By Olivia Wong

Mulled Apple Juice 

Christmas may be over for this year but we can carry on the festive spirit with this hot spiced apple drink. Its simplicity lends itself to being made on returning home weary from the biting cold, howling winds and heavy rain. This comforting beverage will be sure to warm you up while you put your feet up and turn on the telly, ending the year in the relaxed state you hope to carry into the new year. It can brighten up miserable Winter mornings and goes equally well with winding down for the night with a book in bed! The great thing is, not only does it provide 1 of your 5 a day but it will also fill the room with a lovely aroma, so it doubles up as an air freshener too! A true all-rounder.

How to make

Ingredients (serves 10)

• 1.5 litres cloudy apple juice
• Zest 1 orange
• 3–4 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Method (total time: 15 minutes)

1. Warm the apple juice in a saucepan over a low heat.
2. Add the orange zest, cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg. Stir and bring to the boil. 
3. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Pour the mixture into mugs through a metal sieve to remove the whole spices. 
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange. Then serve!

N.B. You can make an alcoholic version by replacing the apple juice with cider.

The alcoholic version of this beverage is loosely derived from Wassail, originally a Medieval English drink of mulled ale, curdled cream, roasted apples, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar. The word also refers to the custom of drinking Wassail, which was traditionally done on New Year’s Eve, and comes from an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “good health”. Wassailing involved carrying a huge bowl, in which the drink would be served, into a room to great fanfare, singing a carol about the beverage and then serving it. 

If Auld Lang Syne is growing old and you fancy a different tune to welcome in the new year, try the popular Wassailing carol below. All together now….

Here we come a-wassailing

Among the leaves so green,

Here we come a-wassailing,

So fair to be seen:

Love and joy come to you,

And to you your wassail too,

And God bless you and send you,

A happy New Year,

And God send you,

A happy new year.

…..and with that – from all of us at the Research Hive – we wish you all a happy, safe and healthy 2021!

P.S. Fancy a chance at winning a £10 Costa gift card?

Have a go yourself, take a picture and send us your Winter Warmer creations on Twitter @UoMHive or email me (jason.chu@manchester.ac.uk). We’ll be publishing a different hot drink recipe every day so try your hand at one you fancy!

The winning picture will be randomly selected from all entries received. Closing date for entries is 8th January.

(Feel free to make and submit as many different Winter Warmer drinks!)

Winter Warmer # 1: Minty Hot Chocolate Float

Winter Warmer # 2: Nutmeg and Orange Xmas Coffee

Winter Warmer # 3: Snowman Eggnog

Winter Warmer # 4: Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 5: Matcha Latte

Winter Warmer # 6: Ginger Pear tea

Winter Warmer # 7: After Eight Peppermint hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 8: Mulled Apple Juice

*Bonus Winter Warmer* : Turmeric Milk with Honey and Ginger