Five Favorite Christmas Drinks for a Festive Season: Quick and Easy Traditional Drinks Recipes

Below listed are five favorite winter tipples of mine. A cold winter evening doesn't have to be bleak and boring. Pull the curtains, light the fire and head for the kitchen and mix up a delightful winter warmer to heat you up and banish the doltroms. Don't save these scrumptious delights just for the Christmas Holidays. A cold grey day will end with a difference while sipping one of these wonderful winter warmers.

Impress your family and friends by making eggnog and snowballs from scratch. The sheer pleasure of the first sip, says it all. Enjoy these quick and easy recipes for all occasions during the winter months.

Fist up for all you cider lovers. I have the perfect Christmas concoction you will adore. This warm cider recipe is absolutely divine and really easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 liter bottle of dry cider (a quality brand)
• 2 sticks of cinnamon (1 extra stick each for garnish, optional)
• 2 teaspoons of ground allspice
• 3 teaspoons of grated nutmeg
• 4 teaspoons of good runny honey
• 5 cloves
• tall glasses (Irish coffee cups) to serve
• slices of orange and lemon

Method:

Put all the above ingredients into a large pot. Slowly bring to a nice low bubbling simmer. Continue to simmer gently for about 20 minutes or so. Pour into tall glasses and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

This particular winter warmer is a favorite of mine. There is nothing quite like a cold winters evening in front of a glowing fire, sipping warm cider. Enjoy.

Bartender's Tip:

If you are lucky enough to live near a farm or household that sells homemade cider, buy a liter to make this delicious warm drink even more special. Trust me, you'll be top of everyone's Christmas list.

Next up for all you vino followers. A delightful mulled wine with an extra kick. This is a lovely heart warming winter drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of red wine (one you like to drink)
• 2 teaspoons of brown sugar
• 100 ml of madeira, sherry or port
• 100 ml of cherry brandy
• 5 cloves
• pinch of nutmeg
• pinch of all spice
• a dried bay leaf
• slices of orange and lemon
• glass cups to serve

Method:

As above, put all your ingredients into a large pot and slowly bring to a low simmer. Serve warm into red wine glasses or glass coffee cups.

Of course there is always the alternative of purchasing your mulled wine kit and simply add the plonk. Although in all fairness I think the above recipe is foolproof. Let me know if I'm wrong. However, sometimes it's not so easy to get the ingredients in the portions you require, for that reason mulled wine kits are pretty good. No waste and no extra expense.

Come to think of it, mulled wine sets make great Christmas present for boozy mates and family too.

This wouldn't be much of a list without 'a hot chocolate punch'. This drink is an any time winter wonder and puts a smile on every face.

Ingredients:

• 175 ml of tia marie
• 300 ml of tequila
• 50 ml of rum based coffee liquor
• 300 ml of fresh single cream
• 800 ml of hot chocolate
• a glass pitcher
• grated nutmeg to serve
• glass cups to serve

Method:

Pour all the ingredients (except the cream) into a large pot and mix well. Heat very slowly till hot. Serve like an Irish coffee, pouring the cream over the back of a spoon to float on top of the chocolate mixture once you've poured the mixture into your glass cups. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

You can't have Christmas drinks without good old traditional eggnog. Eggnog made from fresh is sooo good. The difference between fresh eggnog compared to the bottled stuff is unbelievable. You will be hooked on this delightful tipple; eggnog will never taste the same again.

Ingredients:

• crushed ice cubes
• 1 fresh egg
• 1 teaspoon of sugar syrup
• 100 ml of rum
• 600 ml of full fat milk
• grated nutmeg to serve
• glass tumblers to serve

Method:

Put the ice into a cocktail shaker. Add in the egg, sugar syrup, rum and milk. Shake the ingredients well. Strain into a glass and sprinkle liberally with the grated nutmeg. Serve straight away.

True Christmas perfection in a glass of eggnog; a pure festive delight.

It's not Christmas till you've had a snowball. I remember one of the first times I made this drink for a customer when I worked in a bar. The customer had only ever had a ready made snowball from a bottle. Needless to say; she was impressed.

Ingredients:

• 100 ml of advocate
• 25 ml of brandy
• cold lemonade (small bottles work best)
• dash of lime cordial
• crushed ice
• tall glasses to serve

Method:

Put the ice into a tall glass, add the advocate, brandy and lime. Shake the lemonade bottle once, keeping your finger over the opening and pour into the glass to top up. This will give the lemonade a wonderful frothy appearance. Serve straight a way.

Bartender's Tip:

Keep the advocate in the fridge once open. Advocate is a creamy liqueur made from a blend of eggs and spirits and will go off if not stored in a cool place.