Gin Toddy: As winter’s here to wrap you around its frosty arms, the clinking of glasses and the aromatic symphony of beverages is bound to be the main attraction. The amber hues of old whiskies, aged wines and hot rums have been constantly adding a touch of sophistication to the holiday festivities. And in the list of these highly celebrated winter fermented beverages, the newest addition is gin.
Yes, that’s true! On a traditional front gin is often associated with summer cocktails. However, now the drink is experiencing a remarkable surge in its popularity during the winters as well. The gin has broken the ceiling and has made its way to the cozy winter dinners. The juniper-infused spirit’s botanical blends and tangy flavours make it a versatile and ‘the’ choice for Christmas celebrations.
Therefore, what’s better to elevate this classic drink with a twist of warm toddies and a spicy side snack to munch on? So, explore these amazing recipes which are super easy to prepare with your regular kitchen ingredients.
Classic hot Gin Toddy
If you wish to keep it vanilla and do not want to experiment much with the dash of fruits, then this one’s for you. Begin your Gin Toddy’ adventure with a classic warm toddy blended with honey and lemon juice. Here you go.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml gin
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 slice of lemon
How to make:
- Combine gin, honey, lemon juice and hot water in a heat-resistant vessel (preferably a glass or a mug).
- Mix the ingredients till the honey is properly dissolved.
- Now add a cinnamon stick and cloves to enhance the flavour.
- Garnish your drink with the slice of lemon and another cinnamon stick.
- Allow the flavors a few moments to blend in before serving it hot.
Orange Gin Toddy
Now this one’s for all the foodies who love to experiment and enjoy fusion drinks. A burst of hot citrus fluids mixed with gin toddy is a blessing in disguise during winters. Hence, we’re here with this special recipe of orange and Gin Toddy which will earn you a new title of a master mixologist among your folks. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s read on.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml gin
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 orange (peeled and juiced)
- 3-4 cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 orange slice
How to make:
- Start by adding orange juice with gin, hot water, honey, and cloves in a heat-resistant vessel.
- Stir properly until honey is mixed completely.
- Now allow the flavours of the mixture to blend for 3-5 minutes.
- Add a cinnamon stick to the drink to enhance the taste.
- Lastly, garnish your Gin Toddy with an orange slice and let it rest for a while before having it.
Cheesy bites
Now that we’ve said cheers with the drinks, it’s time to hop on the snacks. Who doesn’t like golden hued pieces of heaven to go with tangy toddies? Well, just to cater to your cravings, here we are with the iconic recipe for cheesy bites. These little Christmas balls pair perfectly with the botanical flavours of your delightful gin. Are you ready to give your guests a surprise on their plate? Then get set go.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4th cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted and melted butter
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or use normal mustard in case you don’t have Dijon mustard)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (or mint leaves, or coriander leaves for garnishing)
How to make:
- Put your oven to preheat till 200°C (400°F)
- And add a line of a baking sheet with parchment paper inside it
- Now take out your puff pastry sheet and add sharp cheddar grated cheese, parmesan grated cheese, butter, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Make sure all the ingredients are evenly spread.
- Now roll the pastry inwards gently
- And slice it into little rounds
- Place these bites on the baking sheet at a little distance
- Now bake them in the oven for 15 minutes till your cheese bites get golden brown and puffed up.
- Eventually, add some parsley/mint/coriander leaves at the end to garnish your dish
- Now serve your cheesy bites hot with Gin Toddy and have them with mayo dip or ketchup.
