Festive party season is here! Whether you’re hosting, helping, or simply want to try something a bit different, mix things up with your drinks menu this year using some of these fun Christmas drinks from around the world.
White Russian Christmas (Russia)
You’ll need:
- ¼ cup vodka
- ¼ cup coffee liqueur
- 1/3 cup cream
- ¼ cup peppermint schnapps
Method:
- Pour coffee liqueur, schnapps and vodka over ice and stir gently.
- Divide between glasses and float fresh cream on top of each.
Stiff Hot Chocolate (North Pole)
You’ll need:
- ¼ cup dark rum
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup chocolate
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- Cinnamon stick
- Marshmallows, to garnish
Method:
- Grate the chocolate, then combine with milk in a saucepan.
- Stir in honey, brown sugar and cinnamon stick.
- Heat over a low heat until chocolate is dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in rum.
- Remove cinnamon stick and serve, topping each cup with marshmallows if desired.
Mulled Wine (England)
You’ll need:
- 100g light muscovado sugar
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 150ml water
- 1 lemon
- 1 orange
- 150ml Cointreau
- 750ml bottle of light red wine
- Twist of orange zest, to garnish
Method:
- Put 100g light muscovado sugar in a saucepan in a pan with the star anise, cinnamon stick, cloves and 150ml water. Bring slowly to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Simmer for 2 minutes, then pour into a large jug and leave to cool. Add lemon and orange, thinly sliced, to the jug along with 150ml Cointreau and a 750ml bottle light red wine. Stir well, then cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Serve chilled over ice, with a twist of orange zest.
- If you want to serve a traditional warm mulled wine, there’s no need to chill. Simply warm through without boiling and serve in mugs or heatproof glasses.
Eggnog (USA)
You’ll need:
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds removed
- 1 tsp freshly grated sugar
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 175ml dark rum or bourbon
Method:
- In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla bean, vanilla seeds, and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and allow to steep.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until combined and thick ribbons form when the whisk is lifted. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to mix until the mixture is combined and smooth. Add bourbon or rum, and stir. Refrigerate overnight.
- Before serving, beat the egg whites in a large bowl or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold into eggnog until combined. Serve and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Sugar Plum Fairy (Japan)
You’ll need:
- ¾ cup plum sake
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Method:
- Combine ingredients in a saucepan and heat, not allowing the mixture to boil.
- Serve in ceramic mugs and garnish with lemon wedges.