Christmas is the best time of year for indulgent comfort food: The nights are dark, the weather is cold, and there's not a chance anyone will be seeing you without a protective layer of jumper for the next few months at least.

So as it's cold outside, why not curl up in front of the fire with a great book and a cup of hot chocolate, mulled wine or spiced cider? Go on, you deserve it.

Here are our pick of five hot drinks recipes guaranteed to see you through to spring.

Tesco: Italian Hot Chocolate (serves 6)

Ingredients

650ml milk

3 tbsp cocoa powder

3 tbsp light brown sugar

50g dark chocolate, chopped

3 tbsp cornflour

12 tbsp Baileys liqueur or brandy, optional

Mini marshmallows, to serve

Method

1) Put the milk in a pan with the cocoa, sugar, chocolate and a pinch of salt. Melt over a low heat, stirring. Don’t boil.

2) In a bowl, mix the cornflour with 2 tablespoons of water. Pour the mixture into the pan and bring to the boil, whisking with a wire whisk. Simmer for a few minutes, beating all the time, until thickened.

3) Add Baileys or brandy (if using), then divide between 6 cups. Serve plain, or topped with some mini marshmallows.

Asda: Mulled Cider (serves 8)

Ingredients

3 eating apples

12 cloves

4 x 500ml bottles cider

2 cinnamon sticks

1/4 level tsp Ground Allspice

Thinly pared zest of 1 orange

Method

1) Set aside 1 apple. Stud the others with cloves and put in a large saucepan with the cider, cinnamon sticks, allspice and orange zest.

2) Heat until simmering, then simmer very gently for 15-20 minutes, taking care not to let it boil.

3) Slice the reserved apple and serve with the punch.

Aldi: Indulgent Hot Chocolate (serves 2)

Ingredients

480ml Milk

120g Chocolate, broken into small pieces

2 tsp Sugar

50ml Bellucci Amaretto or Napoleon Brandy

100ml Double Cream

Grated Chocolate or Ground Cinnamon, to sprinkle on top

Method

1) Gently heat the milk in a small saucepan until almost boiling.

2) Add the chocolate, turn down the heat to low and stir until melted.

3) Add the sugar and the chosen spirit.

4) Whip the cream until it just holds its shape.

5) Pour the hot chocolate into 2 mugs, top with the whipped cream and sprinkle over some grated chocolate or cinnamon.

Tesco: Mulled Wine (serves 8-10)

Ingredients

1 lemon, peel the zest and cut into thin strips

6 whole cloves

1tbsp grated nutmeg

1 x 75cl bottle red wine (preferably Claret)

25ml ruby port

60g Demerara sugar

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 lemon, thinly sliced

2 cinnamon sticks, cut in half

Method

1) Place the zest, spices and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and add the liquid ingredients and sugar. Heat until almost, but not quite, boiling. Remove from the heat.

2) Add slices of 1 orange and lemon, stir and let it sit to allow the flavours to infuse before straining into a jug. Add a piece of cinnamon and slice of orange or lemon to each glass and serve.

Asda: Gluhwein (serves 8)

Ingredients

2 bottles red wine

2 oranges

1 tsp cloves

2 cinnamon sticks, plus extra to serve

50g caster sugar

Method

1) 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.

2) Heat until simmering, then simmer gently for 15 minutes.

3) To serve, pour into glasses and decorate with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.

Do you think you know everything about the festive season? Try our Christmas quiz and test your knowledge!