Love Christmas, but hate the fact that temperatures are plummeting and you're starting to see your breath freeze in the air on the way to work in the morning?
Well now the festive season is (nearly) upon is, it's socially acceptable to drink six mugs of hot chocolate a day in an effort to keep the winter chill at bay.
There are loads of Christmas drinks to choose from, whether it's eggnog, hot toddy or a Starbucks-inspired pumpkin spiced latte, and each of them are fairly simple to make!
Here are five of our favourite winter drinks recipes so you can make them at home. All that's left to do is snuggle under a blanket and watch Netflix until it's time for spring again!
Tesco: Pumpkin Latte (serves one)
Ingredients
Two heaped tablespoons of pumpkin purée
One tablespoon of soft brown sugar
Quarter of a teaspoon of mixed spice
Quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon
250ml of whole or semi-skimmed milk
Two shots of espresso coffee
Whipped cream and cocoa, to serve
Method
- Put the pumpkin purée, sugar, spices and milk in a microwave-proof jug. Mix the contents to combine. Cover with clingfilm, then carefully pierce the surface two or three times, to allow steam to escape. Microwave on full power for one to one and a half minutes, until the milk is hot.
- Using an electric milk frother or whisk, whisk for 30 to 45 seconds or until milk is really frothy. Pour the hot coffee into a latte glass or mug, then add the spiced pumpkin milk. Top with cream, if using, then dust with a little more mixed spice and some cocoa.
ASDA: Gluhwein (serves eight)
Ingredients
Two bottles of red wine
Two oranges
One teaspoon of cloves
Two cinnamon sticks, plus extra to serve
50g of caster sugar
Method
- Pour the wine into a pan. Stud the oranges with the cloves, then slice into rounds. Add to the pan with the cinnamon sticks and sugar.
- Heat until simmering, then simmer gently for 15 minutes.
- To serve, pour into glasses and decorate with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.
Tesco: Nutella Hot Chocolate (serves four)
Ingredients
750ml of whole milk
50g of dark or milk chocolate, broken into squares
Two tablespoons of Nutella
Four tablespoons of spray cream, optional
10g of chopped, roasted hazelnuts, optional
Method
- Heat the milk to scalding point (just before it boils) in a medium saucepan. Remove from the fire or turn off the heat.
- Immediately add the chocolate and Nutella and leave to melt for 30 seconds. Using a whisk, slowly incorporate the chocolate and Nutella to make a smooth milk, continuing to whisk for one to two minutes, until the milk is frothy.
Pour into mugs and serve straight away. Top with a swirl of the spray cream and a sprinkle of chopped, roasted hazelnuts.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate (serves one)
Ingredients
One tablespoon of hot water
One teaspoon of brown sugar
One tablespoon of cocoa powder
Half a teaspoon each of cinnamon, ginger and vanilla extract
A pinch of cloves
Around 250ml of milk
Method
- Put all the ingredients in a pan and heat until scalding point (just before it boils).
- Pour into a mug and serve straight away.
Tesco: Hot Toddy (serves one)
Ingredients
One teaspoon of runny honey or brown sugar
25ml of single malt scotch whisky
Juice of quarter of a lemon
One cinnamon stick
Three cloves
Grated nutmeg
Lemon slice, to serve
Method
- In a thick glass or mug, combine the whisky and lemon juice and top up with boiled water.
- Stir to dissolve the honey.
- Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, grated nutmeg and lemon slice, to serve.
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