Honeycomb lattes, mulled wine and hot toddies! 10 deliciously festive drinks that will definitely get you in the mood for Christmas
Sponsored by Costa
- We’ve complied a guide to the 10 best festive drinks
- Classics include mulled wine, hot toddies and mulled cranberry juice
- Costa has released its exciting Christmas drinks menu
- One of the stars of the menu is the honeycomb latte
Christmas is without a doubt the time to eat, drink and be merry.
Whether it's a warming glass of mulled wine at your local Christmas market or a deliciously festive honeycomb latte on a crisp winter's day, now's the time to make the most of all the deliciously festive drinks on offer.
To get you in the mood for Christmas, we've compiled a guide to the 10 best festive drinks, and they're guaranteed to ensure you have a very happy Noël.
Cheers to that!
If you needed an excuse to to get in the festive mood, we've compiled a guide to the 10 best drinks for December; raise a glass to that!
1. Mulled wine
The Christmas period is synonymous with a warming glass of cinnamon-infused, sweet but spicy mulled wine.
The fabulously festive winter warmer is super simple to whip up in your kitchen and will bring festive cheer to any occasion.
All you need to do is pop some sugar in a pan with your choice of good Italian wine, the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves and water. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for a few minutes and it's ready to serve - just don't forget some tangy lemon and clementine pieces.
Now it's time to sip slowly and enjoy. Ahhh!
The Christmas period is synonymous with a warming glass of cinnamon-infused, sweet but spicy mulled wine
2. Honeycomb lattes
As well as the presents and festive cheer, Christmas time is all about the limited edition coffees - and Costa certainly has the best selection on the high street.
One of the most temptingly festive of the bunch is the honeycomb latte - your usual latte coffee with a dash of honeycomb syrup, topped with fresh cream and pieces of chocolate coated honeycomb.
In fact, it's so Christmassy that the cup is even wearing its own Christmas jumper!
Perfect as your drink of choice for a Christmas shopping coffee pit stop, the deliciously warming latte will perk you right up. If you're feeling peckish, grab Costa's Christmas Spiced Crispy Slice to nibble on, too.
Costa's honeycomb latte is your usual latte coffee with a dash of honeycomb syrup, topped with fresh cream and pieces of chocolate coated honeycomb
3. Hot toddies
Nothing is more tempting on a freezing cold day than a steaming glass of something hot and alcoholic to thaw you out. Enter the hot toddy!
A hot toddy is made with equal measures of boiling water and whisky, rum or brandy, with a spoonful of sweet honey, a zesty slice of lemon and some aromatic cloves.
Throw in a stick of cinnamon stick for good measure - it has a double duty as a stirrer and a rustic garnish. If you're feeling adventurous, add a vanilla pod, which works beautifully with the sweet vanilla flavours.
Whether it is a hot toddie or a warming mulled cranberry juice - tis the season to enjoy a hot festive drink!
4. Mulled cranberry juice
Just because you're not drinking alcohol doesn't mean you can't enjoy a festive drink, and a virgin take on the classic mulled wine is perfect for those looking for a non-alcoholic alternative.
All you need to do is boil some cranberry juice in a saucepan with a cinnamon stick and some warming cloves, sugar, ground cinnamon, and two tablespoons of water.
Let it cool slightly, pour into a cocktail glass, add some orange zest and sip away.
The jolly red colour of this drink shouts Christmas; it's full of juicy strawberries and winter cranberries, and you'll wake up hangover-free!
5. Eggnog
Comprised of eggs, cream, sugar and a splash of alcohol, why we don't drink eggnog all the time is a complete mystery.
The rich and creamy drink was designed for cold nights so sink into your favourite armchair with a good book in hand and sip on the deliciously indulgent winter tipple.
Comprised of eggs, cream, sugar and alcohol, eggnog is a Christmas time classic
6.Driver's Buck's fizz
Buck's Fizz - two parts Champagne and one part orange juice - is the most popular tipple on Christmas Day morning. But why not make sure you please everyone (drivers and little ones included) by serving up a non alcoholic version of this festive favourite?
Substitute the Champagne for either fizzy elder-flower or soda water, and top with a splash of cranberry juice for an oh-so-pretty beverage that is perfect for toasting!
7. Holiday punch
As the ultimate crowd pleaser, the holiday punch requires little effort but has maximum appeal.
Mix up the community-created drink by combining fruit juice - such as cranberry or orange - with a clear spirit like vodka or gin and a good glug of sprite or soda water.
Everyone will be punch drunk in love with this easy, make-ahead and delightfully boozy tipple.
8. Hot mulled apple juice
Mulling isn’t the sole preserve of wine - try a steaming mug of fruity and refreshing apple juice.
Perfect for the kids - or big kids seeking a non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine - a cup of this thirst-quencher will right any miserable winter morning.
9. Winter whiskey sour
As the ultimate crowd pleaser, the holiday punch requires little effort but has maximum appeal
The winter whiskey sour is as warming as it is alcoholic.
Mix up your perfect amount of whiskey with 40ml of punchy freshly squeezed lemon juice, a dash of sugar syrup, one egg white and a dash of orange juice.
Give it a sweet finish by dropping in a cocktail cherry and a slick of sugar for the rim of the glass.
As the perfect balance of sweet and sour, the lip-puckering drink is ideal for a crisp December night.
10. Gingerbread bellini
This is quite simply Christmas in a glass - and it will certainly impress your discerning guests.
The waft of the gingerbread syrup as the fizz spritzes it through the air will get you in a festive mood in no time.
Cheers to a very merry Christmas...
Hot spiced apple cider infused with oranges, lemon, cardamom pods, cinnamon and cloves will warm you up on a winter's night
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