Christmas Gifts You Won't Find in the Supermarket
Christmas Gift Guide
Want a Christmas gift that stands out? Skip the supermarket gift sets and give a bottle from an independent or island brand. Here are our favourites, from Clarke's Court in Grenada and Str8 Vybz from Trinidad to Reign from Ghana and Kromanti's tamarind and plantain rums.
Why Give an Independent Bottle?
A gift with a story behind it.
Supermarket gift sets are easy, but they're also what everyone else is giving. The bottles below come from the islands and families that make them, and most of them are the drinks people actually reach for back home. You won't usually find them in the big supermarkets, which is exactly why they make a memorable present.
Every one is a bottle we stock in our Brixton Village shop and know well, so if you're not sure, come in and ask.
Island Favourites
The spirits the islands and their neighbours drink themselves.
Grenada
Clarke's Court Pure White Rum
Grenada's favourite white rum. It's cleaner and less funky than Jamaican overproof, so it lets fruit juice shine, and it's the classic base for a Grenadian rum punch.
Perfect for: anyone with Grenadian roots, or a punch lover who wants something new.
Trinidad
Str8 Vybz Fever Overproof Rum
Vybz Kartel's white overproof rum, made by Angostura in Trinidad. Clean sugar cane, light spice and a warming finish, and it mixes smoothly with fruit juice.
Perfect for: Kartel fans.
Colombia
Antioqueño Aguardiente Sin Azúcar
Colombia's favourite party spirit: anise-flavoured aguardiente with no added sugar. Light, aniseedy and made for sharing.
Perfect for: the Christmas party, served chilled.
Something They Won't Have Tried
Flavours you won't find anywhere else on the shelf.
Family-owned
Kromanti Tamarind Spiced Rum
Spiced rum built around tamarind: tangy tamarind, citrus, coriander, cinnamon and white pepper. Sweet, sour and warming.
Perfect for: anyone who grew up with tamarind balls.
Family-owned
Kromanti Plantain Rum
Yes, plantain, and it works. Ripe plantain and banana bread with light grassy cane and gentle spice. Soft and fruity without being sugary.
Perfect for: a real conversation starter at Christmas dinner.
Ghana
Reign Spiced Rum
Award-winning spiced rum from Ghana, made with calabash nutmeg, cacao and coffee. Baking spice and dark chocolate, with a depth you won't find in Caribbean spiced rums.
Perfect for: the spiced rum lover who thinks they've tried them all.
Ghana
Reign Baobab & Hibiscus Rum
Floral and fruity, with hibiscus, baobab and blood orange. Think sorrel in a bottle: gorgeous with tonic or topped with prosecco.
Perfect for: sorrel fans and G&T drinkers.
Bajan & Jamaican rum
Las Olas Premium Spiced Rum
A drier, grown-up spiced rum built on Bajan and Jamaican pot-still rum. Vanilla, roasted coffee, caramel and dried fruit, and less sweet than the big names.
Perfect for: espresso martini fans.
Stocking Fillers and Gift Cards
Small gifts and easy wins.
Miniatures
Wray & Nephew and Kraken in 5cl miniatures, for the stocking or the Christmas cracker swap.
The Liquor Club Gift Card
Not sure what they drink? A digital gift card lets them choose for themselves, online or in our Brixton Village shop.
Independent Gift Questions
What is a good alcohol gift that isn't from the supermarket?
Try a bottle from an independent or island brand, such as Clarke's Court from Grenada, Kromanti's tamarind or plantain rums, or Reign from Ghana. They're bottles most people won't have seen before.
What's a good rum gift for someone who loves rum punch?
An island white rum like Clarke's Court or Str8 Vybz Fever. Each is a favourite punch base, and a little goes a long way.
Can I buy these in person?
Yes. Every bottle here is stocked in our Brixton Village shop, where you can taste before you buy. You can also order online for UK delivery, free on orders over £120.
What if I don't know what they like?
A Liquor Club gift card lets them choose for themselves, online or in our shop.
Christmas at The Liquor Club
Find a Gift With a Story
Taste before you buy at our Brixton Village shop, or browse our full Christmas gift edit online.
