Is a cocktail candle the key to Dry January? HELEN MCGINN gives her verdict on the best buys

By William On Jan 8, 2023

Are you trying dry January but already missing out on the drink? Light one of these delicious alcohol-inspired candles.

That’s right, forget the flowers: the new trend in home fragrances is surprising: candles scented with your favorite beverage, from cider and whiskey to mojitos and espresso martinis.

But would our drinks expert get lyrical about it? Or do they just smell a bit like rum?

Here, Helen McGinn puts a selection to the test…

LONG LASTING CIDER AND CINNAMON

Yankee Candle Home Inspiration Cider Tasting 538g, £14.99, ryman.co.uk

Yankee Candle Home Inspiration Cider Tasting 538g, £14.99, ryman.co.uk. Good value for money but not very drunk

As with most Yankee candles, the scent isn’t exactly subtle. In fact, it’s not really that cider either; plus baked apple spice and cinnamon with a subtle woody note that the makers say is a nod to whiskey barrels.

Made from premium paraffin wax, it certainly smells more natural than some of the eye-watering Yankee candles I’ve tried over the years. And with a runtime of up to 125 hours, it’ll see you through many long winter nights. Good value for money but not very drunk. 6/10

TASTE A RECYCLED ESPRESSO MARTINI

Upcircle Espresso Martini Soy Candle 180ml, £21.99, upcirclebeauty.com

Upcircle Espresso Martini Soy Candle 180ml, £21.99, upcirclebeauty.com. It is sustainable and the burning time is 35 hours. seriously awesome

Co-founder Anna Brightman and her brother Will secured an investment in the BBC’s Dragons’ Den for their waste-fighting beauty brand Upcircle.

Made with leftover arabica coffee sourced from artisan coffee shops, then infused in soy wax, these candles have a smell that’s more cappuccino than espresso martini, but kudos to the company for creating something so great with ingredients that would otherwise be lost. they would waste It is sustainable and the burning time is 35 hours. seriously awesome. 8/10

BEAUTY AROMA OF DARK RUM

Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle 225g, £46, malinandgoetz.co.uk

Malin + Goetz Dark Rum Candle 225g, £46, malinandgoetz.co.uk. It may overwhelm those who prefer something light and floral, but rum fans will be hooked.

If you like Dark & Stormy highball cocktails, you’ll love this candle from the modern American apothecary brand founded by friends Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz in 2004. Inspired by the color and scent of dark Caribbean rum, this Dark & Stormy highball candle Natural wax contains 16 percent perfume oil. At first the smell is almost sweet, but then the spice kicks in and the result is wonderfully warm and heady.

It may overwhelm those who prefer something light and floral, but rum fans will be hooked. Expensive, but with a 60 hour run time it is good value for money. 10/10

WARM NOTES FOR WHISKEY FANS

Arran Hot Toddy 30cl candle, £25, boot.com

Arran Hot Toddy 30cl candle, £25, arrancar.com. Not so boozy but very well done, with a long, lingering aroma.

Produced on the Scottish Isle of Arran, this limited edition festive scented candle pays homage to the Hot Toddy. Contrary to popular belief, the drink was not invented in Scotland but in India in the 17th century, and was originally based on fermented palm sap. However, the Scots made it their own by heating it up and adding whiskey to the mix.

This particular take is certainly warm, with a mix of spicy nutmeg and patchouli, and the woody notes are a nice nod to the whiskey. Not so boozy, but very well made, with a long and lingering aroma. 7/10

MAKE MINE A SUMMER MOJITO

Malin + Goetz Mojito 225g, £46, malinandgoetz.co.uk

Malin + Goetz Mojito 225g, £46, malinandgoetz.co.uk. If strong scents aren’t your thing, this lighter take on the alcohol-infused candle trend is likely to hit the spot.

Another from the US-based skincare and fragrance brand, it contains a generous dose of mojito perfume oil. The overall effect is positively uplifting, with lots of aromas of fresh lime and muddled mint at first, just like its namesake.

With notes of lavender and musk too, it evokes the English summer rather than the cold and welcoming January. But if strong scents aren’t your thing, this lighter take on the alcohol-infused candle trend is likely to hit the spot. 8/10