Celebrate the upcoming New Year’s Eve festivities with these seasonal drinks that are sure to tantalise taste buds.
Mulled wine
A warming festive favourite for many, use a quality red wine to create the perfect spiced mulled wine. Pour a full bottle of red into a large pan, along with a cinnamon stick, two star anise, four tablespoons of sugar, two large pieces of lemon zest and four cloves. Keep the pan on a low heat for around 10 minutes and don’t allow the mixture to boil. Cool for around 30 minutes, and then the drink can be heated gently to be served in either heatproof glasses or mugs.
Cranberry Gin Fizz
This cocktail is as tasty as it is attractive – with its beautiful reds and green from the thyme, why not add a candy cane-coloured straw to really finish the look? To make the cranberry syrup, half a cup of cranberries will need to be simmered, along with three quarters of a cup of sugar and the same amount of water. Once the cranberries have broken down, add four sprigs of fresh thyme and then cool and strain. To put the cocktail together, mix the cranberry syrup with two measures of gin, fresh lemon juice, elderflower liquor and ice in a shaker. Ideally served in beautifully engraved highball glasses, top the drinks with soda water and ice.
There is certainly something comforting about a delicious seasonal cocktail, and these two classics are sure to help you unwind and relax during the busy holiday season.
