(SPOT.ph) There are few two-word phrases that make the collective metropolis groan the way “liquor ban” can. Thankfully, we didn’t have to go through the whole lockdown under such a restriction—with many citizens arguing that it was ultimately of no benefit to anyone—and we can get through the holidays with our sanity intact. Moreover, there are a slew of proudly local breweries, bars, and cafés more than willing to bring the festive season into full swing.
Also read: These Are the Best Gifts for All the Food Lovers on Your Christmas List
Make your Christmas extra merry with these alcoholic drinks and kits you can order online:
Christmas Beers from Jade’s Temple
Craft beer isn’t just for That Guy you could never quite gauge your attraction to. Spoiler alert: You’ll look back in six months and realize the beer was his whole personality. But these holiday-themed beers (P320/single, P600/pair, P1,200/mix-and-match bundle) from Jade’s Temple have a ton of attitude and flavor. No one’s too good for Pumpkin Spice-, Apple Cinnamon-, and Peppermint Mocha-flavored beer—matched up right, they make for the perfect set of holiday hops.
For orders, send a message to Jade’s Temple on Facebook or Instagram.
Premium Homemade Eggnog from Bad Café
Rich, creamy, and lightly spiced, this traditional Christmas not-quite-cocktail is making its way from wintry Europe to, well, wherever holiday sales happen. We’d go so far as to say that eggnog walked so pumpkin spice lattes could run, so it’s only right that we pay homage to one of the OG seasonal drinks. Bad Café does a great rendition (P200/250 ml, P800/one liter)—two, really, if you count their kid-friendly, sans-rum version—that’s sure to both satisfy your curiosity and create a brand new itch that will demand to be scratched every year. Throw in some of their gingerbread cookies to really cozy up your December.
For orders, visit Bad Café’s delivery website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
tomäto tomato bottled cocktail from Some Young
Not enough praise has been sung about the versatile tomato and all the delights that can be derived from it. Some cynics will say a Bloody Mary, for example, is just gazpacho with booze, but we dare to counter: What’s wrong with that, exactly? Some Young would like to bridge the gap with their tomäto tomato bottled cocktail, which is available as part of the SOME• LIMITED HOLIDAY collection (P1,800) along with a special shirt and other surprise items. The end of the year can be about setting aside our petty differences and just enjoying some drinks together, dammit, and the fruity-adjacent savoriness of this limited edition potable wouldn’t be out of place over some peacemaking inasal or inihaw.
For orders, visit Some Young’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Feliz Navidad Kombucha Sangria from Cultur’d Manila
Bring a probiotic plot twist to the festivities with the Feliz Navidad (P499), a kombucha sangria local brand Cultur’d has come up with for the holidays. With their hero cranberry-and-orange combination, it’s really not that big a stretch in terms of flavor, and it’s probably a lot better for you than your normal grog. You can get them in sets—either three bottles or with a good old charcuterie board—to really amp up a small gathering or to make a solo/safe/private Christmas extra special.
For orders, fill out Cultur’d Manila’s Cococart website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Cocktails with Southeast-Asian Flavors from Your Local x Proudly Promdi
We can’t all be master mixologists, the same way not all of us can cook. Outside of a simple screwdriver, it’s practically a science as well as an art—so when you feel safe enough to hit the town again, or if you have been, be sure to tip your barkeeps well. Until you do—or until you learn—places like Your Local and Proudly Promdi have you covered. Together, they’re serving up some classics that’ll have you singing, “Say, what’s in this drink?” We’re showing our fondness for Negronis a little, but the Kalma (P385) really does help one wind down with its combo of Don Papa Rum, Campari, Barako-infused Tapuey, coconut water, and bitters. The Op-ún (P370) is akin to a reimagined sampalok candy in a boozy light, with tequila, pineapple, tamarind, Lapsang Souchong Tea, lemon, and basil in the mix. Last but not least is the brighter, fruitier Ukiyo (P395) that combines gin, Gayuma Lychee liqueur, rose water, calamansi, and langka. You can also go for the Cocktail Kit (1,110) that’s got a bottle of each.
For orders, visit the Your Local section on the Tasteless Food Group’s website. You can also check out Your Local’s Facebook page.
Also read: 10 Cool Drinks to Try When You Literally Have No Chill
Holiday-Themed Bottled Libations from 35cl Cocktail Co.
Ain’t no beating around the bush today: 35cl Cocktail Co. knows their shit. Known for their playful tangents on familiar flavors, their Holiday 2021 collection definitely takes it up another notch. We’re particularly interested in the CE019: Graham (P1,100), a modification of the beloved-at-brunch margarita. Their take seems to take the dessert route, being sweeter and nuttier with notes of almond—think key lime pie in a glass. We don’t want to steer you from the other bottles, though; CE018: Cobbler (P1,100) and CE020: Canelé (P1,100) are for the more fruit- or rum-inclined, respectively.
For orders, visit the 35cl Cocktail Co.’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Sangritas from Mood Cocktails
Yes, more sangrias. But you can’t have too many in a tropical country. Actually, no, you can have too many anywhere (please drink responsibly!). Mood Cocktails’ Red (P325) and White (P325) Sangritas combine the humming warmth of rum and wine with crisp fruit flavors like raspberry and kiwi. Can you really ask for much more than that? Apart from a poolside chair, that is.
For orders, send a message to Mood Cocktails on Facebook or Instagram.
Gift-Ready Christmas Bundles from Run Rabbit Run
Anybody else miss that unmistakable red door along Poblacion? Raise your hand if you’ve been since their official reopening last December 10. If you’d rather play it safe, though, you can still get the Run Rabbit Run magic and then some from their Christmas Shop! They’ve stocked up well enough to even offer corporate gifting (a sign to butter up a boss, maybe) with their holiday-themed boxes of booze. With fun names like Rudolph’s Secret Stash (P2,000) and An Elf’s Party Pack (P2,500), you can’t not—but that Santa’s Box of Goodies (P3,500) complete with rock glasses and Auro 55% Dark Chocolate Bar is calling to us.
For orders, visit Run Rabbit Run’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Christmas-Themed Sips from Three Squares Cafe + Bar
Even though ’tis the season, it doesn’t pay to be a complete lush around Christmastime. Three Squares’ lovely offering of Picnic Crates comes in a couple of variations. For the thirsty among us, we’re looking at the Mini Christmas Crates (starts at P1,105), which can include your choice from their holiday alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks: The spiced and warming Gingerbread Martini with Tanqueray, espresso, and ginger-spiced syrup; the fresh and fruity Oh Christmas Tree with blended tea, pomegranate, lemon, and torched rosemary; and rich and creamy Nutcracker with hazelnut, caramel, espresso, and cream. You can also opt to have one of each in a set.
For orders, send a message to Three Squares Cafe + Bar on Facebook or Instagram.
Tom Collins Canned Cocktail from Better Common by the EDSA Beverage Design Studio
There’s something grounding about the soft click and fizz you get when opening a canned drink—not something you get often with alcohol outside of the beer realm. EDSA Beverage Design Studio not only offers you bubbly versions of classic cocktails, but a minimalist can that is so quietly gorgeous we’re sure your inner packrat will struggle with throwing it away. Sign us up for a case of Better Common Tom Collinses (P350), please—its mix of gin, lemon, and soda water makes for light, fizzy, feel-good sips.
For orders, visit EDSA Beverage Design Studio’s website. You can also check out their Facebook page.
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.