Foodie Friday: Festive drinks

Everyone fancies a drink during the festive season, whether an alcoholic glass with ice and a slice suits your fancy or you'd rather have something warm and filling. Here is my roundup of how to get tasty drinks, at a price your purse will thank you for!

Mulled Wine

Created by the Romans in the 2nd century; they would heat the wine to defend their bodies from the winter. Once the Romans conquered Europe the popularity of the drink grew. In the 21st century they sell this stuff by the bucket load at any festive events, such as Christmas markets. I think it tastes even nicer in a good old mug snuggled up on the sofa in front of a Christmas film.

You can buy bottles of mulled wine from most supermarkets, my personal favourites being Morrison's Winter Warmer Mulled Wine 75cl for £3 and Aldi's Gluhwein litre £4.49

You will need:

Your chosen brand of mulled wine

An apple

An orange

Method:

1. I just pop enough for a mug into a small saucepan (1 mug = 1 serving).

2. Cut up an apple and and orange (even if you don't like them, I don't but they taste super yummy) and add them to the wine.

3. Heat on low for 15 mins to 20 mins, making sure you don't boil the wine.

4. After 15 to 20 mins your wine should be ready to drink. Serve in a mug and grab a fork to eat the wine flavoured fruit.

Mulled Cider

I had this for the first time last year and it was yummy and definitely did the job of warming me up. I tried remaking it at home and it worked surprisingly well. On this occasion I was making it for a lot of people, but you can always adapt the recipe to suit your servings.

Serves 6

You will need:

Dry cider 1 litre

Apple Juice 500ml

Whole cloves 5

Sliced peel of 1 orange

Method:

1. Add the cider and apple juice to a pan warm on a low heat.

2. Add the cloves and orange peel. Bring the pan to a simmer and then lower the heat and leave on a low heat for 15 mins before serving.

Festive Disaronno

I have recently been introduced to this wonderful concoction, it is a twist on a regular Disaronno and coke. Instead of having regular coke, change it for cherry coke or even try mixing it with Coca Cola's Christmassy cinnamon coke.

Please drink responsibly.