The pleasant aromas of winter spices can evoke a sense of warmth and comfort that’s ideal for embracing the cold weather. Peter Morrell tastes the essence of Christmas in a glass
With many festive traditions involving spices associated with Christmas, such as making gingerbread houses, sharing mulled wine with neighbours, or heating up spiced cider on the stove, the flavours of winter spices bring a sense of nostalgia and cosy warmth to those enjoying them.
This year, Tesco has an extensive range of winter spiced drinks for a grown-up take on these traditional flavours, from hoppy beers and warming botanical-rich gins to spicy rums and bold red wines. Whether shoppers are looking for an elevated gift or something rousing to sip on after a frosty winter walk, there’s plenty of options for all tastes and budgets at Tesco.
Here is a selection of temptingly spicy beverages at Tesco:
Cleanco Clean R Non Alcoholic Golden Spiced Spirit 70cl, £16.00
For those choosing not to drink alcohol this winter, opt for a refined, spicy alcohol-free rum. Perfect for mixing, Clean R Golden Spirit delivers delicious notes of caramel, apricot, vanilla, star anise, ginger, orange, pimento and cinnamon for a smooth, warming finish.
Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin 70cl, £27.00
Opihr Gin takes you on a journey along the ancient spice route with hand-picked exotic botanicals such as cubeb berries from Malaysia, coriander from Morocco, and cardamom from India. For the perfect winter cocktail, serve with Indian tonic and a couple of fresh cranberries.
Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum 70cl, £25.00
Peter Morrell, Editor comments ‘I’ve recently tasted the award-winning Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum and it’s a big step up from straight rum. It’s created in Cornwall, a combination of Caribbean rum mixed with a myriad of exotic spices. The bottle is particularly eye-catching with an attractive shape and gold on black skull logo.
‘The rum pours a light mahogany colour and it has a sweet and complex nose with aromas of cinnamon caramel, nutmeg, and pine resin. In the background there are tones of orange zest and gingerbread. On the palate the spice notes are prominent and strong with softer supporting flavours of vanilla, toffee and flashes of aromatic tropical fruit. Drinking it neat the mouthfeel is rich and warming with a medium body and slightly oily texture which helps the flavours linger. The finish is persistent is lively with a taste of mince pies.
‘Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum is very versatile and as well as drinking it neat and over the rocks it makes the perfect base for a Dark and Stormy, a Cuba Libre, or try it in a Bloody Mary. This is really the essence of Christmas in a glass.‘
The Kraken Black Spiced Rum Dark Caramel & Cornish Sea Salt 70cl, £26.00
An indulgent black spiced Caribbean rum infused with dark caramel and Cornish sea salt; plunge into an alluring toasted toffee aroma and a buttery vanilla finish. Serve over ice or stir into hot chocolate for a luxurious winter treat.
A typical Flemish cherry beer hailing from Flanders, Belgium. The beer is matured in oak casks and infused with cherry aromas to give it that distinguishable wine-like flavour and acidic aftertaste. Ideal for sharing at Christmas parties with friends.
Hobgoblin Ruby Ale Beer 500ml, £1.59
Hobgoblin is a British ale born out of Wychwood Forest. This ruby-red beer boasts intense, hoppy flavours including delicious toffee and biscuit, and a full-bodied finish of figs, raisins, and dates. A great accompaniment to a nutty panettone.
Badger Fursty Ferret 500ml, £2.10
A full-bodied, moreish amber ale from Dorset brewery, Badger. With lemony, floral aromas of Celia, Cascade, and Centennial hops, and a moreish malty backbone, this beer promises biscuit flavours and a warming finish.
Kopparberg Spiced Apple 500ml, £1.75
For an alternative to mulled wine this winter, Kopparberg’s Spiced Apple Cider can be served hot or cold. Expect a warming, spiced symphony of bruised apple and cinnamon in the mouth. To really impress guests this winter, serve heated in a glass cup with a cinnamon stick, and enjoy by the fire.
Erdinger Alcohol Free Wheat Beer 500ml, £1.75
An isotonic, alcohol free, lower calorie beer for those looking for a warming alternative without alcohol this winter. Spicy malt notes harmonise excellently with caramel-sweet nuances along with bitter hops and a hint of light, fruity acidity.
Tesco Alcohol Free Malbec 75cl, £3.25
Hailing from South Africa’s Western Cape and forming part of the newly reformulated Tesco No/Low range, this de-alcoholised wine is made from Malbec with a splash of Pinotage for extra structure and intensity. The wine is de-alcoholised using the innovative Spinning Cone method.
Vineyards Mulled Wine 75cl, £3.00
What’s winter without mulled wine? Blended with cinnamon, clove, and citrus fruits, Vineyards Mulled Wine presents a rich, aromatic beverage with warming, spicy notes. Heat slowly in a saucepan for a fruity experience to indulge in by the fire.
Tesco Finest Barossa Shiraz 75cl, £10.00
Southern Australia’s Barossa Valley is one of the world’s greatest wine regions, famed for producing intense and characterful Shiraz like this one. Full bodied and rich, it displays vibrant plum, cherry, and blackcurrant aromas and flavours, layered with vanilla hints and spicy black peppercorn notes.
Des Tourelles Claret Bordeaux 75cl, £5.49
Made in the highly respected region of Bordeaux, France. Steeped in tradition, Des Tourelles Claret is a medium bodied red wine with flavours of black cherries, plums and savoury spices, the classic flavours of a well- rounded Bordeaux.
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