BRING joy to the world with some festive spirit(s).
No Christmas party would be complete without some of these tipples.
Smirnoff Gold 70cl
37.5 per cent ABV, £21.95
Vodka gets the gold treatment this Christmas with Smirnoff’s new range, which is garnished with real, edible 23 carat gold leaf. It is also given a festive twist with a warming cinnamon flavour.
Blackberry and Gin Fizz 75cl
5.5 per cent ABV, £4.99 at Marks and Spencer
This one’s a little different – a sparkling cocktail with white gin, blackberries and a hint of juniper.
Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale
7 per cent ABV, 8 x 500ml bottles £33.90
If you’re going to get through some beer this Christmas, make sure you try one of these complex cockle-warming winter ales. According to the brewer, there’s a hint of raisin, date and molasses as well as notes of leather, vanilla, apricot and rustic Armagnac. According to us, it’s a nice beer.
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose
12 per cent ABV, 75cl, £30
Any toast will be made more special with this award-winning, salmon-pink Champagne. It has been aged for at least three years and is delicate on the palate with a fruity finish.
I heart Prosecco
11 per cent ABV, 75cl, £9.99
Keep your fizz simple and affordable with I heart Prosecco. It is light, classic and sparkling – great with a dash of peach juice for a Bellini or on its own chilled with some nibbles. All for under a tenner.
Baileys Original Irish Cream
17 per cent ABV, 1l, £17
You already know about Baileys. It’s underrated – give it a try this Christmas.
Carbon Neutral Beaujolais Nouveau
12 per cent ABV, 75cl, £7.49 at Marks and Spencer
The 80s classic has been given a 21st century revamp, as the 2013 vintage goes carbon neutral for the first time. It took two years to develop the system which reduced the carbon footprint by 30 per cent, so now the light, fruity red not only tastes great but it is guilt-free. Get drinking.
Grant’s Family Reserve whiskey
40% ABV, 70cl £16.49
traditional taste of Christmas with a bottle of Grant’s Family Reserve (70cl RRP £16.49). The burgundy and gold Grant’s gift pack will give your present an extra special festive feel and is a firm favourite, for both the well-seasoned and the discerning whisky drinker.
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