FESTIVE TREATS

Finding the Bristol merry

While this Christmas may be more social bubbles than champagne bubbles, we’ve been putting a little aside to spend on treats from local suppliers to make the holiday special. Here’s some of what we’ve got our eye on...

IT’S SIX O’CLOCK SOMEWHERE

...Always. Romy’s Edition is a deliciously moreish limited edition gin packed with flavour. The lovely distillers at 6 O’Clock worked closely with celebrated chef Romy Gill MBE to craft a gin that portrays the unique flavours of India, using herbs and spices commonly found in Indian cooking, and infuses juice from the native mango. The recipe is inspired by the Romy’s memoirs and strikes the perfect balance between rich, fruity sweetness and reserved spice. Enjoy in a G&T over plenty of ice and garnished with a slice of fresh mango.

Romy’s Edition – Mango, Ginger & Lime, 40% ABV, 70cl, £38. Widely available at stockists across Bristol or order online at 6oclockgin.com

0% FREE SPIRIT

Mockingbird Spirit is a brand new alcohol-free, tequila-inspired, agave-based spirit.

This unique addition to the mocktail scene makes a great gift and is from a Bristol company setting out to bring inclusivity to anyone who’s off the booze. Made using functional, versatile, authentic, vegan and gluten-free ingredients, the vibe is evocative and moreish earthy blue

Weber agave, sweet vanilla and cinnamon with a healthy hint of habanero. It’s passionately produced with the adaptogen ashwagandha to support health and happiness. The perfect pour: in a margarita – naturally!

Available in 50cl (£22.99) & 5cl (£3.99) bottles, order online at mockingbirdspirit.com

HERO OF THE HAMPERS

Go boxlocal.co.uk for a Bristol-inspired hamper or gift box experience. Off the shelf or made to measure, Box Local can supply treat-filled gift boxes for Bristol customers (business and personal) who love to celebrate the locally sourced or for individuals looking for the perfect goodie gift. Here’s the Christmas box 24, which includes a Zara’s Chocolates Christmas lolly, Step and Stone lavosh flatbreads, Aldwick Estate Vineyard Jubilate Seyval Salute 2017, Nania’s Vineyard rose spritzer, Go Wild Preserves raspberry and port jam, and so much more. £160.

Order online at boxlocal.co.uk

EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE

Circumstance Distillery has released its first organic product – Circumstantial organic vodka. Made from organic British wheat, it has a bright nose, with residual grain sweetness on the palate and a light buttermilk finish. Founded in Bristol by Liam Hirt and Danny Walker in 2018, the distillery is dedicated to ‘New World’ distillation and uses a wide variety of ingredients, bringing its own ideas and techniques to the distilling process. “Everything we make is an expression of the raw material we are working with,” says Mark Scott, head distiller at Circumstance. “We look to develop and capture complexity at every stage. Our new-make spirit production employs long open fermentation and flavoursome beer yeasts. Our organic wheat vodka is true to these values, making it quite a special and unique English vodka.”

£30, 40% ABV, 70cl. Order online from microdistillery.co.uk

APPLE CIDER CELEBRATION

Looking for something new and refreshing this Christmas? Try the latest limited edition cider from the Thatchers Cider Barn range –Grenadier. Harvested in September, the freshly pressed juice of the Grenadier apple is beautifully blended to create an elegant and light 7.4% ABV, wine-like sparkling cider. RRP £2.10 for 500ml. For more than 100 years the Thatcher family has been quietly perfecting the magic that turns apples into cider, and a visit to the Thatchers Cider Shop at Myrtle Farm is a special West Country treat at any time of the year; thatcherscider.co.uk

A FESTIVE CRACKER FROM BRISTOL

Based in Bristol, The Handmade Cracker Company makes traditional crackers with a contemporary twist –beautiful items that are unique in every detail. Every cracker is illustrated or designed to be something special for everyone; from the kids to the adults with an inner child, and the more refined customer. All crackers use premium quality paper from UK suppliers. The gifts are meant to bring fun, and possibly a little competition, to the table while we’re pulling the crackers with friends and family. To see the full range visit thehandmadecrackercompany.co.uk

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING RUM

Hailing from the Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery on Park Street, renegade spiced rum brand Dead Man’s Fingers has 10 flavours on offer, including spiced, coconut, hazelnut, raspberry and passionfruit – it’s the perfect gift for those looking for a taste to challenge to the conventional Christmas tipples. The raspberry rum, shown here, comprises original Dead Man’s Fingers spiced rum with added notes of sweet, ripe raspberries balanced with a hint of citrus. Try serving over ice with lemonade and a wedge of lime or make yourself an awesome raspberry daiquiri. Delicious and different.

Dead Man’s Fingers flavoured spiced rum, 37.5% ABV, 70cl, RRP £22. Available to buy from the Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery, most major supermarkets or order online at thedropstore.com