Whether you’re hosting a sophisticated party vibe or having a cosy get-together, these beverages will fit the bill
Irish Egg Nog
This recipe from Irish Food Hub is a rich and creamy concoction that combines the flavours of Irish whiskey, eggs, cream, and warm spices. Serves 4
Ingredients:
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup Irish whiskey (such as Jameson)
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Whipped cream and additional ground nutmeg for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened.
- In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
- In another bowl, beat the heavy cream until it thickens and forms soft peaks.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the egg yolk and sugar mixture until well combined.
- Add the whole milk, Irish whiskey, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon to the mixture. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
- Carefully fold in the whipped egg whites, being gentle to maintain the airy texture.
- Pour the Egg Nog into glasses or mugs, garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg if desired.
- Serve immediately
The Tanqueray Bay Gimlet
A great option for a Christmas Eve drinks party
Ingredients:
50ml Tanqueray No.Ten
50ml Honey cordial
11 bay leaves (one to garnish)
Method:
- Make the honey cordial by simply adding 600ml of fresh lemon juice to 400 ml of honey and 10 dried bay leaves.
- Stir it until the ingredients are combined and let it rest for 24 hours.
- Combine the honey cordial that has rested for 24 hours and 50ml of Tanqueray No.TEN to a cocktail shaker, shake hard and strain into a chilled coupé glass.
- To finish, garnish with a bay leaf.
Donal Skehan’s Mulled Cider
Ideal for sipping by the fire while having a catchup with a friend
Ingredients:
1 litre of Irish apple cider (or your favourite cider)
4 cinnamon sticks
6 star anise
Lemon rind for each glass
1 apple, cut thinly, to serve
Method:
- Place all the ingredients for the mulled cider into a large pot and place over a medium high heat.
- Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and leave for 20 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse
- Serve in mugs with thinly sliced apple.
Glendalough Hot Toddy
Sink into the couch and unwind on Christmas night with one of these
Ingredients:
50ml Glendalough Double Barrel whiskey
1 tablespoon honey
1 cinnamon stick, snapped in half
1 lemon slice, studded with 4-5 cloves
Method:
- Combine whiskey, honey, cinnamon, and clove-studded lemon slice in a glass.
- Add boiling water and stir to blend the flavours.
Baileys’ Hot Chocolate
This is the drink we want for those in-between days of Twixmas!
Ingredients:
50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
1 tsp hot chocolate powder
100ml milk
A dollop of cream
Chocolate shavings or chocolate anything to garnish
Optional snowflake shortbread biscuit
Method:
- Use the hot chocolate powder and the milk to make a hot chocolate. Pour into your favourite mug.
- Make it magnificent by adding the Baileys.
- Dollop on fresh or whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and that festive snowflake shortbread to top it all off.
- Stand back and admire. Then grab a spoon and dig in!
Always drink responsibly.