Made In Chelsea’s Olivia Bentley and Harry Baron get tiddly testing Chrimbo booze
The Made In Chelsea stars get into the spirit(s) of Christmas
If you pop into a bar in Chelsea, you’re extremely likely to find Liv Bentley and Harry Baron knocking back the shots, as the BFFS have been partying together for years. They certainly know their Tattinger from their tequila, so who better to invite to heat’s house party to try out some of this year’s most Christmassy cocktails?
Armed with their festive jumpers and silly hats, it doesn’t take them long to get into the spirit – literally. Liv is soon asking Harry to pour the booze straight into her mouth, and it sounds like Christmas at chez Bentley is very much a case of “go large or go home”. “Are the Bentleys into partying?” jokes Harry. “The Bentleys love getting bollocksed,” Liv confirms. “My whole family is going to Kenya for New Year, so it will be an absolute nightmare. But Christmas is all about spending time with family. And getting hooned.”
Time to get our own party started...
Baileys Almande £16 (ABV 13%)
AMAZON, L: We look like we’re kids drinking milk. Maybe this will be a good tipple to leave out for Santa. It does taste nice – smooth and creamy with a little bit of a kick to it. H: Mmm, that’s lovely. You can taste the almond in it. L: Do you say all-mond or al-mond? H: All-mond. Did I say al-mond? L: Sorry, Harry, this isn’t TOWIE. No, this one is banging. I would drink this all year round. Preferably in the morning. With a coffee. H: This tastes really festive. I think Father Christmas would definitely enjoy this. I don’t think he would deliver many presents if he was drinking it all night, though. L: You’d find him in the morning, conked out in your fireplace. ★★★★★
Taste The Difference Blackfriars Pomegranate & Rose Gin
£16 (ABV 37.5%)
SAINSBURY’S, H: Get that down you, Liv. Whoa, that tastes strong! L: [Pulls a face.] Aaargh! It doesn’t taste very festive, but it would be great in the summer with some lemonade. H: Yes, it’s a bit too flowery tasting to be Christmassy. L: The bottle is quite pretty and I love gin, but I don’t think I would order this in a bar. And doesn’t gin make you feel very emotional? Maybe that wouldn’t be the best idea for me. ★★★
Extra Special Gingerbread Gin Liqueur
£12 (ABV 20%)
ASDA, H: This one is even sparkly, too. L: Well, it’ll be right up your street then, Harry! I love gin anyway, but this smells like toffee. H: Wow, that tastes unreal – I really like this. This is like Christmas in a bottle. It really tastes of gingerbread. L: It definitely tastes festive. I wouldn’t mix with this with anything, I’d just have it as a shot. Or use it to make an Irish coffee. I’ll have that tomorrow morning... H: It smells like it’s going to be really sweet, but it’s really lovely – and would look great at a party as it’s so sparkly. ★★★★★
Heston’s Cherry Bakewell Vodka WAITROSE, £24.50 (ABV 40%)
L: Why don’t you just pour it straight in my mouth, Harry? [Swallows a large mouthful and winces.] That’s, er, a no from me. H: Oh no, I do like this one. H: How can I describe the taste? It’s like a cherry vodka, but then it has a quite warming almond note to it at the end. This is like an amaretto with a cherry twist. L: I think it tastes like pure alcohol. H: I don’t think it’s the first drink you would have in the evening, maybe the tenth... when you can’t taste what’s going on. It’s pretty strong! ★★★★
Spytail Black Ginger Rum £25 (ABV 40%)
MASTERS OF MALT, H: Wow, check out the bottle. This looks serious. It’s really big, too. L: That tastes naughty. There is a Christmassy taste to it with the ginger kick. I can imagine nicking this from my grandparents’ drinks cabinet. It is a bit of an old man’s drink. It would make a good gift for your dad or something. H: It is very strong. I think you’d drink this over ice while you’re playing snooker. ★★★
Pinkster Raspberry Gin OCADO, £30 (ABV 37.5%)
H: The bottle says it’s “Agreeably British Gin”, but it smells French. L: It looks like a bottle of aftershave. I hope it doesn’t taste like one. [Takes a gulp.] OH MY GOD – NO! That’s not for me. It tastes a bit like an old woman’s knicker drawer, you know? H: No, I don’t know! I’ve never been through an old woman’s knicker drawer! I think this would be nice with tonic, but like the other fruitier drinks, I’d prefer to drink it in the summer. Although, I’m well on my way to being pissed now, so... cheers! ★★★
Spiced Plum & Clementine Gin ALDI, £13.99 (ABV 37.5%)
H: This one smells really good. L: I’m not sure, it’s quite fruity, but with the alcohol it does taste a bit like you’ve sprayed perfume in your mouth. H: I wouldn’t say that’s a very wintery drink. L: Yeah, it’s a bit too summery. It smells like my grandma’s potpourri. I can imagine drinking this more easily somewhere sunny. Maybe if you’re at the regatta and you have a long day ahead and you need to get really pissed. ★★★
Tiptree Tawny Marmalade Vodka Liqueur
£18 (ABV 25%)
SAINSBURY’S, L: The flavour is definitely marmalade. I think I’m getting quite bollocksed. You’ll like this one, Harry. H: Will I? L: Well, I didn’t, so I assumed you would. H: I don’t think there’s that much flavour to it. L: I can taste the marmalade, but I’m not sure if I would want to drink marmalade-flavoured booze. Maybe it would be really good for cooking with. H: What on earth are you cooking with vodka? ★★
Rekorderlig Spiced Plum Cider TESCO, £2.20 (ABV 4%)
L: This one is for you, babe. H: It tastes like Ribena. In a bad way. It’s like something you would drink when you’re 17. L: Ooh, yes – it does taste a bit like a liquid version of Haribo or WKD for virgins. I think it’s because the flavour is really sweet and almost a bit artificial. ★★
Mince Pie Martini M&S, £10 (ABV 20%)
H: Wow, this tastes really, really sweet. L: I don’t mind it actually. You can taste the dried fruit and spices. It’s like a boozy mince pie. H: It’s a bit like a dessert shot – you could have it after dinner. L: Ooh, look, it says on the bottle it’s for vegetarians and vegans.
H: Very 2018.
★★★★