If you’re anything like us, come December you can keep your trendy mezcal and negronis. No arty craft beers for us either, thanks, and definitely none of this whiskey business either – we’ve tried all year to like it and it’s just not happening. Obviously we’re not cool enough.
Instead, we’ll be rummaging through our parents drinks cabinet for something decidedly cheesy. We’re thinking sherry, we’re thinking sickly creamy cocktails, we’re thinking cocktail cherries. It’s Christmas, so if not now WHEN? If not us, WHO? Some of these won’t have seen the light of day since 1989: it’s time.
1. Harveys Bristol Cream
Yes, sherry is cool now. You only have to walk past the likes of Pix, Camino and Pizarro to see a bearded hipster enjoying a fino sherry flight, but I think we can all agree that Harveys Bristol Cream – whilst hailing from Jerez – definitely has a touch of the Nanas about it. And that is no bad thing. One of our favourite childhood memories is being allowed a small sherry with our Nan, and nothing takes us back like a warming glass of Harveys. You can try it chilled in a wine glass, or short with ice and a slice of orange, but we like ours straight up and plenty of it. Delicious.
2. Snowball
Until recently, this was definitely a fairly embarrassing drink to own up to enjoying, but everywhere we look there is a non-ironic 70’s pop-up bar serving some delightfully cheesy cocktails, so a Snowball is more than ok. Make it yourself by combining three shots of bright yellow creamy liqueur Advocaat with a dash of vodka and lime juice and shake it all up with ice. Pour into a high ball glass and top up with lemonade. Finish with some cherries, obvs. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, you can add a scoop of ice cream for the most festive float ever. CBA to make it yourself? Coin Laundry in Exmouth Market hasa belter.
3. Babycham
Something about the season makes this retro girly fizz just seem irresistible to us. Is it the iconic leaping fawn? Or the evocative sparkling perry flavour? We’re not sure. Either way, a glass or two of this never goes amiss at Christmas, and this year we’ve even got the little coupe Babycham glasses to drink it out of.
4. White Russian
We’ve just about got over the memory of too many of these in the local Vodka Rev’s at uni and this year it might be time to bring it out again for our Christmas eve cocktail party. If you’re feeling brave enough, combine two shots of vodka with a shot of Kahlua or Tia Maria, fresh cream and plenty of ice. Shake it up and you’re good to go. Just don’t go embarking on a stick of flavoured vodka shots after.
5. Harvey Wallbanger
We like to think of this as a breakfast drink; it is orange juice based, after all. We don’t need to tell you how to make this, but we will anyway: shot of vodka, shot of Galliano and top up with some decent OJ. Very restorative and something we’d like to see making more of a comeback, so we’ll do our bit to help.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.