Old Years Eve Cocktail ideas

The holidays are a time for family, friends and food, and for some, it is an opportunity to indulge in a few traditional holiday unwinding sessions. Whether you are hosting a Christmas get-together or just looking to unwind with a hot toddy, here are a few holiday drink recipes you can keep tucked away in your stocking that will warm the belly and possibly soothe the soul.

• Holiday Martini

4 ounces lemon vodka

Dash of Cointreau

Twist of tangerine or orange peel

Pour the liquid ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with tangerine peel.

• White Chocolate Egg Nog

5 egg yolks

45g caster sugar

1/4 tsp salt

A good glug of whiskey, brandy and rum

200g cream

300ml milk

1tsp nutmeg, freshly grated

125g white chocolate

1 tbsp vanilla essence

1 vanilla pod

In a medium saucepan place the milk, cream, salt, half of the sugar, vanilla essence, nutmeg, whiskey, rum, brandy, and rum and bring this all to a simmer.

While this is coming to a simmer, whisk the egg yolks and the rest of the sugar till they are light and fluffy.

Once the milk and cream has boiled whisk this onto the egg yolks and sugar till all the milk and cream is whisked in.

Place this back into the saucepan and stir all the time on a medium low heat till the custard begins to thicken and coat the back of the spoon. When it has thickened and has a nice shine, pass through a fine sieve over the white chocolate and then whisk the custard till the chocolate has melted.

This is then ready to serve with some whipped cream and grated white chocolate.

• Champagne Cocktail

1 sugar cube

Angostura bitters

4 ounces chilled champagne

Twist of lemon

Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute and moisten it with a dash or two of bitters. Add champagne and garnish with a twist of lemon.

n Mulled Cider

8 cups apple cider

4 strips lemon zest

2 cinnamon sticks

2 whole-star anise

1 teaspoon whole allspice berries

1 teaspoon whole cloves

Combine cider, lemon zest, cinnamon sticks, anise, allspice and cloves in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Remove it from heat and cover.

Let it steep for at least 20 minutes, but for maximum flavour, it can steep up to 4 hours.

Pour into mugs, leaving out most of the spices.

Add one ounce of rum or brandy (optional).

• Jack Rose

1 1/2 ounces applejack

Juice of 1 lime or 1/2 lemon

2 dashes grenadine

Pour ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass.