Istri Sholihah di Dunia dan akhirat: RECIPE: A Collection of Mulled Beers and Ciders

This year I am taking a fresh approach to Christmas tipples. I'm not normally a massive beer drinker, however I love anything mulled. Mulled wine, mulled cider and now mulled beer. Yes folks, you heard me right. Imagine taking your favourite beer (here I used Budweiser as it is what we had around), and adding those beautiful Christmassy flavour profiles. Although you can still taste the beer flavour, the whole thing is elevated to a new festive level. This drink is also a great alternative to those wanting a lower sugar option to wine or cider. Enjoy!

Ingredients

660ml lager
4tbsp palm sugar
3 kaffir lime leaves 50g ginger
6 mint leaves
6 coriander stalks
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 lemongrass stalk
1/2 a red birds eye chilli

Method

Remove the outer leaves of the lemongrass before bruising with the ginger using a pestle and mortar or a heavy rolling pin
Place all the ingredients into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Once boiling remove from the heat and cover the pan with a lid
Leave to cool then pass through a fine sieve to remove any bits
When ready to serve, warm in a pan and add a few extra mint and coriander leaves for decoration.

If you're more of an Ale drinker like my fiance, then this recipe for sweet and warming mulled ale is for you. The combination of honey, cinnamon and orange is so evocative of the festive season and the ale flavour really does work surprisingly well.

Ingredients

660ml ale
6tbsp honey
1 cinnamon stick
50g fresh ginger
5 cloves
2 cardamom pods crushed 1 lemon
pinch of Malden sea salt

Method

Weigh out all of your ingredients and pop into a pan with the ale
Bring to the boil, ensuring you don’t leave the mixture on the hob for too long as this will burn off the alcohol and alter the flavour profile.
Leave for a few minutes to cool slightly then pass through
a fine sieve
When ready to serve, warm in a pan and add a curl of orange peel or a cinnamon stick for decoration

The Lazy Girl's Mulled Cider with Stella Artois Cidre & Schwartz Spiced Cidre Kit

Well I couldn't be making fancy recipes all Christmas now could I! Now I cannot deny that the above mulled beers are delicious (we have been making them all week), this classic mulled cider recipe is a real winner for me. And how long does it take to make, well... about 10 seconds!

Simply open up the pre-selected pack of mulling spices. Inside you'll find a teabag for each drink that you are serving. Either warm on the stove or serve cold - I actually prefer this cider cold for a more refreshing drink.