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Best Spirits and Liqueurs for Christmas

Christmas is a time when many of us choose to indulge in some seasonal spirits, which is why we thought we’d take a look at our favourite drinks for the festive season. We were kindly sent these to review.

Whether you’re a gin drinker, a whisky connoisseur or a vodka lover. we’ve got you covered in our festive drinks roundup. Obviously, purely for research purposes, we’ve tried these out to save you the trouble…

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Beefeater Pink Gin – £14

beefeater
Image credit: Beerfeater

With hints of strawberry and a pink hue that will look every inch the fancy cocktail over Christmas, Beefeater Pink Gin is a firm gin favourite that’s bound to make an appearance over Christmas 2018.

Mandy said “I’ve been loving the Pink Gin trend throughout 2018 and must say that the Beefeated Pink Gin is the one that I go back to time and time again. It tastes great and is affordable. Ideal for Christmas!”

Beefeater Pink Gin costs £14 you can find out more information about this gin here.

The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve – £45

glenlivit
Image credit: Glenlivit

This single malt whisky is definitely ideal as a gift or as a tipple for the festive season.  Features a combination of raisin-rich intense taste of cognac with the signature citrus notes and creamy smoothness of The Glenlivet. To smell, this is bursting with sweet and fruity aromas. Rich in honey and apricot jam, with notes of sweet cinnamon bread and a subtle sensation of spicy liquorice.

Whisky lover John said: “Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy luxuries like single malt whisky. Glenlivet is in fact one of my favourites and whether you enjoy it on it’s own, with water, with ice or even with coke, this is the ultimate festive indulgence.”

You can find out even more information about The Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve here.

Absolut Juice Edition Apple – £16

Absolut
Image credit: Absolut

What would Christmas be without flavour? Cinnamon, Mixed Fruit & Apple are definitely at the top of the list of festive flavours, which is why the newly released Absolut Juice Edition Apple is making it’s way into our seasons spirits roundup. This is the perfect addition to a festive cocktail (or maybe even two…)

Mandy said: “I added some of this to vodka and a splash of apple juice to make an appletini – it was stunning! the perfect Christmas cocktail!”

Find out more information over at Absolut UK

Adnams Copper House Pink Gin – £29.99

Image credit: Adnams

Adnams Copper House Pink Gin is a twist on their original award winning dry gin. Boasting a twist of Raspberry, this pink, fruity gin is a firm favourite here in the UTCT offices and we’re sure it will be popular over the festive season.

Gin lover, Holly said: “This has a definite raspberry fruity taste to it but still tastes like gin which I like. I always have gin with lemonade but actually enjoyed this with tonic for a change!”

M&S Jaffa Cake Liqueur – £10

Image credit: M&S

Yes, you read that right. M&S have released a Jaffa Cake Liqueur that is set to find it’s way into every hot chocolate we consume over the festive season and we’re certain that you will love it just as much as we do!

Katy says: “Just when I thought my hot chocolate couldn’t get any tastier along comes the M&S Jaffa Cake Liqueur. This is the perfect addition to my hot chocolate, giving it an orangey zest. It’s just a pity I can’t always have them in the morning!”

View more information and buy this Jaffa Cake Liqueur over at Marks And Spencer.

Asda Gingerbread Gin Liqueur – £12

Image credit: Asda

It’s not as if we needed persuaded to try more gin, but if we did, the fact that this is filled with glitter and tastes like Gingerbread has us sold. Holly was the lucky one to try this out!

“I’m not a fan of tonic, so I always drink gin with Lemonade which I was worried wouldn’t work well with the Gingerbread flavour, but actually the two work together really nicely, not to mention looks every inch the perfect shimmery drink for Christmas!”

The Gingerbread Gin Liqueur is £12 and is available at Asda.

Anno Cranberry Gin – £36.70

Image credit: Anno
Cranberry is the flavour of the festive season. Anno have released a Cranberry gin which has been made and produced in Kent and will add a seasonal twist to your festive tipple.  Seasonally spiced with sweet orange, cassia and cloves – it truly is Christmas in a bottle. At 29% ABV, this would make the perfect addition to a Christmas cocktail, or simply enjoyed on it’s own with a splash of Tonic or Lemonade.
We mixed this with some Prosecco and enjoyed a taste at our staff get together at the weekend and everyone (even some who don’t like Cranberry!) enjoyed it. Produced in Kent is a trade organisation dedicated to supporting & promoting food, drink, products and services in Kent who kindly sent this to us.
Anno Cranberry Gin is £36.70 and is available from Anno Distillers.

Cut Rum ‘Cut To The Spice’

Image credit: Cut Rum
Cut Rum have released a spiced ‘cut to the spice’ rum. This caribbean rum is infused with Aniseed, Nutmeg, Ginger, Black Peppercorn, Cinnamon, Coriander Seed, Lemon Peel & Sweet Vanilla Pods. This has the perfect blend of sweet and spicy mixed in a bottle. At 37.5%, this is great enjoyed either in a cocktail or with a non alcoholic mixer.
Our rum fan Mandy said this is “a full bodied dark golden rum that is every inch the Christmas indulgence you crave over the festive season. I love it on it’s own with Ice, but it’s also nice with cola as a longer drink”.
For more information, visit Cut Rum.

Ramsbury Vodka Wiltshire – £38

Image credit: Ramsbury
Vodka is an ‘easy’ spirit. By that we mean that vodka is the kind of drink that is most likely to be a crowd pleaser. It’s a staple drink that many people reach for over the festive season.  Standard supermarket brands are great for throughout the year, but for special occasions like Christmas, it’s nice to indulge in something a little more decadent, which is why the Ramsbury Vodka is the perfect seasonal spirit.
At 43% ABV, this is definitely a vodka that is best enjoyed with a non alcoholic mixer. For more information and to buy for £38, visit the Ramsbury website.

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur – £30

Image credit: Mr.Black
Coffee liqueur is an indulgent cocktail addition and is an absolute necessity over Christmas & New Year. Whether you’re making an Espresso Martini or just adding an extra indulgent kick to your a Latte, the Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is the perfect addition.  At 17.5%, this would be ideal in a cocktail.
Our coffee addict Mandy tested this out and said: “This is like black coffee in a bottle. It’s really flavoursome and rich, making it ideal for adding to hot chocolate or an alcoholic cocktail. This has a very strong taste meaning coffee lovers (like me!) will love it!”
Priced at £30, you can find more information on the Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur here.

The Bitter Truth Apricot Liqueur – £24.18

Image credit: Bitter Truth
Liqueurs are definitely an indulgence that are enjoyed mostly on special occasions, such as Christmas. The Bitter Truth Apricot Liqueur is a sweet luxury that is perfect when enjoyed as part of a cocktail. At 22% ABV, this is lovely as part of a wine or champagne cocktail.
Liqueur fan, Holly, said: “I’ve never tried an Apricot Liqueur before so this is definitely something I was excited to try out. I decided to mix this with some Prosecco and enjoy as a cocktail. The sweetness of the Apricot balanced out the fizzy zest of the Prosecco and it was a lovely alternative to wine or vodka”
The Bitter Truth Apricot Liqueur is £24.18 and is 22% ABV. For more information visit here.

Aldi Passionfruit Gin Liqueur – £9.99

Image credit: Aldi
Sticking with fruity flavoursome liqueurs comes the Aldi Passionfruit Gin Liqueur. This smells a bit like a Pina Colada and is every inch the moreish drink you long for over the festive season.
Gin fan Holly tried this and said: “I’ve never tried a gin liqueur before, yet I love both Gin & Liqueurs so this is definitely something I was looking forward to testing. It smells a bit like a pina colada with a zesty twist.  I decided to try this with ice and can genuinely say it would be easy to get through an entire bottle in one sitting. It’s absolutely gorgeous and is perfect for cocktails or even on it’s own with ice. More please!”
This costs £9.99 and is available from Aldi.

Carthy & Black Yorkshire Cream Liqueur Set

Carthy And Black Gift Set
Image credit: Carthy And Black
This trio of Carthy & Black Yorkshire Cream Liqueurs would not only make the perfect gift for the cream liqueur lover in your life, but would also make the perfect addition to your Christmas table. The set contains:
  • Carthy & Black Yorkshire Cream Liqueur (Made with Whiskey & Yorkshire Cream 17% ABV 50cl)
  • Carthy & Black Yorkshire Gin Cream Liqueur (A delicious combination of Yorkshire cream & Gin. 17% ABV, 50cl)
  • Carthy & Black Yorkshire Lemon Gin Cream Liqueur (A combination of Yorkshire’s finest lemon cream & gin. 17%, 50cl)

Everyone at UTCT had a try of these, with Elaine being completely converted to the Lemon Gin Liqueur. She said: “Think Limoncello mixed with Baileys and a hint of Gin to boot and you’ve got this summed up. I love how sweet, yet zesty this is. I actually poured some over the top of Ice Cream and it was delicious! I’m converted! If you’re not a huge fan of Lemon, then try the original version, it’s sweeter and is extra indulgent”

Seasonal Drinks

Speaking of the Cream Liqueur, Katy said: “What could be more christmassy than a bottle of whiskey cream? Whiskey (Check!), Cream (Check!), I’m sold. This is thick, sweet, creamy and oh so tasty. I ate a few After Eights with this and must admit both the bottle and the After Eights didn’t stand a chance! Beautiful!”

For more information and to buy the Carthy & Black Yorkshire Cream trio, visit Spirit Of Harrowgate.

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