How to drink Esker at Christmas!
It’s a little bit hard to believe that Christmas is here again but after the year we have all had, we certainly deserve to treat ourselves to a few tipples over the festive season so here’s some of the best ways to drink Esker this Christmas (or some of our favourite ways to drink Esker this Christmas):
1. Esker London Dry
Our Flagship gin; full flavoured with citrus, heather flower, pink peppercorn and that all-important silver birch which gives a super smooth mouthfeel. Perfect if you want to go classic and enjoy a great G & T this Christmas.
Cocktail: Rosemary Negroni.
A winter twist on the classic, with added Rosemary for a slightly piney/ Christmas tree-esque aroma!)
· 25ml Esker
· 25ml Campari
· 25ml Sweet Vermouth
· 2 x Sprigs of fresh Rosemary
· Orange Peel
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice and one of the rosemary sprigs; strain into a fresh glass with ice and garnish with the remaining rosemary and orange peel.
Be sure to run the rosemary and orange around the rim of your glass to extract those lovely oils and aromas!
2. Esker Gold
Our Original Esker Gin enhanced with honey and sweet spice. Subtly sweet, warming and delicious and by far our biggest seller at this time of year! Serve neat or over Ice (Great with a cheese board!) OR try with a splash of Ginger Ale if you prefer a long drink.
Cocktail: Esker Gold Hot Toddy
Our Seasonal favourite has kept us warm at many a Christmas Market over the years!
· 50ml Esker Honey Spiced
· 12.5ml Lemon Juice
· 10ml Ginger Cordial
· Squeeze of Honey to taste
· 8 Cloves
· 2 Star Anise
· Cinnamon Stick
Add all ingredients to a heat proof glass or Mug, top with 50ml boiling water and garnish with a clove studded lemon Zest.
3.Esker Scottish Raspberry Vodka
A new addition to the family in 2020. Our smooth base vodka is enhanced with fresh raspberries from Castleton Farm. Naturally flavoured and delicious. Try with cloudy lemonade or soda water if you need something light after an indulgent Christmas meal.
Cocktail: Raspberry & Ginger Mule
Nothing says Christmas quite like berries, ginger and spice!
50ml Esker Scottish Raspberry Vodka
20ml Fresh Lime Juice
20ml Stem Ginger syrup (just take from your stem ginger jar)
Muddled Ginger (A pound coin size amount)
Top Soda Water
Muddle ginger at the bottom of a (sturdy) glass then add all other ingredients, give it all a good stir, top with ice and garnish with a slice of ginger and wedge of lime
4. Esker Orange and Pomegranate Vodka.
Another 2020 arrival, this vodka, like all of our spirits, is enhanced with our signature silver birch sap and complimented by soft pomegranate and zingy orange peel. Make yourself a “Hard Seltzer” by adding soda water and some fresh pomegranate and enjoy this one while you peel the tatties!
Cocktail: Esker’s Winter Sangria (Serves 4)
Who said Sangria was just for the summer?
Our Orange and Pomegranate vodka complimented with spicy ginger and piney rosemary makes a perfect warm festive punch…
· 200ml Esker Orange & Pomegranate Vodka
· 200ml Red Wine
· Fresh Rosemary
· 50ml Lemon Juice
· Fresh Ginger
· Orange Peel
· Lemon Peel
· Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
· Squeeze of Honey/ Agave Nectar
Add all ingredients to pan and simmer gently (don’t boil) for 5 – 10 minutes. Divide between four glasses and garnish with Cloves and Orange Peel.
5. Esker Spiced Pear Vodka
Our Spiced pear vodka has been specially developed to be included in our Ice cube gift box sets this Christmas. Warm spice compliments sweet pear to create an almost retro sweetie flavour and is delicious served long over ice “paired” with ginger ale.
Cocktail: Esker Spiced Pear Sour
A seasonal twist on a classic sour, sophisticated & smooth…
· 50ml Spiced Pear Vodka
· 25ml Lemon Juice
· 12.5ml Spiced Syrup*
· One Egg white
*For the Spiced Syrup, add 2 parts sugar to one-part boiling water, along with a broken cinnamon stick and some star anise to a pan and simmer gently for 20 mins.
Combine all ingredients in your shaker. Shake ‘dry’ without ice to emulsify the egg white and combine the ingredients. Add ice and shake HARD again. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a star anise.
6. Esker Vanilla Vodka
Another one exclusively made for our Vodka Ice Cube Gift Pack this year, a smooth vodka that is subtly sweetened with real vanilla.
Cocktail: Esker-Presso Martini
Who doesn’t love an Espresso Martini and if you can’t treat yourself to one at Christmas then when can you? Here we have enriched the classic recipe using our Esker Vanilla Vodka…
· 50ml Esker Vanilla Vodka
· 1 Shot Fresh Espresso
· Dash of sugar syrup (or add sugar to espresso to taste -depending on how sweet you like to drink you coffee)
Add all ingredients to your cocktail shaker and shake VERY hard over ice. Then double strain into a chilled Martini glass.
7. Esker Silverglas London Dry Gin
Our light, dry gin which contains the core Esker botanicals along with notes of mint and citrus. Best served with light tonic, fresh mint and lemon peel.
Cocktail: Silverglas Southside Smash
When it all gets a bit too much… cut through the richness of Christmas with this light and refreshing twist on the classic Mojito!
50ml Silverglas London Dry
25ml Fresh Lime Juice
12.5ml sugar syrup
8- 10 mint leaves
Dash of Soda Water.
Combine all ingredients (except soda) directly into a tall glass – remember just to gently “clap” your mint to avoid bruising it. Churn over crushed ice, top with soda and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
8. Esker Valencian Orange Gin
A vivid, citrus gin which uses the natural flavour and colour of Valencian oranges to create this mouth- watering gin. Serve with tonic, orange peel and sprig of fresh rosemary.
Cocktail: Esker Chocolate Orange Martini
This would be nice to thing to find at the bottom of your stocking…
· 50ml Esker Valencian Orange Gin
· 20ml White Cacao
· Grated Dark Chocolate to Garnish.
Stir Orange Gin and Cacao over ice and strain into a chocolate-rimmed glass (to do this gently run a wedge of orange round the rim of your glass and then gently dip into grated chocolate). Indulgent and delicious!
9.Esker Scottish Raspberry Gin
Nothing says ‘sweet and juicy’ like ripe Scottish raspberries. We have captured all the natural fruit flavour and colour in this beautiful blush pink gin. It contains the core Esker botanicals and comes with the unmistakable hit of juniper and a touch of citrus to give a slightly sherbet character. Serve with tonic, fresh Raspberries and Lemon peel.
Cocktail: Esker Raspberry Royale
Christmas calls for champagne and we like to spike ours with a splash of our raspberry gin to make the perfect Christmas Day Aperitif!
· 20ml Esker Raspberry Gin
· 4 Fresh Raspberries (Muddled)
· Dash (5-10mls) Sugar Syrup
· Champagne
Add all ingredients (EXCEPT CHAMPAGNE) to your cocktail shaker.
Shake over ice and double strain into a champagne flute; top with Champagne and Garnish with a Fresh Raspberry.
And have yourself a very Merry Esker Christmas!
Where to buy Esker Spirits?
The Christmas delivery date is passed, but our online shop remains open all year round. Order your Esker spirits directly from the shop; and follow us on social media for more cocktail and serve suggestions. #EskerSpirits