I tested the best Christmas liqueurs – the winner cost less than £20 and comes with its own gift box
WHEN it comes to festive tipples this December, there’s a whole host of Christmas liqueurs on offer in supermarkets aimed squarely at the seasonal drinker.
Here expert Helena Nicklin rates this year’s once-a-year splurges out of five.
M&S Mince Pie liqueur, 70cl, £18 on offer, M&S/Ocado – 3/5
JUST in case you haven’t had your fill of mince pies yet, you can now enjoy all the flavours of this treat in booze form, too.
When it comes to spreading joy on the tipples front, M&S usually has it nailed, and this offering is particularly fun, as the bottle lights up when you touch it.
The liqueur has an authentic flavour, and you can taste the spice and aromatic fruit.
It’s subtle and sweet so glug it chilled, along with scoffing its tasty namesake.
A fun pressie or stocking filler.
Glayva Tangerine & Honeyspiced whisky liqueur, (50cl), £15 Clubcard or £20 Tesco – 4/5
I DID go rather Christmas Grinch and gave this dubiously named tipple an eye roll when I saw it.
After all, what exactly is honey-spiced whisky?
But on drinking it, I will happily admit I was wrong.
This takes the most delicious flavours of a good whisky and beefs it up to another level with orange and just enough sweetness.
It’s not sickly and has a lovely kick.
A sophisticated seasonal and very well-priced sip.
Perfect to drink on ice by the fire after dinner.
The Best mulled gin, 70cl, £16, Morrisons – 3/5
ON the nose, this gin-based tipple is an aromatic delight, with classic spiced notes of cinnamon, clove and juniper.
In the glass, however, it doesn’t quite live up to the promise.
When you sip this spirit, it jars a little and there is not much about it that is recognisably gin-like, so it will certainly be different with your tonic mixer.
Having said that, it’s an excellent cocktail ingredient and makes an epic Christmas Corpse Reviver cocktail.
A bit of a novelty but not bad at all.
The Distiller Rhubarb & Ginger flavoured gin liqueur, (50cl), £8.50, Asda – 2/5
SOME gin liqueurs get the balance just right and others, I’m afraid, get it all wrong.
As a huge fan of gin with rhubarb, I wanted to love this drink –especially given its price, but the flavours in this own-brand Asda tipple feel too fake, sweet and syrupy.
It’s not too bad mixed into a cocktail, but you need other things to balance it, so getting it just right might require other ingredients.
Not quite up to the Distiller’s normal decent standard.
M&S Clementine gin liqueur snow globe, (70cl), £18 on offer, M&S/Ocado – 5/5
WITH its snazzy gift box, this glittery clementine liqueur has had a fairy lights-style upgrade, which makes it the perfect bottle to take to a party or pop under the tree.
It tastes good, too.
Less overpowering than some citrus flavours can be, the festive drink has some seriously moreish, tangy flavours.
Definitely one for a cheeky post-dinner tipple with pals, and it’s fabulous in cocktails.
Gets extra points for being innovative and fun too.
Toasted Panettone & Saffron liqueur, 50cl, £35, Fortnum & Mason – 4/5
A FESTIVE treat from royal grocer Fortnum & Mason, this is a real splurge for a festive tipple, but worth it for a really special gift or a luxury treat for yourself.
Made by posh gin liqueur makers Reverend Hubert, a sip of this tastes smooth, rich and oh-so-moreish.
It’s like a boozy, lightly toasted slice of sweet panettone with melted butter, raisins and even subtle saffron.
Would get full marks if it wasn’t so expensive, but the taste does justify the steep price tag.
Christmas Snow Globe mince pie liqueur, 70cl, £12 on offer, Threshers – 2/5
WHILE drinks with edible glitter don’t scream “health conscious” they can be quite fun – especially for a Crimbo party.
The fruity, cinnamon-scented number comes in a blue-tinged bottle and has a really cosy cocktail vibe.
It’s good value for money, though the taste is quite synthetic and doesn’t have much finesse.
It’ll work fine in warm cocktails with apple juice and brandy, however, and would go down great at a Christmas party.