CHRISTMAS DRINKS RECIPES

 

Chocolate eggnog

Ingredients

• 4 egg yolks (freeze the whites to use in another recipe)
• 150g caster sugar
• 500ml whole milk
• ¼ nutmeg, grated, plus extra to serve
• 100g dark chocolate, chopped
• 300ml double cream
• STEP 1

  Beat the egg yolks and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and thick, and the mixture leaves a thick trail on the surface when the beaters are lifted out.

• STEP 2

  Warm the milk and nutmeg in a pan over a low heat until simmering. Put the chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and pour over the hot milk mixture, stirring until completely melted and smooth.

• STEP 3

  Pour a little of the chocolate milk mixture into the beaten egg yolk mixture, whisking all the time. Add a third of the milk and whisk again, then repeat twice more until all the milk is incorporated.

• STEP 4

  Pour the eggnog into a pan and add the double cream. Cook over a low heat, stirring continuously until thickened slightly – it should coat the back of a spoon. Add the top with grated nutmeg to serve.

• Gingerbread hot chocolate

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• Ingredients

  • 150ml milk
  • 50ml double cream
  • ¼-½ tsp dark brown aoft sugar
  • ½ orange, zested
  • pinch of ground ginger
  • pinch of ground cinnamon
  • 1 clove
  • 2 drops of vanilla extract
  • 50g dark chocolate, chopped

  To garnish (optional)

  • whipped cream
  • 1 mini gingerbread or speculoos biscuit, crushed

  Method

  • STEP 1

    Stir the milk, cream, sugar, orange zest and spices together in a saucepan, then bring to a simmer over a low heat. Remove from the heat and pour through a sieve into a jug, discarding the clove and orange zest. Pour the warm infused milk back into the pan and stir in the vanilla and chocolate until the chocolate has melted and is smooth.

  • STEP 2

    Return the pan to a low heat to warm through, if needed, then pour into a heatproof mug. Top with whipped cream and crushed gingerbread biscuits, if you like, then serve.