NIO Cocktails

Looking to have an extra special date night in? Maybe you want to show a family member you’re thinking of them? Or maybe, you just feel like treating yourself? Whatever the occasion, NIO Cocktails is a unique postal cocktail company that takes decadent drinking to a whole new level.

The name NIO is a clever acronym that stands for ‘Needs Ice Only’. Founder of NIO, Luca Quagliano, believes that everyone should have access to expertly crafted cocktails from the comfort of their own home, regardless of their skill level or knowledge of mixology. Taking the faff out of at-home cocktails, consumers of NIO can sit back and enjoy luxurious alcoholic beverages as soon as they decide to have them; simply add ice to a glass, tear off the corner of the packaging and pour – no preparation needed.

NIO Cocktails are perfectly crafted and come delivered in a distinctively innovative square card packaging with a membrane protecting the beverage inside. This simple yet effective design minimises the amount of waste created and means that, once boxed as either a set of three, six or nine cocktails, the drinks can be posted right through your letterbox. There’s no more fear of missing the post and, trust us, you won’t want to miss this delivery!

What’s more, each box you choose is fully customisable and you can tailor each set of cocktails to your recipient’s or your own preferences. Here are six of our favourite flavours, which are currently available to order on the NIO Cocktails website.

Garden of Russia If you’re into fresh and floral alcoholic drinks, then the Garden of Russia is sure to be your new favourite. This modern day take on a Vodka Sour is made with Ketel One Vodka, Bols Elderflower liqueur and citric acid to give it a slight bite and although it’s an 18.9% ABV beverage, it’s incredibly smooth and easy to drink, making it the perfect palate cleanser or appetiser. Despite its name, the Garden of Russia has been expertly mixed in Milan, Italy, ready for you to consume and enjoy from the comfort of your home. It’s an upbeat beverage that reminds us of crisp spring gardens and refreshing waterfalls, although we think it’s perfect to drink all year round.

Boulevardier Now this cocktail is nothing other than sophistication in a glass. Serve in a rocks glass alongside your favourite jazz record and lean back in your leather armchair like the absolute badass you are. The Boulevardier is a twist on the classic bitter-sweet Negroni, taking Bulleit Bourbon and combining it with Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino, Campari and Angostura aromatic bitters. This drink tastes as bold as it looks and leaves an incredibly distinctive warm aftertaste to be savoured. Think woodsmoke, leather and the fragrant musk of old books. The perfect after dinner drink – sip slowly and relish it.

Gin Proved Beautiful in both appearance and flavour, this delicately balanced drink has rose petal notes that add to its floral taste. It also looks incredible in a glass thanks to its soft violet colouring – an Instagram-friendly drink indeed. The Gin Proved is a perfect blend of Tanqueray London Dry Gin, Bols Parfait Amour liqueur, lemon and Toschi liquid sugar to build a refreshing drink that's full to the brim with flavour. Think Paris, romance and Parma violets. Perfectly perfumed for any occasion – a gin lover’s delight.

Milano Torino If you’ve ever been to Italy, there’s a chance you might have already tried a Milano Torino, a popular aperitivo with sweet-sour notes. It’s considered one of the best Campari-based cocktails to come out of Italy and, after trying this one, we now know why. NIO’s Milano Torino is made with Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino, Campari and a hint of Angostura aromatic bitters to achieve that signature bitter taste. Ideal as an appetiser, this drink reminds us of warm Italian sunsets and long evenings of music in good company. Add a chunk of orange peel to garnish if you’re feeling extra decadent.

Mai Tai The Mai Tai is a fruity and vibrant cocktail that packs a punch. It's mouthwateringly flavourful and moreish with a tangy kick, combining both sweet and sour notes. Served in a Tiki glass, the Mai Tai is the perfect cocktail for getting the party started. Made with Ron Santiago de Cuba rum, Cointreau, fresh citrus fruits and orgeat liqueur to give it a warm, earthy taste, this is a full-bodied beverage that you just can’t get enough of. Think carnivals, floral shirts and freshly picked fruit. This drink is deliciously refreshing on a hot summer's day.

Brown Gold The name alone gives away just how deliciously rich this cocktail is. Made with Bulleit Bourbon, Fair coffee and Bols vanilla liqueur, Brown Gold is both smooth and fiery with a comfortingly warm aftertaste. The perfect combo for whiskey fans and coffee fans alike, this drink is a slow-sipper and is best enjoyed after dinner as a digestif. Think cosying up in front of the fire on a cold winter evening. Brown Gold is a dreamy, copper-coloured beverage that goes down as smooth as silk.

We can only imagine that after reading this, you’re chomping at the bit and absolutely dying to get your hands on a NIO cocktail (or six). You can order your box of NIO Cocktails by visiting www.niococktails.co.uk and choosing: • Box of 3 – £19.50 • Box of 6 – £39.00 • Box of 9 – £55.00 Boxes of six cocktails and above come with free delivery. Right now, you can treat your loved ones (or yourself!) to the NIO Cocktails 12-Day Advent Cocktail Box – a beautifully presented box of cocktails to help you countdown to Christmas in style. Cheers to that!

Divorce lawyers may not be the first people you think of when looking for tips on how to enjoy the Christmas period, but having heard stories over the years from clients who have plenty to say about how their partner ruined their Christmas, here are our top tips for having a peaceful and pleasurable Christmas:

1. Compromise and respect the traditions

Each family celebrates Christmas in different ways and has their own traditions, often passed down generations, but when different families come together for Christmas, it can be difficult to respect the varying ways each family marks the occasion. Christmas Day for some may be a brisk family walk before a traditional Christmas lunch, others may celebrate Christmas with a few drinks in the pub before a more casual dinner. For others, Christmas is a religious event and starts with a church service. There may be other traditions which may seem more trivial, but which may be part of the fabric of what makes Christmas special to them –gathering to watch the Christmas episode of Doctor Who, for example. There is always room for compromise and to create new traditions together. Perhaps arranging the walk so that it passes a pub, allowing for a swift pint or two, or organising dinner time so that it does not clash with another event.

2. Give each other space…

Christmas can be a great opportunity to spend lots of time with friends and family, but it can get very claustrophobic very quickly. Often families are cooped up inside together for long periods of time and it can quickly become a boiling pot when certain habits start to grate and tempers can flare. Don't let that become a problem and if somebody wants to escape for a while and go for a lie down or for a walk to take some time out, don't see it as a negative but just a natural part of spending protracted time in each other's pockets.

3.… but make time for yourselves together

That said, also make sure you dedicate some time to yourselves. It can be all too easy to spend the entire Christmas period

in the car darting from one family member to another, so make sure time is built in to allow for this. Perhaps enjoy a lie in and a relaxed family breakfast on Boxing Day before heading out and doing the family rounds. Don't forget it is your day too, so don't feel pressured into spending the whole day trying to please others.

4. Budget, budget, budget

This year more than ever, Christmas can put a strain on family finances, which may already be under stress. Financial worries can often be a catalyst to the breakdown of a relationship, so discuss a budget in advance and try to stick to it. Your kids will still have a great Christmas spending time doing Christmas things with family and not even notice if they get a few less presents this year. 5. Don’t sweat the little stuff

Everybody is searching for that perfect Christmas, one where everything goes according to plan. But Christmas can be hard work, especially for the host, who can feel a lot of pressure to make sure everything is just right. But don't sweat the little stuff. Okay, the turkey may come out a little later than planned and the odd potato may be a little singed, but don't let it ruin the day. Issues here and there will quickly be forgotten and absolute disasters will become part of the family's Christmas story, which will be looked back on fondly with a chuckle ("do you remember that Christmas when we had to have takeaway pizza because dad forgot to turn on the oven!"). Ultimately, it is one extremely busy day, not everything will be as anticipated, but give each other a bit of slack. 6. And if all else fails

Christmas is just a few days of the year, so remember that you will get through it. If things haven’t gone well, try not to let it ruin your Christmas and if you have children, try to keep the energy up for them. Avoid making snap decisions based on what has happened over the Christmas period, particularly after one too many sherries. Christmas is unique and presents unique challenges, so don't let it cloud your judgment. There is plenty of time once the Christmas period is over to take stock and have a calm and rational conversation to discuss any issues that have flared up and to seek any support and guidance that may help guide you and any decisions you decide to make.