The Conductor: Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas is soon approaching and Glass of Bubbly is crafting a whole new exciting range of Christmas Cocktails, we’ve chosen some of the best Christmas films and created a perfect Cocktail to accompany them, working alongside different wineries and distilleries, I’ll give you a little history into each film and the know-how to create a delicious themed Cocktail.

The Polar Express

Based on the 1985 children’s book ‘The Polar Express’ by Chris Van Allsburg, it was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stared Tom Hanks in multiple roles, the film features human characters animated using live action and motion capture computer animation, being listed in the 2006 Guinness World Records as the first all-digital capture film.

The Conductor: One thing about trains… it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.

Released in the United States on the 10th of November 2004by Warner Bros. Pictures, it had a record breaking $165–170 million budget, which was the largest amount spent on an animated film at the time, currently Tangled and The Lion King hold the record at $260 million. Initially, The Polar Express grossed $286 million and then was re-released and managed to reach  $314 million worldwide.

The Boy: I’m looking for a girl.
Hobo: [after a pause; bursts out laughing] Ain’t we all?

The Sparkling Wine – No.1 Family Estate

No.1 Family Estate was created in 1977 by Adele & Daniel, they chose the name No.1 Family Estate in recognition of the many ‘firsts’ in New Zealand wine they had achieved over the years while working on their first venture, Cellier Le Brun.

They released their very first Cuvée No.1 on Bastille Day in 1999 and in 2012 their No.1 Assemblé was the first wine in New Zealand to be labeled ‘Méthode Marlborough’ in place of Méthode Traditionelle.

Check out the time when I had to deliver one of their Sparkling Wines to Middle Earth: Lord of the Rings – One Sparkling Wine To Rule Them All

No.1 Family Estate – No.1 Assemblé – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Lovely dark, well-baked pastry, surrounded by rich green apples and yellow fruits, sweet lime and a touch of savory notes, with cured meats and gammon.”

Flavour – “Initial zesty characters, from green, white and yellow fruits, a lovely display of the terroir, with chalk, minerals and wet stones, now we’re getting the toasty notes, powerful, but calm enough to allow the other flavours to continue shining alongside.”

Silver Medal in the Pastries Delight Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2023

The Rum – Nelson’s Distillery

Founded in 2016 by the owner and Master Distiller – Neil Harrison, based in the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, they produce a variety of spirits including Gin, Vodka and Rum, it is also home of the original distilling academy, Nelson’s Gin, Vodka & Rum School.

“England Expects That Every Man Will Do His Duty”

Nelson’s was born from a deep passion for gastronomy and the thrill of flavour exploration. Our founder, Neil, wasn’t just any enthusiast – he was a seasoned chef who revelled in crafting innovative dishes and concocting exciting new recipes. This culinary background became the perfect foundation for his venture into craft distilling. – Nelson’s Distillery

The Story of Admiral Nelson’s Impact on the Rum World – Nelson was killed in the Battle of Trafalgar by a French sniper while topside on his ship, Victory. Following his victory at battle, Nelson’s body was preserved in a cask of rum, to allow transport back to England. Upon arrival, however, the cask was opened and found empty of rum. The pickled body was removed and upon inspection, it was discovered that the sailors had drilled a hole in the bottom of the cask and drunk all the rum. Thus, this tale serves as a basis for the term ‘Nelson’s blood’ being used to describe rum.

This is a blend of three rums, hand-picked from Barbados, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica, aged in oak barrels for 3 years to give Nelson’s Rum its unique character.

Signature Blend Rum – Tasting Experience – “Smooth oaky notes, charred oak chips, along with rich vanilla and caramel to dive deep into.”

The Polar Express Cocktail

Ingredients

• Nelson’s Rum
• Sparkling Wine
• Vanilla Ice Cream
• Caramel, Ginger or Almond Syrup
• Ground Almond

How To Make The Polar Express Cocktail

1. Start by filling your glass with as much Vanilla Ice Cream as you want.
2. Pour over 20mls of Nelson’s Rum
3. 75mls of Sparkling Wine
4. 10mls of Caramel, Ginger or Almond Syrup
5. Sprinkle on some Ground Almonds

Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Creamy cool vanilla ice cream, with hints of almonds all around, a distant display of warming oak, freshly baked pastries and winter spices.”

Flavours – “A chilled to perfection creamy fizzy explosion of character, with bubbling green apples and pastries, warming rich oak and winter spices, and creamy vanilla and almonds, plus notes of whichever lovely syrupy flavour you included, I’m getting added notes of rich silky almonds.”

Merry Christmas from Glass of Bubbly