Come the festive season, there’s nothing better than a warming glass of a specially spiced beverage with a little added kick. The scent of mulled wine drifting through the air is guaranteed to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
Rich with the flavours of mulling spices and raisins, this traditional tipple is a festive favourite. Here’s our ultimate recipe for you to try, plus some others that make the perfect winter warmers!
Mulled Wine
Ingredients
2 bottles of red wine
2 clementines
1 lemon
1 lime
200g caster sugar
3 fresh bay leaves
1 whole nutmeg
6 whole cloves
2 cardamom pods
1 stick cinnamon
1 vanilla pod
2 star anise
Hot Buttered Rum
Yes, this is as decadent as it sounds! It’s rich, creamy, and beautifully warming, and it will be just what you need after a few hours in the cold. There are dozens of variations on the drink, but the recipe below is the one we enjoy best!
Ingredients
60ml honey
130g brown sugar
110g unsalted butter
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground cloves
180ml spiced rum
470ml water
Hot Honey, Lemon and Vodka
On cold winter days, there was nothing better than a cup of warming lemon tea with honey. By adding vodka, you get the perfect kick!
Ingredients
1 lemon juiced
1 tablespoon honey
30ml vodka
470ml water
Nutella Hot Chocolate
This comforting chocolatey decadence is as close as you could get to drinking Nutella in liquid form.
Ingredients
¼ cup plus 2 teaspoons Nutella
1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
½ teaspoon (or 1 teaspoon if you like it extra thick) cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk (any fat content; we use whole)
Cranberry Apple Cider Punch
This sweet blend is made from apple cider, cranberry, orange and lemon juices, and sparkling wine or grape juice. Garnish with apples, oranges, and dried cranberries.
Ingredients
6 cups apple cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1 cup orange juice
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 bottle sparkling grape juice or sparkling wine
slices of apples, oranges, and dried cranberries (for garnish)
Eggnog
A seasonal classic that may be an acquired taste with the inclusion of raw eggs but it’s well worth the effort.
Ingredients
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
1 pint whole milk
1 cup double cream
5 tablespoons bourbon
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 egg whites
Method
Beat the egg yolks till they lighten. Gradually add the 1/3 cup of sugar until dissolved. Then stir in the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg.
Beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.
