How to Get into the Christmas Spirit

Okay so it’s the 6th of December, I’m already too far gone with feeling festive but if you are in need of some festive cheer here is a list of some of the best Christmas cocktails to drink on the day. 

Obviously we have to start with mulled wine, hands down, the best Christmas drink (for me).

Mulled Wine

Here’s what you’ll need;

200g caster sugar
6 cloves
3 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
2 oranges
1 lemon
2 x 750ml Red Wine

Zest the oranges and the lemon, then put all spices and sugar into a large pan. Pour enough wine into pan to cover the ingredients.
Simmer for 5 minutes until all the sugar has dissolved and there is a syrup.
Add the rest of the wine and simmer for a further 10 minutes.
Serve warm!
Why not switch the wine for something like cider for a festive treat!

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Secondly for the dessert lovers out there, why not try Christmas pudding vodka!

Christmas Pudding Vodka

Here’s what you’ll need;

1 piece of blade mace
2 sticks of cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground mixed spice
1 lemon
1 orange
300g currants
200g chopped mixed peel
450g light muscovado sugar
1 litre vodka

Warm the spices in a dry pan for 10 minutes, grate lemon & orange zest in a bowl and squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice from each.
Combine zest & juice with ingredients in the pan, mix well, cover and chill for 3-4 days. (Stir occasionally)

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Everyone loves to drink punch at a party so why not make this one to keep the festivities going throughout December.

Christmas Punch

What you’ll need;

75ml clementine juice
150ml Benedictine liquer
225ml Scottish whisky
300ml cranberry juice
1 vanilla pod (seeds of)
1 clementine (thinly sliced)
3 sour cherries (optional)

This is a super easy recipe, simply mix everything together in a bowl and stir, store it in the fridge for 2.5 hours.

Serve with ice

 

 

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Next is the winter spin of the sidecar.

Winter Sidecar

What you’ll need;

Cocktail shaker
15ml clementine juice (plus a little extra!)
Ground cinnamon (for rim of glass)
50ml cognac
30ml Martini Bianco

Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with the extra juice. Sprinkle cinnamon on a plate and dip glass into it.

Put all other ingredients into shaken with ice, shake then strain into the glass.

 

 

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The classic Christmas tipple with an interesting twist, the peach bellini.

Peach Bellini

What you’ll need;

200ml tinned peach slices, in fruit juice
750ml champagne (chilled)

Put the peaches and their juice into a food processor or liquidiser, whiz for a few minutes until smooth.

Decant the peach purée between your glasses (usually 2 centimetres per glass) and top up glass with champagne.

 

 

 

 

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There you have it, if you make these on or around Christmas you are certain to have a cheery one!

(all recipes and photos can be found on Jamie Olivers website!)

Lucy xox

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