PDS Mulled Wine

It's that time of year, and mulled wine is unavoidable. It's a simple drink, and with so many high street shops selling pre-made bottles for as little as £4 you may grab a bargain. But if you make it from scratch with your favourite bottle of red, you'll feel Oh So Festive. Trust me.

1 bottle of your favourite red; I use Toro Loco, but any good Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot would be good too.
A good handful of cloves
1 or 2 cinnamon sticks
A dash of fresh OJ
A pinch of hot chocolate.

Stir it all over a low heat, adding the hot chocolate and OJ right at the end to taste. Serve straight away with fresh orange slices and cheesy Christmas music.

The Limonada Cubana

Continuing this week's rum fun! This is the drink I entered into the 2013 Las Iguanas bar challenge and won second place. The Limonada Cubana is a Cuban twist on cloudy lemonade, perfect for long summer days, or trying to forget about the long rainy ones we have to suffer through winter!

50-60ml Havana 3yr (it's better stronger)
25ml Martini Extra Dry
50ml fresh lemon juice
4 bar spoons passion fruit syrup.
Shake long and hard with cubed ice and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist, squeezing the oils into the drink and rubbing around the rim of the glass. Serve, enjoy.

The Rum Coronita

The rum inspiration this week continues in the form of the Rum Coronita. A refreshing drink that takes you back to any long summer day;

50ml Havana 3yr
25ml Apple schnapps/liqueur
Squeeze of fresh lime juice
1/2 bottle Corona.

Shake Havana, apple schnapps and lime juice with cubed ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass over cubed ice. Top with 1/2 bottle of Corona and garnish with fresh lime wedges. Enjoy!