The Best Vodka to Gift for Christmas 2023

Born in Russia and Eastern Europe, Vodka is now produced almost everywhere, and the quality has never been higher. Despite that, there are still a lot of misconceptions about this pure spirit, so if you want to win someone over who disregards it as throat burner, or if you just want to buy a vodka lover something special, we’ve got the best bottles for you here…

The Best Vodka to Gift Under £30

Zubrówka Bison Grass Vodka

Zubrówka is a stunningly smooth vodka at this price, which is infused with Hierochloe Odorata grass, and in case you forget there’s even a blade of it in the bottle. If you want to inform your vodka lover of the backstory, then it’s a grown in the Bialowieza Forest– home to the beast on the bottle, Polish Bison. It’s not just a gimmick though, because the rye spirit is strained through it, hence the green hue. As you might guess, there’s plenty of herby, aromatic notes coming and going, like cut grass, lavender, subtle citrus, and peppercorns. It’s completely unique and the colouring/grass is eye catching for a gift, but more importantly the actual liquid is as smooth and delicious as vodkas twice the price.

Size: UK 700ml / US 1L
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £22.24 / US £26.99

Reyka Vodka

We can’t get enough of Reyka, because they’ve managed to be one of the world’s most environmentally friendly vodkas, with glacial spring water and geothermal heat), but they’ve also excelled in the vodka itself, and all for under £30 too. It feels full, clean and creamy with gentle vanilla notes and peppery spice, and the icy purity is exceptional.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £26.99 / US $19.99

Baller Vodka

From the producers of Renegade Gin comes Doghouse distillery’s Baller, a 100% wheat vodka distilled in London. It’s unfiltered, so carries a lot more flavour than most vodkas, hitting hard with creamy vanilla, whilst retaining smoothness and purity. Follow in the footsteps of the dog on the bottle and take a gamble on it – you (or your giftee) won’t be disappointed.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £28.45

The Best Vodka to Gift Under £40

Cîroc Pineapple Vodka

Anyone into Vodka knows Cîroc, and their pineapple expression adds some sunshine to the original. It’s distilled five times over from frozen French grapes, before the bright pineapple flavour is introduced through crushed fruits, not flavouring. It’s delicious on its own, but can also completely switch up cocktails or simple serves like vodka and lemonade.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: UK £31.95 / US $32.99

Tom of Finland Organic Vodka

The leather-clad moustached man front and centre of this distinct bottle is a nod to Touko Laakosen, a gay icon who made huge artistic contributions to gay culture in the 20th century, focusing on masculinity and homoeroticism and breaking down barriers. The liquid inside is a small batch production of old Finish family-run producer Lignell & Piispanen, distilled fiver times for zero throat burn. A little rye spice tops up of a vodka built around it’s silkiness, and proceeds from each purchase go to the Tom of Finland Foundation too.

Size: UK 500ml / US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £35 / US $35.99

G.H.Q. Vodka

There is only so much we can tell you about G.H.Q Vodka because it’s handcrafted at an unknown location in the Scottish Highlands. The distiller is unknown, as are the recipes, but we know Cairngorm water is used, and we also know that the result is splendid. Creaminess, subtle minerality and herbal hints, and even hazelnut and honey come through. Refreshing and so beautifully rounded off.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 41%
Find here: £37.95

Broken Clock English Vodka

They say a Broken Clock is right once twice a day, but this tastes right every time. Produced by one of England’s oldest distilleries, Hidgate’s Broken Clock takes inspiration from this heritage. Russet apples and garden botanicals are used, in accordance with old Georgian recipes, delivering a vodka oozing in character and bittersweet, herbaceous flickers.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

The Best Vodka to Gift Under £50

Chase Aged Marmalade Vodka

What we have here is a 100% potato vodka, made in England, infused with zesty Seville marmalade, so its origins are a bit all over the place, but the end produced is a flavoured vodka that really comes together. It’s sweet, refreshing, with a bitter tang and all the while, retaining ultimate refreshment.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £41.45

X Muse Vodka

This Scottish vodka blends two heritage barley varieties, taking fruity notes in both cooked and fresh directions. The silky texture is always there, and the mouthfeel feels instantly impressive with its intoxicating viscosity. This is one of those vodkas that wins doubters of the spirit around.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £57.24

Crystal Head Aurora Vodka

Aurora launched in 2016, after the success off Crystal Head’s original release. It uses super high quality English wheat, which blends with Newfoundland water for an additive-free vodka. The tasteful purity is achieved through five distillations and seven filtrations, three of which involve Herkimer diamonds. It has a touch more spice than the original, and the bottle has more colour, to celebrate the Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights). The perfect luxury vodka gift inside and out.

Size: UK 700ml / US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £66.99 / US $55.99

If you’re after more gifts, then we’ve got tonnes of guides up on the site now, for example Rum and Gin.

The Best Champagne to Drink this Christmas

If Christmas is about indulgence (which we think it is, amongst other things of course), then it’s the perfect time of year to open some beautiful bottles, and it doesn’t get more luxurious than Champagne. Sparkling wine is a mainstay of Christmas drinking, and for that special touch of elegance, Champagne is festive fizz royalty.

However, as everyone knows, it doesn’t come cheap, so you want to be sure that you’re spending your money on quality liquid. We’ve scouted out the best Champagne to drink this Christmas, starting with tremendous value and finishing with unforgettable masterpieces. Let’s the pop the cork and get started.

Telmont Reserve Brut

A three-way blend of the classic Champagne grapes, this elegant Telmont was awarded the Gold Medal at the Champagne Masters in 2022, praised for its weighty palate flickering with desserts like créme brulee, baked apple and almond tart. It’s big and round with lively bubbles, but balanced by a cool, saline core.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £46.99

Veuve Clicquot Brut (Carte Jaune) Champagne

A respected and reliable name in Champagne, this NV Veuve Clicquot brings heaps of rich biscuity flavour, but also a lot of white fruits and a finish that lingers for an age. It’s a famously delicious Champagne, and it completely delivers with well put together balance and smooth cleanliness. Cracking price too, and you can pick it up in most supermarkets.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £48.50

Laurent-Perrier Brut Cuvee Champagne Rose

This is distinctly bottled fruit-dominated Champagne Rose uses only Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards, delivering a lively but precise expression. Cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and currants are unavoidable, filling the body out nicely, but the bubbles are busy throughout and there’s the perfect touch of racy acidity too. Pink heaven.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £58

Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne Grand Cru

100% Chardonnay here, and it’s all from five different grand cru villages, intertwining seductively for a complex, flavourful but elegant expression. The inviting nose carries a bouquet of white flowers and stone fruits, and the first sip reveals a palate that’s intense and creamy, with buttery brioche, lively acidity and citrus hints, before chalky minerality on the finish. Staggering depth and perfect poise.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £72

Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru Brut

Duval-Leroy was one of the first Champagne houses to be HVE3 certified (great sustainability basically), and the attention to that goes into every stage of the production process is astonishing. This cuvée was bottle aged for 17 years, and possibly more if you decide to leave it that way. Opening it up though, expect a sumptuous complexity – biscuity bread, florality and apricot, fading into hazelnut and orange peel before a long-tailed finish. The finesse throughout is otherworldly.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £96

Bollinger B13 Champagne 2013

Without question, one of the great Champagne houses, this is Bollinger’s Blanc de Noirs from 2013. The nose reveals quince and stone fruits, and even a subtle waft of smoke as the toast comes through. It’s big, bold flavourful Champagne with pear, almonds, candied lemon but an earthy almost truffle hint too. Rich, razor sharp, in your face and a mineral finish – delightful.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £99.95

Lanson Noble Champagne Brut Vintage 2004

This is an expressive vintage showcasing the alluring delicacy of the Chardonnay grape merging with the cushiony, deep Pinot Noir, the scents of lemon, pear, and plum pull you in, before the biscuity, hazelnut, apricot palate blows you away. The stunning freshness is why so many wax lyrical about this Champagne, and why it holds such a prestigious position.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £142

Lanson Noble Champagne Blancs de Blancs 2004

Light, seductive, and utterly memorable, Lanson Blanc de Blancs 2004 would make for a very special Christmas celebration indeed. It’s everything the Côte des Blancs terroir does best – charm, finesse, purity, and freshness. Vanilla toffee carries on the nose. The palate is light and creamy, delicately hinting at almond biscuits and candied lemon, before a zesty, saline finish stretching off into the distance. A Chardonnay masterclass.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £155

If you’re looking for something closer to home this Christmas, then there has never been a better time to dip your toe into the flourishing English Fizz market, so try these incredible English Sparkling Wines leading the way.

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Morrisons December 2023

 Morrisons have got some eye-catching deals on wines we love this December, so we’ve picked out the best bargain bottles that we love. There’s crisp whites, fruity reds and refreshing rosés, and every single one comes in at under £10, so they’re absolute must tries.

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts December 2023

Mucho Mas Black Label Red

Between Madrid and Cadiz lies Félix Solís, one of the largest family-owned wineries in the world, and this is their easy-drinking red. It’s juicy with ripe plums, berries, and figs, rounded out by vanilla and pepper and is a solid mid-week red for this price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 (usually £8.50)

Greasy Fingers Luscious Red

This is moreish blend of Australian Shiraz and Grenache is a mainstay of multiple UK supermarkets because of its popularity. The Grenache brings delicious sweetness, and the Shiraz fills out the expression with rich, fruity flavours. Smooth and food-friendly too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

19 Crimes The Banished

This famous series is inspired by the people shipped to Australia in the 18th century for a life of hard labour and the generations that came from them. It’s full-bodied and full of fruit – think plum, cherry, and blueberry, with touches of leathery smoke. Forget delicate, this is intense and inky and demands you pay it attention.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Carnivor Zinfandel

This is exactly what you want from a California Zinfandel – robust, nicely structured, and jammy. With a myriad of dark fruity flavours and gentle spice, it screams carnivore companion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts December 2023

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Oyster Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc is a rock steady Marlborough expression, bright and light with grapefruit citrus and acidic zip. Serve it chilled to extract all that clean, zesty refreshment and you’re laughing for a tenner.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.99 (usually £11)

Workshop Mastercraft Sauvignon Blanc

This is another Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc punching above its price point, carrying herbaceous grassy hints, passion fruit, and concentrated gooseberries and peaches. Zesty acidity meets fruity sweetness, with a touch of peppery spice at the end – it’s easy to love.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £11.50)

Te Pā Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

Yet another Marlborough option, Te Pā is rich with ripe guava, nectarine, gooseberry and most noticeably, passion fruit. This tropical ripeness leads into chalky minerality and a crisp and pure finish that is very satisfying indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection

A distinct herbaceous nose invites you into this Marlborough white, which blossom into a zesty grapefruit palate that leaves a natural, pure, and crisp impression. Lychee, pear and soft acidity fill out the profile for a balanced and flavourful Sauvignon.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £10 (usually £13)

Morrisons Rosé Discounts December 2023

Mirabeau Forever Summer Rose

Maison Mirabeau are specialists in Provence Rosé, making the absolute most of their sun-drenched vineyards. Notes of nectarine and rose fill out a summery nose, and the palate is a deliciously dry and crisp red berry parade.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Freixenet Italian Rose

Shimmer, shimmer, these Freixenet bottles have become a familiar sight, and their Italian Rosé is well worth picking up. It’s made from Corvina and Garganega Blanc, the classic Veneto grapes, exuding a pink perfume of cherries and strawberries. Flowery, soft apricots are noted before a strong strawberry finish, and all in all, it’s very good stuff for £9.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Castillo D'Ibiza Rose

Inside this beautifully curvaceous bottle is a dry, pale Rosé from Pernod Ricard in Spain, blending Tempranillio and Garnacha grapes for zingier, tart refreshment than you might expect. Citrus and minerality come through with the same intensity as the strawberry, which makes this one of the better food-friendly options.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.50 (usually £12.50)

We have Supermarket Wine Bargains on the website for most of the UK supermarkets, and we’re always busy updating them when the latest offers arrive so keep your eyes peeled for not only Morrisons’ next bargain wines, but Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc. too.

The Best Rum to Gift for Christmas 2023

White Rum, Dark Rum, Flavoured Rum and Spiced Rum, we’ve got the perfect Christmas recommendations for each to please the rum drinkers in your life.

The rum shelves are stacked at this time of year and picking out a bottle to gift can be daunting, but no more rumming and ahing, because we’ve picked out the rums that receive rave reviews from everybody.

The Best White Rum to Gift for Christmas

El Dorado 3 Year Old White Rum

This is tremendous rum for the price, using the traditional method of Demerara sugar which comes through luxuriously in the expression. It is still mightily fresh and crisp though, which white rum drinkers want, and this balance explains all the awards.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £23.95

Sunset Very Strong Rum

No, that isn’t a typo, this is 84.5% ABV, and therefore makes for a striking Christmas gift indeed. It’s molasses distilled from Saint Vincent, but don’t be thinking that this is just pure alcohol and that’s it. It’s a serial award winner for a reason, but not when treated like a 40% rum. It demands respect, and when served with a lot of mixer, or into cocktails and punches, it shines. Surprisingly smooth with a gorgeous warm glow, carrying sugary spice and coca notes on the finish, it’s more than just a throat burning gimmick.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 84.5%
Find here: £47.99

The Best Dark Rum to Gift for Christmas

Ron Barceló Gran Añejo Rum

Añejo is a categorisation we’re more used to seeing on tequila bottles, but in this case it’s applied to a stunningly smooth Dominican rum brimming with delicious sweetness. Espresso, dark chocolate, and roasted hazelnuts bring a richer, darker quality to the manuka honey, to create a rum bursting with flavour. Connoisseurs love it!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £26.99 (usually more!)

Pusser's 'Gunpowder Proof' Black Label Rum

A rebrand of the original Blue Label, this brings the same silky complexity as that did. You’re looking at a traditional high proof dark rum in the British Naval mould, using authentic recipes. The warm flavour is intoxicating, and it really punches through with full-bodied dried syrupy fruits.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 54.5%
Find here: £37.40

The Best Spiced Rum to Gift for Christmas

The Duppy Share Spiced Rum

Duppy Share have excelled in delivering exceptional taste without overbearing sweetness with this spiced rum. It means, ‘Angel’s Share’ referencing the evaporation within the rum barrels. A rich blend of spices merge with kola nuts and pineapple, but there’s so much depth with vanilla, white chocolate, caramel, and ginger, as well as tangy citrus. Gorgeous Caribbean bottle too.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 37.5%
Find here: £25.99

Golden Buck Rum

Golden Buck Rum brings a boiled sweet vibe with its cherry and vanilla infusion giving a creamy and fruity taste that stands out from other rums. Tropical pineapple and rich brown sugar come through too, and it’s just as delicious as it sounds. It has all those sweet flavours, but with maturity and authenticity and seems to go down a storm with anyone that tries it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £34.58

The Best Flavoured Rum to Gift for Christmas

Bombo 40 Rum - Caramel & Banana

The caramelised banana flavour is deliciously complimentary to the core richness of the Bombo 40 Rum, completely coating your mouth. If you know someone that loves sweet rum, then this really is perfect because there’s no going away from it, it is very sweet. After a few servings, it gets a little too sickly but a few serves just with ice is such an indulgent treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.95

Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum

This a gorgeous rum that embraces the Christmas spirit with bright clementines that cut through the richness harmoniously. It has a fair whack of sweetness too, but it’s natural and tastes it. Forget any throat burn, it’s pure smooth spiced rum with the distinct clementine twist, and it would make a cracking gift for a spiced rum drinker.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £28.75 (usually more!)

We’ve got a tonne of Christmas present guides all across our website currently, like our Gin one for example, so do check out these for other present recommendations!

The Best Gin to Gift for Christmas 2023

Gin is the dominant spirit at the moment, and it makes for a fantastic Christmas present because it probably has the most beautiful bottles in the drinks industry.

We’ve searched high and low for gins of all styles, Aged, London Dry, Navy Strength, Old Tom and Flavoured, that gin lovers will adore. From delicious simplicity to tasty innovation, these are gins that will raise eyebrows in the best way possible from the minute they’re unwrapped.

Best Cask Aged Gin to Gift for Christmas

Kyrö Dark Gin

It’s not just the easy-on-the-eye packaging that makes this gin stand out, but also the golden hue we normally associate with rum or whisky. From Finnish wholegrain, it’s been cask aged in American oak for a year. The aroma makes an instant impression, with aromatic oak and sandalwood, soft vanilla, sweet zesty citrus and of course, peppery heat from the rye. Kyrö’s aim was to make a gin perfect for winter, and this is so good that it might just be the answer all year round.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 42.6%
Find here: £32.95

Campfire Cask Aged Gin

This is a Bourbon barrel finished gin, that swaps out oaky, woody ageing for those gorgeous Bourbon notes – think vanilla and silky caramel. The gentle herby fragrance and tart lemon round off the sweetness, with blossom, spice and juniper adding some gin familiarity, and roasted hazelnut giving extra flavour and mouthfeel. Award-winning creativity.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £42.49

Best London Dry Gin to Gift for Christmas

East London Liquor Co. Gin

The minimalist label and crystal-clear hue leads you to wonder what lies within, and the answer is a notably, impressively balanced and flavoursome London Dry that may well become a go-to. The botanical run down is a who’s who of gin fundamentals, from the citrusy, coriander, angelica nose, to the bright citrus, juniper, and cardamom spice on the palate, before the oily, refreshing juniper at the end. Reliable with all tonics, all cocktails and bold enough for solo sipping too – and incredible value.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £24.95 (usually more!)

KYNGS London Dry Gin

This is a delightful small-batch Welsh gin, delivering a robust, classic profile that’s masterfully made, Vibrant orange citrus plays off with subtle spice and sturdy juniper in the spotlight. It’s crisp and clean, with delicate refreshment and the perfect ambassador for why simplicity can be delicious. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the lion on top of the bear – that’s because 25% of profits are donated to conservation schemes. Bravo KYNGS.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £34.99

Best Navy Strength Gin to Gift for Christmas

HMS Victory Navy Strength Gin

This is a gin really putting the Navy in Navy Strength, made by the Isle of Wight distillery in association with The National Museum of the Royal Navy. The ship, if you know your history, was Nelson’s at the Battle of Trafalgar, and is docked in Portsmouth a few miles away... and some sales go towards its restoration. The hefty booze is softly integrated for a smooth drinking experience and hearty juniper kick. The rave reviews this gets are impressive, so it’s sure to make a top notch gift.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.94

Bathtub Gin - Navy-Strength

Serial award winner and absolute beauty of bottle, Bathtub Gin’s Navy Strength edition hits heavy, with that 57% apparent from the off, though it is tempered by vivid, up-front citrus. The four c’s follow (cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, and clove) with intensity, and the flavour just lingers forever. A wonderful gift for someone, especially if they loved the original.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 57%
Find here: £49.95

Best Old Tom Gin to Gift for Christmas

House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom Gin

Just what the Doctor ordered, because this is Dr. Adam Elmegirab’s first venture into gin after mastering bitters. Moroccan saffron, chamomile flowers and muscovado sugar are added to botanical fundamentals like angelica, orris, coriander, cassia, almond, and citrus peels. The result is serious flavour, with full-bodied juniper jostling with floral and fruity sweetness and a moreish vein of spice throughout. Magical Old Tom.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 47%
Find here: £30.94

Lytham Bee's Knees Old Tom Gin

Sandgrown Spirits add this Old Tom to the Lytham Gin range, and Bee’s Knees isn’t just a brag, it’s also a nod to the raw honey used, which really does come through with sweetness in the end product. Lavender, pink pepper and lime balance out a smooth and flavoursome gin that goes down a treat.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £42.95

Best Flavoured Gin to Gift for Christmas

Mermaid Zest Gin

This alluring Isle of Wight gin delivers a true taste of the island, embracing samphire from the nearby coast, bergamot, rosemary, and Boadicea hops. All in all, the vivid refreshment is so moreish, with herbaceous notes joining zesty citrus for a shining seaside star of a gin.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £35.49

Stonewall Pink Rhubarb Gin

£1 from every bottle sold goes to Stonewall UK to support the LGBTQ+ community, but importantly, the gin inside is absolutely stunning too. Stonewall’s London Dry intertwines with rhubarb bringing a tasty tartness to proceedings, marrying the sweet, tropical touches and spiced finish happily. It feels luxurious and supports great work – a complete win win.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

If you have other people to buy for who aren’t gin fans, then fear not because we’ve got Christmas present guides all across our website currently, as well as the best drinks to get in as host. Looking for unique bottles that stand out? Or boxed wine for the countertop? Find these guides and more on the website.

Christmas Drinks Essentials for Your Home Bar

If you’re hosting Christmas guests, then a well-stocked ready to go home bar is a must have. You’ll probably have a lot of these in anyway, but this guide just helps fill any gaps in your inventory so that everything festive drink is catered for.

Of course, Christmas is the perfect time to put a home bar to good use, but they’re a great feature to have all year round. Whether it’s going the whole hog, and carving a small, bespoke area for it, or just expanding on the drinks cupboard, take a look at our guide on creating the perfect home bar here. Before you do that though, let’s dive into the Christmas drinks essentials! We have tonnes of recommendations for specific bottles across the website, and we’ll link to some throughout, so you know where to go.

Christmas Spirits

The star of the cocktail, spirits are obviously essential, but wide-ranging and expensive too. If you’re planning on making some festive cocktails, then vodka is the most popular cocktail spirit, so it has to be included (these our are favourite wallet-friendly vodkas). However, this is where you will need to cater to your guests. If you know what they like, then we’d recommend buying a premium bottle of this, or multiple, and only getting a budget option for a less popular spirit.

Gin’s resurgence continues, and it’s probably the most popular British spirit in the 2020s so far, so a bottle or two would be wise – perhaps a London Dry and a flavoured gin (we have some recommendations here). We also think gin bottles are the most beautiful available, so they spruce up the home bar nicely.

A Whisky is a must, not just for cocktails and simple serves, but for cosy winter warmers like Hot Toddies and Irish Coffees in the evening. A good Scotch should suffice unless you’ve got serious dram drainers round, in which case branch out with a Bourbon and Irish Whiskey too.

Of course, Rum is another big one that people will likely want to sip on, and in an ideal world you’d be stocked up with a light and a dark, but if you aren’t sure what guests will want, go dark – it’s used in more wintery recipes, and works great in the Christmas punch.

Christmas Syrups

If you’re into cocktail making, syrups are a mixology essential and can transform drinks. Christmas syrups are also a fantastic way of making drinks feel festive and special, rather than just the same drink as any other day of the year. They’re surprisingly easy to make yourself, as we have shown here! A simple syrup is always good to have available (and it can rescue an underwhelming drink), but being able to easily elevate serves with cinnamon, winter spice, cranberry, ginger etc. will be a guaranteed hit

Christmas Liqueurs

The first name here has to Baileys. Served simply with ice, or in a Baileys Hot Choc, its quintessential Christmas drinking, and someone will want one at some point. If you want to give Baileys some competition this year, then believe it or not, there are similar cream liqueurs that a lot of people actually prefer. Take a look!

Elsewhere, coffee liqueurs like Kahlua are handy for lots of cocktails and have a rich, Christmassy profile and Amaretto has the indulgent, nutty sweetness that suits the season.

You can liqueurs for pretty much anything, from classic flavours to eyebrow raisers. The Giffard range is expansive and they stock pretty much every kind of liqueur you can think of to a high level, so browse their collection and see if something takes your fancy.

Christmas Wines

Wines depend hugely on the people you’re anticipating to host. If they’re into wines, then it’s easy to get carried away with all sorts of bottles, for solo sipping or different foods. Alongside spirits and mixers, sparkling wine is the most bought drinks product for the festive season, so you have to have this in your home bar without a question. Prosecco is the most bought, but Cava and Crémant are other fantastic value alternatives for bubbly cocktails and nostalgic classics like Bucks Fizz. They also wash down food nicely. Of course, Champagne is an option if you want to spend a little more.

For Reds, if you want to play it safe, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are universally popular across the world, but Malbec and Shiraz take the top two spots in the UK, so a couple of different varieties should cover your needs.

With Whites, you really can’t go too wrong with crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio – the UK’s favourites.

As we say, if you’ve got some oenophiles round, then you probably want to try something more niche, or buy in a greater range of wines, and if cheese and wine pairings are expected, then things get a tad more complicated but we’ve got a guide on dream cheese and wine marriages here.

Christmas Glassware

Proper glassware is what takes your home bar to that next level, contributing towards an authentic bar experience. But don’t get us wrong, it’s not the be all and end all, and there’s no need to empty your wallets for all the different glass variations. You’ll likely be stocked up with many of these already, so it’s probably just a case of filling in some of the gaps.

A few wine glasses will of course be needed, ideally with smaller glasses for whites and larger for reds. Get some flutes for sparkling wine serves like Bucks Fizz, some rocks glasses for spirit-forward serves, and particularly if you’re getting the cocktail shaker out, some tall/Collins glasses for more elaborate serves. Let’s not forget a pint glass for the beer and cider drinkers too.

Christmas Mixers

They’re the most popular mixers for a reason, so getting some Coca-Cola and lemonade in is first priority. Beyond that, some delightful tonics for G&Ts, cocktails or diluting neat spirits. Ginger beer is also in keeping with the warmth and spice of the season, and a popular mixer for a variety of highball serves. Lastly, if you’re planning on making cocktails, then fruit juices are a must. If you don’t want to make your own, then apple, orange and cranberry are the most useful to have stocked.

Christmas Garnishes

Garnishes are another undervalued step in creating an authentic bar experience and give drinks that special little something that they deserve to have over Christmas. Fresh lemon and limes are the most obvious essential, bringing zingy citrus and refreshment to so many serves. Oranges and cherries are other popular garnishes in the fruit department.

Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks will both be useful, the former for the rim of the glass and sprinkling on cream, and the latter for infusing with hot drinks. You can go as far as you like with garnishes really, because whilst the cocktail umbrellas might be a little out of season, you’ll find herbs like rosemary and thyme cropping up in recipes, as well as edible flowers, chocolate dustings, nutmeg, and all sorts.

A home bar is all about making it work for you, stamping your personality on it with preferred drinks and design, but the above is a guide to the essentials that will keep everybody pleased (or most people, at least – we can’t guarantee the satisfaction of all relatives). For more ideas, pay a visit to our in-depth guide, and browse our website for up to date recommendations on all kinds of drinks.

Best Boxed Wines to Get in For Christmas

It's been fantastic to see how far boxed wine has come. Gone are the days of it being student hangover juice because the technology has improved, and top producers now trust boxes to house their wine. Hooray!

If you’ve got people over, or you’re just fed up with throwing away leftover wine, then these boxes last for much longer, and they’re also a much greener way to package wine... and they work out cheaper per bottle! What’s not to like?

Best Boxed Red Wine

Banrock Station Shiraz Cabernet

This is a lovely box of dry Aussie Shiraz Cabernet, brimming with lofty, bright plum fruits and rich with dark chocolate, coffee, and a little spice on the finish. Not only that, but Banrock do great environmental work, planting 100,000 native trees every year.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £19.50 (£6.50 per 750ml)

Terre di Faiano Rosso IGP Puglia Organic

This Italian red catches the eye with its gorgeous blue tube packaging, and the liquid inside doesn’t let it down. It’s super juicy and full-bodied, absolutely brimming with very ripe dark berries, fragrant vanilla, and cocoa dusted dried fruits. For a sweeter, flavoursome boxed red, this is fantastically easy drinking and also cheese-friendly – particularly the salty stuff.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11%
Find here: £22.39 (usually more!) (£7.47 per 750ml)

Laylo Lot #10 Malbec

Laylo probably make the best-looking boxed wines on the market, perfect for sprucing up a Christmas countertop. But this isn’t a display piece, what does the actual wine taste like? You normally associate Malbec with rich Argentinian bottles, or more disciplined French varieties, but this is Spanish! Soaking up all that heat, you get a silky smooth expression delighting with ripe plum, mulberries and blueberries, as well as the signature cocoa from Argentinian styles.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £34.99 (£11.66 per 750ml)

Best Boxed White Wine

Sainsbury's Coolwater Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Taste the Difference

Rock solid New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc here, produced by Yealands Estate in the Awatere Valley. It’s refreshing and zesty with racy acidity and crisp mineral finish.  

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £20 (£10 per 750ml)

Soave Cantina di Soave

A very pleasant Italian white from the Veneto region, Soave overlaps with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, but with a bit more richness. In this case, there are hints of orchard fruits, bright citrus and a food-friendly dry, crisp quality that makes a great choice for Christmas grazing.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £18.99 (£6.33 per 750ml)

Tállya Radicals Dry Furmint 2022

This classy number uses Furmint, the same grape used in the famous sweet Hungarian wine Tokaji. We’re seeing more and more Furmint wines on supermarket shelves and it’s great to see. This wine is dry, fruity, and mineral, with unique aromatics and hints of honey suckle and pear. The lick of lime coursing through is electrifying too. Start pouring it alongside the cheese boards and you’ll be in Christmas heaven.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 13%
Find here: £43.32 (£14.44 per 750ml)

Best Boxed Rosé Wine

M&S La Dame En Rose

This is a top everyday Rosé from the Terres du Midi region of South France, with a pleasant bouquet of white flowers and palate teeming with red fruits. It’s a versatile, food-friendly wine that will do well alongside most fish, chicken and salads, so can serve as a steady go-to over the festive period.

Size: 1.5L
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £16 (£8 per 750ml)

ASDA Extra Special Pinot Grigio Rose Boxed Wine

You might not be able to see it straight away but start pouring and the delightful ballet-shoe hue is so inviting. This Italian pink balances the key Rosé characteristics so well – the sweet red fruits, and the crisp dryness. It feels light on its feet, but has enough flavour and substance to stay interesting for the entire 3 bottles worth you get.

Size: 2.25L
ABV: 12%
Find here: £17.95 (£5.98 per 750ml)

These are perfect countertop wine boxes for guests to keep topping up with, but if you’re still on the hunt for special gifts, then you have to take a look at these unique bottles – they’re unforgettable presents.

The Spiced Clementine Mulled Whisky

This is one warming cocktail that screams Christmas, loaded up with warmth, spice, richness, and naturally sweet citrus. With clementines and a variety of winter spices like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, the flavours are an instant comfort. Add into the mix the refreshing warmth of ginger beer, the luxurious silky sweetness of honey, and the rich oomph of your favourite whisky and you’ve got the cocktail version of a hug. Oh, and don’t let the winter spice syrup put you off – it’s really, really easy to make. Go to our Simple Homemade Cocktail Syrup Guide here.

Ingredients (for 1)
150ml ginger beer
50ml whisky
40ml clementine juice
10ml winter spice syrup
1 tsp honey
Optional garnishes: clementine slice and cinnamon stick

Method
1.      Combine ginger beer, clementine juice, honey, and your spice syrup into a pan on a low heat.
2.      Continuously stir and bring the mix to a simmer. Keep it there for 5 minutes, before turning off the heat.
3.      Stir in the whisky, and let the mixture cool for 10 minutes.
4.      Strain into a handled glass or mug.
5.      Garnish with clementine slices and a cinnamon stick.

For more seasonals cocktail recipes to warm you up, how about our Boozy Coffee and Hot Chocolate Recipes. Or, if you’re ditching the alcohol, peruse our Delicious Winter Mocktails.