Stocking fillers for foodies: The Drinks Edition
Time for another gift guide, this time looking at stocking fillers and a few larger gifts that will appeal to the food and drink fans. Today’s all about the drinks prezzies, with something for all ages and every size of budget – most things are under a tenner, and I think the rest give you something special for the price.
Let’s get started, and raise a cup of festive cheer…
Drinks stocking fillers under £10
First up, a stocking filler that practically has ‘stocking filler’ written all over it.
Bird and Blend Christmas Stocking Gift Cube | £10.00
Contains 12 individually wrapped tea bags in a variety of creative festive flavours, including several caffeine free ones such as their award-winning Gingerbread Chai and Mulled Cider. Beautiful presentation, and completely plastic free too. This would make a thoughtful gift for any tea lover, or a great little Secret Santa prezzie, and I freely admit that I’ve, er, self-gifted one of these too.
Belvoir Farm Festive Edition Mulled Winter Punch | RRP £4.29
A 750ml ready-to-drink non-alcoholic treat that I’ve enjoyed both cold and warmed up. Made with real fruit juices such as elderberry and blackcurrant plus extracts of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, it’s free from all artificial ingredients, sweeteners and preservatives.
Best offer £2.20 today at Sainsburys. Also at Planet Organic and others.
Angostura Orange Bitters 100ml | £6.99
I’ve tried various orange bitters over the years, and keep coming back to this version because I don’t think it can be beaten. These concentrated drops add next level complexity and lots of festive citrussy notes to mixed drinks, so it’s the perfect stocking filler for the cocktail afficionado in your life.
Two Chimps ‘Yule Love This’ Christmas Coffee | from £9.95
This is a top notch, ethically sourced coffee from a UNESCO heritage site, so it’s a special one for the quality caffeine connoisseurs. The beans have natural notes that’re similar to the fruity, tangy filling of a mince pie, and the drink would pair well with a lot of sweet festive snacks.
Ish Spirits Try-It Alcohol Free 4-Pack | £9.49
A tasty selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and spritzes that would make a thoughtful gift for the non-drinkers, the designated drivers, and any pregnant friends/relatives.
Food Heaven Heavenly Whipped Cream | £2.00
This vegan whipped cream alternative is shelf-stable, so it can sit safely in a Christmas stocking or hamper for a while and you only need to refrigerate after opening. Handy for lactose intolerant people as well as vegans, and a fun way to spruce up a hot chocolate, shakes or Irish coffee just before drinking. Asda also stocks a chocolate version for £2.20.
Chuck some into your trolley at Sainsburys, Morrisons or Waitrose.
Whittard Gingerbread Hot Chocolate | £7.20
This new limited edition hot chocolate is proving to be a smash hit at Whittard, with its warm spiced notes, decadent milk chocolate base and beautiful tub. RRP £9.00, currently on offer. For a larger gift, you might also like their Limited Edition Hot Chocolate 3-Pack Set, £14.40 in offer, with Cookies and Cream, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Raspberry Ripple flavours.
Zulay Premium Japanese Style Double Cocktail Jigger | £5.99
A sleek drinks measure available in your choice of four metallic finishes, to suit their home decor or other barware. Essential for perfectly-proportioned cocktails, or just for measuring out a specific serve of any spirit.
Drinks gifts over £10
If you have a little more to spend on a treat for a special someone, these are some of my favourite drinks related picks for Christmas 2022 – cheers!
Oliver Bonas Joli Gold Wine Carafe | £27.20
If you’re looking for something really special for wine lovers, this opulent carafe certainly fits the bill, and looks far more expensive than it actually is. Features a ribbed design, a classic shape to help the wine breathe, and gold foil detail around the base. Matching wine glasses and other drinkware available too.
BambooMN Matcha Tea Whisk Set | £16.99
The matcha tea craze is all over TikTok right now, so why not embrace the trend? Includes sustainable bamboo whisk, whisk holder, scoop and tea spoon to make a perfect drink. Green pottery version shown in the picture above, and several other colours are available.
Baileys Tiramisu Cocktail Irish Cream Liqueur 700ml | £17.00
The new limited edition version of Baileys Irish Cream is inspired by the coffee, chocolate and cream flavours of a classic Italian tiramisu dessert. I’d say it’s their best new release in recent years, and it’s good over ice, in cocktails or poured over a scoop of ice cream.
Best price right now at Tesco. Also available at The Bottle Club.
Yvonne Ellen Parrot Polka Dots Tea for One | £36.00
Time for a very elevated tea break? In the sale at Twinings until 30th November, this quirky ‘Tea for One’ set features a cheeky parrot, polka dots and gilt edged detailing on the finest bone china to put some zip in your sips. Includes teapot and matching teacup, all packed into a pretty hat box. The Twinings site has plenty of beautiful teaware, mugs and special teas on it, so it’s always worth a browse.
Hario Cafetière Mizudashi Cold Brew Coffee Pot Mini | £15.00
Bring out new notes from the beans and the roasts. Get them in on the cold brew trend with this well made 600ml coffee pot, which is supremely easy to use and a handy size for most fridges as it tucks neatly into the door. Range of colours available, but I reckon this red edition is especially cheery for Christmas gifting.
Hennessy VS Cognac Limited Edition Holiday 2022 70cl | £36.99
Current drinks trends are starting to move away from premium gins and heading towards other spirits such as cognacs, tequila and mezcal, so let’s look at something special from Hennessy. This attractively-presented cognac is a full flavoured blend of 40 eaux-de-vie, aged 3-8 years, with notes of dried fruit, vanilla, spice and toasted oak.
Paperchase Folk Art Glass Water Bottle | £15.00
And of course, we all need to remember to stay hydrated. This eco-friendly glass water bottle has a silicone wrap featuring a foliage design and calming colours, and can be refilled again and again, meaning no more plastic bottles.
That’s plenty of food – and drink – for thought. The next article in this series will be all about stocking fillers and bigger gifts for foodies.
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