I’m not sure why but I keep being given liquids to review, but I’m not complaining. Gin and Coffee – which go together like a horse and cart.

I know Tanqueray quite well, we’ve met from time to time. But… But… What makes this such a great present is the limited edition Tanqueray No TEN Caged Bottle. Isn’t it fantabulous, and striking.

Clearly influenced by the Art Deco movement this is a classy addition to Christmas this year, or to some adult’s Christmas Stocking, if Santa doesn’t stop for refreshment along the way. I can just see it – ‘Here you are, Rudolph, you have the mince pie, and I’ll stick with the gin.’

The bespoke metal frame  has been expertly crafted to highlight Tanqueray No. TEN’s award-winning ten-faceted bottle shape, with a striking geometric design that reflects iconic patterns hailing from the roaring twenties.

In addition to this beautifully packaged gift, the  crafted cage has been designed to be used as an ornamental home accessory such as a decadent fruit basket once the bottle is removed. I do like something that lasts and lasts.

With 200 years of distilling expertise, Tanqueray No. TEN is an award-winning gin which prides itself on its unparalleled flavours including whole fresh citrus fruit. Unique in character and flavour, this gin provides the perfect base for creating cocktails during festive celebrations. Try a Martini or the classic T & T.

Forget the roaring 20s, just have a blast with this and make 2016 roar over Christmas, and also New Year’s Eve – if there’s any left, which I doubt. Invite the neighbours in, or the noise might disturb them.

RRP £45 Available from Selfridges, Waitrose and The Whisky Exchange

@tanqueraygin #MyPerfectTen

Coffee – I love it. But only up to three cups a day or I can’t sleep and start swinging from the lights. But I read in a newspaper recently that just that daily intake might diminish the chance of Alzheimers. I do hope so, but it’s as good an excuse as any, and after an evening that builds to a roar, an excellent idea.

Union Hand-Roasted has launched gift sets for coffee lovers in time for Christmas. Here are just a few.

I’ve tried and love their coffee. The different flavours are subtle but very definitely there, if you are thinking of putting together a hamper, or just drinking it yourself.

What about this special selection of four coffees. Speciality coffee has a naturally occurring wide range of flavours, and this pack showcases four distinctive flavour profiles. Liberacion from Guatemala has notes of chocolate and caramel, Bobolink from Brazil nuts and spices, Emporium Catuai from Panama has sweet berry notes, and Yayu Wild Forest coffee from Ethiopia is floral with citrus notes. All coffees are freshly hand-roasted and can be chosen as wholebean or ground.

RRP £23.

All Union coffees are 100% Arabica beans and sourced via Union’s fundamental sourcing principle Union Direct Trade, which creates direct, long term partnerships with farmers to improve the quality of both coffee and livelihoods. As a result, all Union coffee scores 84+ on the globally recognised Q-grade scale which assesses coffee quality.  To be classed as a speciality coffee, a score of 80+ is required. Union carefully hand roasts the coffee beans in small batches in their East London Roastery, for unrivalled flavour and freshness. They are scrummy.

Or you could simply give a coffee lover everything they need:

 

Isn’t it gorgeous? The set includes a copper Hario kettle and v60 filter dripper, which results in a lighter bodied, delicate brew with a high clarity of flavour, and a copy of Union’s Real Fresh Coffee Book which is a culmination of over 20 years of experience in speciality coffee written by Union’s Co-Founders. Two special coffees have been chosen, freshly hand-roasted, for the set: Los Lajones Geisha, exceptional coffee from the Panama producer Graciano Cruz, and Genesis from Costa Rica, with notes of red berries, demerara sugar and caramel. Accompanying the set includes a Hario hand grinder, filter papers and a Union mug.

RRP is £265

On the other hand, what about the Cascara Infusion gift set.

For those preferring a brew of a different kind, this should fit the bill. Coffee cherry fruit, known as cascara, is the dried fruit husk of the coffee bean. They produce a delicious syrupy sweetness and can be brewed in the 2 cup La Cafetiere teapot and served in a Union mug. The set includes a teapot, 300g of cascara, and 2 Union mugs.

RRP is £38.

Available from Waitrose, Ocado or online www.unionroasted.com