With Christmas fast approaching, and the festive parties in full swing, we’ve put together a handy guide to some of the best 2025 tipples for gifting, celebrations, or just as a special treat to yourself. Don’t forget to bookmark this page, as we’ll update it right up until the big day.
Shed One Distillery ‘Shed Loads of Love’ handmade artisan gin
Created by hand in small batches and in a 100% recycled bottle with festive ruby red wax sealed top, Shed Loads of Love has a perfect blend of fruit and flowers finished off with a cheeky punch of chilli. Top tip* For pure indulgence over the festive period, top with a little champagne and swap ice cubes for frozen berries. Shed Loads of Love Artisan Gin 41% ABV . £37.95 per 70cl. Available online at https://shed1distillery.com/ and in selected specialist retailers, including Booths supermarkets, farmshops, and delis.
Cotswolds Founder’s Choice Single Malt Whisky
Tesco Finest Vintage Champagne
IWC & IWSC Silver Winner. A Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne offering refined citrus notes and a delicate, persistent mousse. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the prestigious vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, it is produced only in exceptional years and aged longer in the cellar for added depth and longevity. Elegant as an aperitif, it also pairs beautifully with smoked salmon blinis. Tesco Finest Vintage Champagne, 12.5%, £32.
Dutch Barn Ginger Spiced Vodka
The 70 cl bottle is available for consumers to purchase today from DutchBarn.com and retails at £32 – with an ABV of 38% it is made from natural flavours, it is fiery and full of flavour and designed to make great cocktails even easier to make
Dutch Barn Vodka has partnered with The Donkey Sanctuary, supporting donkey welfare, and is donating 25% of profits from every bottle to this great charity which helps give donkeys better lives, every day. Dutch Barn Vodka co-founder, comedian Ricky Gervais, is a huge animal rights activist and is passionately behind this partnership.
Della Vite The Spritzmas Cracker
Brand new for Christmas 2025, Della Vite has reimagined the classic Christmas cracker, trading throwaway novelties and cringeworthy jokes for bar-quality cocktails in a can. Featuring a gold star cracker-inspired design and bearing a tongue-in-cheek festive tagline, the Della Vite Spritzmas Crackers are for those who like their festivities with a little extra sparkle and a lot more personality. Amazon and dellavite.com | £32 for 8 mixed pack.
Ballycastle Chocolate Clementine Flavour Country Cream
Back by popular demand, the beloved Ballycastle Milk Chocolate Clementine Flavour Country Cream is here to delight tastebuds this festive season. This limited-edition treat pairs silky milk chocolate with bright, zesty orange, creating a delicious taste of one of the nation’s favourite Christmas traditions. (£7.29, 70cl) Aldi’s range of Ballycastle and Irish Creams is available in stores now.
Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec, 13%, £9
Made by Argentina’s celebrated Catena Family winemakers. Hand picked grapes, from the foothills of regions east of the Andes. Perfectly ripened grapes give the wine elegant blackberry and plum flavours. Lighter notes of blueberry and white pepper develop into a long fruity finish. Pairs with Barbecued red meats full flavoured pasta and mushroom dishesHand picked Malbec from the Mendoza region From the iconic producer BODEGA Y VIÑEDOS CATENA. Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec, 13%, £9.00.
Bread & Butter Rosé 2022 (£16.00, 75cl)
Forget the old rule that rosé is just for summer – this elegant 2022 vintage proves it shines just as brightly in the colder months. Bursting with generous aromas of ripe strawberry, succulent melon and delicate rose petals, its lively, refreshing finish cuts beautifully through the richness of winter comfort foods. A chic and unexpected choice for the festive table, it pairs effortlessly with creamy cheeseboards, savoury cured meats, and indulgent smoked salmon canapés – bringing a splash of brightness to even the chilliest evenings. Available from Sainsbury’s and The Wine Flyer
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (£16.00)
Unwrap a taste of California warmth this season with celebration-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. Fragrant with ripe blackberry, cassis, and a whisper of mocha, it reveals generous layers of dark cherry, blackcurrant, and a touch of toasted oak. Silky tannins and a lingering, spice kissed finish make it a stylish choice for Christmas feasts, from slowroasted beef ‑to rich mushroom wellington. Available from Sainsbury’s, Ocado, The Wine Flyer and Majestic
Hanikon rosé
This holiday season, enjoy Hanikon, a French rosé crafted in Provence from Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Pale and dry, it has a crisp, mineral-driven taste with notes of wild strawberry, citrus, and white peach – light, refreshing, and perfect for festive afternoons.
Encased in a frosted glass bottle topped with a vibrant yellow wax seal, Hanikon makes a striking gift or centerpiece for Boxing Day gatherings, whether paired with brunch, a leisurely lunch, or lingering conversations with friends and family. 12.5% ABV. RRP £35. Now available at Harrods Food Hall and online at Harrods.com
Calvet Cuvée du Cap Sauvignon Blanc
Lively with a generous palate, white peach and lime aromas. The long citrus finish of this wine pairs beautifully with seafood, enhancing the delicate flavours of shellfish and adding a refreshing lift. Festive Pairing: Serve alongside a shellfish platter.Calvet Cuvée du Cap Sauvignon Blanc (£9, Waitrose) (£9, Ocado).
La P’tite Pierre Red
Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon
Intense yet balanced. This award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon is rich with notes of black cherry, plum, and warm toasted oak for a smooth finish, thanks to a unique French and Hungarian oak ageing technique. Its richness is the perfect complement to an indulgent winter warmer meal with friends and family. Try it with a juicy steak, roast beef or even alongside a cheeseboard. RRP £10, available from retailers nationwide.
Apothic Red
Apothic Red offers a tantalising texture and rich layers, with much to enjoy. Leading with Zinfandel, with deep dark fruit notes and subtle hints of spice, notes of blueberries and blackberries are brought to the bottle by the seductive Syrah, while its bold and beautiful structure comes from Merlot. This wine should be your go to for Christmas hosting, and pairs exceptionally well with indulgent chocolate desserts.RRP £10.00, available from retailers nationwide.
Bardinet
Bardinet is bringing some French festive flair to UK drinkers this winter with five decadent brandy cocktails which are guaranteed to be firm favourites with family and friends over the party season. Created to celebrate the arrival of Bardinet VSOP’s limited edition 1 litre festive bottle, each serve highlights the brandy’s versatility as a delicious cocktail base.
The standout bottle design takes inspiration from the colour and brilliance of the many end of year festivals celebrated across the world. Its eye-catching gold and red design makes it perfect for gifting and adding a touch of seasonal sparkle to any Christmas drinks trolly. The limited edition Bardinet VSOP Brandy is bottled at 36% ABV in 1 litre. Available in the UK now, RRP: £22.50
Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop
Launched in March 2025, Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop is an ultra premium gin from the duo’s award-winning drinks brand. Crafted through a two-stage distillation process and infused with bold botanicals, including tangerine, jasmine, and coriander, this complex and versatile spirit lends itself to both neat sipping or mixology.
Complete with a design-led honeycomb bottle by Ini Archibong, Still G.I.N. is the perfect gift this Christmas for connoisseurs, trend-setters and design-lovers alike. A bold serve for the festive season – smooth, striking and seriously sippable.Still G.I.N. By Dre & Snoop | £38 | Sainsbury’s | Amazon
IWSC Award-Winning Wines & Spirits for Christmas
The International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) has just unveiled its Award-Winning Wines and Spirits for the holiday season. From elegant Champagnes to characterful single malts, these IWSC medalists offer the perfect selection for gifting or festive celebrations. Find two of our favourite tipples, below.
M&S Collection Saint Gall Premier Cru Champagne NV – Gold (95 points) | £28
An elegant Champagne with fine bubbles, gentle notes of brioche, lemon and chalky minerality. Made from Premier Cru Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in partnership with a historic grower in Épernay, perfect for festive toasts. Purchase here.
Speyburn Distillery 10 YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Bronze (88 points) | £29.00
Crafted using water from the Granty Burn in Speyside, this smooth and balanced whisky offers fresh fruit, soft toffee and butterscotch, finishing long and sweet. Purchase here.
