christmas
>> Deliciously Different’s Spice Rhubarb & Mandarin Chutney with Cranberries was originally going to be called Festive Chutney but the producer changed its name to give it year-round appeal. Said to combine “all the flavours of Christmas”, the FODMAP-friendly chutney is available to the trade in cases of six units, priced at £14.40. RRP £3.95. deliciouslydifferentfood. com
Christmas sees the return of Seggiano’s Vegan Panettone (500g) after its successful debut last year. Available alongside the brand’s Classic Panettone, Seggiano’s vegan take on the Italian Christmas cake is made by a family bakery near Lake Garda, using ingredients such as cocoa butter, candied orange peel, vanilla, linseed flavour and turmeric. RRP £18.20; trade price £10.90. seggiano.com
Serve over ice with ginger beer or tonic water Christmas Yan Gin is Herdwick Distillery’s seasonal offering for Christmas 2023. The gin is based on the distillery’s small-batch London dry gin, which is infused with a bouquet of over ten botanicals before being blended with damsons, oranges, apples, blackcurrants, ginger, cherries, elderberries and a hint of mixed spice. Christmas Yan Gin is available in three sizes (700ml, 200ml and 50ml) with respective RRPs of £37.50, £9.95 and £5.50, and wholesale prices of £23.10, £12.30 and £3.05. lakelandartisan.co.uk
Christmas 2023 sees the return of Panettone Pastry Stout from Jiddler’s Tipple. A collab with By The Horns, this 6.5% ABV stout has been brewed with real vanilla, raisins, orange, rum and brandy to exude the aromas of Italian Christmas cake. 440ml; trade price £2.75. jiddlerstipple.com 32
July 2023 | Vol.24 Issue 6
New Forest Shortbread’s new six-strong gifting range of flavoured shortbreads offers a contemporary twist on traditional shortbread. The producer has collaborated with other local food businesses, including coffee roaster Mozzo, Lavender Fields Hampshire and New Forest Tea Company, to source natural flavourings for the range, which features onpack illustrations drawn by a local artist. Trade price £4. newforestshortbread. co.uk
The Smokey Carter says it is tapping into the continuing Korean flavour trend with the launch of its Taste of Asia BBQ Tube for gifting. Korean BBQ Sauce, Korean Sweet Chilli Sauce, Salt & Pepper Chinese Rub and the producer’s new Honey, Soy & Chilli Rub stack up to give an oriental flavour dimension to barbecues and everyday meals. RRP £18; trade price £10. thesmokeycarter.com
Hampshire based T&M Artisan Chocolates is offering bonbons with Christmas-themed transfers and artfully decorated bonbons alongside its signature hand-crafted chocolates this Christmas. Trade price for a box of six starts at £4.45. tmchocolates.co.uk
Ralph’s Boutique Catering in London is taking orders for its hand-crafted Christmas gifting lines. These include twice-baked Tuscan-style Biscotti and Apricot Amaretti in cellophane bags, Mini Mince Tarts and Fig & Almond Log (a condiment for cheese). ralph-s.co.uk
Taking things lower Increasingly, even at Christmas, people are seeking moderation in their alcohol intake, presenting a fresh opportunity for retailers. Drinks consultant James Morgan has some suggestions. WINES & WINE ALTERNATIVES Oddbird Spumante made from 100% Glera, the Prosecco grape, tastes better than many full alcohol versions. The rest of the Oddbird range, especially their Low Intervention Red No 1 is also excellent. Kolonne Null specialises in collabs with respected winemakers to produce high quality non-alc wines. Sparkling Shiraz is not well known in the UK, but in Australia it is a Christmas favourite. Cimicky makes an excellent non-alc version. For your adventurous customers, Three Spirit has two botanical wine alternatives. Blurred Vines: Sharp and Spark, don’t try to imitate wine, but do deliver on the essential elements of wine – with balanced acidity, complex flavours and a moreish spiced character. Well-made Kombucha, much more than a health tonic, makes a superb alternative to sparkling wine. LA Brewery’s Sparkling English Blush and Mighty Brew’s Heritage Elderflower Sec both presented in Champagne bottles are excellent examples. The range of sparkling cold-brewed teas (Jasmine, Darjeeling and Hojicha) made by Saicho are also a superb alternative to wine. SPIRITS AND APERITIVI Aperitivo-style drinks are a great choice for moderators, delivering complexity and bitterness. Two makers in this category won gold at World Alcohol Free Awards this year. Italian producer Conviv makes exceptional alcohol-free vermouths, in both Bianco & Rosso versions, while Botivo is a herbal aperitif with a base of citrus and honey. The quality of non alcoholic spirits has grown exponentially in the past few years. Bax Botanics, distils two varieties in its Yorkshire distillery. Verbena is freshly floral and herbaceous, while Sea Buckthorn is aromatic with fruit and warming spice. Both work well with tonic, and are also available in beautifully designed ready-todrink (RTD) format. Making similar waves is Sea Arch. With botanicals like sea kelp and rock samphire, it has a freshness that reflects its Devon home. It also offers RTD cans. Three Spirit also makes botanical spirits designed to enhance your mood. Bold and fruity Livener makes a great addition to a Christmas punch and Nightcap also lives up to its name – serve it over ice or with ginger ale. Gnista Barreled Oak is a perfect post-pudding dram, smokey and spicy, with hints of coffee, chocolate and dried fruits. brimfuldrinks.co.uk