What is it about the festive season that can make even the most prohibitionist abstainer an enthusiastic imbiber? We think it may be the sheer number of occasions when it’s deemed appropriate, nay, necessary to drink. It seems that each activity requires an accompanying tipple; champagne upon waking on Christmas morning, a sharpener whilst wrapping gifts (or talking with that co-worker at the Christmas party), a cocktail whilst roasting potatoes. For some, it could be the threat of hordes of relatives descending, the logistics of cooking for 20 or the fact despite best intentions, the Christmas shopping is nowhere near started, let alone wrapped and under the tree.
For us though, it's the simple fact that at Christmas, it feels good to drop the routines involving green juice and the early alarm to embrace that mix of nostalgia, sentimentality and just a little bit of overindulgence with friends and family.
We have put together our three favourite Christmas tipples. Oh, and we don’t food match, but we do loungewear match. Yep, we do.
Elves’ Egg Nog
Christmas in a drink. At no other time of year would you catch us drinking what is essentially boozy, sugary cream but this staple is a Christmas Eve charm. Those gifts will practically wrap themselves. Put on the Christmas album (contact us for a list of recommendations so embarrassing we were reluctant to post them here) and drink in the Christmas. *Best paired with our Luna Shirt and Eos Trousers.
Eos Trousers
Luna Shirt
6 eggs, separated
150g caster sugar
250ml spiced rum
250ml madeira or sweet cream sherry
500ml single cream
400ml milk (full cream, of course)
freshly grated nutmeg
Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then slowly add a third of the sugar, whisking constantly until glossy. In a large serving bowl, beat the egg yolks with a third of the sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Slowly add the rum and madeira or sherry, whisking well. In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the cream with the remaining sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mix, then fold in the cream. Slowly stir in the milk then chill for 4 hours. Serve each glass dusted with some freshly grated nutmeg. Enough for 10.
Gingerbread Fizz
The perfect accompaniment to present opening, this little concoction will kick off your day’s festivities nicely. It'll give your cheeks a rosy, Christmassy glow and really, sparkling wine first thing in the morning should happen more often in our opinion. You’ll need to pre-prepare the syrup but it’s a doddle. *When paired with the Aurora nightdress, this is what Christmas morning dreams are made of.
Aurora Nightdress
50g crystallised ginger
60ml whisky
40ml ginger wine
A glass (or two…) of chilled, dry sparkling wine per person
Roughly chop the crystallised ginger and steep in the mixture of whisky and ginger wine for at least a week. On Christmas morning, pop two chunks of ginger into a tumbler (if you’re ever going to use those cut crystal tumblers, it’s now) and cover with a little of gingery steeping liquid. Top up each glass with the cold sparkling wine.
Mistletoe Martini
This is one for later in the day because collapsing in front of some Christmas TV following lunch need not be absent of glamour. This tipple’s beautiful pink colour is as festive as it gets. *Should really be consumed whilst wearing the Endymion robe or at least something that will allow you to "sweep" into a room, martini glass aloft.
Endymion Robe
2 tbspn pomegranate seeds
15ml sugar syrup
ice cubes
45ml bison grass vodka
15ml aperol
10ml apple juice
6 pomegranate seeds
Muddle the pomegranate seeds with the sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add a scoop of ice, then the vodka, aperol and apple juice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Bottoms up!