Hot Christmas drinks

These festive drinks will have you licking your lips and reaching for the ladle.

Hot winter beverages are a highlight of the Christmas season and the addition of alcohol makes them a real festive treat.

You can also make non-alcoholic versions or adjust the level of alcohol for your taste.

Be careful when drinking punch or mulled wine at parties. It might not taste very strong but you could be consuming a lot of units in one gulp. It's best to avoid them altogether when you're driving.

Hot Toddies

Traditionally a toddy is a hot drink made with whiskey, honey and spices such as cloves. The mug is warmed with boiling water before the alcohol is poured in.

Punch

Rum punch is a classic Christmas tipple, but brandy can also be used with lemon, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and boiling water.

Mulled wine

Popular with people on the ski slopes, at Christmas markets and at home curled up in front of the fire; mulled wine is a festive favourite.

To make mulled wine, red wine is mixed with cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, sugar, orange and lemon zest, plus boiling water. Glugg is a Scandinavian version which includes a shot of brandy or vodka for an extra kick.

Possets

Hot alcoholic milky drinks called possets date back to the Middle Ages. In Scotland a classic posset combines oats, milk, salt, honey, nutmeg and lots of whiskey.

Eggnog

Eggnog is seen as the ultimate Christmas drink and although many people associate it with American traditions, it is thought to have been a variation of a posset concoction.

The beauty of eggnog is that you can make a big pan and leave it simmering all day.

To make one glass of eggnog you'll need:

• 25ml brandy
• 20ml dark rum
• 1 dash sugar syrup
• 75ml milk
• nutmeg

Put the spirits, sugar syrup and egg into a shaker filled with ice. Shake and then strain into a saucepan. Add the milk and simmer on a low heat, being careful not to alow it to boil. Sprinkle with grated nutmeg before serving.