In the same way that top football managers agonise over their team selection, the Hop Press crew put copious thought into what’s going to fill - we don’t do half measures! - our festive glasses.

There will definitely be room under our Christmas tree for a bottle or six of 4% Zingibeer, which it’s worth noting is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

It’s made with much love in Smithfield by father and daughter Kevin and Rachael Byrne who stress that: “We are not beer flavoured with ginger, but rather fermented ginger with a twist of lemon zest and a hint of botanicals.”

Aromatic and gently warming, you can either enjoy it on its own or have it as the key component in a winter warmer cocktail like the Dark & Zingi elsewhere in this feature.

From the wild Atlantic coast of Donegal comes the all-new 46% Legendary Ruby Silkie, the latest bold whiskey expression from Sliabh Liag Distillers who also use locally foraged seaweeds to produce their remarkable 43.2% An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin.

As for the former, the tasting notes tell us that: “By using casks seasoned with Ruby Port, this exceptional whiskey achieves a delicate balance of opulent cherry and blackcurrant flavours, enhanced by aromatic floral resin notes. The port finish dries the intrinsic caramel sweetness of the signature notes of green apple and ginger and accentuates the peat smoke finish.”

Somehow managing to taste as good as that sounds, it really is a fine drop.

Made with martinis in mind and available from the likes of the Celtic Whiskey Store, Molloy’s, Tesco and SuperValu, 46% Boatyard Gin is an organically produced wheat spirit macerated (oh, how we love that word!) for eighteen hours with eight different botanicals, including Sweet Gale harvested on the McGirr family farm in Fermanagh.

It’s also smooth enough to enjoy on its own over ice with a slice of lemon.

As partial as we are to all things Irish, Christmas is also time for classics like Hennessy, the French cognac house with strong Cork connections.

To mark the 300th birthday of their Leeside founder Richard Hennessy, they’ve conjured up a limited-edition Hennessy Very Special (V.S) Founder Edition bottle designed by Irish artists Maser and Conor Harrington.

Contents sipped or used to make your favourite cocktail – it’s definitely one for the mantlepiece.

As well as snow, there should also be bubbles at Christmas which is where Moët & Chandon comes in.

The most iconic of champagnes, it’s guaranteed to add extra sparkle to any festive occasion. For something deliciously different try their sweet and fruity Ice Impérial, which is the first and only champagne specially created to enjoy over ice.

Forget mountains of Quality Street tins in your local supermarket or Noddy shouting “It’s Christmasssssssssss!” on the radio, the surest sign that Santa is on his way is O’Hara’s releasing the latest iteration of their 5% Winter Star Spiced Pale Ale, which has a soothing cinnamon ‘n’ nutmeg warmth.

Also keep your tastebuds peeled for White Hag’s 6.8% Yule Christmas Ale which is bursting with rich honey, cinnamon and orange peel flavours; Kinnegar’s 6.3% Big Hoppy Brown Ale which is brewed with the festive season in mind; and Mescan’s 5.7% Spéartha Dorcha Oyster Stout, which was launched recently as part of the Mayo Dark Skies extravaganza.

So, there you have it, a Barcelona-esque selection of exceptional Christmas quaffables to say “Sláinte!” with.

Xmas Cracker Cocktails

Boatyard Gin - BOATYARD MARTINI

Ingredients
50ml Boatyard Double Gin
25ml Dry Vermouth
2 dashes orange bitters

Method
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice. Strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish as you prefer – lemon, olive and pickled onion all work wonderfully!

Zingibeer – DARK & ZINGI

Ingredients
150ml Zingibeer
50ml dark rum
25ml fresh lime juice and a wedge to serve
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
5ml sugar syrup (optional)

Method

Mix all the ingredients together with lots of ice

Aldi Cream Liqueur – ALDI FLAT WHITE MARTINI

Serves 2

Ingredients
20ml vodka
40ml Irish Cream Liqueur or Caramel & Hazelnut Cream Liqueur
15ml sugar syrup or 1 tsp honey
1 small espresso
Ice
Coffee beans for garnish

Method
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker.
Add ice and shake thoroughly.
Strain into a Martini glass.
Garnish with coffee beans and enjoy!

LAMBAY OLD FASHIONED

Ingredients
40ml Lambay Whiskey
15ml Pedro Ximenez
2 Dashes Chocolate Bitters
2x Plum Bitters

Method
Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously for a few minutes. Pour with a fine strainer into a rocks glass over ice and enjoy. Garnish with an orange twist.

HENNESSY V.S.O.P NEGRONI

Ingredients
Hennessy V.S.O.P 40ml
Campari 20ml
Sweet Vermouth 20ml

Method
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice
Stir to chill
Strain into a rocks glass over large cube
Garnish with an orange twist

Moët & Chandon - IMPÉRIAL 1869

Ingredients
15 ml agave syrup*
2 dashes grapefruit bitters
1 dash orange blossom water
100 ml Moët & Chandon Moët Impérial

*Agave syrup: mix 1 part agave nectar with 1 part water (50/50)

Method
Pour all the ingredients into a coupette and top with champagne. Garnish with a sprig of gypsophila and serve with a smile.