We’re entering the busiest social season of the year and no doubt your diary is already filling up. Halloween shindigs, firework displays and Christmas are all coming up fast… it’s about time we started planning a tipple or two, don’t you think?
Whether you’re raising a plastic cup in front of the fire or clinking glasses under twinkling fairy lights, winter cocktails are perfect for sharing with friends this season.
From festive Hot Toddies to zingy refreshers with and without the booze, we have you covered - make your bonfire drinks by the glass or serve up a pitcher. The only thing left to say is cheers!
Bonfire cocktails
Cheeky Chai Latte
Sip this spicy nectar to warm you up as you twirl sparklers on 5th November. Share with a friend, if you’re feeling generous, but we wouldn’t blame you for hogging the lot.
Ingredients
- 2 chai tea bags
- 1 mug whole milk
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 60ml Baileys Irish Cream
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method
Heat the milk gently in a small pan over a low heat. When its hand-hot, add the teabags and steep for 5 minutes as the mixture simmers. Remove the bags and whisk in Baileys, sugar and ground cinnamon. Pour into a flask and head out into the cold.
Cocktail glassware
This is a hot drink, and if you’re enjoying it in the great outdoors, you might want to serve it in thermos flasks to keep it at the right temperature. Great for wrapping chilly hands around, too!
Cranberry Sangria Fizz
This is an easily prepped, guaranteed crowd pleaser. Bring it out and listen for the “oohs” and “ahhs” from your onlookers. It’s adaptable to accommodate whatever fresh fruit you have, and can be made non-alcoholic if you sub the fizz for lemonade. Zingy!
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 1 mug of cranberries
- 1 large bunch of purple grapes
- 1 small bunch of mint
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- 1 bottle of Prosecco, Cava or Champagne
- 300ml soda water
Method
Slice the apples and pile them in a large pitcher, layered with grapes, mint leaves and cranberries. Pour over your fizz of choice and add soda water until the jug is full. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Cocktail glassware
Go for a vintage, retro vibe with your glassware and serve this fruity tipple in a champagne coupe. Very art deco!
Berry Stormy
This fruity take on the classic Dark and Stormy is quick to make and oh-so-satisfying. Maximum satisfaction, minimum time spent away from the fun!
Ingredients
- 6 fresh blackberries
- 45ml dark navy rum
- 300ml ginger beer
- 1 lime wedge
Method
Put the blackberries in the bottom of a short tumbler and give them a gentle squash with a fork or cocktail muddler. Pour over the rum, and top to the rim with cold ginger beer. Squeeze over a wedge of lime and dunk it in. To make this a mocktail, squeeze in an extra lime and skip the rum. Sour, spicy and one of our faves.
Cocktail glassware
This is a great sharing cocktail for bonfire night, so make up a big batch in a glass jug then serve up in simple tumblers.
Gingerbread White Russian
This time of year is made for indulgence, right?... which means we’re reaching for the Kahlua. Like the edgy big brother of Baileys, Kahlua is a creamy coffee liqueur which we’re pairing with cream, milk and spices to make the adult version of a treat left out for Santa on Christmas Eve (great for combating that festive period heartburn, too!)
Ingredients
- 30ml vodka
- 45ml Kahlua
- ½ mug of single cream
- ½ mug of whole milk
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 star anise
Method
Mix the ground spices with the vodka and Kahlua. Pour over your cream, followed by the milk, then add a few ice cubes if you want yours extra chilly. Stir well to combine and add the star anise to garnish – this’ll give a little extra flavour as it steeps, as well as looking as festive as can be as it bobs around on the cocktail’s surface.
Cocktail glassware
This classic cocktail needs some classic glassware to really show it off. Look for short whiskey tumblers like this checked set to get that speakeasy feel.
Have you got your garden ready for guests?
If you’re planning an outdoor gathering for bonfire night, make sure your outdoor space is prepped and ready for hosting before your guests arrive.
A fire pit is a great way to get a bonfire going without the risk of fire spreading. This rustic style can be loaded with logs to create that bonfire night feel anywhere in your garden.
A fire pit is a great way to get a bonfire going without the risk of fire spreading. This rustic style can be loaded with logs to create that bonfire night feel anywhere in your garden.
A garden drinks trolley is another clever way to give your gathering a luxe vibe. This outdoor version is really handy – why not load it with the ingredients for your bonfire cocktails and get your guests to have a go at mixing? Line up bottles, slice fresh fruit, stock up the ice bucket and let them play bartender for the night.
Finally, make sure your guests are toasty warm for the whole evening with some well-placed cushions and oversized blankets. We love the autumnal shades in this outdoor cushion, and the tassels on this great big blanket pick out the colours perfectly.
With everything in place for a roaring bonfire party, now you just need to invite your guests and make sure you have your hat, gloves and scarf ready to go!
And if you really want to go all out and add some seasonal baking to your gathering, why not have a go at making sourdough? With a home-baked loaf you can whip up cheese toasties or use it to dip in a hearty stew… you can even toast it on the fire! Take a look at our guide to get started.
