The perfect little tipple!

We all need a little something to help keep us warm on a cold winters evening.

Here are just some of my favourite winter tipples, that keeps the cold at bay and puts a smile on my face. Remember these are perfect for a treat but not every day!

Winter tipples

Ultimate hot chocolate! Serves 1

Pour ¾ of a mug of whole milk or hazelnut milk into a small saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Turn off the heat and add 2tsp cocoa powder and 30g chopped dark chocolate. Whisk until the chocolate has melted and the cocoa powder has dissolved. Pour back into the mug and serve with a cinnamon stick and a few mini marsh mallows on top!

English Christmas Punch Serves 4

Place 250ml rum, 250ml red wine, 3 cups strong tea, 2 tbsp sugar, juice of 1 large orange and juice of 1 lime in a saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Ladle into glasses and serve.

Tip

When pouring hot water into a glass always place a metal dessertspoon in the glass to conduct the heat. This will prevent the glass from cracking.

Apple Toddy Serves 1

Heat 250ml hot apple cider in a saucepan until warm then pour over 2 tbsp whiskey or apple brandy and add 1 tsp sugar. Sweeten to taste with a little honey and serve garnished with a lemon wedge, cinnamon stick and whole cloves.

Ginger & Lime Tea Serves 1

Peel and finely chop 1 tsp fresh ginger and place in a mug or glass with a spoon. Add 1 tsp honey and 2-3 strips of lime peel and top up with boiling water.

Irish Coffee Serves 1

Make up 200ml strong coffee using a cafetiere and pour into a tall glass mug. Add the 1 tbsp whiskey and 2 tsp soft brown sugar, stirring well. Carefully float 1 tbsp half fat crème fraiche on top with a teaspoon and serve.

Gluhwein Serves 6

Place 1 bottle cheap red wine, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 whole cloves, 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lemon and 2 tbsp soft dark brown sugar into a large saucepan and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Ladle into glasses and serve.

Tip

Make in advance and reheat as required

Cheeky Vimto Serves 1

Place 2 tbsp no added sugar Vimto and 1 tbsp Cointreau in the bottom of a glass or mug, top up with hot water and serve.

Black Stripe Serves 1

Place 2 tbsp dark rum, 1 tbsp black treacle, 2 tsps lemon juice and 250ml hot water in a small saucepan and heat

until warm and combined. Pour into a glass and serve garnished with cinnamon.

Cough Medicine ;0) Serves 1

Place 2 tbsp whiskey, 1 tbsp runny honey and lemon slices in the base of a glass with a metal spoon. Top up with hot water and serve.

Blueberry Tea Serves 1

Heat 150g blueberries, 2 tsp dark brown sugar and 1 tsp finely chopped ginger in a small saucepan, adding enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer to soften the fruit then strain through a sieve into a glass and serve with a lemongrass stick, topping up with more water if required.

Hot Gin Toddy

Serves 1

Place 2 tbsp gin and 2 tbsp lemon juice in a glass and top up with hot water. Add 1 tsp sugar and stir the mixture with a cinnamon stick to flavour then serve.