Ultimate Christmas Food & Drink Guide

This Christmas it’s time to go all out! We’ve created the ultimate food and drink guide to help you enjoy a luxurious Christmas. Say hello to outrageously lavish gin from the Cambridge Distillery, Filled Chocolates from Russell & Atwell, high-end Prosecco from Pale Fox and many, many more! Sit back, relax and let us talk you through the ultimate Christmas Day! 

The Food

Russell & Atwell Filled Chocolates

Looking for show-stopping chocolates? Russell & Atwell have created an absolutely stunning range of fresh, filled chocolates, ideal for those after dinner coffees or just indulging this Christmas! The aim of this slick brand is to make restaurant quality, fresh chilled chocolates, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. And wow, have they achieved that!  Made with delicious, high quality and sustainable ingredients that you can find in the kitchen – like fresh organic British cream, butter and wildflower honey creators Steve and Giles have created something very special here.  With flavours from Scrumptious Salted Caramel Centred Chocolates to the new Cracking Creamy Hazelnut Chocolates, there is a flavour for everyone. Bursting with fresh flavour, delicately balanced and crafted with the upmost skill, we are big fans! 

We’d recommend something from their gifting range, whether it be letterbox friendly Triple Pouch Packs (from £20), for those who love variety; Triple Glass Jar Gift Sets (from £40); and the motherload, The Big Kahuna Gifting Box (from £80 – perfect for large family gatherings around the tree). Buy yours here. 

Forman & Field Smoked Salmon (£54.95)

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without an indulgent helping of sumptuous smoked salmon. Forman & Field is part of the Forman family of companies spearheaded by H. Forman & Son, the world-renowned smoked salmon business that dates back to 1905. In fact, this is one of their most populars sellers year after year. Say hello to a stunning 900g pack of the top grade smoked salmon. Each side is hand carved by their experts so is ready to serve, and it comes in a wonderful presentation pack. Available here.

Donald Russell Carvery Rib Roast Feast (£130)

A Christmas dinner selection expertly prepared for you by one of the UK’s best butchers. They even hold a Royal Warrant and are renowned for the quality of their hand cut steaks and roasts. This has resulted in some of their produce appearing in some of the most prestigious hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide. What could be more luxurious this Christmas?

This grass-fed, traditionally reared beef rib roast, aged for up to 28 days and complemented by seasonal vegetables, generous trimmings and traditional gravy.  Hand-selected by their expert Chef and accompanied by all the trimmings you could wish for! Order today.

Joe & Seph’s Luxury Popcorn 

A little flavour of the North Pole has arrived courtesy of Joe & Seph’s gourmet popcorn! This family founded brand offer beautiful, handmade popcorn and caramel sauces. This festive season sees their elves pack selection boxes chockfull of festive favourites including Salted Caramel, Toffee Apple & Cinnamon and Prosecco Popcorn. 

Plus, since they launched in 2020, they also have a vegan friendly range, including Vegan Salted Caramel and Vegan Coconut & Cacao Festive Mini Gift Boxes, which are perfect as stocking fillers, and even double as delicious edible baubles. Absolutely gorgeous and full of rich, deep and satisfying flavours! 

Kicking off in style

Pale Fox Gift Wrapped Coupe Pack (£59.50)

Let’s set the scene. “In a forgotten corner of northern Italy, where the Venetian coastal plain rises to form the first foothills of the Alps, lies the Valle delle Volpi or Valley of the Foxes.  Located in the exclusive superiore DOCG region of Asolo-Montello, where sumptuously pale grapes produce exceptionally delicate sparkling wines and, according to legend, where foxes gather to play in the pale moonlight among the vines since time immemorial.

It is here on a late summer’s afternoon in 2018 two English wine enthusiasts tasted for the first time what surely had to be the ultimate sparkling wine: all the floral notes and lightness of a great Prosecco with the minerality, structure and complexity of a fine champagne.  They were inspired to bring this wine to the world and named it Pale Fox in honour of its birth place. 

Introducing, Pale Fox and, just in time for Christmas, their lavish and elegant Pale Fox Gift Wrapped Coupe Pack.

Complete with two signature gold-rimmed Coupes, a bottle of Pale Fox Prosecco and wrapped to perfection within a memorable gift box – this is a fizz oozing class. 

So why is it different? Pale Fox Prosecco is produced from the juice of the sumptuous Glera grapes that grow in The Valley of the Foxes in Asolo.  One of only two superior DOCG certified prosecco regions in the whole of Italy. Upon tasting you can be ensured that craft is at the heart of each drop, thanks due to the quality of grape and also to the process of longer fermentation. This fermentation is longer than your usual Prosecco, so as to ensure a developed complexity and delicate, yet persistent, bubbles. James Suckling, one of the world’s leading wine critics, has given this a score of 93/100, the highest of any Prosecco in the world. We have to agree, this is one of the best examples of super high-quality Prosecco and a pleasant reminder that premium fizz doesn’t just have to read “Champagne”. Plus, it’s vegan friendly, low sulphite, low sugar and produced using 100% renewable energy sources. They’ve really thought of everything!

Get your Coupe set here.

Festive drinks cabinet

Anty Gin, 42% ABV (RRP £220 for 70cl)

A world-first and a gin experience you are guaranteed not to have had before! Anty Gin, created in partnership between Cambridge Distillery and the Nordic Food lab, is the world’s first insect-based gin. For £220 for 70cl all of this innovation and experimentation comes at a cost, but is it worth it? We’ll get to that! 

The unique process begins with the red wood ant. This particular ant is apparently a rich source of formic acid which has a surprisingly tangy, citrus taste that perfectly complements wild botanicals including wood avens, nettle and alexanders seeds. You may have even seen ants being used in new, experimental recipes – we have! In this case, the essence of 62 red wood ants individually distilled with these botanicals results in a ground-breaking gin brimming with sweet woody spice and tingly lemongrass.

A spectacular use of alternative ingredients and a great talking point around the fire this Christmas make this a must consider. Plus, throw in the citrus driven flavour, with a nice acidity and balance to boot, it’s a winner for us. Feeling curious, get yours here. A must-try! 

Available online at cambridgedistillery.co.uk 

Moorehouse Cocktail £29 for 3 x 100ml serves)

Bring beautiful, cocktail bar worthy drinks into the home this Christmas with Moore House. Whether you’re looking for a perfectly balanced tangy-fresh Margarita or bittersweet, complex Negroni, handcrafted by ready-to-drink cocktail specialist Moore House Cocktail Company is surely the next best thing to being out!

The Moore House range of small batch bottled cocktails features six timeless classics alongside seasonal Limited Editions. Each is available in three sizes, perfect for sampling, sharing and hosting (100ml, 200ml and 500ml); ready to shake or stir with ice.  Christmas gift givers can buy standalone bottles in ready-to-gift packaging or Build-a-Box of three for a beautifully presented tasting flight; cocktail shakers included! (£29 / 3 x 100ml or £48 / 3 x 200ml, includes free shaker). 

For a personal touch, the new Personalised Tubes, made for 200ml cocktails, can be customised with extra special messages. Featuring striking red/gold accents and a compact design, they’re the perfect addition to this year’s Christmas stockings (£19.00- 20.50 incl. one 200ml cocktail in a Personalised Tube).

No need to be a mixologist here, simply follow the simple step-by-step serving advice and garnish with the included elements for a cocktail experience worthy of any high-class establishment. Give them a go, you won’t be disappointed. Get yours here.

G.H.Q. London Dry Gin & Vodka (£38 each or £76 double pack)

Sometimes you can pack more than just great flavours into your tipples, on occasions, you can also enjoy a healthy dose of history and backstory, which gives an extra dimension to the experience. G.H.Q have certainly achieved that here. 

G.H.Q. Spirits is truly a brand for our times that was created by former London events specialist James McNeill during the 2020 lockdowns. McNeill had long been captivated by the grit, intrigue and glamour of his grandparents during wartime, and was keen to blend these elements into his brand.  In fact, James’s  grandmother was a dispatch rider couriering sensitive codes and secrets across the Scottish countryside, whilst his grandfather worked night shifts as an engineer in Glasgow. In spite of their varied work patterns, together they had 11 children and celebrated the joy of everyday life. 

Very much born out of tear-jerking moments like clap for carers and Captain Tom’s charity walks, there is a stiff upper lip story to these spirits, a sense of pride and determination. Born out of adversity, and difficult times, come two drinks with a lot of class and depth. 

 Gift givers who are suitably intrigued by the G.H.Q. range will find two prize-winning spirits, a London Dry Gin and a Vodka, each made in a secret location in the Cairngorms in Scotland using water from an ancient spring. The duo has recently been accoladed at The London Spirits Competition with a Gold award for its vodka and a Silver for its London Dry Gin, as well as two bronze awards for each spirit in the International Wine and Spirit competition 2021

With G.H.Q.’s London Dry Gin, expect juniper underpinned by fresh kaffir lime leaf, lemongrass and black pepper. Soft and gentle to finish, there is an inherent and indulgent creaminess.  It’s ideally served as 50ml of gin with 150ml of quality tonic water and a wedge of lime.

Gin not your thing? Vodka aficionados will love discovering the refreshing cooling sensation and comforting warmth of G.H.Q.’s Vodka, which is made in a characterful modern style with Royal Deeside honey and hazelnuts. It has a bold nose, a creamy, buttery palate, and some minerality and herbal elements on the finish, and is best served ice-cold if drunk as a shot, or enjoyed with 50ml of vodka, 150ml of Indian or Mediterranean-style tonics tonic water and a wedge of lime. It also sits brilliantly in a Dry Martini with an olive. 

Treat yourself or someone else to an individual gift packed bottles (£38/70cl) or a double gift pack (£76). Stockists include independent businesses, including hotels, across Scotland. Further information can be found at www.ghqspirits.com.

O’NDINA GIN 

A wonderful, Italian inspired gin with a selection of stunning, fresh and refreshing botanicals. 

O’ndina is inspired by the “glamour and carefree spirit” of the Italian Riviera in the 1960s. Taking elements of 1960s style and aesthetic, the pendant style bottle hints and this gin’s inner character. This gin is distilled in small batches and the 19 botanicals include a very southern Italian feel. Particularly, the fresh basil from Liguria and citrus elements scream of the nation from which it is born. 

Find out more at Amazon, The Whisky Exchange

SEVEN HILLS GIN

Another Italian gin, VII Hills is an Italian Dry Gin made near idyllic Torino. Taking influence from ancient Rome, the botanicals include rosehip, celery and pomegranate. A wonderful balance of sweetness and floral tones give this gin a Spring or Summer feel. However, where this is perfect for Christmas, is when this gin is combined with a range of ingredients to form a stunning negroni. In fact, we’ve been told this gin has has been designed to make the perfect Italian Negroni and this is probably why it favoured so well in our taste test!

Grab yours here:Amazon, Ocado, Master of Malt

Something for sipping late into the evening

THE GLEN GRANT 15-YEAR-OLD (£60)

A Speyside single malt with lots of character, flavour and an array of delicate flavours hiding within a very balanced offering. Dancing between sweet and spice, this single Malt, the first edition of its 15 Year Old Batch Strength whisky offers floral aromas of orange, apple, honeydew melon, caramel, oak and heather that fill the nose. Absolutely ideal for the festive season, notes of vanilla and spices combine with an apple and cinnamon finish for that full seasonal feel.

Find out more here:The Whisky Exchange

WILD TURKEY LONGBRANCH (£40)

A full-bodied and balanced bourbon, at once fresh, sweet and smoky, with a rich and rounded mouthfeel, Longbranch is a collaborative effort between Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell and the brand’s Creative Director – award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey.

Longbranch has been refined using charcoal from both Kentucky white oak and Texan mesquite in a nod to both mens’ home states, and the bottle bears the signatures of both Russell and McConaughey in a nod to the spirit in which this bourbon was made – that of friendship and partnership.

Available here: The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, Amazon, Tesco

Fizz and Wine on tap!

Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée MV XB (£45)

A true classic and one of our favourites!  

Maison Bruno Paillard has a huge vineyard and an eclectic covering of idyllic terroir. According to the brand “for Bruno Paillard, the secret to preserving this style is in the Reserve Wines which make up 25%-50% of the blend. These Reserve Wines are the blended wines from the previous year which also include a proportion of Reserve Wines, going all the way back to 1985. It is this method, similar to the Solera system, which achieves both quality and consistency, and is extremely rare in Champagne for a non-vintage style.” One of the most vibrant and wonderful offerings to lift any festive occasion or celebration! 

Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée MV XB is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Only the best grapes from the best crus are selected, and from these grapes, only the première cuvée is used. The ageing process is particularly important at Champagne Bruno Paillard; it is three to four times longer than the legal requirement. Stylistically, Bruno Paillard is renowned for Champagnes which are pure, mineral and elegant.

Champagne Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée MV XB is available in Spirited Wines, Selfridges and leading London restaurants. RRSP: £45.00

Black Chalk Classic (£35)

A multi-award winner, Black Chalk’s Classic sparkling wine picked up gold at both the International Wine and Spirit Competition and WineGB Awards last year. Quite a set of accolades which should neatly sign-post you and us to what is a wonderful example of small batch, traditional English sparkling wine. This lively sparkling wine is  created in the South of England, using the three classic varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The use of oak barrels and time on lees provide this wine with depth and complexity. The result is a fruit driven, perfectly balanced, crisp and memorable English sparkling wine.

Looking for a last minute gift? Why not consider one of their Vineyard Tour and Tasting with lunch (£32). Set on the Black Chalk Estate on the banks of the River Test, there can’t be many better locations to sample a lavish lunch and local, beautiful wines.

Buy a bottle here or purchase a vineyard tour here.

Domaine Bousquet Malbec

A beautiful, organic Malbec, Domaine Bousquet has been created using selected organic grapes are sourced mainly from vineyards in Tupungato at an altitude of 1200 meters (4000 feet) above sea level, one of the highest points in Mendoza. 100% Malbec given limited time in American and French oak during the fermentation, then aged for four months in the bottle prior to release. Packed with effusive notes of blackberry, damson and cassis overlain with a subtle hint of spice. An aromatic note of floral violet adds to its heady charm. Gloriously ripe with with a lively freshness and vigour. Excellent structure and persistence. Brilliant with steak and strong cheese.

Bursting with freshness, deep fruit flavours and ideal for combining with a range of Christmas fare this festive season.

After dinner 

Perky Blenders Winter Blend

A favourite of ours last year, Perky Blenders have released another super festive, Winter blend! This year’s festive blend is centred around rich and inviting Christmas cake flavours. Expect notes of fermented fruits and sweet chocolate, you should even pick up some boozy, brandy notes from the naturally processed beans – a perfect accompaniment to this years Christmas table.

This coffee sells out each year – so avoid the winter heartbreak and buy now to ensure you don’t miss out! Grab it here.

Grand Marnier’s Cuvée du Centenaire Liqueur (£115)

Grand Marnier’s ultra-rare Cuvée du Centenaire Liqueur was launched in 1927 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of La Maison Marnier Lapostolle. It’s an elegant blend of 82% Cognac – the majority coming from the highly prized Fine Champagne region and aged for around the same length of time as top XO Cognacs – and 18% orange liqueur. These two components are matured in oak for at least two years to come together in perfect harmony. First served in Villa Les Cèdres on the Côte d’Azur, now one of the most expensive houses on the planet, this intense, luscious and complex spirit deserves to be sipped neat and lightly chilled in only the most luxurious establishments.

Changing the bottle shape to one inspired by the silhouette of the traditional Cognac stills, Louis-Alexandre’s invention became the belle of La Belle Époque and is still loved to this very day.

A superbly luxurious addition to any festive drinks cabinet this year (and for years to come). Get yours here. 

Sixpence Pud Gin Liqueur (£24.95)

The luxurious Sixpence Pud® is the must-have drink this festive season. A rich Christmas liqueur with a golden shimmer, boasting notes of apple, Christmas spices, candied fruit, vanilla and caramel.

Beautifully presented in a deluxe gift box with gold foiling. Drink it over ice or pour a splash into your favourite bubbles for a sparkling Christmas you and your guests won’t forget. 

Glittery, shimmery tipple marries dried fruit, vanilla, and warming cinnamon notes – just the ticket for pairing with your Christmas desserts. Purchase yours here. 

Signature Brew Pub In a Box 

This year Signature Brew are bringing the pub to you! Introducing Signature Brew’s award-winning Pub In A Box, featuring a selection of our finest craft beers, with glassware, snacks, the world’s greatest music quiz and exclusive playlists curated by music journalists and tailored to each beer. Pub In A Box is available throughout the UK and is delivered in just 1-2 days. Buy yours here.