1 | Chapel Down Three Graces 2010
When the clock strikes at midnight, a glass of fizz is a must. And whilst there will always be a place for Champagne, it's English sparkling wine that everyone is going for now. It's a real thing – the climate in the south eastern corner of the country where these vineyards are popping up is the same now as it was in Champagne 20 years ago. You see: science. Our pick of the bunch is Chapel Down, a beautiful vineyard in Tenterden that just goes from strength to strength. The award-winning Three Graces contains the three classic grape varietals for a sparkler (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) and has a refined, delicate flavour that leaves a nice, fresh taste in your mouth.
£26.00; chapeldown.com
2 | Boodles Royale
Did you hear about the sloe berry shortage that our shitty summer caused? Just as well the likes of Boodles have come up with riffs on sloe gin, just in case we truly have to go without. Their Mulberry Gin (which also contains a few raspberries) has that dark, slight sweetness you might expect, which goes brilliantly with Boodles' existing botanicals of rosemary, nutmeg and sage – this is a winter gin if ever there was one. For party time, mix one part gin to three parts sparkling wine (Chapel Down, for instance, since we'll have that in anyway). Garnish with a twist of lemon and serve in a champagne flute.
From £21; marksandspencer.com
3 | Whisky Mac
Sometimes the thought of too much sugar and fizz is a bit too much, and a tumbler full of amber liquid to warm the cockles is all you can think about. So pep up your whisky with a dose of Stone's Ginger Wine to make the winter classic, the Whisky Mac. We recommend Glenfiddich 12-year old – simple, clean but strong enough on the palate to hold the extra spice of the ginger. Use a rough ratio of one part ginger wine to three parts whisky, and serve in a cut glass tumbler over a bit of ice (but not too much, mind). You'll be the one with a smug smile on your face.
4 | 1800 Bloody Maria
If you're serving a cocktail, it often pays to tip towards the punchier side and make it really worth your while. So consider starting your evening with a round of Bloody Marias – the party time take on a Bloody Mary boasting tequila instead of plain old vodka. The 1800 Silver version also uses tomato juice, lemon juice, a sprinkle of celery salt and black pepper, and dashes of Worcestershire Sauce, port and Cholula Hot Sauce. Start the evening with a bang.
5 | Savour Beer Brut
Savour Beer offers you the ideal compromise – a beer made using the champagne method, offering you a hint of sparkle with the taste of ale. The Belgian-style golden ale is created in small batches, and left to ferment for six weeks before going into the bottles, where it is aged for 100 days, riddled and disgorged before the cork goes in. It's dark in colour, 10.5% ABV and darned tasty.
£18; savourbeer.com
