5 Homemade Hot Drinks To Beat The Winter Cold

1. Classic Homemade Hot Chocolate

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Indulge in a homemade hot chocolate. Perfect because the cold nights attract, you'll add a pinch of chilli, cinnamon or a slug of rum if you prefer.

What you’ll need:

250ml milk of your choice

1 tbsp cocoa

1-2 tbsp soft light brown sugar

25g dark chocolate, finely chopped

1 tbsp whipped cream or squirty cream

How to Make It:

Step 1

Heat the milk, cocoa, sugar and chocolate in a very small pan over a medium heat until steaming and also the chocolate has melted. Whisk to dissolve the cocoa.

Step 2

You can pour into a mug, then add the cream to float on top. Grate over a little more chocolate to serve.

2. Hot Toddy

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Warm up with a hot toddy. The combination of honey, lemon, whisky, cinnamon and cloves really packs a punch and is great for entertaining yourself in winter

What you’ll need:

50ml whisky

3 tsp honey

1 cinnamon stick , snapped in half

1 lemon , half juiced and half sliced

2 cloves

How to Make It:

Step 1

You need to whisk the whisky and honey together and split between 2 heatproof glasses. Add 1/2  the cinnamon stick to each, then top up with 200ml boiling water.

Step 2

Add a splash of juice to every, then taste and add more to your preference. You need to finish each with a slice of lemon, studded with a clove, and serve immediately.

3. Classic Mulled Wine

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Make perfectly spiced wine at Christmas with our easy recipe. Use a good quality red wine like an unoaked tempranillo or try a twist with a splash of gin.

What you’ll need:

750ml bottle red wine

1 large cinnamon stick, or 2 small ones

2 star anise

4 cloves

2 strips lemon zest

4 tbsp caster sugar

How to Make It:

Step 1

Put the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, lemon zest, star anise and sugar in a large pan. Cook on a low heat for 10 mins.

Step 2

Remove from the warmth and funky, leaving to infuse for about 30 mins. 

Step 3

To serve, heat without boiling, stir within the gin and pour into mugs or heatproof glasses.

4. Eggnog

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Make our easy eggnog recipe for the right festive party tipple. The fact that this traditional Christmas drink uses just five ingredients, including egg yolks and brandy.

What you’ll need:

50g caster sugar

4 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla essence

397g can of condensed milk

100ml brandy

How to Make It:

Step 1

Put the sugar in an exceedingly saucepan with 75ml water. You should simmer it until the sugar has dissolved, then cool and chill.

Step 2

Beat the yolks with the vanilla until smooth. Add the milk, brandy and cooled sirup, mixing well.

Step 3

Pour into a jug and chill for a minimum of 2 hours. Serve within 24 hrs, over ice.

5. Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

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Hosting a party? Try this slow-cooker beverage for a simple thanks to serve a crowd. you may also add your favourite liqueur to every mug.

What you’ll need:

1l milk

300ml double cream

200g dark chocolate, chopped

100g milk chocolate, chopped

scorched marshmallows, to serve

softly whipped cream, to serve

grated chocolate, to serve

How to Make It:

Step 1

Pour the milk and cream cheese into the slow cooker. Add the semi-sweet chocolate and chocolate, then cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring halfway through cooking. 

Step 2

Remove the lid and stir again, then still cook for an additional 15-20 mins. You can ladle into mugs and top with the marshmallows, dollops of cream and grated chocolate.

Credit: 

BBC Good Food