Drink gifts
Gin
Gin has been a popular alcoholic drink sold in the UK for centuries. Ever since the Glorious Revolution at the end of the 17th century, Gin has enjoyed ever-ascending popularity, with bottles filling the shelves of cocktail bars and pubs across the world. It can be enjoyed with a variety of tonic waters, and even mixers such as lemonade. Consumers are spoilt for choice now if they're searching for Gin gift sets. There are ones that come with small bottles of gin and a mixer. Some even include a gin class. There are pink gin gift sets and flavoured gin gift sets available for everyone to enjoy. Gin is predominantly made from juniper berries and is used in a wide variety of modern-day and classic cocktails. These range from martinis to Tom Collins. Does gin go off? Gin can be kept for a very long time before it needs throwing away. In fact, it can be kept for years. As long as the bottom is well-sealed and stored out of the way of direct sunlight, you don't have to use a whole bottle in a short space of time. You can keep coming back to it whenever you like. Is gin vegan? Most gins are considered to be vegan. In fact, a lot of the harder alcoholic spirits are. The only exceptions are gins that have some elements of honey in them. If honey is listed on the label of a gin in a gin gift set, it's one to avoid if you're a vegan. When wondering if you can drink a gin, it's always a good idea to do your research and find out for definite before committing to any purchases. What is gin liqueur? Gin liqueur is different to gin because it has a sweeter taste than normal gin. It's still been made from juniper berries, but it's had extra ingredients added to it to give it a sweeter taste. Gin liqueurs also tend to have a lower alcohol percentage than normal gin you would find on the shelf or in a gin gift set. How long does flavoured gin last once opened? Flavoured gin can last a very long time after you've opened it. Over time, the quality of the taste will probably reduce as the gin is exposed to more oxygen, but this is a process that can take years. That gives you ample time to enjoy your flavoured gins from your flavoured gin gift sets. What mixes well with gin? Gin lovers are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing their mixer. Gin can be paired with anything. The most popular pairings are normally lemonade or tonic water. Other mixers that also go well with gin can be vermouth and lime. Mixers are often included in gin gift sets, pink gin gift sets, and other flavoured gift sets. Does gin freeze? If you're struggling for somewhere to keep your gin, you can keep it in the freezer. If you do, don't worry about it freezing. Gin can't freeze because its ABV levels are commonly around 37.5%. This is too high for it to turn to ice.
Port
Port wine is one of those drinks you may not often encounter, but port gift sets can make perfect and sophisticated drinks gifts for someone if you're looking for something different. It's a drink packed with history and flavour that can bring an air of tradition and prestige to every occasion. Where does Port come from? Port originates from Portugal. It's a Portuguese fortified wine from the Douro region and aptly gets its name from the city of Porto, Portugal's second-largest city. To make this drink even more unique, only a port made in Portugal can carry the name. This is because of the EU's name protection law that bans the name port from being used elsewhere on any other product. Fortified wine has been an important export for Portugal since the 1100s. However, it wasn't until the 17th century that fortified wine exported abroad was first called port. What types of Port wine are there? There are different types of port wine that could be included in a port gift set. The main four categories of port are: White Port - white port is made from white Portuguese grapes and offers a range of styles for the drinker, ranging from dry to sweet. Ruby Port - ruby port is the most common type of port available. The flavour of a ruby port can be powerful, often evoking flavours of fruit and chocolate. Tawny Port - tawny ports are made from red grapes and can range in appearance, either appearing in colours of gold or brown. This type of port matures in wooden casks or barrels so they can age and last longer. They can often have very rich flavours. Vintage Port - this differs from the other types of port because they are left to age for up to two years before being bottled. Vintages from decades can still be perfectly okay to drink and may even have more depth and boldness of flavour and aromas. What does a Port gift set go with? A port gift set can be a flexible drink and served for several purposes. However, port is commonly served after the end of a sitting, usually with desserts or a delicious cheeseboard. The sweet, fruity flavours could complement the dense richness of cheeses very well, so this could be the perfect time to open your port gift set and enjoy it with everyone. Should port wine be refrigerated after opening? Port can last a long time. All of the different varieties have a lengthy shelf life. Tawny and Ruby ports can last for a number of months, for example. It should be stored in the same way you keep wine. Horizontal in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Never store a bottle of port at room temperature. Is Port vegan? Whether the port is vegan or not can depend entirely on the port in question. If a port gift set from an in-store or online retailer sells a suitable port for vegans, it will state so. If the ingredients aren't listed on the bottle or on the port gift set packaging, it can be difficult to tell what ingredients are included. Therefore, they're probably best avoided. If port isn't for you, read our guide on the best wine gifts instead.
Red wine
Red wine gift sets are more than just alcohol. They can be an excellent accompaniment for cooking and the key to celebrating a special occasion in style. Wine is known for its fruity, fresh flavours that come from the many different varieties of grapes that create its famous taste. We talk all about the extraordinary things you never knew about the history of wine. Wine also comes with an air of sophistication, particularly red wine. Red wine gift sets can make the perfect birthday or Christmas present for some you care about if you want to buy drink gifts. How long does red wine last once opened? This can depend on the type of red wine that you're drinking. It's also dependent on how long it's been exposed to air. Oxidation can affect the smell and taste of red wine if a bottle is left either at warm or room temperatures. Once opened, you can store your red wine in either a cool or dark place for up to five days. Where to store red wine? Never store your red wine at room temperature on the kitchen counters. Always keep your bottle in a cool place. Exposing your red wine to warm temperatures can spoil the flavour of the wine inside the bottle, even if you haven't opened it yet! Store your bottle horizontally either in a wine rack, if you have one, or on one of your fridge shelves. Can I use red wine for cooking? Absolutely. A red wine gift set can be a brilliant addition to your evening meals, and not just as a drink. It can be used to cook your meats (lamb, beef, and ham always go well with red wine), or it can make a delicious jus to serve on the side of your main meal. You can even include red wine in some dessert recipes if you want. Red wine gift sets are incredibly versatile. You can read all about wines you can use for cooking in our guide best white and red wine to cook with. When can I drink red wine gift sets? The great thing about red wine is that it can be used for many special occasions and celebrations. A bottle from a red wine gift set can go well with a nice dinner at home for everyone to enjoy. You could also host your own wine tasting at home. We cover wine tasting in more detail in our guide on how to host your own wine tasting at home. In addition, wine is appropriate for dinner parties, graduation celebrations, wedding receptions, and big milestone birthdays celebrations. If you're wondering which red wines to celebrate with, check out our guide on the best wines for special occasions.
Whiskey
Few alcohols have the history and revered reputation that whiskey does. It's made worldwide, with many countries producing their own unique blends. If you want drinks gifts that go a long way, then a whiskey gift set is one to consider. Know for intense flavours that differ by country and brand, whiskey gift sets will never fail to leave an impression on those that buy them. What is whiskey made from? Whiskey is such a diverse drink. Therefore, there are several ways to make it depending on what kind is being made. Water and yeast are the two main ingredients in whiskey. Water is needed for the distillation period and to soften the strength of the alcohol, whereas yeast is required to create the flavours of whiskey. If Scotch Whisky is being made, then barley will also be used. If Bourbon Whiskey is being produced, then distilleries will use corn instead. What countries produce whiskey? Many countries around the world have thriving whiskey industries, meaning there are plenty of whiskey gift sets for you to choose from. Countries such as Scotland, Ireland, the USA, and Japan have long-standing histories of producing whiskies, and each produces its own speciality and have their own distinctive brands. Whiskey is also up-and-coming in countries such as England and Wales, with distilleries opening there for the first time in over 100 years. Does whiskey go off? Unlike alcohols like wine, whiskey doesn't have a set shelf life before it goes off. However, it would help if you still didn't store whiskey from your whiskey gift set in warm rooms. It should be kept cool and out of sunlight as much as possible. The taste can be affected if oxidation occurs, so try and keep as little air in the bottle as possible. The bottles should be stored upright, too, not on their side like they would be if they were wine. This is because whiskey corks, unlike wine corks, aren't designed to be in contact with alcohol. They become less effective if this is the case. How do I drink whiskey? There are several different ways to drink whiskey from your whiskey gift sets. If you've got strong taste buds, drink your whiskey gift set neat or with a splash of water. You can even add ice cubes to your glass to soften the strong taste. Whiskey gift sets can be sold in several ways. Some can be sold as small taster bottles. Others can be partnered with mixers to make a larger whiskey gift set. For example, Jack Daniels and Coke. Or, they can be part of a cocktail like an Old Fashioned. If you're thinking about making your whiskey drink, read our guide on learning how to make these 4 classic whiskey cocktails. Does all whiskey taste the same? There are many different types of whiskey, created all around the world. Each type has its own distinct flavours, fermenting and distilling processes, but sometimes it can be hard to know which whiskey is which. Single malt scotch whiskies can taste quite smoky. Blended scotches can taste smoother due to the blended flavours complementing each other. Bourbon whiskey, by contrast, can taste much sweeter. Because it's often triple-distilled, Irish whiskey can have a mellower taste than other whiskies. If you want to know more about the different types of whiskey that could be included in a whiskey gift set, read our buyer's guide on 7 things you need to know if you're new to whiskey.