Cork Food: Getting into Christmas spirits

We all know how important it is to be planning which wine to match with which food at Christmas time.

The pairing of festive food and wine is one of the joys of the season. But what about the drinks outside the dining experience?

The drinks we choose to relax with or concoct a cocktail with are also important. I reckon it’s time to get in the Christmas spirits!

There are some great offers on all your favourite spirits in supermarkets now. I’ve done a run down below of the favourites we all know and love, and some with a twist, so you know where to go to find them!

WHISKEY

Kicking off with the sip of the Irish - who doesn’t love an Irish coffee or a whiskey on the rocks by the fire on Christmas evening? There’s some great whiskies around to satisfy all tastes.

Lidl’s Dundalgan Range is made by West Cork Distillers in Skibbereen - a drop of our own making! You can choose the Charred Cask, which is matured in charred Bourbon casks for a smooth smokey taste. Or opt for the Single Malt Sherry Cask, which has a subtle hint of sweetness and spice.

And if you love stout and whiskey, you can get the best of both worlds in one glass, with the Dundalgan Single Malt Stout Cask Finish Whiskey.

Three fabulous choices from the home county - perfect for that Irish coffee or the dropeen by the fire. All are €24.99 a 700ml bottle, a great price for well made local whiskey.

And if you know a whiskey-lover who would like to try all the Dundalgan range in miniature, grab them a boxed gift set of four x 50ml bottles at €16.99. This includes the Single Malt Sherry Cask, Charred Cask, Single Malt Stout Cask and a special edition Single Malt IPA Cask finish.

GIN

There’s no doubt gin has made a comeback in a big way in the last few years. Mostly down to the amazing craft distillers who have created Irish craft gins flavoured with local botanicals. One such is Boyle’s Gin, made in Ballyduff, Co. Waterford. This award-winning gin comes in some superb seasonal flavours just right for the festive season.

Boyle’s Forest Gin is flavoured with Spruce and Juniper botanicals, giving a vibrant scent to each sip. Brilliant as a base for gin cocktails or drunk with one of the designer tonics available these days. Has a fruity ring and a gorgeous dark blue colour.

If you fancy a gin liqueur, choose Boyle’s Sloe and Damson Gin liqueur, with gin at its base and berry botanicals to flavour and colour. This is fabulously fruity and makes a great cocktail topped up with sparkling wine. For a cosy night around the fire, or dance the night away with one - take your pick.

Both the Boyle’s Spruce and Juniper Gin and the Sloe and Damson Gin Liqueur come in at €19.99 a 50cl bottle. And if nothing but a classic G&T will suffice, go for the original small batch Boyle’s Gin, made with a wealth of natural botanicals to infuse depth of flavour. A 70cl bottle costs €24.99. All from Aldi stores now.

VODKA

Kerry is home to one of Ireland’s few home made vodkas. Dingle is the destination for the famous Dingle Pot Still Vodka which has won numerous awards, most recently becoming Best Irish Vodka at the Irish Whiskey Awards in 2024! So if you want to give someone vodka as a gift, give them an award-winner!

Dingle Pot Still Vodka comes in a striking blue bottle, and has peppery slants backed up with spicy aniseed. A great one for your classic Vodka and Tonic. But it is also a great base for a super-smart Vodka Martini - shaken, not stirred! Find it in Dunnes Stores, €30 for a 700ml bottle.

For something a little less expensive, look to Lidl for their Ignis French Grain Vodka. It comes in a super-slim frosted bottle which looks elegant and makes a great base for cocktails.

My favourite vodka cocktail (which is also a great hangover cure, but don’t tell anyone!) is a Bloody Mary. A good measure of vodka spiced with Tabasco and Worcestershire Sauce, zapped with a good squeeze of lime juice and topped up with tomato juice. Don’t forget to add a celery stick stirrer.

This is a brilliant party starter, and also makes a super shot glass partner for a tray of oysters.

Ignis French Grain Vodka is €22.99 for a 700ml bottle.

RUM

Back once again in West Cork, we find an Irish-made rum named after a rock band! If you know a music lover who also loves Thin Lizzy - I’ve got the rum just for you!

Made in a collaboration with Thin Lizzy Band members, Phil Lynott’s family and West Cork Distillers, together the gang have produce a warm and spicy fragrant rum which echoes the heart and soul of Think Lizzy’s musical genre. Matured in oak barrels to produce notes of vanilla toffee and butterscotch, this is a mouth-filling sip. Drink it as it comes, over ice, in a hot rum toddy, or with a classic splash of Coke!

From Dunnes Stores at €25 a bottle, on offer till January 3, 2025.

LIQUEURS

Spirit-based liqueurs are always lovely after dinner, alongside a coffee - or in the coffee! There are quite a few out there to choose from at affordable prices.

Lidl’s Irish Cream Liqueur has an Irish Whiskey base with pure Irish cream, to make a smooth liqueur to warm the cockles. Mix with vodka in a cocktail shaker over ice. Strain into Martini-type glasses and scatter with some grated chocolate before serving. This liqueur took Silver at Ireland’s Blas na hEireann 2024 awards. Find it in Lidl stores now, €14.99 for a litre bottle.

Also at Lidl, the Dundalgan Salted Caramel blends Irish Dundalgan Whiskey salted caramel sauce to give quite the oomph to a Yule tipple. This is great served with the Christmas pudding, or on the pudding! Pour it over ice as a lovely chilled version. And it’s also nice for a little sip with a mince pie, as you toast your tootsies by the fire on Christmas Eve. Available in store at Lidl now €10.99 a 700mls bottle.

Chocolate and coffee fans will love Irish Cream Espresso Chocolate Liqueur. This comes in a slick gold bottle. This Irish whiskey-based liqueur lends itself to being made into a delightful cocktail presentation, shaken over ice and poured into a cocktail glass before dusting with grated chocolate on top. Comes in at €11.49 from Aldi stores.