Christmas Mulled Gin & Tonic with Apple

This apple-based Mulled Gin & Tonic is easy to pull together and makes a wonderful Christmassy hot drink to serve to a crowd.  Non-drinkers can enjoy the mulled apple juice just as it is.

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Are you ready for Christmas? The age-old question that rears it’s head from 1st December onwards, making us all groan inwardly. Honestly, who can seriously announce in reply that yes, they are well and truly organised and ready for the festivities to commence? Not me. I have very few hours left to do serious business as my family breaks up for Christmas in just a few hours time. By default, that means I also need to be ready too. Or at least convincingly pretend that I am. Shhhh…

One thing I am ready for is the stash of treats that have been accumulating in my home recently. As far as the food goes, this includes the Christmas pudding and cake, the mince pies that are safely nestled in my freezer ready to bake. And best of all, my homemade sausage rolls filled with immeasurably good sausagemeat made by my own dear Dad (Hi Dad x).  But of course, Christmas also creates the chance to sit back and enjoy one or two festive drinks. I’m a sucker for all Christmassy food and drink, including mulled wine. However, I have a new wheeze this year – Mulled Gin & Tonic.

There has been a bit of a gin-thing going on here on LittleSugarSnaps this year. Type gin into my search tab and you’ll see what I mean. So it seems only fitting to end the year on a gin high. Yes, I’m talking about hot mulled gin.

What is Hot Mulled Gin?

Hot mulled gin is the enthusiastic gin drinker’s answer to the Christmas drinks conundrum. If gin is your thing you don’t have to give it up just to embrace the festive spirit.

Essentially, when a drink is mulled it has been heated, sweetened and infused with spice. The most common mulled drink across the UK and Europe is mulled wine (aka glögg, gløgg, glögi or glühwein depending whereabouts in Europe you are). Other mulled drinks include mulled cider and mulled apple juice.

But now I’m adding mulled apple gin & tonic to the festive party mix.

Just like mulled wine, my hot mulled gin & tonic is laced with plenty of festive spices – ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves & star anise. However, to enable this drink to be served warm, and to sweeten it, I’ve infused these spices into apple juice. There is also a splash of tonic syrup there to give that authentic G&T taste.

Can I make Mulled Apple Gin in Advance?

This drink is ideal to serve at a party since the mulled apple juice can be made in advance and reheated when ready to serve.

Just drop a measure of gin and a dash of tonic syrup into a heatproof glass and top with the hot juice.

I recommend keeping your gin measure on the conservative side. Hot drinks are for quaffing, not lingering over. So my advice is to take it easy on the pouring. Of course, any non-drinkers can enjoy the mulled apple juice just as it is.

This Mulled Gin & Tonic differs from a classic G&T because it is served hot and it is not sparkling. I confess I do like my bubbles chilled. If you’re after a more traditional G&T, take a look at my award-winning Winter G&T. It is delicious and suitably bubbly. But for those of you not dismayed by the lack of bubbles, read on.

Let’s face it, December in England is a chilly and damp affair, so warm drinks are the order of the day. The addition of tonic syrup in place of traditional sparkling tonic water enables the distinctive bitter flavours associated with a G&T to shine through in this mulled apple gin recipe. Meanwhile, the warm mulled apple juice helps turn this drink into a lengthy & comforting hug-in-a-stylish mug to savour.

On that note, I’m departing to tackle a lengthy list of chores I would sooner not have to face. I promise you that by this evening, there will be a glass of this excessively Christmassy hot mulled gin & tonic in my hands. Thank you, lovely readers, for repeatedly dropping in to see my latest creations or read my endless waffle. Sending you best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas period.

More Christmas Drink ideas:

• Warninks Advocaat Snowball Cocktail with Ginger Beer
• Bourbon Black Forest Cocktail
• Homemade Gingerbread Cream Liqueur
• Bombardino – a hot advocaat drink
• Winter Gin & Tonic with Elderflower & Sloe

Recipe