We celebrate Shabbat with wine, but for this year’s festival of lights
why not switch things up by opting for something even more special.
Here are a few ideas for the best kosher bottles to invest in to elevate your evenings.
Bubbles are always going to get the party started, either neat or turned into a cocktail – which has the benefit of making it go further in a crowd.
Champagne is always an investment so you may prefer to savour yours neat. If you want to stretch it a little further, add a touch of crème de cassis (a blackcurrant based liqueur) to turn it into a sweet and pretty Kir Royale.
Prosecco generally comes at a lower price point and perfect paired with elderflower cordial for a light and fragrant drink. Or you could go traditional by adding peach juice for a Bellini, which brings with it the romance of 1940s Venice, where it was originally created at the iconic Harry’s Bar.
Sticking with grape-based drinks, Herzog’s Forebearers Late Harvest Chardonnay is a sweet dessert wine that’s perfect served chilled with your Chanukah doughnuts or other sweet treats. Dip almondy biscotti into your glass to turn it into dessert.
Morad’s orange liqueur is another sticky sweet treat that’s delicious chilled and served over ice, or switch things up with an Eighties Cosmopolitan (the drink much favoured by Sarah Jessica Parker and friends in television show Sex and The City) by adding vodka and cranberry juice.
Cherry-based liqueurs are a gorgeously retro pick. The Jelinek version has sweet vanilla and almond flavours. Perfect for shaking up with lemon juice and gin for a Gin Sling. Just add a maraschino cherry.
Almondy-tasting amaretto is another old favourite that works as well served simply for dipping biscotti (or mandelbrot) as it does over ice or in a cocktail – try mixing with vodka and pouring over ice.
It’s also delicious added to a black coffee or a latte.
Flavoured vodkas are not just for bar mitzvah party shots. Thunder toffee vodka – which started life as an apre-ski treat on the slopes of Val D’Isère – is equally delicious over ice, but at this time of year makes a gorgeous addition to a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. Serve with churros to dip into your grown-up cocoa.
Chocoholics will adore Schmerling’s chocolate liqueur or Walders’ creamy vodka and vanilla version added to a hot chocolate or coffee
for a warming alcoholic kick. Or keep either of them neat over ice. My favourite way to enjoy them would be drizzled over ice cream or to moisten the sponge in a festive trifle.
Either tipple will also be perfect for sipping after dinner. Have them
neat, or over ice for a slightly longer drink.
However you enjoy your kosher tipples, l’chaim and Chanukah sameach!