The Finest Tipples from Yorkshire to Sip on this Christmas

Bottle of fizz and 2 glasses in front of a dressed Christmas tree

Unsplash

December 2022

Reading time 3 Minutes

Facebook

Get into the spirit of Christmas

We’ve rounded up the best distillers, wine merchants and brewers across Yorkshire to help you get into the spirit this festive season.

SLINGSBY

SLINGSBY
5–7 Montpellier Parade, Harrogate HG1 2TJ
spiritofharrogate.co.uk
Slingsby Gin captures the ‘Spirit of Harrogate’ in a bottle; founders Marcus Black and Mike Carthy, who perfected their recipe in 2015, create a product that celebrates the spa town’s heritage. Their gins are crafted using 24 carefully-selected botanicals, including those from nearby Rudding Park Hotel’s kitchen garden and fruit from local Yorkshire suppliers (their popular Rhubarb Gin is made with rhubarb from the famous Rhubarb Triangle in Wakefield). Head to their shop in Harrogate where you can browse and sample their range. Their gift bundles and experience boxes make for perfect gifts at Christmas.

YORKSHIRE DALES DISTILLERY
Unit 7, Easton Way, Colburn, Catterick Garrison DL9 4GA
01748 518070
yorkshiredalesdistillery.com
This family-run craft spirit and gin distillery is set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, just outside the historic market town of Richmond. Taking inspiration from their surroundings, they handcraft Yorkshire gin, vodka and rum. The properties of the ancient natural mineral water from Swaledale, which they use for all aspects of production, enable them to produce incredibly smooth spirits. We love the golden spiced rum with its golden hue, and their branded glassware makes for a great gift.

HOTHAM’S GIN SCHOOL & DISTILLERY
Hull
01482 400215
hothams.co.uk
Hotham’s distillery is also home to their award-winning gin school and rum school where you can learn all about the spirits and how they’re made, and practise the ancient art of distilling to create your very own bottle of gin or spiced rum. In their Hull bar, you can sample their spirits via a classic cocktail (we’ll have the cardamom espresso martini, thanks). Order their gin, vodka or rum from their online shop, where you’ll also find quirky gin- or rum-filled baubles and crackers for Christmas.

Read More: Where to Get the Best Christmas Dinners in Yorkshire

OTTERBECK DISTILLERY
The Mill, Bell Busk, Skipton
BD23 4DU
01756 536536
otterbeckdistillery.co.uk
Sustainability-focused Otterbeck Distillery is set amongst the moors and farmland of the Yorkshire Dales – and it’s these surroundings that inspired the creation of their Cotton Gin, which is distilled slowly using botanicals foraged locally. You can visit their distillery where Bell Busk Mill once stood to find out more about its rich history and the premium gin. Try the Michael Wignall Cotton Gin, made in collaboration with the chef, and inspired by his love of the Far East and the dramatic Yorkshire Landscape. It’s best served over ice with a premium Indian tonic water and garnished with a slice of fresh ginger and a Thai basil leaf.

RAISTHORPE

WHITBY DISTILLERY
8 Botany Way, Whitby
YO22 4QX
07535 096137 whitbydistillery.com
Roaming the coastline to find their ingredients, Whitby Distillery’s gin offers a taste of home. Their award-winning London Dry Gin is distilled in small batches in the heart of North Yorkshire, but you’ll also love their flavoured gins including Navy Strength, Wild Old Tom and Bramble and Bay, which have all been crafted using signature botanicals such as locally-foraged heather (take a tour of their distillery to find out more). In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Bram Stoker’s Dracula they’ve also released Prince of Darkness, taking on flavours of vanilla and caramel. If gin’s not your vibe, try their rum.

MASONS OF YORKSHIRE
Trinity Place, Conygarth Way, Leeming Bar DL7 9EE
01677 426467
masonsofyorkshire.com
On World Gin Day in 2013, Yorkshire’s first gin, Masons of Yorkshire, was born. Priding themselves on a flavoured gin that still tastes like gin, they’ve won countless awards. Try their Masons Tea Edition gin in a strawberry mai-tea gin cocktail, or if vodka is more your thing, their citrus flavoured spirit is perfect in a passionfruit martini. A perfect gift for Christmas, browse their personalised gin and vodka selection.

GOD’S OWN RUM
godsownrum.co.uk
God’s Own Spirit have been hand crafting single pot still spirits in Yorkshire since 2019, using traditional methods in their copper alembic pot still. Their four premium rum spirits are distinctly different in flavour and aroma: Yorkshire Gold (smooth and pure), Spiced (dark and smoky), Winter (warm and spicy – perfect for Christmas) and Blush (light and fruity). They’ve got The Hairy Bikers’ seal of approval, and you can’t argue with that. Stock up via their online shop.

RAISTHORPE
Malton YO17 9TF
01377 288295
raisthorpemanor.com
Known for their delicious range of craft spirits (including their popular range of gins and vodkas, as well as their line of Yorkshire tonics), Raisthorpe Manor Farm is surrounded by wild ingredients and fine natural spring waters – so flavour inspiration is never far away. Their shimmering vodka liqueur is smooth with a hint of sparkle, and their dry gin is distilled by master distillers, using water from the underwater streams of the Gypsey springs (intermittent springs and streams in the Yorkshire Wolds). You can choose your own stack to create a collection of your favourite flavours. Stockists Yorkshirewide.

NORTHERN MONK

DERVENTIO WINES
Sundella House, Castlegate, Malton YO17 7EE
01653 693193
derventiowines.co.uk
In 2010, Tate-Smith Limited celebrated its 122nd birthday. They had a warehouse full of wines and wanted to create a unique and exciting way for more people to taste and appreciate them, so they opened Derventio Wines in Malton. Pop into the shop and choose wines (from Bordeaux red to Burgundy white and French regional wine), with as much input as you like from the staff, then relax while they’re loaded into your car for you.

NORTHERN MONK
northernmonk.com
An independent brewery based in Holbeck which recently celebrated its ninth birthday, Northern Monk are inspired by their Northern surroundings and combine the best of traditional monastic brewing with a progressive approach to ingredients and techniques. Their beer is brewed across two sites in Leeds, and with a large range of beers, many in collaboration with local creatives, there’s plenty to choose from. For something completely unique, try their vegan-friendly Canteen Classics – how does a tomato, basil, salt and pepper gose (a warm fermented beer) sound?

BON COEUR FINE WINES
Moor Park, Moor Road, Melsonby DL10 5PR
01325 776446
bcfw.co.uk
James Goodhart started his business from his kitchen table in 1994, at the age of 24. Now wine-lovers flock to his purpose-built premises at Moor Park. Bon Coeur Fine Wines offer a unique space to discover and experience wine in a relaxed and friendly environment. Their award-winning wine showroom, Cellar 21, offers an extensive range of wines and spirits to suit every budget, from a vibrant Robert Oatley Helmsman Cabernet Merlot to a light and refreshing Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Champagne.

Read More: Bakeries and Cakeries to Visit in Yorkshire

HELMSLEY WINES
4 Bridge Street, Helmsley
YO62 5BG
01439 770829
helmsleywines.co.uk
Helmsley Wines is an independent wine merchant and importer on the edge of the North York Moors. They pride themselves on offering a great range of wines to suit all budgets and occasions, from the popular Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc to the San Polo Rosso di Montalcino with aromas of fresh berries and a trace of sour cherry. Their online store features a selection of wines (available to purchase in cases of six), which are also available in store in Helmsley.

ELLERS FARM DISTILLERY

ELLERS FARM DISTILLERY
Stamford Bridge YO41 1AR
enquiries@ellersfarm.com
ellersfarmdistillery.com
Ellers Farm Distillery produce spirits with sustainability in mind (they’ve been working in partnership with Ecologi to support reforestation projects around the world). Their Dutch Barn Orchard vodka is made from a delicate combination of British apples, balanced with a touch of potato spirit for a clean, crisp and smooth taste; and their small batch spirits are produced on their farm and made in batches of only 500, and packed with flavour. They’re one of only a handful of UK distillers that makes vodka from scratch – take a distillery tour to find out more.

BREW YORK
Unit 6, Enterprise Complex, Walmgate, York YO1 9TT
01904 848448
brewyork.co.uk
Brew York was founded in 2016 by friends Wayne and Lee. They brew all their beer in York – the types of beers which they love to drink in can, keg and cask, experimenting with ingredients and styles (and they usually have at least 20 different fresh beers available). As well as their brewery and taprooms, there’s also a Brew York subscription service. A festive twist on one of their most popular sour beers, Dreams of Brew York combines juicy apples with tart redcurrants and cranberry with a subtle hint of cinnamon. Can’t choose between their seasonal beers? Order yourself the Brew York 2022 advent calendar for festive supping.

RUDGATE BREWERY
2 Centre Park, Marston Business Park, Tockwith, York YO26 7QF
01423 358382
rudgatebrewery.co.uk
Rudgate Brewery, in the heart of Yorkshire in the Vale of York, was established in 1992. Their award-winning Yorkshire ale is popular across the county (try Evil Elf – a pale biscuity ale with hints of tropical fruit). Rudgate brews are available in casks for delivery, you can find them bottled in a number of supermarkets and local suppliers across the North and their classic range of beers is now available at bars, restaurants and cafés throughout Yorkshire. They also offer casks for you to enjoy at home for a party or event, and are now selling their own gin.

DUNESFORDE VINEYARD
Howe Field Road, Upper Dunsforth YO26 9RU
01423 369478
dunesforde.com
Having launched their debut white wines in October 2019, 2020 saw the introduction of five traditional sparkling wines from the 2018 harvest – pinot gris, rosé, solaris, blanc de noir and the Dunesforde interpretation of the classic cuvée. Hosting a special event? You can hire Dunesforde Tasting Rooms or Cellar Door Bar and Terrace for a private function.

YORKSHIRE VINTNERS
Unit 2, Ripon Business Park, Charter Road, Ripon
HG4 1AJ
01765 601701
yorkshirevintners.co.uk
As a family-owned wine merchant, Yorkshire Vintners carefully source hand-crafted wines made with integrity. The team here are constantly reviewing and researching the best wines, beers and spirits from around the world and also offer tastings and masterclasses so you can find a tipple you’ll really love. Their Discoverer’s Case is perfect for a wine-lover looking for something new and exciting; they select six wines (three whites and three reds) for you to try.