The Shropshire Distillery have launched not one but two festive tipples in time for Christmas. The first is a classic gin with a Christmassy twist from clementine, cranberry and cassia, while the second is distilled with nutmeg, cloves, clementine, Frankincense and Myrrh! Terry's Chocolate Oranges have become a Christmas essential and for decades, up until 2005, they were produced in the city of York. In homage to this and York's long chocolate-making history, York Gin have created this full-strength gin in time for Christmas with fresh oranges and cocoa nibs. Sugar – Different sugars have different flavours, so take this into account. Because the dried fruit already adds lots of sweetness, you should not be tempted to over do it. Soft dark brown or muscavado sugar adds notes of treacle and caramel, while a lighter sugar would pair well with lighter fruits.

When creating this year’s Christmas drink, they took inspiration from the old tradition of placing half a sixpence into a pudding mix, the whole family would stir the pot at least once and whoever found the sixpence in their serving on Christmas Day would enjoy wealth and prosperity for the year ahead. The Sparkling Wine Spices – Add more, or less to taste. Remember that not all brands are the same, and that fresher jars of spice will have far more flavour than older ones. Because of this, err on the side of caution. It is best to add less and then if you feel it needs a little more, adjust and leave to infuse for a bit longer. The stunning spherical bottle was custom made and comes dressed as a Christmas pudding holly sprig and all. The spirit within is as dazzling as the bottle itself. Gently shake this rich gin liqueur to awaken its golden shimmer and festive spices. Pour a little and discover flavours of vine fruits cinnamon candied orange vanilla ginger nutty marzipan and sweet juniper. It’s enough to put a rosy glow into the cheeks. Sip Snow Globe Gin’s Sixpence Pud neat alongside Christmas pudding or a mince pie. Alternatively serve it as an aperitif mixed with Prosecco as a digestif over ice or use it to charge the hip flask for a walk on Boxing Day. Spices – I’ve added a mix of cinnamon, mixed spices, cloves and all spice. You can choose your own, and any warming spices would be delicious. I don’t like too much spice, and don’t want to mask the fruit. If heavy spice is your thing, then go wild. If you are experimenting with the recipe write down what you did, it is really annoying to make the perfect infusion and not remember the recipe!Use a reasonable gin, but not something really fancy. A mid range supermarket own brand dry London gin is perfect here. It would be remiss of us not to mention the most popular Christmas spirits of recent years - the Gin Liqueur Snow Globe, typically 16% - 20% ABV and flavoured with Christmassy spiced orange and cranberry. While the contents may not be for traditionalists and craft gin lovers, they don't taste half bad and they're a really lovely festive decoration and gift. Instead of waiting weeks for your sloe gin recipe to mature, and measuring out spices and mulling syrup, you’ll find all the rich flavours of mulled sloe gin bottled inside this spiced liqueur. Set to become another cult yuletide spirit this Christmas Pudding Gin Liqueur deserves pride of place amidst the festivities. It’s the star of the drinks cabinet and a showstopping centrepiece for the holiday season guaranteed to make it a very merry Christmas. You can also add more or less sugar based on how sweet and syrupy you want your gin liqueur to come out - the more sugar you add, the more treacly your liqueur will become (all the better for drinking neat or over ice!).

The LIVE virtual tastings are carried out in the last week of the month. Please keep an eye on our socials for confirmed dates! While you don’t have to filter your Christmas gin, I think the results are well worth it. The easiest way is to use a sieve lined with kitchen paper. If you plan to make lots of liqueurs, then it is worth investing in an inexpensive filter coffee cone and filters.It makes sense that a festive spirit will help get you into the, ahem, festive spirit, so of course we're getting excited about Christmas gins. These seasonal offerings infuse a gin base with all manner of festive flavours, from candy canes, mulled wine, Christmas pudding, and cranberries to clementines, frankincense, myrrh, and even Brussels sprouts — yes, really. That takes the trend for unusual gins to next-level greatness. Winter is made for infusions, concentrating and capturing flavours to last through the colder months. This one is like Christmas pudding in a glass.