2. Top up each glass with Prosecco or sparkling white wine. Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds and serve straight away.
The festive season is the perfect time to indulge in a late-morning brunch – serve this timeless classic alongside.
Serves 1
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
50ml (2fl oz) vodka
½ tbsp sweet sherry
150ml (5fl oz) tomato juice, chilled
¼ tsp Tabasco sauce
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
Juice of ½ lemon
TO GARNISH
Lemon slices
Celery stick
Per serving 147 cals, 1g protein, 0g fat (0g saturates), 5g carbs (5g total sugars), 1g fibre
1. Mix together the vodka, sweet sherry, tomato juice, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper and the lemon juice. Check the seasoning.
2. Pour over a glass of ice and serve with lemon slices and a celery stick.
Inspired by the classic mint julep, this elegant drink will welcome guests to any party.
Serves 4
Hands-on time: 5 minutes
100ml (3½fl oz) whisky or bourbon
500ml (17fl oz) lemonade, chilled
TO GARNISH
4 mint sprigs
1 lime, cut into 4 wedges
Per Serving 83 cals, 0g protein, 0g fat (0g saturates), 7g carbs (7g total sugars), 0g fibre
1. Fill four tumblers with crushed ice. Divide the whisky or bourbon and lemonade among the tumblers.
2. Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.
This classic American holiday-season drink is usually time-consuming to make and generates plenty of washing-up. We’ve cut some corners, without diminishing the flavour.
Serves 8
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
3 eggs
75g (3oz) caster sugar
50ml (2fl oz) brandy
100ml (3½fl oz) whole milk
Freshly grated nutmeg, to garnish
Per serving 84 cals, 3g protein, 2g fat (1g saturates), 10g carbs (10g total sugars), 0g fibre
1. Put the eggs in a large bowl. Add the sugar and beat together with an electric hand whisk until thick and mousse-like, about 5 minutes. With the motor running, quickly add the brandy, followed by the milk.
2. Divide among eight small glasses. Garnish with the nutmeg and serve.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without this warm, richly spiced tipple … but it’s a pretty potent mix, so be warned!
Serves 8
Hands-on time: 10 minutes, plus infusing
Cooking time: 5 minutes
125g (4oz) golden caster sugar
1 cinnamon stick
6 juniper berries, crushed
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 orange, studded with cloves, then cut into thin slices
1 lemon, thinly sliced
150ml (¼ pint) orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
75cl bottle red wine
Per serving 193 cals, 0g protein, 0g fat (0g saturates), 20g carbs (20g total sugars), 0g fibre
1. Put the sugar in a pan with 450ml (15fl oz) of water. Add the cinnamon stick, juniper berries, nutmeg, one orange slice and the lemon slices. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil, then remove from the heat and leave to stand for 10 minutes to allow everything to infuse.
2. Add the orange liqueur and red wine, and heat through gently, then pour into a jug. Add the remaining orange slices and serve.
A seductive sipper to set the mood for a romantic evening.
Serves 2
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
4 passion fruit (see GH tip here)
100ml (3½fl oz) vodka
200ml (7fl oz) pomegranate juice
Juice of 1 lemon
Per serving 164 cals, 0g protein, 0g fat (0g saturates), 13g carbs (13g total sugars), 0g fibre
1. Halve three of the passion fruit and scoop the pulp into a sieve set over a jug. With a wooden spoon, press the pulp to release the juice into a jug (discarding the seeds). Add the vodka, pomegranate juice and lemon juice.
2. Stir in a handful of ice cubes and leave for 30 seconds to chill. Strain back through a sieve into two martini glasses. Halve the remaining passion fruit, then garnish each glass with half a passion fruit and serve immediately.
Choose passion fruits with wrinkly skins as this indicates ripeness.
Shop-bought vegetable crisps or crumbled Stilton would make a lovely alternative garnish for this soup.
Serves 8
Hands-on time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: about 30 minutes
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