Festive Christmas Punch
A crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking sparkling punch that’s easy to make in large batches.
What you’ll need:
- One bottle of sparkling wine – I’d recommend our No.1 bestselling Prosecco, Casa Cantalini
- 150ml cranberry juice
- 150ml orange juice
- 50ml brandy
- 250g raspberries
- 1 thinly sliced orange
How to make it:
1. In a large punch bowl, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice and brandy, and stir well.
2. Add the raspberries and sliced orange.
3. Just before serving, add the Casa Cantalini / Prosecco.
4. Serve over ice in your glass of choice.
Ho-ho- Mojito
The classic favourite … with a joyful festive twist.
What you’ll need
- 150ml white wine – I’d recommend a zesty Sauvignon Blanc like Mussel Pot or Abbesse
- 60ml sparkling water
- 15ml lime juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice
- Lime wedge (optional – for garnish)
How to make it
1. In a glass, combine the white wine, lime juice, sugar syrup, sparkling water and mint leaves.
2. Add ice and stir gently.
3. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Hot Toddy
A classic that’s sure to warm the cockles on even the coldest of winter days.
What you’ll need
- 50ml whisky – I’d recommend Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
- 150ml hot water
- 1tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 cinnamon stick (for garnish)
How to make it
1. Boil the kettle and add hot water to a mug of your choice.
2. Add the whisky, lemon juice and honey to the mug.
3. Stir gently, until the honey disappears.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Top tip: if your hot toddy isn’t sweet enough, stir in another tablespoon of honey.
White Christmas Margarita
I’m dreaming of a … deliciously creamy white Christmas Margarita.
What you’ll need
- 50ml tequila – I’d recommend Ocho Tequila Blanco
- 30ml triple sec – I’d recommend Cointreau
- 50ml lime juice
- 30ml coconut water
- 30ml coconut milk
- Ice
- Garnish: Lime slices, cranberries and coconut flakes (all optional)
How to make it
1. Optional – for decoration. Start by rimming a glass of your choice with lime juice and dipping into coconut flakes, and then place this at the side of the worktop.
2. Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, coconut water and coconut milk to a bowl.
3. Whisk until smooth.
4. Serve over ice, in your decorated glass (see above) or a glass of your choice.
5. Garnish with lime slices or cranberries.
Peppermint Espresso Martini
The ultimate Christmassy cocktail for coffee lovers … with a wonderful minty kick.
What you’ll need
- 50ml peppermint vodka (or non-flavoured vodka)
- 25ml coffee liqueur
- 25ml freshly brewed espresso
- 15ml peppermint syrup*
- Ice
- Candy cane (optional – for garnish)
How to make it
1. Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso and peppermint syrup*.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into your martini glass.
4. Garnish with a candy cane.
*if you’re using peppermint vodka, the peppermint syrup isn’t needed … unless you’d like it extra minty.
Top tip: for an extra festive touch, rim the glass with a crushed candy cane.
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
Rich, indulgent and oh-so-warming – ideal for a cosy date night in.
What you’ll need
- 500ml red wine – I’d recommend Merlot, Shiraz, Grenache or Zinfandel
- 500ml milk of your choice
- 150g chopped chocolate (milk or dark, depending on your preference)
- 1tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Garnish: Whipped cream, chocolate chips, small marshmallows (all optional)
How to make it
1. Add your milk, chopped chocolate and sugar to a saucepan.
2. Simmer over a low heat, stirring gently, until the chocolate melts.
3. Add in your red wine and continue to stir gently over low heat.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Serve in a mug of your choice.
Top tip: Finish it off with whipped cream, chocolate chips or small marshmallows (or all three, ’tis season after all).
Classic Mulled Wine
Nothing says Christmas quite like the scent of a warming glass of mulled wine wafting through the air. The best part? It’s not too difficult to make and doesn’t require too many obscure ingredients. If you need help deciding which wine to go for don't forget to check out our how to make mulled wine guide, complete with expert advice!
What you'll need
- 750ml bottle of red wine (see guidance in our mulled wine article)
- 75ml orange liqueur or ginger wine (optional)
- 1 large cinnamon stick
- 2 star anise
- 4 cloves
- 1 fresh orange, sliced
- 4 tbsp caster sugar
- Fresh cranberries for garnish (optional)
How to make it
1. Take a large saucepan and add the wine, extra liqueur, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves and orange slices and stir gently.
2. Turn on the hob to medium-high and bring to a simmer, not a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pod with a lid, and gently simmer for 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5-10 minutes.
5. Ladle into mugs or heat-resistant glasses and garnish with juicy cranberries, and enjoy!
