New Year’s Eve Luxury Drinks Guide

New Year’s Eve is nearly upon us! That means it’s time to grab a drink and get the celebrations underway. We have picked some of the best gin, Rum, fizz and more for the special occasion!

City of London Christopher Wren Gin

The award-winning City of London Christopher Wren Gin is a premium gin that combines the subtle flavours of juniper, coriander, angelica root, liquorice and sweet orange to give a complex gin that balances quality and flavour.  Available from Amazon, 70cl (£34)

Whitley Neill Quince Gin (£26)

A premium handcrafted dry gin inspired by the timeless flavours of Persia – the first gin of its kind in the UK.  The gin features a complementary blend of heady, exotic botanicals and real quince juice, and boasts a distinctive and alluring taste. Botanicals include juniper, lemon and orange peel, orris bark, angelica root and coriander seeds.  This gin has complex flavours and aromas, and a smooth, sweet flavour.  It has an ABV of 43% and is available in select bars and from Sainsburys, 70cl (£26).

Liverpool Valencian Orange Gin (£42.99)

A zesty premium organic gin, it is made with the same combination of distinctive botanicals as original Liverpool Gin, which has an intense juniper and complex well-balanced botanical flavour over a rich cereal note with a bright citrus finish – the refreshing Valencian Orange Liverpool Gin has the addition of the zesty citrus notes of oranges from Valencia.  Availabe from Master of Malt, 70cl (£42.99).

Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Black Spiced Rum (£22.99)

Small batch, bold and black, another tip of the hat to the rum the Sadler’s family would have offered customers in the 1920s, brought up to date with essences of orange, nutmeg, vanilla and raisin. A bold, warming Caribbean rum blended with spices and aged in ex-Pedro Ximenez casks for a distinctive finish. Available from Sadler’s Ales £22.95 (70cl), Amazon and other selected retailers.

Dead Man’s Fingers Coffee Rum (£20)

This coffee expression of Dead Man’s Fingers, from the Rum & Crab Shack in Cornwall, adds a beautiful shot of espresso flavour to the Caribbean rum with its mix of spices such as caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and orange.  A beautiful taste combination that will appeal to rum and coffee lovers alike.  Available from Amazon, 70cl, (£20).

2013 Bolney Wine Estate Cuvée Noir (£24.99)

Bolney’s story began in 1972 when owners and founders, Janet and Rodney Pratt planted three acres of vines to create what was then only the sixth commercial vineyard in England. Sam Linter, Rodney and Janet’s daughter, took over the reins in the mid-1990s. Under Sam’s leadership, Winemakers Liz Morgan and  Alex Rabagliati combine their knowledge and expertise to create award-winning wine.

Why not toast in New Year with this award winning wine from the estate? A unique vintage, traditional method quality sparkling wine. Aromas reminiscent of red stone fruits, especially red cherry, redcurrants and sweet blueberries. On the palate, a wonderful creamy richness and full bodied mousse, packed full of ripe summer fruits, with a hint of sweet spice on the finish.

Caorunn Premium Scottish Gin

Caorunn is a small batch, handcrafted premium gin distilled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands harnessing pure, natural Scottish water, and is infused with five locally foraged botanicals: dandelion, heather, Coul blush apple, bog myrtle and rowan berry working in harmony with six traditional gin botanicals.

In a bid to inspire cocktail creativity amongst gin lovers, Caorunn have partnered with drinks connoisseurs, Difford’s Guide, along with over 120 selected bartenders to create an exquisite guide and collection of cocktails. All of the drinks created for the Cocktail Collection show an empathy for Caorunn’s story of apple serve and Scottish craftsmanship, which sees its distinctive local botanicals, including Coul blush apple, heather, dandelion, bog myrtle and rowan berry act in harmony with traditional gin ingredients and flawless Scottish water. A taste which has helped the gin grow year-on-year to become one of the top five super premium gin brands within the UK* and is today celebrated by judicious drinkers. The Caorunn Cocktail Collection will be available to buy from shop.caorunngin.com and amazon.com for RRP £20.

Why not try an organic Wine this New Year’s Eve?

Organic wine, made from grapes that have been grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, is free from harmful pesticides and herbicides that deter weeds and insects. Working alongside nature rather than against it, organic farmers use cover crops to introduce beneficial insects, or use small livestock to graze on weeds to turn the farm into a self-regulated ecosystem, allowing the grapes to grow naturally.

Clare McDermott, Soil Association Certification business development director, said: “Choosing organic is a great way to give something back at Christmas as even making one organic swap makes a big difference to animals, wildlife and the planet – it’s about making small changes with a big impact. Organic is food as it should be, and always means fewer pesticides, no GM ingredients, no routine use of antibiotics, always free range and no artificial colours or preservatives.

 

“When it comes to wine, non-organic options contain higher levels of sulphites used to keep them fresher for longer, and sulphites have been closely linked with causing headaches after drinking, and often attributed as the cause of hangovers. By choosing organic wine you can enjoy a festive glass or two with confidence in what you are drinking, as well as giving your support to more sustainable food and farming systems. Certified organic products also have a fully traceable supply chain and are inspected at every stage of the process, meaning you really can know what’s in your food and drink and how it has been produced.”