M&S’ biggest-ever festive drinks range lands this week, with over 100 new drinks launching in-store and online, giving shoppers plenty of reasons to start lining their bar carts early. We’re noticing a few drink trends from this year among the new range, from bubbly crémant to even the high street’s first decaf espresso martini cocktail.
These are my standout picks from the new festive range…
No & low tipples
Reflecting the wider cultural shift towards drinking less, M&S is offering alcohol-free versions of all its seasonal favourites for the first time, from Mulled Wine (£4.50) and Bucks Fizz (£4) to Let it Sloe Fizz (£4). You can also expect nearly 40 new products to its ‘No- & Low-Alcohol’ offering, so celebrations can be less about the booze and more about giving guests plenty of choice.
This inclusive expansion reflects the rising trend of ‘zebra striping’ – where drinkers will alternate between alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks during the same occasion. Latest research from M&S also reveals that almost two-thirds say they are more likely to have alcohol-free options at Christmas or on New Year’s Eve than they were five years ago.
Beyond the No & Low range, M&S is also launching a decaffeinated version of its popular Espresso Martini Cocktail (£3.50) into its ‘The Marksologist’ range – the first on the market. If there’s one drink us Brits love to sip on during a celebration, it’s a canned cocktail, after all!
Even though the majority of the range is already suitable for vegans, the high street shop has gone one step further with a new Vegan Chocolate & Coconut Blend (£12). Offering the same velvety experience as traditional dairy-based Irish cream liqueurs, now everyone at the table can enjoy a festive tipple (or two).
Bar-quality cocktails
I, like many others, have a penchant for a cocktail at Christmas, whether it’s a classic pour or a festive concoction. Cocktail drinkers will be pleased to hear that M&S has launched more ready-to-drink classics and ingredients required to recreate your bar-quality tipples at home.
Expanding its ‘The Marksologist’ range, shoppers can expect three new ready-to-pour classic cocktails, presented in elegant cut-glass bottles: vodka martini cocktail (£20), negroni (£20) and old fashioned (£20). You’ll be greeted with a warm reception at a party with one of these in your hands!
Shoppers can also get their mitts on new stocking fillers and Secret Santa ideas, such as the dinky Irish Cream Liqueur Selection (£10) and Kenmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky Selection (£12), which both come with three mini bottles to try. These’d make great presents for a spirit or liqueur lover in your life.
English wine galore
M&S is looking closer to home for its wine offering this Christmas, expanding its English range to more than 30 bottles (its largest ever). English wine has been having a moment over the past few years; M&S customer data reports a rise in sales, with 57% of shoppers saying they’re more likely to buy English wine than they were five years ago.
14 new bottles are joining the M&S shelves, featuring bottles from celebrated vineyards spanning all the way from Norfolk to Cornwall, so there’s plenty for wine connoisseurs to get excited about. I personally can’t wait to pop open a bottle of English sparkling to kickstart the festive season.
Crème de la Crémant
M&S reports that crémant is now becoming its fastest-growing area of sparkling wine, with sales up 160% compared to two years ago. Crémant is produced using the same method as Champagne, but from different regions and at a lower price. It’s no surprise, then, to hear that it’s overtaken Champagne to become its second biggest sparkling wine, after Prosecco.
So, what’s the answer to this? More crémant! Along with its Classics Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé (£14), which M&S launched earlier this year, you can also now expect a Blanquette de Limoux to join the range this week. I know where I’ll be spending my money come pay day…
With so many stylish new drinks landing in store and online today, whether you’re here for the espresso martini tinnies or the ready-to-pour martinis, M&S has officially made starting the festive food shop all too tempting. More stores are following suit, with Tesco releasing its Christmas range in September, too.
Check out our main Christmas recipe collection for over 250 festive food ideas and also discover our Christmas menus for plenty of entertaining inspiration.