I don’t drink as much as I used to. I spent my thirtieth birthday taking on all comers in a tequila shot challenge but as you get older the hangovers get worse and are not worth the effort. I still like the option of a drink though. The first beer on a Friday after work tastes the best and you cannot beat a gin and tonic.
When I was growing up there were drinks that only appeared at Christmas. Baileys is first thing that comes to mind. A bottle always went in the big shop trolley and then the remnants were binned in November in the pre-Christmas clear out.
My Nan was partial to a Tia Maria which was always served in a beautiful Edwardian sherry glass with two thirds Tia Maria with a layer of cream poured on tip. You sip the drink and the Tia Maria comes through the cream. Decadent and heavenly.
I could never get on board with the Snowball. Advocaat topped with lemonade. Not a fan but did hoover up the glace cherries. Neat Cointreau over ice was another family favourite. Not sure I’m bringing that back.
This year I’m going citrusy. I’m after some Malfy Con Limone which I harassed a woman in M&S about. I’ve also bought Tangerine syrup to add to cava. You get the citrus flavour without the acidity of a Bucks Fizz. I also crack at the Tia Maria and cream, just for old times sake. Chin, chin.