When Christmas day is through, all the roast potatoes are eaten, the excitement surpasses and the recycling bin is full of wrapping paper and cardboard - what’s there left to do with your time off before heading back to work?
Many people can feel the festive blues setting in immediately after December 25 during the limbo between Boxing Day and New Year. But Christmas doesn’t have to stop on December 26, right?
We all know the well-known song, the 12 Days of Christmas, which refers to the post-Christmas period until the ‘epiphany’ in Christianity, which is typically when people take down their decorations.
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Well, after seeing the success of unconventional advent calendars in the lead up to Christmas, many brands have now launched their own 12-day advent calendars, designed to be opened after Christmas and keep the festive spirit flowing throughout the New Year run-up and January - quite literally, for this one from NIO , too.
In that festive limbo, people are looking for something exciting to do, and this 12-day advent cocktail box is the perfect way to spend the post-Christmas rush - and it's cheaper than going to the pub.
I actually really like the idea of a 12 day calendar. It feels a lot more achievable than remembering to open all 24 doors amid the chaos that is December 1-24. I gave up on my Lindt calendar on December 19 and put the remaining chocolates in the fridge, which were polished off by lunchtime. And when it comes to beauty calendars, well, my LookFantastic one had been emptied on day one.
But committing to a cocktail a night for a week and a half seems much less like a chore and a LOT more fun. Don’t you agree?
The advent cocktail box contains 12 doors behind which are not one, but two ready to drink cocktails and dried garnish. NIO stands for Needs Ice Only, and so, that’s all you have to add, which is super handy.
Each of the cocktails have been handpicked and crafted by master mixologist Patrick Pistolesi, and it makes the calendar perfect for those who know what they like, and those who are keen to try something new, with a mix of classic cocktails you’ll have probably heard of, and some you may not.
The cocktails contained within each Advent Box include:
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Negroni
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Manhattan
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Margarita
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Mai Tai
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Cosmopolitan
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Daiquiri
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Old Fashioned
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Gin Sour
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Brown Gold
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Espresso Martini
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Sidecar
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White Lady
I’d heard of around nine of these, and have drunk five of them in the past - margarita being my favourite - but it meant that there were still plenty of recipes for me to discover inside the box.
I really like that you get two drinks per window, as it makes it the ideal Christmas gift for couples , or can be shared with loved ones throughout the holidays. Christmas is all about bringing people together, and this advent calendar certainly has the power to do that.
The design is really fun, and the cocktail pouches are really unusual, but I’ve really enjoyed revealing what’s behind each door and sharing them with my mum over the festive period.
Margarita remains my favourite cocktail, but I’ve discovered a new love for negroni and mai tai thanks to this discovery box. You can still keep your espresso martini, though.
The cocktail advent calendar retails at £115 with free delivery, which makes each cocktail less than £5 each. You won’t find them that cheap in any Manchester bar. It actually works out at £4.79 a drink, which is incredible value for money.
As well as being a fun way to keep the festive spirit alive over the holidays, this would make an amazing gift any time of the year. With 24 cocktails inside , a single person could enjoy a tipple every weekend for half of the year, while couples might enjoy a weekend cocktail for 12 weeks, or even mark the beginning of each new month with the clink of a glass.
For a group of friends, it's even perfect for a cocktail tasting evening, with some nibbles and evenhaving a go at making some yourself.
You can order your own NIO advent cocktail box online here, and raise a glass to the New Year in style, beating the busy bars and saving money on affordable drinks at home.
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