'Tis the season for indulgent, delicious food and festive drinks! We've picked out some of our favourite recipes and drinks to give you some ideas for the Christmas period, including veggie options and alternative desserts if you want to try something a little different this year.

Let's start with some drinks...

1. Spicy Mulled Wine Cocktail

A hybrid between a mulled wine and kir royale, this cocktail is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Here's what you'll need to make it:

• 500 ml red wine (2 cups)
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 star anise pods
• 3 cardamom pods
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 large orange peel (pith removed)
• 2 cloves
• 1 chilled bottle bubbles (champagne or Prosecco)
• Chambord (or sub for creme de cassis)
• To garnish:
• Sliced apples
• Orange peel
• Pomegranate seeds

Find the full recipe here.

2. Chai Espresso Martini

A festive twist on the classic espresso martini, the perfect after dinner cocktail.

Here's what you'll need:

3. Goat's Cheese Tart

If you're tired of nut roasts and want to try something different that's veggie, you can't go wrong with a puff pastry tart - simple to make yet delicious. You can also use toppings from your leftovers the next day for lunch!

• 345 g plump cherry tomatoes, on the vine (2 +⅓ cups) left whole
• 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ½ tsp of both sea salt and cracked black pepper divided
• 1 320g roll of ready-made puff pastry
• 1 tablespoon finely grated pecorino cheese
• 2 tablespoon vegetarian red pesto
• 1 medium red onion (140g) peeled, cut lengthways then sliced thinly
• 125 g of goat's cheese (1 small log or 5oz)
• A generous pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon milk
• 4 or 5 sprigs of fresh thyme

Find the full recipe and method here.

4. Winter Walnut & Fig Salad

5. Red Wine Poached Pear

A classy and impressive dessert that can be served with sorbet to make it vegan. Drizzle with syrup and serve either hot or cold, so they can be made in advance!

• 1 bottle red wine 750ml/25floz
• juice of 1 lemon⁠
• juice of ½ an orange
• ¾ cup 150g sugar⁠
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon⁠ or 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger⁠
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 firm pears⁠

For the cinnamon cream:

• ⅔ cup 150ml whipping cream double cream⁠
• 1 teaspoon sugar⁠
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

See the full recipe here.

6. Eggnog Gingerbread Tiramisu

Who says tiramisu is just for the summer? Add some warming spices to this creamy classic dessert for a festive post dinner treat. Serve with the chai espresso martinis for the ultimate coffee combo!

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 ¼ cups mascarpone
• ½ cup eggnog
  ▢½ cup eggnog
• 14-18 gingerbread men cookies (about 4-inch in size)
• ½ cup strong black coffee (espresso preferred)
• 1 tablespoon light or dark rum
• Optional whipped cream, unsweetened cocoa, chocolate sprinkles, or gingerbread men cookie crumbs for decoration

See the full recipe here.