The festive period for many is filled with merriment and dancing, fuelled by alcohol and tinsel. We’re also all guaranteed to receive at least one bottle of booze we just don’t know what to do with.
So why not spruce up your Christmas tipple with some of these unique ideas?
VODKA
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For a Winter alternative, have you ever thought about turning your vodka hot? Award-winning bartender Vincenzo Sibilia recommends adding your favourite tea to a wintry cocktail.
‘Hot tea cocktails are comforting on cold Winter days, they’re the ultimate pick-me-up,’ says Vincenzo, who’s the general manager of Chelsea speakeasy Barts. ‘We currently have a Winter Punch cocktail that uses Russian vodka with hot chamomile tea, cinnamon tea, lychee juice and honey.’
Sounds delicious, and warming!
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WHISKY
David Beckham's whisky brand Haig Club loves pairing its drink with Appletiser for a refreshing mix
Known for being an older gentleman’s drink thanks to age-old stereotypes, it's now fast becoming a trendy spirit to enjoy, unusual amongst a nation of gin lovers.
‘The beautiful thing about whisky is that there are no rules,’ says whisky expert David Sinclair. ‘Add water, add ice, or drink neat, you can enjoy it how you like.’
But what are some of David’s favourite pairings? ‘Food wise, I love a citrus flavoured whisky like Haig Club with seared scallops, whilst a smoky whisky such as Lagavulin 16 paired with a blue cheese combines perfectly.’
However if you’re after a unique whisky and mixer pairing, similarly refreshing to a G&T, opt for sparkling apple. ‘Try a Haig Club and Appletiser combo with a slice of ginger,’ recommends David.
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BEER
Beer guru Craig Willmott from HonestBrew told us the secret to enjoying a good beer means pairing it perfectly with a dessert.
‘We love pairing a creamy milk stout with salty dark chocolate and roasted almonds, or an amber ale with banana banoffee pie,’ Craig says.
However what about swapping wine or port to a beer when munching your way through your Christmas cheeseboard? ‘Cheese and beer together is delicious,’ Craig reveals. ‘You can’t go wrong with an American IPA and blue cheese or an amber ale with Gruyere – the nuttiness of the cheese compliments the maltiness of the beer nicely.’
TEQUILA
Forget salt and lemon, why not be a bit adventorous and try it with a salty seafood pairing instead?
'I find blanco Tequilas work well with Oysters,' says a spokesperson from Proximo Spirits. 'Especially if they possess earthy, herbaceous, citrusy & salted characteristics; such as 1800 Silver. This style of Tequila tends to resonate well with shellfish.'
RUM
In the summer rum goes perfectly with a tropical juice mixer, but how about adding some dried fruit for a more Winter version?
‘We have a rum and raisin cocktail on our menu that takes inspiration from a Christmas rum cake or ice cream,’ says Skylounge’s head bartender Stelios Stylianou. ‘Rum is distilled from sugar so when blended with a naturally sweet fruit like raisins, the sugars blend and the flavours are slightly changed.'
So a raisin-infused rum as a base spirit could be a naughty alternative for a Christmas cocktail!
Who knew we could be so adventorous when it comes to our Winter alcoholic concotions?
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Vicky is our Food & Drink Director, where she oversees strategy and content across all of Hearst's brands, from recipe development to fun video franchises and everything in between.
With almost a decade's experience, Vicky was previously Editor of Delish UK, and Digital Food Editor of Good Housekeeping and she lives and breathes food content creation.
Outside of work, Vicky loves learning about wine, eating her way around the world, and hanging out with her dog Pickle.
