Five stylish Christmas drinks
Everybody loves a tipple at Christmas time, whether it's a warming glass of mulled wine or a comforting mug of hot chocolate. Here are recipes for five of the most classic festive drinks of all time, so you can get in the Christmas mood early!
Santa's spiced mulled wine
Image source: alexraths
One for the adults: there's nothing better than a glass of mulled wine on a cold winter's day, complete with some tasty festive spices.
Ingredients
1 bottle dry red wine
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
5 cloves
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
3 bay leaves
25g brown sugar
Method
1. Place all the ingredients in a pan and simmer over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Do not bring it to the boil.
2. Keep on a low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine.
3. Pour the hot wine into heatproof glasses or mugs and enjoy.
Candy cane hot chocolate
Image source: thephotoguy
Who doesn't love curling up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate? This year, add a peppermint twist to your cocoa for an even yummier festive treat.
Ingredients
100ml double cream
400ml milk
30g sugar
Salt
130g dark chocolate, chopped into chunks
Peppermint extract
To serve: Whipped cream, chocolate shavings and candy canes
Method
1. Mix the cream, milk, sugar and a pinch of salt over a medium-low heat. Bring it to the boil, then remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until it has melted.
2. Add three drops of peppermint extract and stir.
3. Divide the hot chocolate into mugs and, if you wish, serve with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a candy cane.
Winter spice eggnog
Image source: bhofack22
If you've never tried this classic, you're really missing out! Not only is it very tasty, you can also decide whether to make it alcoholic or not so that everybody is catered for.
Ingredients
6 eggs
75g caster sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
Salt
2 pints whole milk
100 ml heavy cream
(200ml bourbon)
To serve: Nutmeg or cocoa powder
Method
1. Mix the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt in a pan, then slowly pour in the milk and stir in with a whisk.
2. Turn on the heat to a very low setting and stir continuously until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Have patience, this can take 25-45 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture into a bowl and stir in the cream and the bourbon, if you wish. You can then serve the eggnog hot or leave it to cool and serve it chilled.
4. Dust with nutmeg or cocoa powder to serve.
Warming winter fruit cocktail
Image source: evgenyb
Cranberries are the ultimate Christmas fruit, so what better way to enjoy them than by mixing them into a delicious cocktail?
Ingredients
200ml vodka
200ml brandy
600ml cranberry juice
400ml orange juice
1 lime
To serve: crushed ice
Method
1. Stir together all the liquids in a jug and mix well.
2. Fill glasses with crushed ice, then pour the cocktail over. Cut strips of peel from the lime and decorate each glass with a strip or two.
Christmas cosmo
Image source: wollertz
A warming cocktail for your Christmas party, this little beauty mixes festive cranberries with tasty ginger wine.
Ingredients
500ml vodka
500ml ginger wine
1 litre cranberry juice
5 limes
Method
1. Mix all the liquids together in a jug, then juice the limes and stir into your mixture.
2. Pour the cocktail into tall glasses, then add the zest of the limes as a garnish.
We hope you have a very merry Christmas, and be sure to check our Christmas gift collection.