If you’re not into wine and beer, here are the Christmas spirits we think you should stock up on over the festive period

Whether you’re looking for a gift, throwing a party, or fortifying yourself to spend time with your family, the festive period is a peak time for boozing. Here are some suggestions to get you in the Christmas spirits:

Appleton Estate Rare Blend 12 Year Old Jamaica Rum

Christmas and rum go together like pirates and rum. Whether you’re making eggnog or hiding from the in-laws, rum is a holiday essential. Appleton’s 12 Year Old is a carnival of diverse flavours including citrus, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, over-ripe bananas, and almost licorice-y muscovado sugar. It’s great for sipping, but the long aging in ex-bourbon barrels makes it an exciting substitute in traditional bourbon cocktails such as Old Fashioneds. Or, for a simple long drink, fill a tall glass with ice, add 50ml of Appleton’s 12 Year Old, top up with cola, and decorate the rim with a wheel of lime.

£34.00 waitrose.com

Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky (Xmas Edition)

Does it taste good? Who cares? The bottle is wearing an ugly Christmas jumper! But, happily, it tastes great, too. A mash bill of corn, barley, and – atypically – wheat delivers a lighter bourbon, with a smooth taste of caramel and vanilla, offering a great entry point into the category while warming the cockles of established bourbon-drinkers’ hearts. When Food & Wine magazine convened a panel of distinguished distillers, whiskey writers and bar owners, it was with near unanimity that Maker’s Mark was declared “the most important bourbon ever made”. Muddle 50ml of Maker's Mark with 15ml of simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and crushed ice, serve in a silver cup and garnish with pomegranate seeds for a festively decorative mint julep.

£30.00 in-store from Asda

Patrón Añejo Tequila

What could be more Christmassy than Mexico? Lots of things, probably, but their flag has all the right festive colours, and why let yourself be constrained by tradition? Patrón Añejo Tequila is aged for a minimum of 12 months, for extra flavour and complexity. Golden, sweet, and smooth, it’s the perfect gift to bring variety to a friend’s liquor cabinet. Fill a shaker with ice, 100ml of Patrón Añejo, 100ml of cranberry juice, and 25ml of Cointreau. Shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled glass with a sugared rim, then garnish with a twist of orange peel. Merry Christ-marg!

£59.63 masterofmalt.com

Roku Gin

The Japanese celebrate Christmas by ordering bucket-loads of KFC, so they clearly know what they’re doing. Building on a base of traditional botanicals, such as juniper, lemon peel and coriander, Roku Gin introduces quintessentially Japanese elements, such as yuzu, sansho pepper, and top notes of cherry blossom. Serve over ice with matchsticks of raw ginger and Fever-Tree Tonic Water.

£30.00, waitrose.com

Laphroaig Lore

Have you ever wanted to eat a smouldering yule log? Me neither, but it might taste something like this; big smoky flavour with a comforting burst of alcoholic heat that expands through your chest, like it’s hugging you from the inside. This no age statement single malt from the Hebridean island of Islay packs the expected blend of peatiness and minerality, along with hints of sherry from some of the casks in which it was aged. Drink it neat, or with a splash of water.

£78.30, masterofmalt.com

Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port Wine

For a traditional Christmas tipple, you can’t go wrong with a good port, and Graham’s 20 Year Old is decidedly that. Rich, soft and ruby brown, this sweet-but-not-sickly fortified wine marries walnut creaminess with rounded dried fruits, and has a long, satisfying finish. Sold in packs of three 200ml bottles, it’s ideal for Secret Santas, stocking fillers, and decompressing after a relentless day of presents and feasting. Great with a cigar by a roaring fire, or with a plate of cheese and oatcakes, it should be served slightly chilled.

£30.00, amazon.co.uk