To help you stay toastie this winter time, and embrace all things seasonal, we’ve scoured the web for the Best of British warming winter drinks (with some European influence and ingredients from around the globe of course).

First up – mulled wine.  There’s nothing like a chilly walk and home to a glass or three of mulled wine. You can make a batch and re-warm it, or set it going in your slow cooker before you head out.  Why not enjoy a glass in your Jon Pritchard loft conversion. You’ve invested in your view – so enjoy it!  And our views in Bristol are pretty good – all over the city.

NEWFLASH!  It’s easy to make a non-alcoholic version of mulled wine too. Simply follow your favoured recipe for spice and fruit, but add blackcurrant cordial instead of red wine (that’s usually Ribena to us Brits!).

Try Jamie’s Mulled Wine, with clementines, lemon and lime

or this concoction from the chefs at the Tate Gallery, with a dash of port and brandy to perk you up!

and here’s Ainsley’s recipe for your slow cooker mulled wine

Hot Chocolate, or Cocoa?

Winter demands the consumption of chocolate, for those of us who can. Drinking it hot works brilliantly on chilly days. You’d be surprised how easy it is to make it ‘properly’ from cocoa powder, or you can just grate your favourite choc into warmed milk and stir!

How to make cocoa

You will need:

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar (or less – start with 1/4 and add to taste)
1/3 cup hot water
1/8 tsp salt
4 cups milk (Dairy or non-dairy)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Method

Combine the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan.
Over medium heat, stir constantly until the mixture simmers. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil.
Remove from the heat and add vanilla; stir well. Serve immediately (with whipped cream and what not!)

And to spoil yourself – add a dash of Baileys or Amaretto to your hot chocolate, and a fat squirt of whipped cream.

Or, as one of our children’s favourite cafés does, sprinkle mini marshmallows, then add the huge squirt of whipped cream, then a scattering of mini smarties or other small chocolate-themed sweets, and then a dusting of chocolate powder.  Why not? It’s Christmas after all!

Real hot chocolate

Prefer to go down the ‘real chocolate; route? Try this delectable recipe for Christmas hot chocolate with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Whipping your cream

If you like making deserts, or are just a hot choc and cream fan, why not invest in a re-fillable catering-style cream whipper? It could even make a good present for someone you know (or why not ask Santa for one yourself?!).

If you’re considering a loft conversion and live in the Bristol area, get in touch with Jon Pritchard for a free, no obligations quotation.  Or if you just have questions – we’re happy to help. We’re experts in loft conversions.

Look through our blog archive too, for tips and advice, and features on some of the lofts we’ve converted.