5 easy ways to gin up Christmas Day this year

1. Craft a cracking gin centrepiece

As a craft gin fan, no doubt you have an amazing collection of gin bottles. So why not incorporate them into your festive table setting? With a little bit of tinsel, you can craft a set of ginny candleholders that will be right at home on your Christmas table.

Simply wash your three favourite bottles thoroughly and, using pipe cleaners or a wooden skewer, push festively-coloured tinsel – we like red and gold or blue and silver – into the bottle, leaving the neck free. Then place a tapered candle in the neck of the bottle and nestle your new candleholder on the table amongst your flowers and a few extra strands of festive tinsel.

2. Add a bit of gin to your Christmas morning drink

Fizz may be the default way to ring in Christmas Day, but why not think outside of the box? We’ve always been partial to a delicious, marmalade-y Breakfast Martini or a Bloody Mary-like Red Snapper – and, if you scatter a little silver and gold leaf over these glamourous cocktails, there’s no better way to start your day in the wake of Santa Claus.

To get these festive eye openers out before the kiddies get going on their gifts, combine 100ml of gin, 30 ml of Cointreau, 30ml of lemon juice and two heaped bar spoons of thin-cut orange marmalade in a cocktail shaker and shake with ice. Strain and garnish. If a Red Snapper is more your style, simply follow your favourite Bloody Mary recipe, swapping the vodka for gin, and sip beside the tree.

3. Delight your dinner guests with a signature cocktail

 Morning cocktails are one thing, but Christmas Dinner is altogether a bigger deal. The fastest, easiest way to impress even the most difficult guests – be they your prickly parents or your eagle-eyed in-laws – is to serve a signature cocktail on arrival.

Signature cocktails are an easy way to make it look like you’ve gone above and beyond this Christmas. And, with the delicious Batch Gin and Bonne Maman caramel spread we gave our members this month, if you’re a Craft Gin Clubber then you're already halfway there. Check out this recipe for a 'Yuletide Flip', our exclusive – and spectacular – Christmas Cocktail.

4. Sneak some spirit into your supper

Any true gin lover is already aware of the botanical complexity of this spirit – and how versatile that makes it in food and cocktails alike. Why not share this amazing gastronomic experience of gin with your nearest and dearest?

We have lots of ways for gin lovers to incorporate this spirit into your festive feast. Whether you’re taking a hint from our resident gin chef, Carol, and glazing your Christmas ham in gin, or whipping up The Gin Baker’s festive showstopper, we have all of the recipes you need to make a gin-soaked feast for the whole family.

5. Give the gift that keeps on giving

What’s the best way to make your Christmas Day the ginniest yet? Give the gift of gin!

Whether you’re presenting your family with homemade sloe gin, a beautiful bottle of Batch’s Whinberry Gin, your favourite craft gin discoveries or – if a loved one has been extra nice this year – a Craft Gin Club Gift subscription, Christmas is for sharing the ginny joy. Let the festivities be-gin!

Looking for a last minute gift? Make 2018 a gin-tastic one for the gin lover in your life by buying them a Craft Gin Club subscription! Boxes arrive the first week in January, but you can present them with a gift certificate on Christmas Day.