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The president announced that the temporary ban on the sale of alcohol, to support the lockdown restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19, would be lifted on 1 June 2020. Thousands of South Africans celebrated and stood in line for hours, fearlessly waiting to buy their favourite night cap. But, as one knows, the cold winter nights of June make it slightly difficult to enjoy a cold one at the end of a long day. But, fear not, here are 5 “hot-tails” to keep you nice and toasty while you enjoy your drink of choice. Alcoholic beverages are not suitable for people under the age of 18, but you can make family friendly alternatives by simply leaving the alcoholic ingredients out of the recipes.

Irish Coffee

The classic warm alcoholic drink, coffee with a punch. The recipe below serves 1 but it is easy to duplicate it to enjoy with family or friends.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 44ml / 1 tot Irish whiskey
• 4 tablespoons Heavy cream, slightly whipped

Method:

1. Fill a glass mug with boiling water and allow to sit for a minute to preheat it, then empty.
2. Pour piping hot coffee into mug until it is about 3/4 full.
3. Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
4. Blend in Irish whiskey.
5. Top with a collar of the whipped heavy cream by pouring gently over back of spoon.
6. Serve hot.

Mulled Wine

This is essentially a warm spicy wine that will leave you feeling fuzzy on the inside.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine – You can use cheaper wine for this, nothing top shelf. You can also try a white wine variation if that is your preferred type of wine

• 2 oranges:
  • Peel one and slice it to add it to the simmering wine
  • Slice the other with the skin on for garnish
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 8 whole cloves
• 2 star anise
• 100g honey or sugar
• ¼ cup liqueur (optional): feel free to add a splash of your favourite brown spirit like bourbon, cognac or brandy to give your mulled wine and extra kick

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a deep saucepan.
2. Heat over medium-high heat until the wine starts steaming. Do not let the wine bubble or boil – this will burn off the alcohol. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours for a richer flavour profile.
3. Remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks and star anise with a strainer – you can discard these or use them as garnish.
4. Serve warm in fancy glass mugs, with the garnish and enjoy.

Hot Toddy

This warm beverage is rumoured to help with a cold but you can also drink it purely for the enjoyment. The recipe below serves 1 but it is easy to duplicate it to enjoy with family or friends.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup water
• 44ml / 1 tot whiskey, brandy or dark rum
• 2 teaspoons honey or to taste
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice or to taste
• 1 round lemon slice
• 1 cinnamon stick

Method:

1. In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug.
2. Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing.
3. Garnish with the lemon slice and cinnamon stick and enjoy!

Kahlúa Hot Chocolate

This decedent warm drink makes the perfect dessert alternative for the adults in the room.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• 44ml / 1 tot Kahlúa coffee liqueur
• 200g mini marshmallows, for serving
• 100ml salted caramel, for serving
• 100ml chocolate syrup, for serving

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon and nutmeg over medium heat until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Kahlúa.
3. Serve in a cup, top with mini marshmallows, and drizzle salted caramel and chocolate syrup, overtop for garnish.

Warm Eggnog

This tasty treat is often made with raw eggs, however, we are sampling the safer hot version of the popular American drink.

Ingredients:

• 8 large eggs, yolks and whites separated and reserved
• ³/₄ cup granulated sugar
• ¹/₈ teaspoon salt
• 4 cups whole milk
• ¹/₂ cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup French cognac
• 1 whole fresh nutmeg, grated

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg yolks on high speed until thick and creamy. Add sugar and beat on high again until very light, about 3 to 5 minutes.
2. Add salt and beat to combine then set aside.
3. In another large bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks and set aside.
4. Heat the milk, cream, and vanilla in a saucepan, heat over medium heat – do not allow this to boil.
5. When small bubbles begin to appear, whisk the hot milk into the yolk mixture.
6. Add the beaten whites and the cognac and stir until everything is incorporated.
7. Pour eggnog into glass mugs, sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated nutmeg on top and enjoy hot.

Try out these recipes and share your photos and feedback with us on social media by tagging the handles below and using the hashtag #toohottohandle

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Read our article on the effects of alcohol on your health to find out what is considered to be healthy level of alcohol consumption.