From Baileys to buck’s fizz, Christmas is typically a boozy affair.
And hangovers aside, there’s something extra special about a festive tipple, whether that’s the company we’re in or the promise of some time off work when the big day arrives.
If you’re buying for someone who enjoys a drink at this time of year, alcohol is a fairly safe option. But alcoholic presents aren’t limited to the stereotypical ‘mid-price bottle hastily purchased from the corner shop shoved in a gift bag’.
Spirit, beer, and wine brands have some amazing gifting options available right now, from experiences to limited edition sets.
Here are our favourites for 2021 – as well as a delicious spiked hot chocolate recipe for you to try at home.
Noveltea The Tale of Christmas Collection
Noveltea’s alcoholic tea offers something different for their bar cart, with different teas cold-brewed to remove tannins and impart a naturally sweet flavour.
This set comes with a bottle each of ‘The Tale of Oolong’ and ‘La Fusión Limited Edition’ blends, as well as two bottles of the original variety and tumblers to enjoy it all in.
Buy for £98.90 (full price £139.80) from Noveltea.
Burger & Lobster x Bloody Drinks hangover cure kit
In case you’re in need of a hangover cure over the festive season (that’ll be a yes), surf ’n’ turf specialists Burger & Lobster have teamed up with Bloody Drinks to create a limited-edition hangover cure DIY kit.
The most important part is, of course, the four pre-mixed classic Bloody Mary cocktails but you’ll also get ingredients for lobster rolls, lobster croquettes and fries.
Buy for £55 (only 200 available per week) from Burger and Lobster
Sipsmith Gin Crackers
Sipsmith Gin has come up with a set of four crackers featuring samples of its London dry, lemon drizzle, zesty orange and sloe gin flavours.
As if that wasn’t enough, each cracker comes with the chance to win one of a selection of amazing prizes, including a tour of Sipsmith’s west London distillery or dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Deanston Malt 12-year-old Whisky Baubles
If they’re more of a dram fan than a gin lover, Deanston is offering whisky-filled baubles and crackers that make perfect stocking fillers.
Give them a sample of the Scottish distilleries 12-year aged option, all packaged up in a bauble handcrafted by local glassblowers.
Buy for £20 from Deanston Malt.
Negroni Gift Set
Cucielo Rosso vermouth and two crystal negroni glasses are encased in this gift set, which will have pride of place in their booze cabinet.
It may be the British winter, but you can transport the person you’re buying for to an Italian balcony as they sip their aperitivo.
Octomore Edition 12.1
Another one for whisky collectors, Octomore 12.1 by Bruichladdich isn’t like most of the others on the market.
Aged for just five years, it’s extremely peaty and offers a unique taste even to those who’ve sampled plenty.
Honest Brew Stocking Stuffer gift pack
Elevate their pint-drinking experience with this cute (and budget-friendly) box from Honest Brew. Here’s what you’ll get inside:
- Thornbridge – Kipling South Pacific Pale Ale
- Verdant – Lightbulb APA
- Wild Beer Co – Fruitbooter Raspberry BA Wild Ale
- Orbit – Jolly Saint Nico Kolsch-style Beer
- Tiny Rebel – Stay Puft Marshmallow Porter
- Honest Brew Frankonia Glass
- Serious Pig – Cornish Sea Salt Peanuts
- Serious Pig – Crunchy Snacking Cheese Classic
Buy for £17.99 from Honest Brew.
Christmas cocktail menu at Titanic Hotel, Liverpool
Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel has launched a dedicated Christmas cocktail menu at its Rum Bar, comprising five classic cocktails that have been given a festive glow-up.
Choose from the likes of Mrs Claus, which features orange gin, Grand Marnier and cranberry juice, and the Festive Old Fashioned, which packs a punch with Rumbullion, Christmas spices, orange, bitters and Goslings 151.
Freedom Brewery subscriptions
If you’d prefer a longer period of gratitude for your gifting skills, go for a subscription that’ll make Christmas last months after the big day.
Freedom Brewery offer various options depending on your tastes, and you can also choose the frequency of beer deliveries.
Available to purchase from Freedom Brewery.
Lyaness, London
Head for drinks at Lyaness, the award-winning South Bank-based cocktail bar from innovative mixologist Mr Lyan.
Its new menu focuses on global flavours and culinary techniques.
A range of quirky but delicious ingredients, such as oyster honey and green sauce liqueur, will liven up drinks such as the Marigold gimlet, which contains Bacardi Ocho, white verjus and apple blossom, and Chestnut Rabble, a sour with Beeswax Hendrick’s, chestnut orgeat and pineapple leaf soda.
Grey Goose Duet Martini Cocktail Kit
Grey Goose has teamed up with musician Rina Sawayama and chef Luke Selby to create a cocktail kit with flair.
It’s got everything you’d need to create their favourite mix, the Encore cocktail, which features elderflower liqueur, vermouth, and white crème de cacao.
Plus, it comes with two chic martini glasses to serve in style.
Buy for £80 from The Drinks Drop.
Bubbleshop Festive Case
Bubbleshop was created by Sandia Chang, renowned sommelier and co-founder of Bubbledogs, a former London hotdog-and-fizz restaurant.
A one-stop shop for independent champagne labels, it’s offering this festive collection featuring six exciting hand-picked bottles, such as Tarlant Rosé Zero (ideal as a dessert pairing), JL Vergnon, Hautes Mottes Brut Nature 2011 (perfect with roasted meat), and Georges Laval Garennes, Extra Brut.
Malibu merch
For Christmas, Malibu has launched a range of wintry merch to make us feel toasty and tropical whatever the weather.
All in white faux fur, there’s a bucket hat, slippers, and stocking to choose from. Prices range from £19.99 to £38.99.
Ultimate London Gin Experience gift box
London is the gin capital as well as the country’s and this box has everything they need to celebrate the city’s producers.
Along with a selection of snacks to line your stomach, it contains boozy treats like a large Jensen’s Gin – distilled in Bermondsey – and Square Root’s Tonic Water and Soda – handmade in Hackney.
Your gift recipient won’t need to lift a finger, as garnishes are also included.
Bombay Sapphire Create and Capture kits
Not just a boozy gift, but one for keen photographers too, this box from Bombay Sapphire is a real crowd-pleaser.
Choose their favourite from Bombay Sapphire original, Bombay Bramble, and Bombay Sapphire Sunset varieties, and your giftee will receive one of three unique boxes – each designed by an emerging artist.
Along with their arty bottle they’ll get a matching A6 photo album and Kodak Instant Printomatic camera (which is more expensive as a standalone purchase than it is with free gin!).
Buy for £60 from Bombay Sapphire.
Kylie Minogue Prosecco WOW gift
Treat a Kylie fan — or simply a prosecco fan — to a stylish gift set by the Antipodean singer.
Premium wine delivery site winedelivered.co.uk has the Kylie Minogue Prosecco WOW gift set, which contains a stylish, heart-embossed bottle of Prosecco rosé and two Champagne flutes.
The Prosecco is produced on the prestigious Zonin estate, a family-owned winery in the heart of the Veneto.
Buy for £59 from Wine Delivered.
Weezy Swift Gifts
Last-minute gifts are covered thanks to a partnership with grocery delivery company Weezy and big-name spirit brands.
Use the app to order beautifully boxed bottles and they’ll be at your door in just 10 minutes.
Available in Bacardi rum (£20), Bombay Sapphire gin (£25) and Grey Goose vodka (£45) across London, Manchester and Bristol.
Download the Weezy app to order.
In need of a festive cocktail idea? Try this winter warmer
Spiked Nutella Hot Chocolate
Makes one
Spice up your evening hot chocolate with this boozy recipe from drinks retailer The Bottle Club.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Nutella
- 1 cup milk
- 60ml Tiptree salted caramel vodka (£35, The Bottle Club)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- Chocolate sauce (optional)
Method
1. Heat milk until warm
2. Add Nutella
3. Stir in vodka
4. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce and enjoy!
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