Our top picks on culinary treats and Christmas sweets for foodies
By Helen Brown
Smith & Sinclair
The brand coined the Willy Wonka for adults, Smith & Sinclair, has reimagined its original alcoholic gummy sweets with five new selection boxes. The expertly mixed cocktail compilations have been curated with every social occasion in mind. Treat your foodie friend to the After Dinner box which features a mouth-watering Mocha Espresso Martini, or surprise gin-lovers with the Gin Obsessed box.
£14.99; smithandsinclair.com
Joe & Seph’s
Flavour sensationalists, Joe & Seph’s are here to make the festive season a whole lot merrier with a tantalising new range of Christmas popcorn products. Flavours range from Mince Pie and Brandy Butter to Mint Chocolate and Peanut Butter, all of which can be found in the Popcorn Gift Box. Other gifting favourites include a giant cracker, baubles and a Christmas stocking.
Prices from £5; joeandsephs.co.uk
Pinkster
Add an element of fun to your Christmas lunch with these gin crackers from Pinkster. These elegant crackers hold both a dinkster 5cl bottle and a mini jar of gin jam and are guaranteed to liven up the dinner table. The brilliant pink colour and the delicate flavour come from fresh raspberries. Deliciously dry and exceptionally smooth, be sure to finish your G&T with a sprig of mint.
£10; pinkstergin.com
Rooted Spices
A Rooted Spice gift box makes the perfect present for keen cooks. Specialising in single-origin spices, sourced for their superior taste, Rooted Spice have curated a gifting range to suit all palettes and preferences. We love the Middle Eastern Spice Set which has everything you need to whip up a deliciously fragrant dinner.
From £32.50; rootedspices.com
Hotel Chocolat
The tinsel is unpacked and the tree lights untangled; it’s the season for merriment and feasting. Jolly Santa, snowman and their penguin friend are just a few from Hotel Chocolat’s tantalising range of festive sweets, treats and gift boxes. With chocs available to mix and match, you can treat yourself while you treat others.
£8 each; hotelchocolat.com
Chococo
An annual best-seller, Chococo’s decadent advent box brings a fresh take to the annual Christmas countdown. It features a selection of the brand’s finest award-winning festive chocolates to enjoy from December 1 through to the big day. The creative flavours include Tawny Port & Fig, Dorset Salted Caramel, Fizzy Puddings and Mince Pie.
£23.50; chococo.co.uk
Harrods
Harrods’ personalised signature sourdough is the ideal gift for the foodie who has everything. Straight from the world-famous bakery and the highly-skilled team of bakers, each sourdough loaf can be personalised with initials and will be freshly baked on request.
Sipsmith
The Sipsmith Gin Shop is officially open with a huge amount of gin goodies, decorations and stocking fillers. Give your tree a quirky twist with this set of miniature gin bottles, or dish them out to your gin-loving friends.
£25; johnlewis.com
Paul
PAUL has captured the essence of Christmas by taking their five-generation-strong recipes and giving them a festive flare. Hybrid creation, the Mince Pie Croissant, is back for 2018 with two new flavours, alongside beautiful bûches de Noël, sweet stocking fillers and gourmet gifts.
From £1.75; paul-uk.com
