we did mention there are rules (didn't we?)
Where would webe without rules to guide us through life, and where would the 12 Drinks be without some sort of framework to maintain order?
It is pretty simple really, consume 12 Drinks during the course of the day (and night) – usually Christmas Day.
Be sensible and you will have a great time.
Pace yourself! How hard can it be?
But 12 light beers over the course of 12 hours hardly broadens your palate and widens your tastes does it?
Hence the rules.
so here is how it works
Before we reveal the rules, you need to know that there are always exceptions to any rule, and we offer a number of these “substitutions” as we go, so please don’t feel that you can’t participate – read on!
The basic concept is to try to experience new and different creations to imbibe, quaff, sip, swig, down, knock back and maybe even swill or guzzle.
On top of basic wine, beer and of course bubbles!
Now don’t let the thought swilling take away from the pleasure of sipping a new cocktail, or an excellent glass of Champagne.
Trying a new Gin in your classic G+T is as much part of the Joy of the 12 Drinks as sharing a new cocktail with family and friends.
the basic rules
[you drink 12 Drinks in the course of the day, the 12 Drinks]
What if you can’t drink beer (for example)? Scoot down to our “substitutions, double ups and other variations” section below.
The 12 Drinks of Christmas, consist of the following:
The Basics
A glass of Bubbles, a fine Champagne, or your favourite sparkling.
A glass of any white wine
A glass of any red wine (this includes a Rose)
A beer, any type, style, strength.
Then it gets complicated…
The Mixed
8 mixed drinks or cocktails with the hero spirit being:
Bubbles
Gin
Vodka
Scotch Whiskey or Irish Whiskey
Bourbon Rye or American Whiskey
Tequila
Rum (Dark or White)
[so you can have any combination of these, but you can only have 2 mixed drinks / cocktails with the same hero spirit/base]
That makes 12 Drinks.
substitutions, double-ups and other variations
[these variations are available to every participant in the 12 Drinks]
substitutions + double ups
To try to make it easy for those who really enjoy one tipple, and really hate another there are substitutions available in the Basics.
You can swap out a beer for example, with a second glass of bubbles.
You can swap out a glass of red wine with a glass of white wine.
So in the Basics you could have 2 glasses of bubbles and 2 white wines; or 2 beers and 2 glasses of red wine.
other variations
Popular in the mixed drink section is the use of more complicated cocktails to cover off spirits you may have missed, without going over the “2 mixed drinks/cocktails with the same hero spirit/base”.
For example, a bubbles lover could have:
2 Bubbles based cocktails – say classic Mimosas
2 Gin & Bubbles cocktails – say French 75’s
2 Tequila spiked “Mimosa Margaritas” – Yum!
and how about 2 Moscow Mule Mimosas?
Now that ticks all the boxes, is Bubbles heavy, and will probably send you off to sleep with a smile! See our Suggested Menus for more helpful variations. If you are bubbles centric then maybe our bubbles specific menu & recipies would be of interest…
now, of course, there are 2 overarching rules
(1) Enjoy yourself – don’t be a slave to the rules, don’t try break any records and don’t be silly.
(2) Drink responsibly – it is a whole day, and there are plenty of zero or low alcohol options!
