Crisp juniper berries in a dry spirit make for a very festive sip. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and once it's here, you need to be cocktail ready for the holiday season because in the throws of gift-shopping and decorating, booze is the gift that keeps on giving.

Sam Liquor Store has a range of top-notch whiskey brands that can add new life to the most classic old-fashioned. Check out our premium line of coveted spirits, or browse wines that settle for a label no less than the good stuff.

As far as gin goes, you might know what you like, but in the spirit of the cheery and the new, try these Christmassy spirits:

1. Suntory Roku Gin

Gin from Japan is heavy with botanicals, with notes of cardamom and lemon peel. Undoubtedly, it makes a fantastic sipping drink while neat and has a peppery gin and tonic, but puts these unique touches to work in an extra special Roku Grey. Here's what you'll need:

• 60 ml of the good stuff
• 240 ml of cooled earl grey tea
• Half a lemon
• A teaspoon of honey
• Ice
• Mint and lemon to garnish

Make the tea as strong as you like, and add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker once it's cooled. Shake it up, add ice and the garnish, and you're good to go! Although you couldn't go wrong with a tiny umbrella.

2. Hendrick's Gin

Hendricks is unlike any other gin because it has a rush of juniper that brings strong but not overwhelming rose and cucumber flavors. Play into that by making a Figgins. A fig and ginger gin drink that'll make any gathering memorable. Here's what you need:

• 4 ounces of gin
• 5 ounces of ginger syrup, you can make it at home
• 5 ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 ounces of seltzer
• 4 fresh figs
• 2 cups of crushed ice
• Ice cubes
• Figs and thyme to make it look pretty

Muddle the figs in a cocktail shaker and add all the ingredients except for the garnish, seltzer, and crushed ice. Shake it really well and then pour (through a fine mesh strainer) it into glasses with a nice bed of crushed ice. Top it with seltzer and give it a swirl!

3. Pickering's Original 1947

Talk of ol’ reliable; this recipe dates all the way back to 1947, and to add its history, it was a family secret for over sixty-six years! With clove, cinnamon, and coriander, passing this one over would be a crime. However, you'd also be remiss if you didn't try it in this Pickering-approved cocktail that is quite rightly called, The P's Knees:

• 50 ml of gin, you know the one
• 25 ml of fresh orange juice
• 25 ml of lemon juice
• 15 ml honey
• Orange twist
• Maraschino cherries — they're not in the original recipe, but it works

Stir the honey into the lemon and orange juice, and then add all of it to a shaker. Shake for 20-25 seconds and then strain it into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist and a cherry on top.

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