The festive season is just around the corner and people will be celebrating with their favourite festive tipple. We take a look at some of the most popular choices, is your favourite on the list?
Mulled Cider
Mulled Cider is typically a sweet cider heated with spices and citrus fruits. You can also add an apple brandy to heat things up more.
Mulled Wine
Mulled wine, also known as spiced wine, is an alcoholic drink usually made with red wine, along with various mulling spices and sometimes raisins, served hot or warm.
Eggnog
Eggnog, historically also known as a milk punch or an egg milk punch when alcoholic beverages are added, is a rich, chilled, sweetened, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and whipped egg whites
Brandy
Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif.
Irish Cream Liqueur
At its simplest, Irish cream contains Irish whiskey and cream, but many brands, including Baileys, add other flavorings like chocolate and vanilla.
Espresso Martini
The espresso martini, also known as a vodka espresso, is a cold caffeinated alcoholic drink made with espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
Sherry
Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown near the city of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, Spain. Sherry is a drink produced in a variety of styles made primarily from the Palomino grape, ranging from light versions similar to white table wines, such as Manzanilla and fino, to darker and heavier versions that have been allowed to oxidise as they age in barrel, such as Amontillado and oloroso.
Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is a caffeinated alcoholic drink consisting of Irish whiskey, hot coffee and sugar, which has been stirred and topped with cream. The coffee is drunk through the cream.
Snowball
A snowball is a mixture of advocaat and a carbonated lemonade in approximately equal parts. It may have other ingredients, to taste. It typically contains a squeeze of fresh lime juice, which is shaken with the advocaat before pouring into a glass and topping up with lemonade.
Hot Toddy
A hot toddy, also known as hot whiskey in Ireland, is typically a mixed drink made of liquor and water with honey, lemon, herbs and spices, and served hot.
Here are some recipes you might like to try:
Hot Toddy Recipe
50ml whisky
3 tsp honey
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1 lemon, half juiced and half sliced
2 cloves
Whisk the whisky and honey together and split between 2 heatproof glasses. Add half of the cinnamon stick to each, then top up with 200ml boiling water. Add a splash of lemon juice to each, then taste and add more to your preference. Finish each with a slice of lemon, studded with a clove, and serve immediately.
Irish Coffee Recipe
2 tbsp double cream
150ml freshly brewed black coffee
50ml Irish whiskey
½ - 1 tsp brown sugar
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Lightly whip the cream just so it’s very slightly thickened, then set aside. Pour the hot coffee into a mug or heatproof glass, then add the whiskey and sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Gently float the cream on the top and sprinkle the nutmeg over the cream. Serve hot.
Eggnog Recipe
50g caster sugar
4 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla essence
397g can of condensed milk
100ml brandy
Put the sugar in a saucepan with 75ml water. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved, then cool and chill. Beat the yolks with the vanilla until smooth. Add the condensed milk, brandy and cooled sugar syrup, mixing well. Pour into a jug and chill for at least 2 hrs. Serve within 24 hrs, over ice.
Espresso Martini Recipe
For the sugar syrup - 100g golden caster sugar
Ice
100ml vodka
50ml freshly brewed espresso coffee
50ml coffee liqueur
4 coffee beans (optional)
Start by making the sugar syrup. Put the caster sugar in a small pan over a medium heat and pour in 50ml water. Stir, and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool. Put 2 martini glasses in the fridge to chill. Once the sugar syrup is cold, pour 1 tbsp into a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice, the Absolut Original vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur. Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold. Strain into the chilled glasses. Garnish each one with coffee beans if you like.