When you really think about it, winter isn’t all bad. There’s nothing like a bout of inclement weather to cosy up indoors, watch a new series, tick a few new books off your list and indulge in some of the season’s finest delicacies. In fact, it is in the spirit of the last point that we have decided to round up three essential winter recipes, in the form of soul-warming drinks. From the fragrant mulled wine to the iconic hot toddy (a powerful addition to any flu-fighting arsenal) to the classic hot chocolate, a creamy, cocoa-y mug of frothy goodness that can only be truly appreciated when the weather is at its worst, these are the drinks that get us through winter unscathed, and we think that everyone should know how to make them at home. Consult these easy recipes when you feel like whipping up a satiating drink for yourself. They truly are (in our opinion, anyway) the silver lining of the season.
Mulled Wine | Hot Toddy | Hot Chocolate
Make Your Own
mulled wine
Ingredients
1 bottle of red wine
¼ cup of honey (or sugar)
1 orange, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves
1 star anise
¼ cup of brandy (optional)
Method
1. Pour 1 bottle of red wine into a large pot
2. Add ¼ cup of honey (or sugar) and stir until dissolved
3. Add orange slices, 1 cinnamon stick, 5 whole cloves and 1 star anise
4. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it comes to a simmer
5. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes
6. Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup of brandy (optional)
7. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and serve
How To
hot toddy
Ingredients
1 tea bag (of your choice)
1 tablespoon of honey
1 shot of whiskey
1 lemon wedge
1 cinnamon stick
Method
1. Place a tea bag of your choice in a mug and pour boiling water over
2. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir until dissolved
3. Add 1 shot of whiskey and stir again
4. Squeeze the juice from a lemon wedge into the mug, then drop the wedge in
5. Stir with a cinnamon stick and enjoy
the perfect
hot chocolate
Ingredients
2 cups of milk
½ a cup of heavy cream
220 grams of chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
50 grams of sugar
½ a teaspoon of vanilla extract
a pinch of salt
Toppings (optional)
whipped cream
marshmallows
chocolate shavings
Method
1. In a saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk and ½ a cup of heavy cream over medium heat until it starts to steam, but not boil
2. Add 220 grams of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate and stir until they are melted and the mixture is smooth
3. Add 50 grams of sugar, ½ a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, and stir until everything is combined
4. Continue on low heat, stirring occasionally, for an additional 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy
5. Remove from heat and pour into mugs before topping with whipped cream, marshmallows or chocolate shavings
