Festive winter warmers

At this time of year everyone loves a warm festive drink. Whether you’re tucked up at home on a cold, winter night or out enjoying the sights at a Christmas market, few can resist. We asked around our office to see what hot drinks our team enjoy most at this time of year. Here are some of the results!

Euan Stirling, communications executive

Hot toddy

1 ½ parts whisky

1/3 parts honey syrup

3 parts hot water

3 dried cloves

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

This festive classic is enjoyed best as a nightcap. It’s guaranteed to warm you up when it’s cold outside. The classic recipe combines whisky, honey syrup, hot water and cloves. Lemon juice is often added and the cloves removed before serving. It’s a favourite of Euan’s at Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market.

Alice Kettle, designer

Eggnog

3 cups whole milk

1 cup double cream

4 eggs, separated

2/3 cup granulated

3/4 cup Bacardi Rum, or bourbon

A firm office favourite, eggnog is another boozy holiday favourite. It combines milk, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg in a saucepan. Once that’s simmering, four eggs are then beat in a separate bowl and whisked into the milk. You can add either bourbon or rum to your drink to give it an extra little kick.

Xanthe Galanis-Hancox, communications manager 

Mulled cider

Traditional cider

6 cloves

1/4 nutmeg

1 orange

1 pomegranate

4-5 tablespoons caster sugar

Ever-present at winter markets across Europe and the UK, mulled cider is another popular festive choice. This combination of warm cider, spices, orange juice and sugar features prominently at Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market. Easy to make, cider is poured into a large pan on a low heat for a couple of minutes and then spices and juices are added. Whatever the reason, mulled cider is the ultimate holiday season comfort drink.

Mark Cox, multimedia executive

Mulled wine 

2 clementines

1 lemon

1 lime

200g caster sugar

6 cloves

Chianti or red wine

Another winter market classic, mulled wine is also a great drink to enjoy at Christmas parties and dinners. Combining both sweet and spicy flavours, mulled wine is the ideal festive hot drink. It’s easy to make too. Clementines, lemons and limes should be peeled and added to sugar in a saucepan.  Stir in enough red wine to cover the sugar and when the sugar has dissolved add in the rest of your wine.

Lucy Frankel, communications director

Hot white chocolate Russian

1 part Kahlúa

1 part whole milk

1/2 part vodka

Whipped cream & marshmallows for topping

White chocolate powder

If ‘The Dude’ from The Big Lebowski was to pick a hot favourite hot drink we’re sure he’d choose something like this. This hot drink has all the elements of a traditional White Russian. With Kahlúa, vodka, white chocolate powder and whole milk, the hot white chocolate Russian is a delicious warm treat worthy of the holiday season. Heated together in a saucepan and topped with whipped cream, it proves to be a deliciously, simple winter warmer.