A live webchat with mixologist and cocktail expert Ben Reed will offer the top advice on preparing the perfect tipple. Wondering which liqueurs go well with a mince pie or what cocktails are best to serve during winter? Well this is your chance to have your questions answered live by the master.

Forget Grandma’s old sherry, spice up your winter warmer with a cocktail list to make even Tom Cruise jealous. Log on and find out how to make your guests’ taste bud tingle make your yuletide bash a night to remember!

Mixologist Ben Reed is live online at http://www.webchats.tv/chat/cracking_the_christmas_cocktail 
on Thursday 4th December (15:00GMT) for tips on making the perfect cocktails for the Christmas period.
 

Cinnamon Punch

Shake together 25ml of Goldschlager, 12.5ml of Cranberry Juice, 25ml of Amaretto, and a dash of triple sec orange liqueur in a Boston shaker. Then simply pour over ice into a highball glass, top with the ginger ale and serve.

Part of The Spirit World’s Winter Wonder cocktail series.

Snooth

“We’re always working to make your Snooth experience better and by introducing our new Corkscrew icon on every wine’s detail page we’ve streamlined your access to great information. Use the Corkscrew icon to access “My Wines”, interact with other Snooth members or help to correct a listing.”

If you are new to Snooth they have also introduced a video guide aimed at getting the most from the site. 

“With so many great features it can take awhile for many users to explore every feature of Snooth. Now you can watch as we guide you through the layers of information that makes Snooth an invaluable tool for consumer and merchant alike. Check it out here.”

For the series kick off endulge your tastebuds with this Orange Anise Mulled Wine from Thom Bar and Kittichai.

Orange Anise Mulled Wine from Thom Bar and Kittichai

• 2 btls Shiraz
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 star anise
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 orange
• simmer for about 2 hours

The cognac is presented in a bottle calculated at about 1 litre which features a deep bell in the base. This characteristic shape indicates the heritage of the glass, dating it back to around the turn of the 18th century. In contrast, the cork has been changed over the years ensuring quality and consistency. The 1770 Cognac is priced at £4000.00 per 50ml shot. 

Originating from the region around Aigre, the cognac is believed to be from the Domaine de la Bonneville, a family run vineyard which spanned 350 hectares. The estate enjoyed a reputation for producing some of the finest cognacs in the world and supplied to a range of leading négociants including Hennessey, Saul and Augier. It is believed that one of the old négociants purchased the cognac where it was kept in large imperial bottles after cask ageing. The colour of the Cognac indicates that it has aged for around 60 years. As with other examples from the Massougnes estate, it is expected that the cognac will have a dry and musty, hazelnut flavour, with hints of tobacco and a dominant, oaky taste consistent with cognacs made with the Bassac and Folle grapes that were used during that period.

 ”a new concept that will see the Macallan Siongle Malt Scotch Whisky collaborate with some of the world’s most remarkable photographers”

 The Rankin Edition consists of an original Rankin polaroid photograph paired with a bottle of The Macallan Fine Oak 30 years old bearing a unique matching label, making each a truly individual work of art.

Take a look behind the scenes of the coming together of two great art forms, whisky making and photography by visiting themastersofphotography.com

I mentioned the Corky’s range a few days ago new toffee and apple sour flavours have since been added to the range.

Both flavours are available in a 70cl bottle and can be served straight as an aperitif over ice, or as a base in the following Toffee Apple cocktail recipe, inspired by expert mixologists at Corkys:  

Toffee Apple Bonfire Sparkler
In a highball glass, mix 25ml of Corky’s Toffee and 25ml of Corky’s Sour Apple over crushed ice, and top up with lemonade.

Chop an apple into fine slices to garnish and add a 25ml shot of Myers’s rum for that added twist.

A 70cl bottle of Corky’s Apple Sour costs £15.29, whilst Corky’s Toffee is available for £12.39 from www.thedrinkshop.com. Myers’s (70cl) rum costs £17.79, also from thedrinkshop.com

Most recent details of another appeared at least this has a point of difference - it’s sparkling.

“An extremely versatile and smooth drink, Camitz Sparkling Vodka adds sparkling twists to classic cocktails but also works well as a drink on its own. The sleek bottle also features the first patented natural cork for a distilled spirit and so pops when it is opened.

Camitz Sparkling Vodka is exceptionally smooth Super Premium vodka, which is 5 times continuously distilled. It is made from the finest Swedish wheat and the water is sourced from the renowned ice-age underground springs of Töllsjö. The natural source of carbonation is specially filtered for their use.” 

The base vodka is in itself as pure as other super premiums but with the intention of added smoothness provided by the gentle bubbles which, in turn, enhances the taste and texture. Cocktail suggestions include Camitz Sparkling Elderflower Martini, and Camitz Sparkling Sour but it also works perfectly as a palate cleanser.
Camitz Sparkling Vodka is available in the UK from the end of November from The Drink Shop for £23.49.

With one eye on the impending holiday/gift season these rather special glasses are available online at www.OnTheFly.com.

They have just released a blueberry flavour for ‘those who like to mix cranberry, pomegranate and other ’super fruit’ juices with their favourite vodka’.

“Corky’s Blueberry flavoured vodka shot is best served as an aperitif over ice, as a cocktail base or with a mixer, and captures the refreshing twist of blueberries - a fruit which has grown rapidly in popularity due to its new-found status as a super fruit, which is rich in anti-oxidants and high in vitamins and minerals.”

They do suggest two cocktails for the Corky’s blueberry vodka…

Corky’s Sweet Tooth
In a highball glass mix 25ml of Corky’s Blueberry and 25ml of Corky’s Cherry over crushed ice, and top up with lemonade.
 
Green Eyed Monster
Add ice to a frosted tall glass and pour in orange juice until it’s three quarters full. Top with Corky’s Blueberry and watch it turn green.

The new blueberry flavour is part of Corky’s extensive range of premixed flavoured shots, and is the perfect fruit-flavoured tipple for those who already enjoy the Corky’s range, which includes White Chocolate, Chocolate & Orange and Strawberries & Cream.