Whether you are hosting a family gathering or a small Christmas dinner for two, the holiday season is the perfect time for a special beverage. Great for drinking while cooking your meal or taking in a thermos on your Christmas walk, here are a few ideas on beverages that will have you feeling festive throughout the season.
Mulled Wine
A Christmas classic, mulled wine is a warming drink full of seasonal spices and flavours. Extremely easy to make, this is a great beverage for a group.
Ingredients (serves four): 1 litre of red wine / 4 tablespoons of sugar / 2 cinnamon sticks / 6 cloves / 2 Bay leaves / Half of a whole nutmeg (grated) / 2 star anise / 1 orange or 2 clementines
Instructions
The first step is to peel the orange and stick the cloves into the fruit whilst saving the skin for use. Heat a saucepan over medium heat and combine your wine, cinnamon, orange/cloves, orange rind, bay leaves, grated nutmeg, star anise and sugar. Give it a gentle stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, then set the pan on a low heat for around 20 minutes. Once the time is up, pour into one of your favourite mugs to serve. For a non-alcoholic option, substitute the wine with apple juice for a delicious drink that someone of any age can indulge in.
Cranberry Spice Mocktail
A great drink for children or a designated driver, this refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic cocktail fits right in to the festive season.
Ingredients: 60ml cranberry juice / 60ml apple juice / 10 cranberries / Orange Wedge / Sparkling water
Instructions
Muddle the cranberries and orange wedge in the cranberry juice, then pour in the rest of the ingredients and stir with a spoon. Once you are done stirring, top up with sparkling water and garnish with a cranberry and slice of orange. For cutting, measuring and straining, we have everything you need in our Kitchen Accessories products.
