Essential Drinks for Christmas Occasions

A few weeks ago, we decided that this December we'd try to clean up our act and stay sober until Christmas. Then we realised it was a stupid idea, what with parties, after-shopping drinks, lunchtime pints and general 'stuck in a room with idiots' emergency drinking.

So, as ever, we've been embracing the festive spirits with all our usual fervor, but this year we've decided that our Christmas tipples will be interesting and good quality instead of default G&Ts and Blossom Hill. Check out our essential guide to what to drink - and when.

While Opening Presents Early on Christmas Day
First things first - Martini and lemonade at 11am is the order of the day with 1 part Martini to 2 parts lemonade. If you're feeling fancy, you could even go for Martini Rosso and a glace cherry while the wrapping paper is being flung around the front room. If you want to move away from the 1970s, you could update the drink by opting for a cranberry juice mixer instead - yums.

With the Turkey
Everyone likes a nice glass of vino with the Christmas dinner, if only because it's guaranteed to get you in the mood pretty quickly. However this year put the Jacob's Creek to one side and try out a nice - and often reasonably priced - oaked white Burgundy such as a Macon Village. If you prefer red, go for a light wine like a Pinot Noir from Chile or New Zealand for the best value. Just steer clear of cheap French Pinot Noir, our official wine advisers tell us!

With a Slice of Christmas Cake
Everyone's Christmas cakes are always a bit dry and crumb-like when you bite into them, so to hide your disappointment and your unconvincing 'mmm it's lovely', get involved with the sherry. It might make you feel like a granny, but what's wrong with that? Sweet Olorosso sherry complements the Christmas cake flavours really well. Another perfect match is brandy (forget Martel, get a much better ageing bottle of Armagnac for about £15) - basically, drink anything that has gone into the cake mixture!

When Your Nan Comes Round
There's a time to be (or pretend to be) classy at Christmas, but there is also a time for avocaat and lemonade - and that time is when your nan comes round. After a few snowballs, finish off with a Bailey's chaser, then if you need a pudding, get out the chocolate liqueurs - you knew you bought them for some reason... Your grand-ma-ma (and you) will probably be sloshed but it's all for a good cause, or something, dear. Chin chin!

On a Hangover
After struggling to keep down the Alka Seltzers, being forced to the pub or yet another relative-in-law's house for more turkey sandwich-based lunches feels like a fate worse than death. A smoothie is of course the best liquid start to a hungover day, but if you're determined to battle through, go for the old favourite, a bloody Mary - heavy on the Tobasco to cut through its sickliness. Failing that, a vodka and orange with a dash of soda water combines the best of all worlds.

At Your Work's Christmas Party
Company parties are of course the perfect excuse to get your money's worth out of your employers, but the potential for career damaging drunken hell is extortionate. And that's not the mention the still-drunk morning after where you come into work clutching your head and a half eaten packet of Frazzles. Get the last laugh by sipping white wine spritzers all night - you'd be surprised how possible it is to remain at that 'perfect tipsiness' level on spritzers, with career left intact.

Whatever you do, remember to drink in moderation (or at least to try) and most importantly of all, remember to stock up on plenty of Babysham - the official drink of Christmas as far as we're concerned. Enjoy!