Make Your Yuletide Merry With These 8 Christmas Cocktails!

1. Eggnog

Did you know that Eggnog originated in the 13th-century in East Anglia, England? Part of its name “nog” comes from the word “noggin”, a Middle English term used to describe a small, wooden, carved mug used to serve alcohol. People either love it or hate it. If you ARE a lover of Eggnog, then read Jamie Oliver’s recipe and make your own eggnog. Delicious.

Jamie’s Ultimate eggnog recipe

Serves 8

• 3 cups (700ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy or double cream
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds removed
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
• 5 eggs, separated
• 2/3 (130g) cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (175ml) Bacardi Dark Rum, or bourbon

Method

1. In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla bean, vanilla seeds, and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and allow to steep.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until combined and thick ribbons form when the whisk is lifted. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to mix until the mixture is combined and smooth. Add bourbon or rum, and stir. Refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days.
3. Before serving, beat the egg whites in a large bowl or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold into eggnog until combined. Serve and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

2. Mulled Wine

Nothing beats the smell of mulled wine at Christmas going around Winterval! Romans in the 2nd century used to heat wine to help defend their bodies against the cold winter. As the drink became more popular during the middle ages, Europeans used to add spices to warm wine to promote health and avoid sickness. This mulled wine recipe from Mary Berry is really easy to make and tastes amazing.

Mary Berry’s mulled wine

1 large orange
3 lemons
12 cloves
2 satsumas or clementines
2 x 750ml bottles red wine
2 cinnamon sticks
150g/5½oz caster sugar (optional)
brandy, to taste (optional)

Method

1. Carefully peel the zest very thinly from the orange and lemons using a vegetable peeler. Squeeze out the juice and reserve.
2. Stick the cloves into the satsumas.
3. Pour the wine, 1.2 litres/2 pints of cold water, and the citrus peel and juices into a large, heavy-based saucepan. Add the clove-studded satsumas and cinnamon sticks. Bring the mixture just to the boil, then reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering, cover the pan with the lid, and continue to simmer for about 1 hour. Stir in the sugar gradually during cooking, until the mulled wine is sweetened to your liking (you may not need all of the sugar).
4. Strain the mulled wine and serve hot in cups.

3. Mulled Cider

For those of you who prefer cider to red wine, mulled cider is perfect to sip on. Mellow, fruity and spicy – just how we like it. Irish chef, Donal Skehan’s mulled cider recipe is worth a go.

Donal’s Irish Mulled Cider

1 litre of Irish apple cider (or your favourite cider)
4 cinnamon sticks
6 star anise
Lemon rind for each glass
1 apple, cut thinly, to serve

Method

1. Place all the ingredients for the mulled cider into a large pot and place over a medium high heat. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Remove from the heat and leave for 20 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse before serving in mugs with thinly sliced apple.

4. Christmas Martini

Nigella Lawson’s recipe for the perfect Christmas Martini looks really delicious. You have to hand it to her. It’s mellow, fruity and full of character, just like the lady herself. Hats off!

Nigella’s Christmas martini

ice cubes
50ml/2fl oz vodka
25ml/1fl oz Chambord
25ml/1fl oz cocoa liqueur (such as Creme de cacao blanc)
1 sprig rosemary

Method

Tumble ice cubes generously into a cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, Chambord and cocoa liqueur and shake well. Pour into a martini glass (leaving the ice behind in the shaker) and add a sprig of rosemary.

5. Jameson’s Four John Ginger

A modern, spicy twist on the classic hot whiskey. Jameson has created a new whiskey cocktail called ‘Four john Ginger’ and is a nod to the first four heads of the Jameson Distillery – John Jameson. View the recipe and add some spice to your life.

Put a Waterford spin on this recipe and add a dash of Thomas Maher Premium Whiskey instead. Buy it online before Christmas!

Thomas Maher’s Christmas Toddy

50ml of Thomas Maher Premium Blend Whiskey
100g of fresh ginger
100g sugar
100ml hot water
5ml of lemon juice
Clove-studded lemon slice

Method

Hand-blend 100g ginger, 100g sugar and 100ml hot water in a bowl.
Sieve into another bowl and add a 50ml shot of Thomas Maher’s Premium Blend Whiskey and 5ml lemon juice.
Top up with hot water and serve in cup or tempered glass.
Garnish with a clove-studded lemon slice. Enjoy!

6. Hot Port

Christmas in a glass! Hot port sums up our Christmas tipple list and is by far, one of the most popular winter drinks. If you’re feeling somewhat adventurous, try out this mulled port and lemon recipe on BBC Goodfood.