drinks to try

Midwinter Xmas Red Drinks

Throw a Mid-Winter Christmas bash and celebrate with our selection of festively-hued red drinks

Brighten up gloomy winter days with a glass or two of something heartwarming and rosy-red

JUMPING GOAT VODKA LIQUEUR

Made from Fair Trade cold-pressed coffee and mixed with a selection of spices, pure New Zealand spring water and locally produced natural grain vodka. For a winter pick-me-up pour 30ml of Jumping Goat Vodka Liqueur into a shot glass, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate.

OLD MOUT BOYSENCIDER CIDER

Nelson’s Redwood Cider Co. has been producing world-class ciders since 1947, including the Old Mout range. Every bottle of Old Mout Boysencider Cider is bursting with beautiful boysenberry notes on an apple cider base, capturing the fresh fruit ripeness of summer’s bounty all year round.

RED STAG BY JIM BEAM

Jim Beam embrace heritage: it’s only called Jim Beam Bourbon if it’s made by the seven generations of the Beam family. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for creating something different. Red Stag by Jim Beam is a black cherry-infused bourbon, made through a special infusion process. The result is a liqueur with warming, smooth notes and a dark cherry aroma.

RABBIT RANCH PINOT NOIR

What was once a Central Otago high country sheep station – replete with wild rabbits – is now a thriving vineyard. Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir is described as “a bright-eyed red with hints of briar patch and a whiff of gun smoke” by winery owner Warren MacGregor.

MAC’S SASSY RED AMBER ALE

Named for its distinctive red colour, Mac’s Sassy Red Amber Ale balances five malts with a plentiful dose of Motueka hops for a mighty caramelised flavour punch. For a tantalising taste bud sensation, we suggest serving it with a spicy, fragrant Thai or Indian dish.

PENFOLDS FATHER GRAND TAWNY

In 1844, vines for fortified wines were first planted by Dr Christopher Penfold in Magill, South Australia. Fast forward to 2017 and Penfolds Father Grand Tawny is a tribute to the enduring winemaking excellence on the Magill Estate. Each component is aged separately in old oak for at least 10 years prior to blending. The result is a port with an exceptional balance of intense fruit and oak flavours. Its rich complexity makes for a particularly good pairing with an old-fashioned fruity pud served with custard and brandy cream.

ALIZE RED PASSION

Starting with the unique combination of premium French vodka and passionfruit, Alize Red Passion adds the crisp taste of natural cranberry juice for the perfect balance between sweet and fresh. Invitingly aromatic and deep red in colour, it makes for pleasant drinking on the rocks, with soda, or to add a tart, fruity dash to cocktails.

DE BORTOLI OLD BOYS 21YO BARREL AGED TAWNY

Delve into the lusciously concentrated dried fruit and nut flavours of De Bortoli Old Boys 21YO Barrel Aged Tawny. On its own it’s a beautifully sweet finishing touch to a meal, or a heavenly pairing with white rind creamy cheeses such as brie and camembert and indulgent desserts such as tiramisu or a dark chocolate tart.

GARAGE PROJECT RED ROCKS RESERVE

An eagerly anticipated annual release, Garage Project’s Red Rocks Reserve is created using an old-world brewing technique combined with new-world hops. The method, known as “Stein Bier”, sees a base of red ale pass through a giant hop back, containing rocks heated to a sizzling 500°C. A final addition of Nelson Sauvin hops results in a satisfyingly toffee sweetness and a distinctive lush aroma.

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