HOT RUM PUNCH - A great drink after a brisk walk on Boxing Day

Serves 4.3 litres/7.5 pints

• 850ml/1.5 pints Rum
• 850ml/1.5 pints Brandy
• 600ml/1 pint Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 3-4 tbsp Caster Sugar
• 2 litres/3.5 pints Boiling Water
• Slices of Fruit to Decorate

1. Mix together the rum, brandy, lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of the sugar in a punch bowl or large heatproof mixing bowl.  Pour in the boiling water and stir well to mix.
2. Taste and add more sugar if required.  Decorate with the fruit slices and serve immediately in heatproof glasses with handles or mugs.

MULLED ALE & MULLED WINE

Makes 2.8 litres/5 pints - Mulled Ale

• 2.5 litres/4.5 pints Strong Ale
• 300ml/10 fl oz Brandy
• 2 tbsp Caster Sugar
• Large pinch of Ground Cloves
• Large pinch of Ground Ginger

Makes 3.3 litres/5.75 pints - Mulled Wine

• 5 Oranges
• 50 Cloves
• Thinly pared rind and juice of 4 Lemons
• 850ml/1.5 pints of Water
• 115g/4oz Caster Sugar
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 2 litres/3.5 pints Red Wine
• 150ml/5 fl oz Brandy

1. For the Mulled Ale, put all the ingredients in a heavy-based saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved.  Continue to heat so that it is simmering but not boiling.  Remove the saucepan from the heat and serve the Ale immediately in heatproof glasses.
2. For the Mulled Wine, prick the skins of 3 of the oranges all over with a fork and stud with the cloves, then set aside.  Thinly pare the rind and squeeze the juice from the remaining oranges.
3. Put the orange rind and juice, lemon rind and juice, water, sugar and cinnamon in a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.  Boil for 2 minutes without stirring, then remove from the heat, stir once and leave to stand for 10 minutes.  Strain the liquid into a heatproof jug, pressing down on the contents of the sieve to extract all the juice.
4. Pour the wine into a separate saucepan and add the strained spiced juices, the brandy and the clove-studded oranges.  Simmer gently without boiling, then remove the saucepan from the heat.  Strain into heatproof glasses and serve hot.

I hope you enjoy making these recipes and your guest enjoy drinking them.  Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Recipes taken from Perfect Christmas book.