24 Dezembro

Today is, of course, Christmas Eve and it’s also, rather splendidly, the anniversary of the first time men orbited the moon.

Yes, the three brave astronauts of the Apollo 8 mission spent Christmas Eve 1968 circling the Moon no fewer than ten times, and capturing the iconic Earthrise photo to share with the rest of us. They were supplied with packaged turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce, but nothing by way of Christmas spirits, not even a bottle of champagne.

Unlike the Apollo 8 astronauts, may we recommend you start Christmas off with a bang with the Chin Chin? Combining those two seasonal favourites, Scotch whisky and champagne, with apple and a hint of honey, this very adult cocktail is Christmas in a glass.

It's also National Egg Nog Day

In America Egg Nog is traditionally served over the festive period and so appropriately Christmas Eve has unofficially been declared National Egg Nog Day in across the USA. Wherever you are in the world, why not join get into the festive spirit and mix up an Egg Nog for your guests.

It's also the anniversary of the WWI Christmas Truce

On Christmas Eve in 1914 there was an unofficial Christmas truce at Ypres. The Germans decorated their trenches with candles and Christmas trees. Both sides sang Christmas carols for each other, and then met up in no-manís-land where they played football, and gave each other Christmas presents like tobacco or alcohol or buttons from their jackets.

Commemorate the sharing spirit by making an Army Cocktail - in fact, make several and invite your friends round to enjoy them all together.