Berkshire


<p>There is a&nbsp;<em>lot&nbsp;</em>to do in the run-up to Christmas but one task that’s far more a pleasure than a chore is stocking up on festive drinkies. Come to mama, lovely booze! After a pretty rubbish year all round and a different kinda Christmas, we&#8217;re determined to be a bit more imaginative and shop local. Here&#8217;s your failsafe festive tipple cheat-sheet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-eve">CHRISTMAS EVE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrapping-frenzy">Wrapping frenzy</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni.jpg" alt="137 Gin Navy Royal Negroni" class="wp-image-32312" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/137-Gin-Navy-Royal-Negroni-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re last minute dot com with your wrapping, you&#8217;re going to need something super-charged to power through your gift mountain. Pre-made premium cocktails for the win. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="137 Gin (opens in a new tab)" href="https://137gin.com/shop/" target="_blank">137 Gin</a> launched a lockdown series which are absolutely phenomenal – there&#8217;s 137 Martini, 137 Ginoncello and two Negronis – the 137 Berkshire Negroni and (our fave) the brand new <strong>137 Navy Royal Negroni</strong>. Just add ice and a slice of orange and you&#8217;re good to go.<br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-for-the-big-fc">One for the big FC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1.png" alt="Berkshire Botanical Dry Gin Christmas Tree botanicals" class="wp-image-49173" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1-768x767.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1-526x525.png 526w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/Berkshire-Botanical-Dry-Gin-SQ-1-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What do you leave at the bottom of the chimney? Bottle of beer, glass of milk (are you mad?), perhaps a glass of whisky? Well, this year, the big man is in for a treat as he&#8217;ll be served a <a aria-label="Berkshire Botanical Dry Gin  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshirebotanical.co.uk/products/berkshire-botanical-dry-gin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Berkshire Botanical Dry Gin</strong> </a>– distilled with handpicked botanicals including Yattendon&#8217;s Norway Spruce Christmas Tree. It doesn&#8217;t get more Christmassy than that! Serve with Indian Tonic water and lime for a classic G&amp;T. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-carols">Christmas Carols</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Ivy-Vidka-137-Distillery-e1640016453784.png" alt="137 Distillery Ivy Vodka" class="wp-image-40242" /></figure>



<p>Put the fa-la-la love into a Christmas Eve midnight mass with a little help from Newbury-based 137 Distillery&#8217;s brand new <a aria-label="Lumber's Ivy Vodka (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.137gin.com/p/vodka/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lumber&#8217;s Ivy Vodka</a> (£47). It&#8217;s smooth, creamy, with liquorice-like sweetness and grassy-green herbaceous notes. Great in a Martini or Bloody Mary. Altogether now: <em>The Holly and the Ivy</em>… </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-day">CHRISTMAS DAY</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5am-wake-up-call">5am wake up call</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2.jpg" alt="Roast Lab coffee" class="wp-image-49172" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/1-2-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s Christmaaaaas… but first coffee. If your kids are usually jumping on your head from 5am, excited to show you their Father Christmas haul, then only a quality brew will do. <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Roast Lab (opens in a new tab)" href="https://roastlab.coffee/collections/single-origin-coffee" target="_blank">Roast Lab</a></strong> is a local roaster on the Berkshire-Buckinghamshire border offering a variety of artisan single origin coffees. The batches are small, air roasted and come with tasting notes. Our fave? El Tambo (Caramel, Honey, Floral, Nutty, Dark Chocolate) – available in whole bean, espresso, stovetop, aeropress, filter and cafetiere.<br></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-aperitif">Christmas aperitif</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine.jpg" alt="All Angels English Sparkling Wine" class="wp-image-40241" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/All-Angels-English-Sparkling-Wine-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Put down the&nbsp;Prosecco, we’re keeping it local… very local! You wouldn’t normally consider getting sparkling wine from West Berkshire&nbsp;but this&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="All Angels Classic Cuvée 2014 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.allangels.com/classic-cuvee-2014-long-aged-lees" target="_blank">All Angels Classic Cuvée 2014 Long Aged on Lees</a></strong>, £37.50, is delicious, creamy and perfect for getting your party started. The classic Champagne blend of&nbsp;Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes (useful&nbsp;for a pub quiz)&nbsp;are grown in the Enborne opposite St Michael and All Angels Church. This is stonking bottle of bubbles – light, bright gold in colour, with a citrus zing and a hint of creamy brioche. Come to mama.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Christmas dinner wines</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1.jpg" alt="Stanlake Park Wine Madeline" class="wp-image-49169" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/4-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ve nailed your festive feast menu, now train your eye on what you&#8217;ll be quaffing with your roast turkey (or Nut Wellington). How about this white from <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Stanlake Wine Estate's Madeleine (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stanlakepark.com/collections/our-wines/products/madeleine" target="_blank">Stanlake Wine Estate&#8217;s Madeleine</a></strong>? A stunning wine in a stunning bottle that will be appreciated by everyone. It&#8217;s smooth, floral, delicate and perfect with turkey or cheese. It&#8217;s also fantastic value at £13.99 a bottle and made in Berkshire.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sophisticated-cider">Sophisticated cider</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5.jpg" alt="Cider is wine" class="wp-image-49168" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/5-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cider has come a long way. You don&#8217;t need a strong West Country accent or a hay bale to enjoy this fruity little number. In fact, dare I say it, it can be quite a sophisticated bevvy. With so many apple and pear varieties in the world it is easier to pair with food. Berkshire-based <strong><a aria-label="Cider is Wine (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.cideriswine.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cider is Wine</a></strong> is a good place to start, they source ciders, perries and fruit wines from all over the world. Local producers worth checking out are Kintbury-based <a aria-label="Ciderniks (opens in a new tab)" href="https://ciderniks.com/shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Ciderniks</strong></a><strong> </strong>and <a aria-label="Tutt's Clump Cider (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.tuttsclumpcider.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Tutt&#8217;s Clump Cider</strong></a>, to name a few.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fireside-tipple">Fireside tipple</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8.png" alt="Uprising Windsor and Eton Brewery" class="wp-image-32318" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8-720x480.png 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8-150x100.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/12/Untitled-design-8-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Traditionally you might think Port and <strong><a aria-label="Taylor’s Tawny Reserve (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.grapesmith.co.uk/products/taylors-historical-collection-111-reserve-tawny-port?_pos=3&amp;_sid=682cf4051&amp;_ss=r" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taylor’s Tawny Reserve</a></strong>, a brand dating back to 1642 is the daddy (£29.80 is available from GrapeSmith in Hungerford). However if, like me, you&#8217;re not a fan, then <strong><a aria-label="Berkshire Botanical Sloe Gin (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshirebotanical.co.uk/products/berkshire-botanical-sloe-gin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkshire Botanical Sloe Gin</a></strong> is a good alternative. If you&#8217;re love a craft beer fan, then Windsor and Eton Brewery&#8217;s <strong><a aria-label="Uprising (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.webrew.co.uk/shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uprising</a></strong> brand has Treason, Caught By The Fuzz and Wasteland. It&#8217;s like Boris Johnson&#8217;s Christmas story in bottles. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boxing-day">BOXING DAY</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-post-walk-warmer">Post-walk warmer</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass.jpg" alt="Thameside Rum and glass" class="wp-image-30676" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/10/Thameside-Rum-and-glass-200x200.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Love gin but fancy something a bit more piratey? Time to crack open the rum. Think Tom Hardy in <em>Taboo</em>, sauntering off his boat after a long, torturous journey with only a bottle of rum to keep him warm at night. *Ahem* While we can’t serve up Tom, we can offer you a seriously smooth Caribbean rum blended on the banks of the River Thames. <strong><a href="https://www.bottleinabox.co.uk/product/262507/Thameside-Signature-Blend-Rum?">Thameside Signature Blend</a></strong> is a Windsor-based small-batch rum produced to centuries-old standards found in London’s 18th century blending houses. It’s a quality tipple, m’hearties and should warm you up on the rocks or in a cocktail (you&#8217;ll find three <a aria-label="here (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/best-rum-cocktails-recipes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buffet-belter">Buffet belter</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6.jpg" alt="Stanlake Park Wine Estate Pinot Noir" class="wp-image-49167" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/6-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Put yourself out to pasture and graze all day with cold meats and pickles washed down with <strong><a aria-label="Stanlake Wine Estate's Pinot Noir (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.stanlakepark.com/collections/our-wines/products/pinot-noir-2018" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanlake Wine Estate&#8217;s Pinot Noir</a></strong> (£22.99). It&#8217;s elegant, fruity and smooth – just like us after a few glasses. Hic!</p>



<p><em>If you need a few <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Michelin starred turkey tips, (opens in a new tab)" href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/christmas-lunch-tip-hinds-head-bray/" target="_blank">Michelin starred turkey tips,</a></strong> sashay this way. Chef Pete Gray of The Hind&#8217;s Head in Bray reveals is Christmas dinner secrets.</em></p>


Survive Christmas one local tipple at a time

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