The best alternative Christmas spirits
Leave the mulled wine behind and put the champagne away – we've picked three exciting Christmas spirits with unusual flavours to try this year.
You can't underestimate the importance of serving the right tipples at Christmas. Finding a drink that appeals your guests and pairs well with the dishes you're cooking is a tall order. That's why this week we've rounded-up three of the most fun and festive spirits.
1. Edinburgh Gin Christmas gin
What is it? Flavoured with festive botanicals including frankincense and myrrh, this Christmas spirit comes from the award-winning Edinburgh Gin family. Inspired by the city of Edinburgh's gin-making heritage, the team create unique gins and liqueurs that cobmbine innovation and tradition.
Why we love it? It strikes the right balance between warming and aromatic to create the perfect yuletide flavour. Mix it in a festive gin and tonic for a lingering taste of cinnamon and nutmeg, or use it to balance the bitterness of Campari in a Christmas negroni.
Where can I buy it? Available online from £15 per 20cl.
2. Seedlip Spice 94
Seedlip
What is it? The creators of the world's first non-alcoholic spirits, the team behind Seedlip claim they've solved "the dilemma of what to drink when you're not drinking". The spirit is made from natural ingredients, such as allspice, cardamom, oak, lemon and grapefruit, which are individually cold-macerated, distilled and then blended.
Why we love it? If you're fed up with overly sweet and sugary non-alcoholic cocktails, this is an excellent alternative. We can't promise that it will taste like the real deal, but you can use it to recreate many classic cocktails, including a martini and a sour.
Where can I buy it? Available online for £27.99 per 70cl.
3. Cranes cranberry and blood orange liqueur
Cranes
What is it? Made with Wisconsin cranberries, blood orange juice and orange rind, this 17% liqueur is sweet, smooth and fruity. Each 50cl bottle contains more than 115 cranberries. It makes an excellent addition to cocktails or can simply be enjoyed on the rocks or with a dash of tonic.
Why we love it? Its versatility is its strong point – mix it in a cranbellini, a take on a bellini, or try it in a Cranes spritz, a refreshing cocktail based on the classic Aperol spritz. On Christmas Day you might be tempted by a festive mulled cocktail: a combination of Cranes liqueur, cranberry juice, orange juice, ginger wine and Cointreau.
Where can I buy it? Available online for £16.50 per 35cl.
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