From teachers and neighbours to friends and family, or special work colleagues, the inevitable box of chocolates or bottle of wine can sometimes feel a little predictable and perhaps a bit repetitive?
Then, of course, there is the overlooked last-minute gift or for an impromptu call to cater for descending guests.
Opies Fruits with Alcohol collection offer the perfect solution to all festive scenarios! A jar is as welcome when popped into a gift bag as it is as an emergency ingredient to whip up an eleventh-hour dessert.
These stunning globes of luxury fruit won't break the bank either, retailing at a mere £6.50 – with their gold foil detailing and intricate wintry etched jar design, they certainly look more than the price you pay.
As well as seasonal favourites like Black Cherries with Luxardo® Kirsch, Peaches with Courvoisier and Apricots with Luxardo® Dark Rum, new for 2022 there is a delicious mix of Forest Fruits with Cassis.
Opies have taken blackcurrants, raspberries, redcurrants and blackberries, steeped them in syrup and then gently infused them with a decadent cassis blackcurrant liqueur. The fragrant and fruity cassis is the perfect foil to the abundance of forest fruits. As we have already pointed out, this affordable gift option has an RRP of just £6.50 per 460g jar and is suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets.
For culinary inspiration, Opies have also incorporated recipes on the inside of the packs. Alternatively they can, of course, be enjoyed in the simplest of ways; with a generous glug of cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream as an early evening dessert. (EDITOR: Or with a generous glug of cream AND a scoop of ice cream? Or maybe a delicious dollop of thick, full cream plain yogurt as an alternative?)
There's no need to waste the precious syrup either: Opies suggests reducing it down with a little extra sugar to make a glaze for gamey meats such as duck duck or goose or as a drizzle over salad leaves, chunks of goats' cheese and toasted sourdough.
Or make boozy ice cubes by mixing the syrup with a little water and freezing into a cube tray, or combine with gelatine and champagne for luxurious grown-up jellies.
The new attractive globe jars with white snow-scape design also have a fabulous after-use. Simply wash out the jar and place a tea light into the bottom to make a pretty candle jar that can be used for future festive seasons. Or make a home-made snow globe with some glitter and a couple of teaspoons of glycerine mixed with water. It could be argued that Opies' Fruits with Alcohol are, indeed, the gift that keeps on giving!
Opies Fruits with Alcohol are, of course, immensely popular at Christmas and often sell-out before the big day. So do be aware of that. The 2022 collection includes:
Black Cherries with Luxardo® Kirsch available from Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths, Nisa and independent retail stores. It is (also available all year round at selected Tesco and Waitrose stores in a 370g jar)
Peaches with Courvoisier VS Cognac available from Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths, Nisa and independent retail stores.
Pineapple with Luxardo® Spiced Rum available from independent retail stores and Nisa.
Baby Pears with Luxardo® Amaretto available from Morrisons, Booths, Nisa and independent retail stores
Apricots with Luxardo® Dark Rum available from Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Booths and independent retail stores
Forest Fruits with Cassis will be available to buy for a limited time from October until Christmas from Booths, Nisa and high-quality independent retailers.
Where to Buy:
The Opies Fruits with Alcohol range is available from quality independent retailers, and it is anticipated that from October an online opportunity will also be available.
National listings are also available from the following stores:
Black Cherries with Luxardo® Kirsch - Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths and Nisa. It is (also available all year round at selected Tesco and Waitrose stores in a 370g jar)
Peaches with Courvoisier VS Cognac - Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Waitrose, Booths and Nisa.
Baby Pears with Luxardo® Amaretto - Morrisons, Booths and Nisa.
Apricots with Luxardo® Dark Rum - Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Booths.
To learn more about Opies please visit them at https://www.opiesfoods.com.
