Bonfire Night is here, which means come sundown hordes of Brits will be heading outdoors to watch the fireworks.
Whether you’re celebrating in your garden or heading to one of the many official displays going on across the country, you’ll want to keep warm – and what better way to do so than with a cocktail?
From spiked coffees to mulled punches, you don’t need to limit to yourself to the humble cuppa when you want a hot drink.
These warm cocktails put a grown-up spin on much-loved recipes, leaving you feeling toasty and providing a boozy kick. That said, you could easily use alcohol-free spirits if you’re cutting back; they’ll taste just as delicious.
Each can be made using storecupboard ingredients and commonly-available alcohol, so you don’t need to procure some rare spirit before you get in the spirit this evening.
Given the nature of Bonfire Night, we’d advise exercising caution near open flames and if you’re in charge of the fireworks.
Alcohol and fire only go together as flaming tiki cocktails, and a drunkenness-related injury will put a dampener on any night.
Stay safe and enjoy.
Negroni Spiced Tea
This concoction, from Harrogate-based Slingsby Gin, combines festive flavours with hot tea to warm those cockles.
If you can’t get hold of Spiced Winter Tea, regular black tea with cinnamon, star anise, all spice, or cloves is a good workaround.
What you’ll need
- 20ml Slingsby London Dry Gin (or other gin of choice)
- 20ml Campari
- 20ml Red Vermouth
- 150ml of hot brewed Spiced Winter Tea – use two tea bags for a stronger taste
How to make it
Mix in a teacup or mug with a cinnamon stick and garnish with a clove studded orange wheel.
Ginger Ale Mulled Marmalade
Slingsby has also created this take on mulled wine, and it’s packed with warming spice so works for any events you have coming up over the festive season.
If you have lots of guests over, multiply the recipe and serve in a punchbowl for everybody to help themselves to.
What you’ll need
- 50ml Slingsby Marmalade Gin
- 100ml Red Wine
- 200ml Fever-Tree Spiced Orange Ginger Ale (or other ginger ale of choice)
- 2tsp Honey
- Cinnamon Stick
- Clove Studded Orange
How to make it
Gently heat all ingredients in a pan and serve warm.
Café Amore
Also known as the French Connection, this cocktail is perfect for anyone who likes Irish coffees and espresso martinis.
Use decaf coffee if you don’t want a caffeine hit, and consider having an ‘adult hot chocolate station’ available so guests can have fun decorating and personalising their cocktails.
What you’ll need
- 150ml Black Coffee
- 25ml Amaretto
- 25ml Cognac
How to make it
Getting an Irish coffee glass, place the amaretto and cognac shots inside.
Fill this to the top with black coffee.
Decorate with whipped cream and shaved almonds, for tradition, or chocolate, sprinkles, and marshmallows depending on your preference.
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