6 after-dinner tipples to crown Christmas celebrations

‘Tis the season when certain drinks come into their own, especially if you like to save a little room for last.

Those special labels which grace the table but once a year… and leave you thinking what you serve at the end of the meal is just as important as the first flute of fizz.

Especially with festive desserts, cheeses and choccies crying out for the final flourish – and a great excuse for grown-ups to indulge in the sweeter side of life; or switch out Christmas pud for a glass of something special.

Here’s what’s leaving a lasting impression…

1. Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2022, Australia, £8.75, (37.5cl), Tesco

A golden elixir and deftly blended, this late-harvested orange muscat is a sweet symphony of tropical fruit punctuated with zesty citrus, spice and blossomy aromas; rich with good acidity, serve well-chilled with trifle or soft blue cheeses.

2. Asda Extra Special Port Late Bottled Vintage 2019, Portugal, £11.97, (75cl), Asda

Pass the port please… for purists, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an LBV (late bottled vintage and no need to decant) – and this IWC Gold Medal Winner 2025 is quite possibly the best supermarket own label. Made for Asda by the famous Symington Family Estates, it’s smooth, rich and laden with sweet, plummy, berry flavours galore; woody spice on the lingering finish, and a win-win with Stilton.

3. Luxardo Amaretto Di Saschira Liqueur, Italy, £19.75, (70cl), The Whisky Exchange

Sinfully sweet, this almond-flavoured liqueur is a dream ticket with Christmas tiramisu; or poured over vanilla ice cream. Moreish and adored for its nutty, almond aromas, hints of marzipan, vanilla and lingering toasty nuances, savour over ice and look forward to the next glass.

4. Vinte Vinte x Taylor’s Chocolate Port Cup Pack, Portugal, £20, (37.5cl & 8 Vinte Vinte 58% dark chocolate cups), Amazon

One to delight dark chocolate lovers, this LBV offers the best of both worlds with cute chocolate cups to tantalise the taste buds, creating the perfect pairing. Think Taylor’s fragrant aromas of cassis, plums, hints of liquorice and wild herbs; full bodied, palate-coating flavours, harmonious finish… and everything heightened with chocolatey elements to round off a sweet ending.

5. Henriques & Henriques 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira, Portugal, £25, (50cl), Majestic

Remarkably drinkable and a brilliant introduction to Madeira, this rich malmsey (aka malvasia) is worth seeking out for its warming, lasting flavours which can stand up to toffee pudding; and a decadent drop on its own. Rich, sweet and nutty with hints of walnuts, dried fruits, caramel, spice and raisins, it’s made for winter sipping.

6. Sainsbury’s VSOP Calvados Pays D’auge, Taste the Difference, France, £26, (50cl), Sainsbury’s

Cited as a fireside snifter, this apple brandy tastes beautiful on its own over ice; and versatile enough for a classic cocktail such as an Old Fashioned to steer you through the holiday season. Famed for its rich, concentrated aromas of tarte Tatin, enhanced by flavours of candied citrus, cinnamon and touches of nutmeg, it’s a hug in a glass.