Casal Garcia Drinks for Christmas: add a touch of freshness to traditions

Portuguese Christmas cuisine is surprisingly diverse: fish and meat, fried sweets, spices and citrus notes all share the same table. It is precisely this variety of flavours that makes a wine-based flavoured drink shine, because:

• they are ideal for those who prefer lighter drinks, as the alcohol content is lower;
• they offer great versatility, as they can be enjoyed on their own or used as a base for cocktails;
• they bring freshness to the richer flavours of the meal, making the overall experience more balanced.

If you want to surprise your guests this Christmas, the Casal Garcia Fruitzy range could be exactly what you are looking for.

The Casal Garcia Fruitzy range is known for being low in alcohol and high in fruit, inviting you to celebrate with an extra dose of lightness and informality at the table.

And the best part? The variety of flavours has been designed to accompany every stage of your meal.

You can choose fresher, more citrusy options to whet the appetite with starters, smooth and balanced flavours for the main course, and sweeter or more tropical notes to finish in style with dessert.

Between starters, main courses and desserts, finding the right drink to pair with each stage of the meal can be a challenge.

The truth is that the ideal drink for Christmas Eve depends not only on tradition, but also on the atmosphere you want to create. A more formal dinner may call for structured options, while a relaxed family supper can be the perfect setting for fruitier, more aromatic choices.

At this time of year, when flavours are so rich and varied, the secret lies in pairing. That is, finding drinks that enhance the dishes without overpowering them, and that follow the rhythm of the evening – from aperitifs to the festive toasts that mark the celebrations.

Everything begins with the starters. Cold salads, savoury snacks, seafood or cheese boards are dishes that, when well paired, awaken the appetite and set the tone for the evening.

At this stage of the menu, wine-based flavoured drinks are excellent options to stimulate the palate.

The good news? With the Casal Garcia Fruitzy range, you have all this – and you gain originality too. With so many flavour options, you can enhance all kinds of starters, making the experience more harmonious and, of course, more delicious. Let’s take a look:

• if a cheese board with jams is a must on your table, try pairing it with Casal Garcia Fruitzy Strawberry. Its sweet, fresh touch helps to highlight all the flavours with distinction;
• serving fried foods and want to balance the taste? Casal Garcia Fruitzy Apple, with its smoothness and light acidity, helps to rebalance the palate;
• if seafood is the star of your starters, Casal Garcia Fruitzy Passion Fruit may be a great choice. Served well chilled and garnished with a mint leaf, it takes on a tropical note that elevates lighter fish dishes and brings freshness to the table.

The main dishes of Christmas Eve are, by tradition, comfort food. They are rich in history, intense in flavour and full of warming textures.

From cod to octopus, and on to roast turkey, this is the moment when the table gains weight. For that reason, the accompanying drink needs balance: it should respect the intensity of the dishes while adding a touch of freshness between bites. For example:

• in the case of bacalhau or polvo à lagareiro, dense fish dishes with real character, you need an option that can match that structure. Casal Garcia Fruitzy Apple, with its lightly crisp profile and the smooth, irresistible character of apple, can be surprisingly effective;
• to accompany meat dishes, Casal Garcia Fruitzy Peach is an excellent choice. Its natural sweetness contrasts beautifully with the firm texture of the meat, while its acidity helps to balance the dish.

After a meal filled with savoury dishes, it is time for sweetness to take centre stage. So why not add a touch of variety to the menu and opt for a cocktail?

With wine-based flavoured drinks, you can create options that not only pair beautifully with traditional desserts, but also bring freshness and lightness to this moment.

If you want to surprise without complicating things, here are a few practical suggestions to turn dessert time into a true toast to creativity.

This cocktail has everything a Christmas night finale calls for: lightness and a refreshing touch to revive you after a rich, flavour-packed meal.

To serve it, you will need:

• 30 ml of well-chilled Casal Garcia Fruitzy Peach;
• 10 ml of gin;
• a slice of peach.

Method
First add the gin to a glass, then the Casal Garcia Fruitzy Peach. Garnish with a slice of peach and avoid stirring, so as not to lose the fizz. Then simply enjoy.

An aromatic, comforting suggestion that is ideal to accompany bolo-rei or other desserts with dried fruits.

Thanks to the red berries, this cocktail takes on a colour that perfectly evokes Christmas. To prepare it, you will need:

• 150 ml of Casal Garcia Fruitzy Strawberry;
• 20 ml of gin;
• 25 ml of lemon juice;
• 2 blackberries;
• 2 raspberries;
• 1 strawberry;
• 1 mint leaf.

Method
Mix all the ingredients well in a shaker, except for the Casal Garcia Fruitzy Strawberry. Shake thoroughly, strain and pour into a flute or glass. Then simply add the Fruitzy and enjoy the moment.

Choosing the right drink for Christmas is about much more than following tradition. It is about creating moments at the table that are memorable – moments that bring comfort, but also something new. The Casal Garcia Fruitzy range offers exactly that: wine-based flavoured drinks that accompany the entire Christmas Eve meal with style and plenty of flavour.

This year, challenge yourself to do something different. Swap the classic for the creative, without giving up what really matters: sharing, celebrating and raising a glass with those around your table.