5 Alcohol Trends To Set Your Christmas Scene
The big day is still a few weeks away but our minds have already begun to light up with thoughts of mince pies, Christmas shopping trips and, yes, which tipples will fill our cupboards this season.
Apart from the Christmas staples like mulled wine and cider, what unexpected flavours are set to shake up our 2020 Christmas festivities? Covid-19 has made us pickier than ever before when it comes to alcohol and these changing preferences will certainly have a festive impact.
My name is Alex Harris and I’m the owner of London bar Behind This Wall. Alongside my business partner, Spiros Malandrakis, the head of Alcoholic Drinks and Cannabis Research at Euromonitor International, I make delicious cocktails on a daily basis, while creating unique hard seltzer drinks.
With our combined experience and Spiros’ understanding of industry developments, we are well positioned to advise on the alcohol trends that are quickly gaining popularity, taking over this year’s Christmas celebrations.
To help you prepare for the holidays, we’re outlining the alcohol trends that’ll be filling your glass on Christmas Day…
1. CBD
At Behind This Wall our prize Christmas offering is a CBD-infused hard seltzer (amply named the Fo’ Swizzle). This comes as no surprise, CBD is a trend that’s soared in popularity over recent months and it’s not set to slow down any time soon. Get ready to enjoy a CBD Christmas!
Fortunately, the number of CBD products now available on the market is helping to destigmatise cannabinoids, making these drinks a perfect choice for experimentalists and home bar tenders. When used correctly, CBD helps to negate the undesirable effects of excessive festive drinking – namely horrible hangovers – by helping your beleaguered liver better metabolize the booze. Don’t overdo it though – both CBD and alcohol are sedatives, so striking the right balance is key.
2. Seasonal rum cocktails
Cocktails are a great choice all year round and Christmas is certainly no exception. Having said that, there are a number of specific cocktails that are likely to capture your imaginations this year. More specifically, seasonal rum punches; their warmth and vibrancy is perfect for a cold winter’s day. Plus, they’re delicious!
If you’re not a rum fan, why not give Eggnog a go? We’re becoming increasingly adventurous with our alcohol choices and this US staple is finally making its way to the UK.
Pic: Hungry Communications
Try this Espresso Beer-tini with a shot of spiced rum, created by drink writer Jonathan Hatchman…
Ingredients:
- Mikkeller Bean Geeks Session Porter
- 35ml spiced rum
- 15ml Conker Coffee Liqueur
- 2 tsp sugar syrup or vanilla syrup
- Coffee beans, to garnish
To Make:
- Add the rum, coffee liqueur and syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for approx. 30 seconds and strain into a mixing glass.
- Add approx 100ml of the beer and mix with a bar spoon (this will create a nice foam, which will both look great and add texture).
- Slowly pour into a chilled martini or coupe glass and garnish with coffee beans.
3. Gin, gin and… maybe no gin?
Gin has had a long stint in the limelight, so much so that its popularity is set to drop sometime soon. Our increased awareness of good tequilas and mezcals is challenging gin’s presence as they provide a similar versatility.
Similarly, low ABV fortified wines have proven to be very popular over recent years, but I don’t think this will continue throughout 2020. After the year we’ve all had, let’s just say we’re going to want a stiff drink to get through the winter!
Here’s a spectacular gin martini recipe with damson jam and green chartreuse, and a gin/porter/bitters combo named Ironman.
4. Yes, hibiscus
There are iconic flavours and ingredients that fill our shopping baskets each Christmas. However a somewhat unexpected flavour is likely to spark your interest this season… hibiscus!
You can get dried hibiscus flowers almost anywhere and they’re simple to infuse into clear spirits, leaving them a deep shade of crimson. The flower also has so much to offer in flavour; it’s a little tart, acidic and has a wonderful floral note. It can completely transform your home bar.
Meanwhile, maraschino cherries are something you can’t afford to miss. More specifically, look out for Jack Rudy Bourbon infused cherries, they aren’t marzipan sweet but they make for a great garnish. They’re delicious to eat at the end of your cocktail!
This indulgent rum and cream concoction (with cherries) from independent, female-owned British rum brand Diablesse is aptly named Define ‘Naughty’…
Ingredients:
- 40ml Diablesse Caribbean Rum
- 20ml Montenegro Amaro
- 20ml Mulled Syrup
- 60ml Double Cream
To Make:
Shake with ice & strain over ice. Garnish with dark cherries and cherry syrup.
5. Brandy’s back… and it’s wearing a Christmas hat
There are clearly lots of new festive favourites filling our alcohol cupboards this winter, but that doesn’t mean that the things we know and love aren’t welcome. After a tumultuous year, many of us will try to make this Christmas as traditional as possible. We’re likely to be sitting at home with a lot of time on our hands throughout December, leaving us digging through old recipe books and browsing the internet, thinking of comforting ways to enjoy a cosy Christmas.
As a result, we expect that brandy – a staple for many – will be a surprising Christmas trend. We’re familiar with it, we love it, so why not? Whisky aficionados have been side-stepping into brandy for a few years now so this could be the Christmas that crowns its name in the festive domain!
Find more information about Behind This Wall and their unique hard seltzer drinks
