Enchanting decor, nostalgic music, and the best feasts. These are some of the elements that make a perfect holiday celebration. Christmas time and New Year’s festivities are about getting together with loved ones, wearing the grandest ’fits, and creating special bonds through laughter and good food. But to take things to the next level, a round of cocktails can keep everyone in a gleeful mood as they party the night away. According to the South East Asia Brand Ambassador Charmaine Thio, if there is one spirit that should be present on the holiday table, that would be Hendrick’s Gin.

“I do enjoy the versatility of Hendrick’s Gin,” says the Singaporean. “I’m always finding new ways to work with it. The brand has always been pushing boundaries and innovation—coming up with new flavors and combinations. Those are some of the things I love about it.”

For years, Hendrick’s Gin has been one of the brands most trusted by mixologists and bartenders. Its products are handcrafted in Scotland and have a distinct blend of eleven botanicals, as well as the signature infusions of cucumber and rose, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully unique aroma.

Recently, Charmaine hosted a special cocktail and food pairing session in Manila featuring gastronomic creations inspired by the many Christmas stories around the world. During the event, she shared simple recipes attesting to how easy it is to create cocktails with Hendrick’s Gin at home.

“You don’t need any fancy equipment,” she muses. “You just need a glass, a spoon, or if you don’t have a spoon, a chopstick works, too. Versatility combined with those simple recipes is just perfect for holiday hosting.”

Among the quick and easy-to-do recipes Charmaine recommended Filipinos to try this holiday season were the Cranberry Fizz and French 75. These simple cocktail recipes are definitely flavorful and can go well with any holiday fare.

Think of it as the holiday version of the Cosmopolitan, the Cranberry Fizz is a bright red cocktail made with Hendrick’s Gin, cranberry juice, and sparkling wine finished off with cucumber slices, mint sprigs, and cranberries. While the French 75 is a decadent blend of Hendrick’s Gin, lemon juice, and a touch of syrup topped with champagne and lemon to garnish.

As for Charmaine, she’ll be enjoying the beloved gin this season in her go-to cocktails — a Hendrick’s Gin and Soda or a martini with dry sherry and garnished with a cucumber slice. These simple recipes highlight the different botanicals and nuances of the brand’s gin. 

“I have never experienced palate fatigue with Hendrick’s Gin. I find that it is complex and at the same time still very refreshing, which is nice. So, you don’t get tired of it,” Charmaine says. “We have unique infusions, which you don't find in other gins. It is one of those things that make it very rich, bold, special, and perfect for the holidays.”

Whether served as a cocktail or wrapped in a box as a gift, people can discover how to enjoy Hendrick’s Gin in more ways than one by visiting www.hendricksgin.com.