High spirits: Arbikie Highland Estate is a family-owned working farm perched on the east coast of Angus. The family decided they had everything they needed to create a working distillery, so back in 2014 they did just that, producing Arbikie vodka from potatoes – Maris Pipers and King Edwards to be exact – on their farm just outside Arbroath. Alongside a range of gins, their vodkas span an array of flavours which are perfect for the more adventurous at the party. For the spice-lovers, there’s the smoky chilli flavoured version, which uses Chipotle chillis from Scotland’s first chilli farm. Or if you want to play it safe then go for the limited edition strawberry flavour, which has its own unique vintage, because no two crops of strawberries are ever the same. The fresh strawberries change subtly in flavour each year depending on the season's mix of soft Scottish summer sun and capricious east coast weather. Both of these can be picked up for around £40.
After-dinner smoothies: For me whisky should always be an essential purchase over the Christmas period. There is always a friend or family member that loves their Scotch. For something a bit different this year I would recommend trying The Naked Grouse. This is not a single malt or a blended Scotch, it’s a relatively new category which comes under blended malt, meaning that it has no grain in it, it’s just purely single malt whisky from different Scottish distilleries. The reason I would have this in my drinks cabinet over Christmas is that it’s a very approachable whisky. While single malts can sometimes be too powerful in flavour for some folk, this whisky has been predominately aged in Oloroso Sherry casks, giving it a lovely fruity flavour. It also mixes very well for people who don’t like it straight. Get your guests to try it with cherry coke and I promise you they won't be disappointed. Priced around £25.
Lazy cocktails: If you just can't be bothered getting that dusty cocktail shaker out of the cupboard then you should check out Milk Money. This bottled cocktail producer is based at Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. They have combined years of cocktail experience to create a range of innovative bottled drinks to enjoy at home. You can even get in touch with them to create your own bespoke range for your guests. I would go for Milk Money Drinks Triple Cocktail Gift Set for £19.50: it which contains three delicious cocktails which can be enjoyed over ice at home. www.milkmoneydrinks.co.uk
TT time: There is always a designated driver or someone who just doesn’t want to drink at your Christmas parties. They are often an afterthought and can usually be spotted with a glass of concentrated orange juice straight from the carton. If you want to offer something unique to your teetotallers then you should add Seedlip to your shopping list. Seedlip is the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit – yes, you read that right. Its creator Ben Branson was fed up of boring non-alcoholic drinks, so decided to combine six botanicals (just like a gin) to make Seedlip: allspice, grapefruit, lemon peel, cardamom, American oak and cascarilla bark. Once you get your head round it you will find a fresh, warming drink that’s perfect with some tonic water. Priced around £23.
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