Classic drinks to enjoy during winter

The elixir of early risers. One of the many great things about coffee is the number of ways you can enjoy it. You might like specialty coffees made using your espresso machine and milk frother. Maybe a filter coffee or French press coffee is more your thing? Or perhaps you enjoy keeping things simple with instant coffee?

Whatever your preference, there's no denying that coffee has a special place in the hearts of many and can be incredibly useful for handling those chilly, dark mornings when starting the day is a little trickier than during the warmer months. For some warm coffee recipes that are perfect for the winter, have a read of our blog that details five coffee recipes that encompass that feeling of coziness we all crave during the winter.

While coffee is a popular choice for many, some of us prefer a gentler wake-up call, which is precisely what tea offers. Even if black tea isn't to your liking, there are plenty of other types of tea that might hit the mark for you, including:

• Green Tea. Celebrated for its health benefits, green tea has a milder taste than black tea, which might make it more palatable to those who struggle with black tea's bold taste. Green tea varieties include Sencha, Matcha, and Gunpowder, so there are plenty of options to explore!
• Herbal Tea: Herbal teas are made from various herbs, fruits, flowers, and spices, offering a wide range of flavors and benefits. Varieties include chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus, to name just a few. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free as they're not true teas, making them an excellent choice for those looking to embrace hot beverages without committing to consuming caffeine.
• White Tea. This type of tea is picked early on, giving it a delicate, sweet flavor and lighter color. It also has a fraction of the caffeine content that black tea has, making it another good option for those less keen on strong flavors and caffeine. White tea varieties include White Peony, Silver Needle, and Bai Mu Dan.

That's just the start - there are many other tea varieties to warm yourself up with, including Chai, Rooibos, Jasmine Tea, Earl Grey, and more. It's no wonder, really, given that tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water!

Coffee and tea may be the stars of the show when it comes to hot drinks, but they're far from being your only winter morning indulgence options. Other hot beverages that can deliver a warm embrace include hot chocolate, spiced hot milk, hot lemon water, and mulled wine or cider - although that last option may be better left until later on in the day!

Nothing says celebration like well-crafted cocktails, which perfectly embody the extra effort that goes into notable days and events. Here are some classic styles of cocktails you might want to try out to elevate your winter parties:

• Lowball cocktails are typically served in short glasses, also known as "rocks," "old-fashioned," or "whisky" glasses. They often feature a strong spirit as the base and minimal mixers. Old Fashioneds, Negronis, Whiskey Sours, Manhattans, and Sazeracs are some lowball cocktails you might consider crafting for your guests.
• Highball cocktails are typically served in tall glasses and contain a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixer to a smaller amount of spirit. Examples include the Mojito, Tom Collins, Moscow Mule, Dark 'n' Stormy, and Tequila Sunrise.
• Martini and Up cocktails are served in stemmed glasses without ice, often featuring a high proportion of spirits and low overall volume. Examples include the Martini, Cosmopolitan, Gimlet, Margarita, and Sidecar.
• Sour cocktails balance sweet and sour elements, typically featuring citrus juice alongside a sweetener and spirit. Examples include the Margarita, Whiskey Sour, and Amaretto Sour.

Of course, that's just the start of the options you can consider during your festivities. Whatever cocktail you choose, be sure to top it off with some garnish that complements its flavors and gives your drink an extra bit of flair.

For any celebratory meal during any season, wine has to be on the menu, and winter is no exception. Red wine shines during this time of year thanks to the popularity of roast dinners for winter meals, whether you're enjoying a robust Cabernet Sauvignon alongside some roasted beef or a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir alongside a poultry-based dish. Always consider the best wine pairing for any meals you plan on wowing your guests with during the winter festivities to ensure your food and drink work in tandem as they should.

After sophisticated dinners come celebratory evenings; for these occasions, sparkling wines reign supreme. The celebratory "pop" of the cork and the lively bubbles dancing in the glass create an unmistakable sense of festivity. The tradition of toasting with sparkling wine also has deep historical roots, making it a natural choice for commemorating significant moments. When the clock strikes 12, there is no substitute for a fine sparkling wine.