The Perfect Gentleman’s Drink For Every Christmas Occasion

It’s time to start planning your Christmas drinks list before there’s a third lockdown and all of the alcohol sells out. Only joking. We’re sure all of the alcohol won’t sell out, and are hopeful there won’t be a third lockdown, but on a serious note the last thing you want to be doing in this climate is rushing around, hoping that the best spirits and cocktail ingredients are still on the shelves. Get your orders in early and revel in the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve got the Christmas drinks nailed.

With regards to the inspiration, look no further. Step away from the mulled wine and think outside of the box. To help you bring a little luxury to your soirées this year (we all deserve it) we’ve put together some of our favourite recipes and paired them with a variety of festive occasions.

Whether you’re opening presents or leaving something out for the big man in red the night before, here’s a few suggestions for the perfect Christmas tipple.

Christmas Brunch

The Champagne Martini

The ideal libation to accompany present giving. With warming notes of honey and an indulgent splash of champagne, pair with a lavish piece of brioche toast and sip your way through badly gifted socks and toiletries.

Ingredients:

• 25ml Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or
• 10ml Rin Quin Quin Aperitif a la Peche
• 1.5 heaped teaspoons of apricot preserve
• 15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Finished with Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial

Method:

1. Add Glenmorangie, Rin Quin Quin and the apricot preserve into shaker then give a good stir to blend flavours and start to break down the preserve
2. Add remaining ingredients (except the champagne) to the shaker, fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds
3. Fine strain into a pre-chilled glass and crown with Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial (50ml maximum)
4. Sip, savour, enjoy

Glassware: Coupette/Martini

Garnish: Thick slice of warm toasted brioche with salted butter and apricot preserve

Pre-Christmas Dinner

Ginger 75

Here’s a serious Christmas power move for entertaining: pre-batched cocktails. Even the most avid mixologists get stressed when an assortment of family members turn up early for Christmas dinner as you’re in the middle of tidying up wrapping paper, preparing food and fielding phone calls.

Prep a batch of Ginger 75 the night before and serve as welcome cocktails when visitors arrive. Note the swapping in of Hennessy VS cognac for gin for a delicious twist.

Ingredients:

• 250ml Hennessy VS
• 75ml Crabbies Green Ginger Wine
• 125ml lemon juice
• 60ml Ginger syrup
• 100ml still water
• Each serve topped with Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial

Method:

1. Add all ingredients (except champagne) to a decanter
2. Stir to blend flavours then seal and keep refrigerated
3. When ready to serve, pour 50ml of into a champagne coupette and crown with 75ml perfectly chilled Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial

Glassware: Champagne Coupette

Garnish: Amarena cherry sunk into the cocktail

Magnum of Champagne

Whether you’re enjoying Christmas dinner with your family or friends, a magnum of Champagne served just before, or in the run up to, Christmas dinner is the ideal way to welcome the turkey to the table. It also makes a great gift if you’re lucky enough to be invited to someone else’s home.

We recommend Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial – the perfect crowdpleaser and really shines in magnum size due to its longer ageing lees in the bottle. Incidentally, how well do you know your Champagne bottles? Here’s a handy pocket guide to impress your guests:

• Standard bottle: 750mL
• Magnum: 1.5L (two bottles)
• Jeroboam: 3L (four bottles)
• Methuselah: 6L (eight bottles)
• Salmanazar: 9L (12 bottles)
• Balthazar: 12L (16 bottles)
• Nebuchadnezzar: 15L (20 bottles)

Christmas Dinner Wine Pairings

With The Turkey: Terrazas de los Andes Malbec

This Terrazas Malbec is both aromatic and fresh. It is marked by a floral character with aromas of violets laced with red and black fruit notes and subtle hints of chocolate. The bouquet is completed with delicate toasty notes and aromas of tobacco from the well-integrated oak.

This wine will be the perfect match for your Christmas turkey as it highlights the flavours of the meat. Its body and liveliness invite us to continue drinking with every bite.

Elevate Your Experience: Cloudy Bay Te Koko

Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc is both complex and intensely aromatic, showing notes of white peach, preserved citrus and a hint of tropicality. With an expressive and vibrant palate balanced between ripe stone fruits and citrus intensity, this wine will pair beautifully with a light fish or pasta dish, unveiling all its flavours.

Christmas Evening

Espresso Martini

As night draws in and the day begins to take its toll, perk yourself up with this sophisticated, caffeine-fuelled classic. Of course, a special day deserves a special vodka and Belvedere Pure provides a welcome upgrade.

Ingredients:

• 60ml Belvedere Pure
• 20ml Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
• 30ml fresh espresso (1 shot)
• Ice

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously
2. Strain into a martini glass
3. Garnish with three espresso beans

Glassware: Martini

Garnish: 3 Coffee beans

Boxing Day Gathering

Whisky Old Smokey Sour

The Whisky Sour needs diligence, precision and a lot of muscle. That sharp acidity and texture are key, with everything deliciously brought together by the all important egg white.

In your shaker, combine the ingredients and first use a ‘silent shake’ (a shake without ice to allow the mixture to froth and form that perfect creamy texture) before adding the ice and shaking again. Be sure to do it in front of all your guests to show them who is the true boss of the cocktail trolley this year.

Ingredients:

• 50 ml Glenmorangie whisky
• 30 ml lemon juice
• 10 ml pure cane syrup
• Egg white
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Put the lemon juice and pure cane syrup into a shaker
2. Add the Glenmorangie whisky and egg white
3. Shake vigorously
4. Add ice and shake again
5. Put some ice in a glass then strain the mix

Glassware: Lowball Glass

Garnish: Cherry

Neat/On the Rocks Pairings

Last but not least, the all important neat options. Not everyone likes a cocktail (grandad, we’re looking at you) and if you’ve slaved away in the kitchen since 9am you’ll likely want something short and to the point. Here’s a few suggestions for something simple and delicious with an all-important festive pairing.

Glenmorangie Signet & Dark Chocolate Truffles

The contrast of melting rich sweetness with an explosive crackle of sizzling spices and bitter mocha is dark and delicious; a velvet explosion. Poured over ice, the bitter-sweet flavour is enriched with nuts, raisins and warm ginger and works a treat with a few dark chocolate truffles on the side.

Buy Glenmorangie Signet now

Hennessy XO & Dessert

Masculine and generous, Hennessy XO is a true blend for connoisseurs seeking quality and character, offering a complex palette of flavours. Powerful, harmonious, elegant with rich and spicy aromas of dried fruits, dark chocolate, oak and black pepper. Dynamic with food but for us it’s the perfect dessert companion.

Buy Hennessy XO now

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A paid partnership with Clos19 – the world’s leading e-retailer, and only official online platform, for all LVMH and Moët Hennessy luxury Champagne, wines and spirits. A fine place to source all of your Christmas drinks, and luxury gifts.