Top festive drinks for the winter season

Mulled apple juice is sometimes made as a non-alcoholic alternative to a winter beverage such as mulled wine. Warming apple juice, usually with strips of orange and lemon peel and spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, makes a great gluten-free hot drink for all the family, young and not so young.

This winter beverage comes as it sounds. Most recipes suggest warming the juice with spices such as cinnamon or ginger. Freshly squeezed OJ is always a vitamin-packed delight and could make this the king of hot juices for many palates.

This hot winter beverage is popular across East Asia and South East Asia. The winter melon is sliced, peeled and the seeds are removed so that the chunks can be added to boiling water and brown sugar. The tea is filtered a few hours later through a sieve or gauze. Delicious!

Winter is a great time to be busy among vapours in the kitchen. Why not make a spiced tea like Indian chai, always taking care to use gluten-free ingredients.

For a real winter treat, whip up a white chocolate latte with matcha, powdered green-leaf tea that is hugely popular in Japan. Heat milk and add the chocolate in a pan while making matcha with boiling water in cups before combining.

Few drinks are as warming as thick and tasty cocoa heated up on the stove. Do take care to check that the cocoa powder is suitable for people on a strict gluten-free diet.

Mocktails – cocktails without the alcohol – have been on the rise in recent years. And there is no reason why the party should stop in winter. There are many winter mocktails to choose from, including alcohol-free mulled wine and eggnogs made without the brandy, whisky or rum.

Freshly-brewed coffee, milk, perhaps some sugar and Nutella, the hazelnut spread which is gluten-free as well as delicious… What could go wrong? Nothing.

Simple but so comforting: whisk cinnamon and sugar to taste into your preferred milk and let it froth its way to warmth.