 2025’.
Of the drams that have been revealed in the calendar so far, I’m especially excited to taste the Distiller’s Reserve single malt Japanese whisky from The Hakushu Distillery, and the cask strength 12-year-old whiskey from Redbreast. It’s going to be a very jolly Christmas for me, indeed.
Georgie Collins, digital editor
Whisky with Terry’s Chocolate Orange
I accidentally stumbled upon the combination a few years ago while making Old Fashioneds with friends. When I found myself without oranges and needed a citrus flavour for my cocktail, I decided to garnish it with two slivers of Terry’s Chocolate Orange. As we all know, chocolate pairs exceptionally well with whisky. Since that day, I’ve kept Terry’s on hand whenever I plan to make cocktails or enjoy whisky with chocolate.
This holiday season, I look forward to savouring the orange-flavoured chocolate alongside either Traveller Whiskey, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old, or perhaps a delightful measure of Glendronach.
Miona Madsen, content writer
Moth Negroni
I don’t spend Christmas Day at my house – admittedly, I do just head around the corner, and we make the pilgrimage back to mine in the evening for drinks, but this means my bar cart isn’t on standby throughout the day. I could pre-batch some cocktails to take with me, but as I’m in charge of potatoes and veg, I have enough prep to be getting on with. And peeling Maris Pipers is thirsty work – which is why I’ll be packing a few Moth Negronis to take with me. Moth’s Negroni blends Tarquin’s The Seadog navy-strength gin with Asterley Bros vermouth and an unnamed amaro – and, although I’m one of Campari’s biggest fans, I have to say this version stands up to the original.
Lauren Bowes, bars editor
2XO Gem of Kentucky
The holiday season always inspires me to reach for my best bottles, better yet if they were new releases I particularly loved. That’ll be the case this year with the second vintage of 2×0 Gem of Kentucky, released in November. The annual limited release is some of the best work master blender Dixon Dedman has done, reminiscent of the early Kentucky Owl batches he created. And at US$200, it is attainable while still making the occasion feel special.
Ted Simmons, US correspondent
Starward (New) Old Fashioned
Three years ago I discovered Starward’s ready-to-serve Old Fashioned and I’ve never been able to find a better version of the whisky-based cocktail in a bottle since. Not being the biggest home drinker (I prefer to prop up the local pub or bar), I’m not quick to open a bottle and prefer to save them for sharing with loved ones. When I brought a bottle of Starward’s Old Fashioned over to my family over the festive break, it wasn’t long before it ended up empty. So if you don’t want to spend your entire Christmas making cocktails, this 500ml bottle is the ultimate time-saver (especially when you don’t want to move after eating).
Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor
Finnish Long Drink
As a Scandi, nothing is as festive as enjoying an ice-cold Finnish long drink, such as Hartwall Original, during the holiday season. The pre-mixed Finnish classic combines gin with grapefruit but is also available in other flavours, such as pineapple and my personal favourite, cranberry. Unfortunately, the Original might be hard to come by in the UK, but I have managed to track down places in London that sell the brand, such as Amathus and ScandiKitchen in Fitzrovia, as well as Amazon.
Miona Madsen, content writer
Amarula Cream Liqueur
Cream liqueurs are pretty essential in late December and I enjoy this one for its caramel notes, but also its fruity undertones that come from the addition of Marula, an African fruit. The bottle design is a strong point too, with its elephant logo and colours and patterns that are said to reflect Africa’s landscape. There’s definitely potential for impressing others here with your exotic alternative to Baileys. It can be consumed on its own, on the rocks, in cocktails, or in your pudding (maybe). And you could get through a bottle quite quickly if you’re not careful – though who cares… it’s Christmas.
Rupert Hohwieler, staff writer
Mirror Margarita
Anybody who knows me will know I have a soft spot for Tequila. And, by association, of course that goes for a good Margarita too. Mirror Margarita, created by Deano Moncrieffe, founder of Hacha Bar in London and Equal Measures, is one of my favourite pre-made cocktails. It beautifully balances citrus, Tequila and sweetness that manages to make a Margarita that has demonstrably impressed both trade professionals and discerning consumers. It’s now available in both a bottle format and conveniently sized cans. Minimal fuss, maximum flavour – I think this will be my NYE drink.
Melita Kiely, editor
Weber Ranch Vodka
Ever since I got my hands on a bottle of Weber Ranch I’ve found myself drawn to it. Its hybrid nature, a vodka made from 100% Blue Weber agave, makes it an easy talking point with drinkers of both vodka and Tequila, and it lends itself to a wider range of cocktails because of it. While my go-to is relatively simple, vodka sodas with a splash of Chinola and lime, its the sort of thing you want to throw into an Espresso Martini, Cosmo, Margarita or even a Sour, just to see if you like it more.
Ted Simmons, US correspondent
Three Spirit
While Christmas is a time to indulge, I prefer to balance the copious amounts of red wine and cream liqueurs surrounding me with a non-alcoholic drink. The one I often reach for is Three Spirit, which combines mood-enhancing ingredients to give you a slight buzz without the need for the full-strength stuff.
The Livener is a personal favourite with its herbal and fruity notes and a hint of caffeine – I drink it with tonic water. The brand has just released a limited edition ‘extra spicy’ version that sounds right up my street and I’ll be adding this to my basket now.
Nicola Carruthers, deputy editor
Patrón El Cielo
Fancy right? This beautiful bottle from Patrón was distilled four times in small batches using a copper pot still, is described as ‘radiantly smooth’ and claims to be the world’s first ‘prestige’ Tequila. I haven’t actually tried it yet, but I was fortunate to receive it recently with the idea that I was going to save it for a special occasion – so, Christmas seems perfect. Luxury Margaritas will probably be made on the day – that is just how it is – but, at the same time, the price tag and quality of the liquid warrants it drank on its lonesome, ice or no ice.
Rupert Hohwieler, staff writer
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