In a packed party season, the ‘burgundy, champagne, port’ running order can become a little too familiar. It’s time to go off-piste with your drinks selection, says Imbibe editor Chris Losh
Tradition is what makes Christmas Christmas. To some extent, the same goes for the office party. From inappropriate snogging to bad dancing – perhaps taking in some X-rated photocopying action – it’s all a suitably respectful way of celebrating JC’s nativity some 2,000 years ago. Isn’t it?
But tradition doesn’t have to dictate your drinks offering: the world of booze is constantly changing and, by reflecting that in what you serve, you’ll make friends with those who sigh at the prospect of another mid-market red with their turkey.
ON ARRIVAL
Vermouth
The traditional stamping ground of cheap sparkling wine or the anaemic G&T, the first drink of the day is a brilliant occasion to tap into the vermouth trend that has been building all year and is now officially A Thing.
My favourite comes from an eccentric South African winemaker called Adi Badenhorst, who flavours his Caperitif with herbs and grasses from his farm in the Swartland. Mix it with ice and tonic in a long glass: exotic, flavourful and utterly moreish.
Caperitif, £14, swig.co.uk
WITH THE FOOD
An unusual wine
Finding real value for money in wine comes from poking around in the less usual areas and keeping an open mind – a bit like passing over TGI Friday’s in favour of a basement bar. For genuinely beautiful whites, Greece should be right at the top of your list. For reds, Austria and Portugal are where it’s at.
Papagiannakos Kalogeri Malagouzia 2015, Attika, Greece, £8.40, boutinot.com
Zero-G Zweigelt 2013, Wagram, Austria, £7.93, berkmann.co.uk
WITH THE SPEECHES
English fizz – or prosecco
You still need something to wash away the pain of those tedious ‘didn’t we do well’ monologues. But it doesn’t need to be champagne. English fizz is looking better value than ever post-Brexit (since it’s not imported). If you want to go safe, I’d suggest an upmarket prosecco.
Bluebell Vineyard Blanc de Blancs 2010, Hindleap, Sussex, £18.55, ellisofrichmond.co.uk
Bisol Jeio Valdobbiadene Prosecco Brut NV, £10.84, bibendum-wine.co.uk
PUDS / CHEESE
Smoked porter
Craft beer has been probably the big story of the last five years in the UK, and the Beavertown Brewery, set up by Logan Plant (Robert Plant’s son), is one to keep an eye on. Its Smog Rocket is a fabulously addictive smoked porter that’ll be great with Christmas pud and most cheeses.
Smog Rocket, £2.40 (inc. VAT), beermerchants.com
AFTER DINNER
Aged rum
Forget cognac – a good one costs too much. An aged rum will be better value for money – and it’s easily mixed with ginger beer and lime (perhaps in big party jugs) to make a crowd-pleasing dark ’n’ stormy cocktail too.
El Dorado 8 year old, £23.62, enotriacoe.com
* All prices ex-VAT unless stated
This article was first published in Squaremeal Christmas 2016