The Experts Guide to Drinking at Christmas
‘Tis the season to be merry, fa la la la la la la la . Now that Christmas is really here, we all know there is much festive feasting to endure over the next week, and along with feasting comes drinking. If you’re worried about the headache that follows multiple nights on the lash, then read this ultimate guide to the spirits of Christmas and you may just make it through with only a little pain in your left eye!
Here are a few top tips and reliable rules by us so that you may enjoy the nights, and still love the mornings after! Whether it’s the staff party on a Tuesday (awkward), or the annual family gathering around nan’s house (just as awkward), there are great ways to keep your spirits high as well as drinking all of them too.
Pace yourself
If you know that you’re in it for the long haul, then don’t finish off a bottle of bubbles right at the start. Yes, it’s fun to let your hair down and loosen up with a tipple or two, but when you know there is plenty of the night yet to come, just take your time. Imagine if you got too drunk, too quick, and had to leave before something cool happened? Save yourself the embarrassment in the office the next day, Dave.
Grab a sneaky water
More than just a way to keep you hydrated, this is also a tactic to help improve your social game - the benefits are threefold. Firstly, having a drink in your hands is a comforter, but when you can’t keep drinking booze the solution is to get some water so you can still feel confident on the dancefloor. Secondly, you will move around more, as you top up the drink or go to the toilet. Hopefully this will get you out of boring or awkward situations where you’re just thinking “Oh shut up Gayle”. Third of all, the hangover will be less painful, of course!
Don’t discuss Money, Religion or Politics
These topics are the gateway to arguments because they are full of varied opinions and endless debate informed by nonsense from Wikipedia. In this current political climate, we would highly recommend not engaging in Brexit conversation so save yourself a lot of time and effort and Brexit outta’ there when your hear Teresa May come up in conversation. This is family time, so enjoy it!
The real spirits of Christmas
Portobello Director’s Cut No. 4 ‘A Parsnip in a Pear Tree’
The fourth release in their acclaimed series of Director’s Cut bottlings… an incredible yuletide inspired creation, crafted by Brand Director Tom Coates. This sensational tipple is a celebration of festive flavours featuring seasonal parsnips sourced locally from the vibrant market stalls of Portobello Road. With a wealth of Christmas day aromas featuring sweet shop pear drops melding with delicate Christmas tree notes of juniper and sweet maple, A Parsnip In A Pear Tree is a welcome guest at any festive gathering. Complex, alluring and reassuring our Director’s Cut No.4’s generous alcohol content of 47.3% combines with the earthy flavours of nutmeg and cinnamon to guarantee rich warm flavours that linger on the palate.
Sacred Christmas Pudding Gin
This unique gin is made by distilling whole Christmas Puddings, made according to Sacred Spirits founder Ian’s Great Aunt Nellie’s recipe. Serve as a shot straight from the freezer after your turkey as an alternative to Christmas Pudding! Or try in a Christmas Pudding Martini, pouring straight from the freezer with 5ml Sacred English Dry Vermouth and 5ml Sacred English Spiced Vermouth, garnished with an orange zest. Substitute into any gin classic, such as a Negroni, for a more festive take on a cocktail! Alternatively simply pour a large measure over ice and top with your favourite tonic water,then garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange for a Christmas G&T.
Glenmorangie La Santa Whisky
Gaelic for passion and warmth, Lasanta is matured in ex Oloroso sherry casks which lend the whisky rich overtones of raisins, honeycomb, marzipan and chocolate, as well as a sumptuous, syrupy finish.Glenmorangie was the first distillery to start ageing its whisky in different oak barrels- as early as the 1990s. The market has moved on and this represents the new (ish) version of the Sherry Cask. The whisky is aged initially for 10 years in ex Bourbon casks and then finished for 2 years in ex Sherry casks. Furthermore the whisky is now non-chilled filtered which ensures not only a higher ABV but a richer, rounder whisky.
Foxdenton Christmas Liqueur
Made with Winslow Plums and a blend traditional Christmas spices including Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, and Star Anise, Foxdenton's Christmas Liqueur, is the ideal Winter warmer. All this needs is a mince pie and an open fire. However it is equally at home in a glass of Fizz.
Seedlip. Grove 42, Garden 108, Spice 94
Seedlip is a Nature Company on a mission to change the way the world drinks with the highest quality non-alcoholic options. Three unique & complex blends - Spice 94, Garden 108 & Grove 42 - simply served with tonic or mixed to create sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails.
So whether you’re the scrooge type or the jolly type, there will be a Christmas dinner waiting for you somewhere, with friends and family ready to engulf each other with love. Take this week as an opportunity to live for the moment and give, give, give… because givers gain. If you give your time, care and attention to others then surely they will give it back to you in the year to come.